Editor’s Pick: The 5 Best Slot Canyons Around Zion

7 Best Slot Canyons in the USA. If there’s a hike that feels picture-perfect, it just might involve slot canyons. There’s something magical about the sandy waves carved out of the earth. Today, we’ll help you find some of the best and most impressive slot canyons to visit during your travels. What Is a Slot Canyon? Brimstone Gulch is a dark slot canyon which provides everything you want from a slot canyon hike. Otherworldly patterns, narrow passageways, precariously positioned rocks and chilly pools. You will have to return the same way you came in but this free slot canyon is one of the best slot canyons in the American South West. Echo Canyon Passage. The slot canyon are not in Kanab. They are outside of the town of Page, Arizona which is an hour drive from Kanab. The best time for a photo tour is the.

Last Updated on September 14, 2020

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I'm Kien, an international photographer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. After quitting my job in finance, I've traveled to over 70 countries in the last 10 years finding the coolest experiences to check off my bucket list. I hope to help you find your inspiration with my photography and tips to travel the world.

Slot canyons are fun to play around in, unless you’re that guy from 127 hours. While visiting Zion National Park, my friend Alex and I went on a canyoning adventure through a slot canyon (just outside the park) and wanted more. After a bit of searching, we stumbled onto a little slot canyon at Lambs Knoll – a place that we had all to ourselves. It was perfect and over the years, I’ve added a few more places to my list that I give to friends visiting the Zion area. Slot canyons are great for Summer and Fall months that are dryer (less prone to flash floods) and hotter, since there’s often a lot of shade in the more narrow and deeper sections. This cools the hike down significantly, making it a lot more bearable and fun.

Updated: September, 2020

I’ve updated this list to include even more off-the-beaten path spots in the interest of promoting social distancing. Not only that, but you’ll get most of these hikes to yourself.

Finding Hidden Slot Canyons Near Zion

There are actually hundreds of slot canyons around Utah that vary in size and length, but, ironically, it is quite hard to find a lot of information on some of the lesser known ones that aren’t heavily hiked by tourists. If you type ‘slot canyons’ into Google, a few will pop up, but your results will vary there too. Some of them are hard to access, others might be accessible without technical gear, and some might just be too narrow to fit through. There’s a reason why Antelope Canyon is so popular and overly visited.

One of the easiest ways to make the most of your time in the Zion area is to go on an canyoning tour. Before you get turned off by the term ‘tour’, think of this as going canyoning with a local ‘friend’. You get a proper guide who will take you the best local spots, who will known which are accessible at the time of year. This is actually really useful because there’s always risk of flash floods that rises especially fast in narrow canyons. These guys will regularly be scouting out the area, so they will know if the terrain has changed in any ways, i.e., loose rocks, blocked paths, etc.

They will provide all the safety and technical gear so you can explore deeper in canyons in areas that are inaccessible if you were just to hike there alone.

I went out with Red Desert Adventures for a half day of canyoning at Yankee Doodle Canyon and highly recommend it. The ‘tour’ was private and it was basically like going with a local buddy who already had all the equipment and took me to his favorite spot. It was great, but it does require equipment and for you to be in pretty decent shape so you don’t brick it while trying to ‘superman’ sideways across the slot canyon.

If you are looking for to do a hike, here are a few of the best slot canyons that are easy enough to find and explore on your own.

1. Lambs Knoll

My friend and I popped into pretty sneak spot at Lambs Knoll and had the place completely to ourselves, like at Yankee Doodle canyon. The entrance was pretty narrow, but once we entered, it opened up quite nicely with lots of jagged rocks weaving in and out.

This spot is just outside of Zion National Park, so if you’re already there, it shouldn’t be skipped. The name actually refers to the bigger mountain that hikers and climbers can summit. However, there are a few small slot canyons in there, so that’s what we came for.

2. Orderville Canyon

This is another one just outside Zion National Park, which significantly decreases the number of “tourists” that you’ll bump into. Most people are content to feast on the buffet of trails within Zion that there’s no reason to venture out. Locals and adventure enthusiasts are the sorts you’ll find here. This one is spectacularly long and joins in with the Zion Narrows at one point. There are extremely deep sections that are over 1,000 feet in certain spots and the canyon is mostly dry so it’s easier to explore, especially in the lower more narrow areas.

You can find detailed instructions to get to the different spots here, but the main narrows is about 1.5 miles from the Zion Canyon scenic drive. You’ll need to get a permit to hike here, and if you’re planning to do the lower half, you’ll also need to pay the entrance fee for Zion National Park, since it crosses into park territory.

3. Poverty Wash

This one is a nice small one that gives you about 6-9 miles of trail to explore with different alternating wide and narrow sections. What’s nice about this is that are some colorful Navajo sandstone stretches that look similar to what you’d see at Antelope Canyon, without anyone else in your frame. The narrows here are pretty shallow, which makes it an easier, but still moderate, hike.

This is a nice hike during the summer because there are stream and pools where you can cool off spread out throughout the length of the hike. If you just want the narrow slot canyon look, you’ll especially love Poverty Wash, since that section is much earlier on in the hike, so you don’t have to do the full hike. Come at the right time of day when the sun is not directly overhead and the colors really pop. As the slot canyon narrows even further, you’ll get to an even darker section that feels like you’ve traveled back in time.

4. Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon

26 miles south of Escalante is a neat little spot that is extra fun if you love tight squeezes and absolutely horrible if you’re claustrophobic. I put it on the list because I kept wanted to find the narrowest stretch of slot canyons. It’s a short hike, so I won’t know if you’ll want to go out of your way to check it out, but if its on your route, it shouldn’t be missed. There’s also a nearby hike called Peek-A-Boo Gulch that you can combine to create a longer loop, for those with restless legs.

5. Buckskin Gulch

The granddaddy of slot canyon might be an exaggeration, but this long multi-day hike is a great one for avid adventurers who want to pack everything on their backs and get lost for a few days. The whole thing is 21 miles of slot canyon, so there you go. There’s a small nominal fee to enter the area, but it’s worth it. I only hiked part of it, but I want to return to hike the whole thing one day. It’s close to Kanab, so if you are feeling lucky, you can enter in the day-before lottery for the Wave, and then head to Buckskin Gulch, if you don’t get it (don’t worry, there’s only like 20 people allowed into the Wave each day).

Get Off The Beaten Path

More than just being long, there are amazing stretches of narrow slots that are dark and winding (my favorite type of slot canyon).

So there you go, this list should suffice. There are more canyons, but like I said, unless you know some locals or come prepared, they are a lot harder to access. Why not go for some of the best low hanging fruits that will basically give you the same results. The best part of this list is that most of these hikes are empty. And if they’re not, they are spread out enough that you’ll mostly have it to yourself. No need to be herded around in a large group like at Antelope Canyon.

CLOSED CANYON TRAIL

Closed Canyon Trail is a short, easy hike through a narrow slot canyon that bisects the mesa between the trailhead and the Rio Grande — however there is no river access from this trail. The parking area and trailhead is located about 22 miles west of the Barton Warnock Visitor Center on FM 170 (also known as River Road). This is a hiking-only trail and is one of only 2 pet-accessible trails in Big Bend Ranch State Park. From the trailhead, find your way down the low hill, into an arroyo to the opening of the canyon.

Once you’re in the canyon, there’s no defined trail — instead, the narrow, towering walls guide you along the way, progressively becoming narrower as the canyon trends downward toward the river. You’ll find sand bars and gravel deposited during heaving rains, and the rock along the floor and lower portions of the walls have been polished smooth from the friction of moving sand and gravel during floods. When this slick rock is wet, it’s very slippery (like its name suggests), so be cautious! You’ll also find several depressions in the canyon floor that hold water and are referred to as tinajas, which offer a source of water for wildlife and are also sensitive habitats — so avoid stepping and splashing in them! Hiking over all that slick rock, you’ll want to keep your shoes dry anyway. As you head deeper into the canyon, you’ll encounter small boulders that you’ll have to scramble over, and progressively deeper and steeper pour-offs lined by slick rock. Make sure you can climb back up once you climb down, and if you’re unsure, it’s always wise to turn around.

Because the canyon walls are so tall and narrow, only a little sunlight reaches the floor and the temperature in the canyon can be substantially cooler than out in the exposed desert for most of the day, making it a great reprieve from a warm day in the park. The canyon is also home to a variety of wildlife — you’ll likely only see and hear small birds on your hike, but exercise caution if you come across any snakes or larger wildlife. Do not enter the canyon if there is a chance for rain! Out here, canyons and creeks can flash flood quickly and without notice, especially during the summer rainy season (June-August). To be best prepared, check in with a park ranger at the Barton Warnock Visitor Center about trail and weather conditions before hiking any trail in the park.

HOODOOS TRAIL

Not far from Closed Canyon, the Hoodoos Trail is a short, easy loop trail with great views of the Rio Grande and allows plenty of exploration around strange rock formations that include several hoodoos. The loop trail itself is easy to follow, but feel free to explore all around this small bend of the river. The parking area and trailhead is located about 26 miles west of the Barton Warnock Visitor Center on FM 170 (also known as River Road). This is a hiking-only trail and is one of only 2 pet-accessible trails in Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The hoodoos can be seen up close without taking the loop trail — just find your way over the sloping, gapped rocks and be careful on any slick surfaces. Although they may appear rock-hard and stable, hoodoos are made of relatively softer materials that erodes easily if disturbed. Never climb or otherwise disturb the hoodoos to help preserve these features.

CONTRABANDO EAST – MAIN TRAIL

The Contrabando trail network is composed of over 25 miles of interconnecting wagon trails and single-track trails that arc through the interior of the park, letting you experience the wide open rugged beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert, on foot or mountain bike. This section describes the East Main Trail and the handful of connected/spur trails that diverge from the main trail, from the trailhead to the ruins of the Crawford-Smith House, slowly gaining elevation across the miles into this central area of the park. However far you wish to hike this trail, enjoy the views and solitude!

For the first 2 miles from the trailhead, it’s an easy walk over relatively flat terrain following the traces of a wide wagon trail. Around 2 miles in, diverge onto the single-track Crystal Trail (1.5 miles) for a different experience. The Crystal Trail will put you back onto the East Main Trail. 1/10th of a mile further, you’ll have a choice of continuing on the East Main Trail or taking the left fork onto the Camino Viejo Trail. Once The Camino Viejo Trail meets back up with the East Main Trail, you’ll cross Contrabando Creek and continue on for 2.6 miles to reach the ruins of the Whit-Ray Mine and the nearby Fresno Mine — a good spot to rest and eat!

3.6 miles further up the trail, you’ll gain a bit more elevation and come across the beautiful Fresno Cascades, stretching through Fresno Creek below you. Here, the creek tumbles down several rock outcrops and the creek is lined with large cottonwood trees — another nice place to stop and rest. After the cascades, continue downward for another 2 miles to reach the Crawford-Smith House ruins. When exploring ruins throughout the park, exercise caution and do not disturb any of these historic sites. North of these ruins, you may continue on into Fresno Canyon and beyond.

Note: Pets are allowed only within 1/4 mile from the trailhead, for their own safety and to protect the wildlife. Water sources like seep springs and standing water in creek beds are fragile ecological zones in the desert — do not wade or swim in this water, and always filter/treat any drinking water you gather from these sources.

OJITO ADENTRO TRAIL

Best Slot Canyons In Escalante

While the park’s interior can be hard to get to due to how remote and far flung it is from the easily-accessible stretches of FM 170, a trip to the interior of the park is well worth the extra time spent driving. It also helps that once you are traveling on the main park road, you pass by the Ojito Adentro trail which is a short, fun and rewarding hike to shake the legs out after all that time in the car.

The trail starts in the parking lot just off the main park road and from here, take a brief moment to absorb the juxtaposition of the muted desert colors that surround you and the vibrant green that sits nestled between the two peak in front of you. Where there’s green, there’s water and this trail leads you into a lush, protected “oasis” where it’s shady, cool and water gathers under large hanging ferns. As you hike from the parking lot toward the springs, you will twist and turn your way down the hillside and eventually reach a gate that you must pass through to enter the fenced-in springs area.

Best Slot Canyons To Photograph

As you leave the desert sun and enter into the relief of the shade, hang a right and follow the wash towards the springs. You will have to do a little bit of scrambling over some logs and larger rocks, but you will eventually arrive at a large opening, seen in our photo, where the spring trickles out from the rock. After recent rain, this area will feature a 30 foot waterfall that pours off from the wall above the ferns and cascades down the trail. If you are ever in the region during a rain, this would be an excellent hike to try!

CINCO TINAJAS LOOP

For those of you who didn’t do well in Spanish, Cinco Tinajas translates roughly to mean “five jars” and as you can maybe guess from the photo, the “five jars” on this loop trail are the large tinajas that hold pools of rain water. This trail is excellent, and it can be hard to tell from this photo, but the canyon is quite large and when viewed from the overlook, you get a tremendous perspective of the tinajas.

Slot Canyons In Southern Utah

Start your hike at the Cinco Tinajas parking lot. From here, the trail meanders with a slight incline under a high mountain ridge. As you wind through the ocotillo, you will have plenty of opportunities to spur off trail to take in some scenic vistas. At the first set of cairns, take a right and follow the trail as it begins to flatten out a bit and make its way towards the overlook. Once you arrive at the overlook, you should be able to look straight down into the Cinco Tinajas canyon and have views of all five as seen here. Park yourself on a rock and enjoy the view, water here is rare!