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Southern Utah is home to thousands of slot canyons. The below are all relatively easy to access and do not require ropes or climbing skills. There is often water in slot canyons, so bring shoes and shorts that can get wet. Be careful with the weather as distant rain storms can trigger deadly flash floods.
12. Kanarra Falls - Kanarraville
Kanarra Falls, a short slot canyon near Kanarraville, Utah, features two small waterfalls that hikers can climb using ladders. It's a good option for day trip from Zion National Park, and a permit is required to hike. Don't forget to wear water-friendly shoes! Permits are available here.
11. Peek-a-Boo Gulch - Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Peek-a-Boo is a popular slot canyon near Escalante, featuring two small arches at the entrance. It's narrow and requires a 10-foot scramble to enter, which can be challenging for some visitors. Bring water-friendly shoes as there may be pools of water in the canyon. To avoid crowds, it's best to visit at sunrise.
10. Leprechaun Canyon - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Leprechaun Canyon, located north of Hite, Utah, is a deep but relatively short canyon with a beautiful endpoint. It's a kid-friendly option with no dangerous areas, and just a short hike to reach it. The nearby Colorado River crossing at Hite is one of Utah’s most scenic drives.
9. Spooky Gulch - Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Spooky Gulch, located right next Peek-a-Boo Gulch in the Escalante area, is one of the narrowest slot canyons on the list. You'll need to walk sideways to squeeze through long sections, and it can get crowded during peak times. It's best to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
8. the Subway - Zion National Park
The Subway, while requiring ropes to fully explore, still offers incredible sights for hikers. The long and enjoyable hike features several slanted waterfalls and a larger waterfall at the end of the canyon. A permit, which can be obtained at the Zion Visitor Center or online is required.
7. Little Wild Horse Canyon - San Rafael Swell
Little Wild Horse Canyon is an impressive slot canyon located in the San Rafael Swell region of Utah. This slot is really long and narrow and makes for a fun hike, whether done as an out-and-back or a loop through Bell Canyon. It’s right near Goblin Valley State Park which is a fun place to explore as well.
6. Zebra Slot - Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Zebra is my personal favorite slot canyon in the Escalante Area, featuring candy-like stripes in the sandstone. Zebra gets very narrow and almost always has water in it. It also has a tapered bottom which makes it tricky to navigate. This slot is brutal to attempt barefoot… Bring shoes and clothes that can get wet!
5. Little Death Hollow - Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Little Death Hollow starts tall and wide, but eventually converges to a single-file slot that goes on for miles. It is well off the beaten path in the Escalante area and offers fewer crowds than you might find at Zebra or Peek-a-Boo. The rich color and textures on the sandstone are spectacular in this canyon.
4. Paria Canyon - Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Paria Canyon is the second largest canyon on the list, with towering walls for miles and miles. The Paria River flows wall-to-wall in many sections, so river-hiking is required to see it. A popular backpacking route runs the length of Paria all the way out to the Colorado River at Marble Canyon (permit required). Paria sits on the border of Utah and Arizona, so it could be considered an Arizona slot canyon as well.
3. the Joint Trail - Canyonlands National Park
The Joint Trail is unlike anything else in Utah. While most slots are formed solely by water erosion, the Joint Trail formed from massive layers of sandstone that cracked under their own weight. This resulted in a grid of slot canyons with perpendicular intersections and caverns. Reaching it requires a full day of hiking in the Needles District of Canyonlands.
2. Buckskin Gulch - Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
With 13 miles of narrows, Buckskin Gulch is one of the longest continuous slot canyons in the world. It runs into Paria Canyon, so the bottom entry point can be seen as a detour from Paria’s “Whitehouse” Trailhead. Visitors who want a shorter hike can also see Buckskin near its upper entry point at the “Wire Pass” Trailhead. Backpackers can through-hike Buckskin and Paria if they obtain a permit.
1. the Narrows - Zion National Park
The Narrows in Zion is the largest canyon on the list by far. There are areas with walls well over 1,000 feet tall and sometimes just 20 feet wide. Visitors can day-hike up the Virgin River to see the narrowest and deepest sections of the canyon. The Narrows can also be done top-down with an overnight permit from the Park Service. Try to do this hike as early in the morning as possible, or during fall/winter to escape the crowds. You can rent waterproof gear at the park.
Thank you for reading this post! These rankings are just for fun and are based on my own experiences. If you would like to see more of my recommendations for national parks, please visit my website www.thewildiswaiting.com