Recently we took a big road trip to the American southwest and saw many of the best slot canyons in Utah, and then we compiled this guide!
The slot canyons are natural rocky passages with all the different colors of red, yellow, pink and purple, and some of them are so narrow and cumbersome that you have to walk or crawl on your side, like an mature playground. This is a fun and unique hiking challenge.
There are a number of awesome slot canyons scattered throughout the southern half of the state of Utah, and you can even see some great slot canyons near Zion or Moab National Park if you’re willing to drive a little.
The hikes on this List are our favorites in Utah because they are particularly accessible, photogenic, colorful or interesting!
What Is A Canyon slot?
A slit canyon is a narrow passage formed by rock (usually sandstone) that has been eroded by water over time, eventually creating a keyhole-like crack in the rock just wide enough for a person to pass through.
There are more than 1,000 slot canyons in the Utah desert, which actually has the highest concentration of slot canyons in the world. Some of them are difficult to navigate and require technical skills, but many are family-friendly and easy to NAVIGATE for beginners.
Side note: always pay attention to the weather forecast before entering a Slot Machine. Do not enter if the rain is in the forecast, even if it is outside your immediate environment. Flash overflow can be very peril in a slot canyon.
The best slot canyons in Utah
1. Red Hollow Slot Canyon
Red Hollow Slot Canyon is a short and easy hike in Orderville, Utah, not far from the popular Zion and Bryce National Parks.
It is a very photogenic hike with beautiful red rock colors and steep ravine walls. As a bonus, Red Hollow Canyon is easy to access and ideal for children.
There is a very narrow slot, ideal for building chimneys or mortising, where you place your back against one wall, then press your feet against the other wall to cross the space. This type of maneuver was new to us, but we had a lot of fun learning it.
Although Red Hollow is very short, it is ideal for images. All in all, this was one of our favorite slot Canyons in Utah!
2. suede mulch
Buckskin Gulch is the longest Slot Canyon in the United States and is considered the longest Slot Canyon in the world at 21 miles!
It is located on the border between Utah and Arizona, so you can get there in a 1-hour drive from the city of Page, Arizona, or about 2 hours from Zion National Park, Utah.
3. Wire Pass Slot Canyon
Wire Pass is a side gorge that intersects Buckskin Gulch, and it’s actually easier to enter Buckskin by this road because you will spend much less time walking under the scorching sun.