Swim Through A Slot Canyon

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Early fall is the best season for “canyoneering,” an adventure sport that is becoming extremely popular in Utah’s national parks and play areas. Canyoneers climb over rocks, rappel down cliffs and swim through water-filled potholes as they hike into wild and rugged canyons most people never see. Such adventures can range from relatively mild day hikes to extreme, technical, multi-day treks.

September is a great month for canyoneering because it’s still warm enough to enjoy sliding down waterfalls, but the oppressive heat of August has abated. And the moderating temperatures reduce the threat of afternoon thunderstorms – which create flash flood danger in narrow canyons.

October, with its cool temperatures, is the perfect month to hike dry canyons.

The Narrows in Zion National Park is perhaps the world’s most popular spot for canyoneering, and it provides a wonderful introduction to the sport. Casual hikers start at the bottom and just hike up canyon as far as they dare. In many spots the Virgin River covers the entire canyon floor, from cliff to cliff, and you have no choice but to wade. You can’t judge the water’s depth until you step in... up to your knees... your waist... and in a few spots you’ll find yourself swimming.

The Narrows extend for about 18 miles. Experienced hikers do it from the top down in one long day or as an overnighter. A permit is required if you start at the top, but not if you day-hike in from the bottom.

Some of our other great canyon hikes (that aren’t overly technical) include Zion’s Subway, Buckskin Gulch in Grand Staircase/Escalante, Halls Creek in Capitol Reef, the Black Hole of White Canyon (just southeast of Hite), and West Canyon off Lake Powell.

Dry canyons suitable for family adventures include Little Wildhorse in the San Rafael Swell (near Goblin Valley), and Spooky Gulch in Grand Staircase/Escalante. Spooky is the tightest slot canyon average-size people can get through. It becomes so narrow you have to scoot sideways, the canyon walls scrapping your chest and back. Kids love it – they can often breeze right through.

People who are large or claustrophobic should not enter Spooky Gulch. In most canyons you can just go until you start to feel uncomfortable and then retrace your steps to get out. But not Spooky. Following the normal route, you slide down a rock into the canyon’s bowels and find you are committed to finishing the hike; it’s very difficult to climb back out.

Fall is also a great time for mountain biking, off-road adventures (4X4 & ATV), horseback riding and fishing. The weather is usually dry, temperatures are mild and some of the summer crowds have gone home.

If you want to experience canyon hiking but you are nervous going it alone, we can arrange for you to go with a guide. Our Moab multi-activity trip is a good choice; participants can choose from activities including hiking, four-wheeling through canyon country, jet boating down the Colorado River into Canyonlands National Park, and riding horses along trails where Western movies were filmed.

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