Favorite Slot Canyon Hikes In Utah in 360 Degrees

Willis Creek Slot Canyon and Waterfall Hike
Willis Creek Slot Canyon and Waterfall Hike 

Favorite Slot Canyon Hikes In Utah


1. WILLIS CREEK NARROWS SLOT CANYON


  • 4.75 hours South of SLC - 1 hour min South of Bryce Canyon
  • Not Overcrowded
  • Great for ALL Ages
  • Love that there is a small trickle of water that makes it interesting, but not enough that you have to get your feet wet.  
  • 5 miles round trip
  • About 800 feet elevation
  • Easy Hike - Level 1
This is a definite favorite of mine.  I love that there are the grand extremely tall walls, yet it is just wide enough for even the young to have success with photographs here.  I like that it is not very crowded.  I loved the entertainment the small creek made for the hike.  It was not enough that you had to get wet, it was easy to avoid, but it was enough of a element that it made the hike interesting, and I was to the end before it even felt like I had been hiking that long.  The waterfall at the beginning was pretty but yes it is small.  Definitely a highly recommended slot from me.

Link to Willis Creek Slot Canyon



360 Google Earth - Street View Trail 

at Willis Creek Narrows Slot Canyon



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2. CRACK CANYON - San Rafael Swell


  • 5 hours South of SLC - 1 hour min South of Bryce Canyon
  • Great for ages 9 and above.
  • Favorite Slot Canyon because of its uniqueness.   
  • This can be a long 14 mile trail, but I have never gotten past a drop off where it is filled with water.  I always turn around there (about 3 miles). 
  • About 700 feet elevation
  • Easy Hike - Level 2




A definite favorite of my.  This slot canyon has enormous walls, really unique formations in the walls, and it is just a fabulous adventure.  I made a scavenger hunt to go along with this hike on my following post that hopefully can make this hike even more enjoyable. It is important that you download a google map of the area before heading here, and I would also have an external GPS.  There is no cell service here, and the dirt road to get here is a little tricky and bumpy.  I got here in my RAV4 so the roads are not awful, but you are definitely backroads to get here. 

Link To Crack Canyon

VIDEO OF MY FAVORITE SECTION OF CRACK CANYON

 Need to click on it for the Video to come up.  

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3. KANARRAVILLE WATERFALL SLOT CANYON - Kanarraville 

  • 4 hours South of SLC - 20 min South of Cedar City
  • Costs $8 per PERSON
  • Great for ages 8 and above
  • Love that you just have to walk up the stream to enjoy the slot canyon.  Super cool.  
  • 4.3 miles round trip
  • About 730 feet elevation
  • Moderate Hike - Level 2

This canyon is incredible, but not for those wanting to keep their feet dry.  It will not happen unless you have waterproof socks.  An epic adventure you must try when the water is warm enough to not get too cold of feet.  Not for tiny little ones, but probably 8 and up could handle this.
 Link to Kanarraville Slot Canyon


360 Google Earth Trail Through Kanarraville Slot Canyon




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4. LITTLE WILD HORSE SLOT CANYON

- San Rafael Swell



  • 5 hours South of SLC - 1 hour min South of Bryce Canyon
  • Great for ALL Ages
  • Very Entertaining Slot Canyon.  Took my kids when they were little and they loved it.   
  • Around 2-3 miles  if you just do the first 3 slots.  11.2 round trip if you do Bell Canyon also. 
  • About 1620 feet elevation
  • Easy Hike - Level 2

Super Cool and Kid Friendly Slot Canyon.  Great for all ages.  Only draw back is that it can get busy.
  Link to Little Wild Horse Canyon

WALK WITH ME THROUGH LITTLE WILD HORSE - VIDEOS




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5. MOONSHINE TANKS NORTH 
or 
LITTLE SPOTTED WOLF CANYON 
- San Rafael Swell

First Section of the Moon Shine Tanks or Little Spotted Wolf Slot Canyon. I love the vertical Column on the left.
First Section of the Moon Shine Tanks or Little Spotted Wolf  Slot Canyon.  I love the vertical Column on the left. 

  • 4 hours South of SLC - 1 hour min South West of Green River
  • Great for ALL Ages
  • The San Rafael Swell is unbelievably amazing and inspiring.  It was a treat to find this Slot Canyon in such a gorgeous area.    
  • Around 1-2 miles  depending on how long you want to go.
  • There is a natural Arch up high in this slot canyon you should search for. 
  • About 1620 feet elevation
  • Easy Hike - Level 2

I have had long debates with hikers over the name of this canyon, and have even contacted local the San Rafael Swell Park.  Moonshine Tanks might be the general area name, for I know there is also ANOTHER slot canyon also called Moonshine Tanks that is the next canyon SOUTH. Some say this is called LITTLE Spotted Wolf Canyon (Which is extremely confusing for there is a Spotted Wolf Canyon 30 miles north east of this canyon.), but I could not get that verified from the San Rafael Parks service.  Regardless this is a really cool slot canyon with a fun history of Bootlegging and Moonshine creations of Spirits hiding out in this canyon.  Check my blog post to help you figure out this location and find out more about this amazing area.
 Link to San Rafael Swell  

360 Degree Walk by the Miniature Rock Village and into the Moon Shine Tanks Slot Canyon




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6. PEEK A BOO SLOT CANYON  - Escalante

Peek A Boo Slot Canyon - Escalante Utah
Peek A Boo Slot Canyon - Escalante Utah

  • 4.4 Mile Round Trip if paired with Spooky.  Otherwise Shorter.
  • 5.75 Hours from SLC, 2 Hours from Bryce Canyon.  To get here it  has a long wash board section. You Might want to check with Park service before heading in.  First time it was rough even with a 4 wheel drive vehicle.  Second time it would have been fine in a car, but the hour long section of wash boards is always brutal.
  • Heavily Trafficked.  Might want to get their early.  Most people go in Peek A Boo and out Spooky.  It makes it really rough if you go the opposite direction for the trail is often only 18 inches wide.
  • Moderate Hike (just because of Entrance)- Probably Level 3
  • Suitable for Ages 6 and above. 

This canyon is narrow, but not as narrow as Spooky Gulch.  It is a very cool adventure doing the 3-4 slot canyons in this area.  If you want Slot canyon Extravaganza, this is definitely your spot.  To find out more and see more of this hike in 360 degrees click on the link.
Peek A Boo Slot Canyon

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7. DING & DANG SLOT CANYON - San Rafael Swell


  • 5 hours South of SLC - 1 hour min South of Bryce Canyon
  • DO  NOT TRY THIS CANYON UNLESS YOU ARE AT LEAST A LEVEL 4 HIKER.  It is tough.  Many people get stuck in here  
  • Epic Adventure IF You Can Conquer It!
  • Around 8.5 miles.  
  • Bring lots of water. 
  • About 830 feet elevation
  • Very Difficult Hike - Level 4

Ding and Dang is not to be attempted unless you are a Level 4 Hiker, you are not freaked out with heights, and you can  get up ledges that are tummy to chest high.   If you are a very capable hiker with a support group to hike this with you, this is an amazing adventure, but don't be mislead, this is a tough hike. I definitely want to do this hike again, but I have decided that I will pay a San Rafael Park Ranger to take me safely through this.  It makes a huge difference if you have an experienced person helping you get through the many rough sections of this hike. Check it out here.
  Ding and Dang Slot Canyon

360 Google Earth Trail in Ding and Dang Slot Canyon


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8. TUNNEL SLOT CANYON- Escalante


  • 5.5 hours South of SLC - 1.5 hour min South East of Bryce Canyon
  • Not Overcrowded
  • Ages 8 and Above
  • Slot Canyon is hard to find unless you have good navigation tools.  
  • Tunnel can be filled with water (For me it was up to my hips in February) so be prepared to get wet.      
  • About 6.6 miles round trip
  • About 442 feet elevation
  • Easy Hike - Level 2


Tunnel is one of those canyons that if you can manage to find it, then it is amazing, but finding it is the trick part.  It definitely makes for a super fun adventure for it is not well marked, but if you have the right gear it is definitely doable. The colors in the slot were really unique greens and reds.  We went before it had really warmed up, so the water in the tunnel was cold, but it definitely is a very cool adventure exploring that amazing slot canyon and then having to walk through that tunnel to get out. 
Tunnel Slot Canyon

VIDEO OF GOING THROUGH TUNNEL 

in TUNNEL SLOT CANYON.  



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9.  ZEBRA SLOT CANYON- Escalante


  • 5.5 hours South of SLC - 1.5 hour min South East of Bryce Canyon
  • Not Overcrowded
  • Ages 8 and Above
  • Slot Canyon is short unless you do Stemming or Chimneying (using your back and feet as braces to move further into the slot. )    
  • About 3 miles round trip (6.6 if you combine with Tunnel Slot)
  • About 442 feet elevation
  • Easy Hike - Level 2


This slot is short unless you are willing to wiggle through by pressing your back against one wall and your feet against the other called Stemming up higher on the slot walls.  If you are willing to do that, then this canyon goes pretty far.  Even if you are not, the walk into Zebra has some of that amazing Wave like formations that it is a stunning hike just for that. 
 Zebra Slot Canyon

360 Google Earth Trail of Hike Toward Zebra Slot Canyon



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9. SPOOKY GULCH SLOT CANYON- Escalante

Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon - Do You Dare To Go In?
Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon - Do You Dare To Go In?  
  • 4.4 Mile Round Trip if paired with Peek A Boo Slot.  Otherwise Shorter.
  • 5.75 Hours from SLC, 2 Hours from Bryce Canyon.  To get here it  has a long wash board section. You Might want to check with Park service before heading in.  First time it was rough even with a 4 wheel drive vehicle.  Second time it would have been fine in a car, but the hour long section of wash boards is always brutal.
  • Heavily Trafficked.  Might want to get their early.  Most people go in Peek A Boo and out Spooky, for it is easier to drop into Spooky Gulch, then try and get up out of it.  It makes it really rough if you go the opposite direction to pass people for the trail is often 18 inches wide. or smaller.  ( had to hold my backpack and walk sideways.
  • Moderate Hike (just because of  DROP SPOT)- Probably Level 3
  • Suitable for those not claustrophobic and freaked out in tight spaces.  Also need to be able to do the drop below.  
Todd Descending Into Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon - Escalante
Todd Descending Into Spooky Gulch Slot Canyon - Escalante

So it is one thing to have Spooky Slot Canyon be so narrow.  You add to that the fact that Spooky is also darker rock, and gets little light, and yes there are people who get claustrophobic in here. For those who can handle this, it is pretty amazing adventure.

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I found Dobby the House Elf from Harry Potter Stuck in this Rock!
I found Dobby the House Elf  from Harry Potter Stuck in this Rock! WHAT HAS VOLDEMORT DONE!

10. WIRE PASS SLOT CANYON

 -Vermillion Cliffs

  • 6 hours South of SLC - ONLY ACCESSABLE TO HIGH CLEARANCE 4 WHEEL Vehicles (Unless you come from the Arizona side.)
  • Not Overcrowded
  • Ages 15 and Above
  • Slot Canyon is short unless you conquer the 14 foot drop down (Connects to Buckskin Gulch which is an INCRDIBLE SLOT CANYON!--TOP SLOT CANYON  IF YOU CAN MAKE IT DOWN THE DROP!) 
  • Short 1-2 miles if you don't get pass the drop above. otherwise it is 20-30 miles long.  It goes 
  • If you detour off east of this path there is these amazing Tee Pees that are such a fun bonus on this hike.  

  •   Wire Pass Slot Canyon
Wire Pass Tee Pees on the Rock Staircase Pass Wave Trail Utah
Wire Pass Tee Pees on the Rock Staircase Pass Wave Trail

  • About 200 feet elevation
  • Moderate Hike - Level 2 (Except for that drop that is level 3)
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11. DRY FORK SLOT CANYON

 - ESCALANTE UTAH



  • 5 hours South East of SLC - 1.5 hour min South of Moab
  • Not Overcrowded
  • Great for ALL Ages
  • About 2 miles round trip
  • About 100 feet elevation
  • Easy Hike - Level 1



    • This Easy Hike is Nestled in an Area of 4 slot canyons.  Of the 4 in this area, this is the slot canyon that ALL in your group can definitely do from tiny to very old.  Once you get down to the slots, this slot is easy and cool.  
    Dry Fork Slot Canyon
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