San Rafael Swell Slot Canyon (CrackCanyon) - VR 360 Nature Vacation

A Hiker's Guide to Crack Canyon, San Rafael Swell

Crack Canyon in the San Rafael Swell is such a fun and diverse slot canyon. It is so worth the drive down to Southern Utah to see it! It's one of my favorite slot canyons because of its uniqueness. The first part of the trail has this almost honeycomb look to the bottom part of enormous cliff walls. They can be large enough to lay in like a catacomb, and often the small ones connect together behind with the one next to it. Here are my tips and experiences to help you have a successful trip.

Crack Canyon at a Glance

• Location: About 30 minutes southwest of Green River, west of Goblin Valley State Park.
• Best for: Ages 9 and up.
• Hike Length: The full trail is long, but I usually go about 3 miles in to a large drop-off and turn around there.
• Elevation Gain: About 700 feet on the out-and-back portion.
• Difficulty: Mostly easy (Level 2), with some tricky obstacles.

Tips for a Successful Trip to Crack Canyon

1. Download Your Maps! While you are at home with service, search for "Crack Canyon Trailhead" in your map app. Download the offline map for the entire area. You will not have any service once you get there, but if you have a downloaded map, your phone's GPS will still work.
2. Mark Your Parking Spot. The trail is easy to follow while you are in the canyon itself, but from the parking area to the start of the slot, there are a few roads going different ways. Saving your parking location will help you get back that last little bit without any confusion.
3. Look for the Easier Way. There are a few tricky spots to get down. Don't go down anything unless you are sure you can get back up. In one spot with two logs, there are actually two other, easier ways to get down if you look around. In another spot, there is a cool cave you can climb through to get up a tough climb!
4. Know the Obstacles. If you want to make it to the very end of the trail, you might need ropes and canyoneering knowledge for a 10-15 foot drop that is often filled with waist-deep water. This is where I always turn around.
5. Bring Plenty of Water! This is a desert environment. Always pack more water than you think you will need.

The bumpy and unique walls of Crack Canyon.

Climbing Out the Cave Exit

(Placeholder for your video of Todd climbing through the cave)

Join Me on the Trail (360 Virtual Hike)

Want to see what it's really like? I created a full 360-degree trail on Google Maps. Use the arrows to walk through the canyon with me!

Kids' Scavenger Hunt!

If you're hiking with little ones, a scavenger hunt is a great way to keep them entertained. No need for a pencil, just have them rip into the square when they find the item! Good luck!

Link to Scavenger Hunt

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