15 Greatest Arizona Slot Canyons + Map

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Arizona is known for the photogenic Antelope Canyons, however there are another good slot canyons in Arizona which might be value seeing as nicely.

We traveled all around the state just lately and visited most of the greatest slot canyons in Arizona, together with the touristy Antelope Canyons in Web page, plus some comparatively unknown hikes which might be off the crushed path even for many locals.

A few of these slots are simple hikes that you are able to do with children, whereas others are a bit tougher. With out additional ado, right here’s our full record of the most effective Arizona slot canyons!

What Is A Slot Canyon?

A slot canyon is a slim canyon passageway fashioned in rock (often sandstone) that has been eroded by water over time, finally making a keyhole-like crack within the rock that’s simply extensive sufficient for an individual to suit by means of.

Whereas the densest assortment of slot canyons on this planet is in Utah, there are additionally some nice ones in Arizona and Nevada, and lots of of them are household pleasant and simple for novices to hike.

Aspect word: At all times concentrate on the climate forecast earlier than coming into a slot canyon. Don’t enter if rain is within the forecast, even when it’s outdoors of your rapid space. Flash flooding could be very harmful in a slot canyon.
 

15 Greatest Slot Canyons In Arizona

1. Antelope Canyon (Higher)

Higher Antelope Canyon is probably the most well-known slot canyon Arizona has to supply, and it’s situated on Navajo tribal land close to the little city of Web page, AZ.

This can be a nice canyon, however its reputation has introduced some drawbacks with it. Guided excursions are required to see Higher Antelope, and so they promote out very simply because it’s a smaller canyon that’s tremendous in style with photographers. You’ll usually should e book weeks and even months upfront to get a spot on a tour.

Higher Antelope is principally identified for its dramatic sunbeams, the place rays of sunshine shine by means of the slim roof of the canyon, illuminating the mud within the air. It’s a neat impact, however personally I believe it’s a bit overrated, and I say that at the same time as a photographer.

Don’t get me unsuitable, it’s a really good slot canyon, however for most individuals (and particularly first time guests), I believe Decrease Antelope might be a more sensible choice.

Learn Extra: Antelope Canyon Comparability (Higher vs Decrease vs X)

E-book Now: Higher Antelope Canyon Tour

 

2. Antelope Canyon (Decrease)

The Decrease Antelope Canyon is one other spectacular part of Arizona’s most well-known slot canyon.

Similar to the Higher Canyon, a tour is required to see Decrease Antelope, though it’s barely cheaper and fewer prone to promote out. The excursions are additionally much less rushed within the Decrease Canyon. It is because it’s an even bigger canyon with extra to see.

The Decrease Canyon has fantastic colours, and it’s stuffed with twisting passageways and attention-grabbing rock options which might be nice for pictures.

We really loved the Decrease Canyon greater than the Higher. It’s extraordinarily photogenic, and the tour is a greater total expertise in some ways.

Learn Extra: Decrease Antelope Canyon Evaluation

E-book Now: Decrease Antelope Canyon Tour

       

 

3. Antelope Canyon X

The primary downside of the Antelope Canyons is that they’re all situated on Navajo land and so they can solely be seen with a guided tour.

Nevertheless, Antelope Canyon X excursions discover a brand new part that’s solely been open to the general public for just some years, so it’s a lot much less crowded and touristy in comparison with the principle canyons.

Just like the Higher and Decrease Canyon, the Canyon X has nice potential for images. Because it’s an extended tour, you might have extra time and alternatives for pictures. In reality, I took extra photos in Canyon X than I did within the different two Antelope Canyons mixed!

This can be a nice canyon for first time guests to Arizona, and the costs are literally cheaper than the principle canyons because it’s not as well-known but.

Learn Extra: Antelope Canyon X Evaluation

E-book Now: Antelope Canyon X Tour

       
 
 

4. Mountain Sheep Canyon

Mountain Sheep Canyon is one other much less identified part of Antelope Canyon. In reality, it’s even much less in style than the Canyon X talked about above! Sadly, because it’s on Navajo land, a tour remains to be required to see it.

This slot canyon is a bit more durable to entry and requires extra trekking than among the others on this record, but it surely has some very nice sections, with dramatic grooves and patterns within the partitions.

E-book Now: Mountain Sheep Canyon Tour

 

5. Owl Canyon

Owl Canyon will get its title from the Nice Horned Owls which might be generally seen nesting within the higher partitions of the slot canyon. That is one other a part of the Antelope Canyon system, so a tour is required by the Navajos, though it’s often not crowded.

The chambers in Owl Canyon are extra shallow in comparison with the opposite Antelope Canyons, so it allows gentle simply. Meaning you’ll need to go someday when there isn’t direct daylight, reminiscent of early within the morning or late within the afternoon. Wintertime or a cloudy day can be superb for this one.

In case you’re fortunate, you might also get a pleasant photograph of an owl within the canyon, though you’ll desire a digital camera with a little bit of zoom for that.

E-book Now: Owl Canyon Tour

 

6. Rattlesnake Canyon

Rattlesnake Canyon is one other beautiful slot canyon close to Web page, with snakelike twisting passageways. There’s a pleasant sandstone arch contained in the slot, and even the ladders on this canyon are photogenic.

Like the opposite Antelope Canyons, a tour is required by the Navajo homeowners, however a minimum of it’s a personal tour, so your group is the one one within the canyon. Rattlesnake Canyon is certainly top-of-the-line Arizona slot canyons!

E-book Now: Rattlesnake Canyon Tour

 

7. Secret Canyon

As you’ll be able to inform by the title, Secret Canyon is one other much less identified part of Antelope Canyon the place you’ll be able to escape the crowds. It’s nonetheless on Navajo land, so a tour is required like the opposite canyons, however oftentimes your group often is the just one within the canyon.

Many excursions additionally mix this slot canyon with a go to to a personal viewpoint at Horseshoe Bend, on a patch of Navajo land that’s away from the crowds and provides a barely totally different perspective of the river bend.

The Secret Canyon has fantastic colours and curves within the partitions, with a lot of good photograph ops. Don’t overlook to search for!

E-book Now: Secret Canyon Tour

 

8. Waterholes Canyon

The Waterholes Canyon is likely one of the least identified sections of Antelope Canyon, and till 2018 you may nonetheless hike it independently by shopping for an inexpensive Navajo allow, however these days they solely allow you to in with a guided tour.

It’s a good looking slot canyon with among the identical surroundings because the extra in style Antelope Canyon sections, and there are each shallow and deep chambers, giving a pleasant number of lighting circumstances.

There are some ladders to move, however they’re not troublesome. If you wish to see Antelope Canyon with as few different individuals as doable, that is most likely the most effective place to do it!

 

9. Cathedral Wash

Now that we’ve coated the entire Antelope Canyons, let’s discuss a really totally different slot canyon in Arizona. Cathedral Wash is a scenic hike that ends with good views of the Colorado River.

This hike just isn’t the simplest and requires some scrambling and climbing. It may be a bit intimidating in spots, particularly for shorter individuals. You don’t want technical abilities to do it, however I wouldn’t advocate it for individuals with a concern of heights.

Choosing the proper routes will make the hike so much simpler, and following the rock cairns will often lead you in the fitting course.

This hike is rarely too crowded, and the highway to the trailhead is all paved and simple to achieve. It’s situated about 45 minutes west of Web page, Arizona. You too can attain it from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in about 1.5 hours of driving.

       
 
The Cathedral Wash hike is often accessed by driving by means of the Navajo Nation, however the canyon itself just isn’t situated in Navajo territory, so that you don’t want a guided tour to see it. You are able to do the hike independently.

The path is 3 miles roundtrip, with about 300 toes of elevation change. You’re descending on the way in which in, so the canyon partitions will appear to steadily rise round you, getting steeper and extra slim and photogenic as you go.

On the finish of the slot canyon, you get to take pleasure in nice views of the Colorado River rapids and the remainder of the canyon. General, it’s a enjoyable and distinctive expertise!

Problem: Reasonable

       
 
 

10. Spooky Canyon

Spooky Canyon is a cool little hidden canyon on the border of Arizona and Nevada, not too removed from the long-lasting Hoover Dam. It’s a brief and child pleasant canyon you can end exploring in about 40 minutes.

This was undoubtedly one in all our favourite Arizona slot canyons! As you’ll be able to inform by the title, Spooky Canyon is a mysterious wanting canyon and it’s additionally very photogenic, and also you may see a couple of spider webs.

Some individuals have referred to as this a mini Antelope Canyon, though I don’t know if I’d go that far. There are only a few slot canyons that may compete with Antelope for magnificence.

In any case, this spot is good and nonetheless comparatively unknown. We went on a weekday and it was fully empty and quiet.

       
 
There’s a wire fence it’s important to duck underneath to get to Spooky Canyon, however that is apparently to maintain wildlife off the freeway, to not block individuals from attending to the canyon. There are not any ‘preserve out’ indicators.

Nevertheless, that is an unmarked path and the parking is straightforward to overlook because it’s proper off freeway 93. You could find a map for the precise parking location right here.

From the parking, simply stroll east towards site visitors on the desert facet of the guard rail till you attain a gap within the fence. After crossing the fence, simply stroll down the hill for a minute and then you definately’re contained in the slot canyon!

Problem: Simple

 

11. Arizona Scorching Spring

The Arizona Scorching Spring path has a really distinctive slot canyon the place you’ll be able to swim in a pure sizzling spring! This one is situated close to the Arizona-Nevada state border, very near the Spooky Canyon talked about above.

On the finish of the hike, there are a number of clear, heat soaking swimming pools dammed with sandbags. Every pool has a unique warmth stage, so you’ll be able to strive them and discover the temperature you want!

The hike to the new springs is about 6 miles roundtrip, with 1,200 toes of elevation achieve. You’re descending on the way in which there, although, so the toughest half goes again.

Carry a lot of water! Additionally word that this path is closed seasonally from Might 15 to September 30, due to the acute summer time warmth in Arizona.

Problem: Reasonable
 

Extra Slot Canyons Close to Arizona

The next locations are another slot canyons close to Arizona that require a little bit of driving. These ones are situated in Utah, however most of them are lower than 2 hours from Web page, AZ, making them doable to go to on a day journey from Arizona should you don’t thoughts driving.
 

12. Buckskin Gulch & Wire Go (Utah)

Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the USA, and it’s believed to be the longest slot canyon on this planet, at 21 miles! This one is situated by the Utah-Arizona state border, about 1 hour of driving from Web page, Arizona.

The Buckskin slot canyon is nice for pictures, and it’s additionally notable for having some Native American petroglyphs which might be simple to achieve. The easiest way to go to this slot canyon is by coming into from Wire Go, that method you get to see two slot canyons for the value of 1!

We thought the slot canyon part at Wire Go was much more photogenic than Buckskin. It’s slim and the colours are terrific. There’s even a bit wood ladder that’s nice for photos.

Better of all, the Wire Go slot dumps you proper on the intersection of Buckskin Gulch the place you’ll be able to see some petroglyphs on the canyon wall.

Problem: Simple

Learn Extra: Wire Go To Buckskin Gulch

       
 
 

13. Purple Canyon Slot / Peekaboo Kanab (Utah)

The Peekaboo Purple Canyon is a superb slot canyon close to Kanab, in southern Utah. It’s situated about 1.5 hours from Web page, Arizona.

The primary problem with this slot is the tender and deep sand on the highway resulting in it. You will want a real 4 wheel drive automobile (not simply AWD), and even then you’ll want to air down your tires and sustain momentum to keep away from getting caught within the sand.

Plenty of individuals get caught right here due to the tough circumstances. Due to this, most individuals go to the Peekaboo Kanab slot with a Jeep tour or UTV tour the place an expert firm does the driving for you. I’ll embrace some tour suggestions beneath.

A few of these excursions additionally mix the slot with a go to to the close by Nice Chamber, which is a photogenic cave-like spot close to Kanab that’s additionally difficult to achieve and not using a true off-road automobile.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to hike roughly 8 miles roundtrip to the slot from the 2WD parking space, and a few individuals do that, but it surely’s a little bit of a troublesome slog due to all of the sand. You’ll want a map, solar safety, and plenty of water.

The slot itself is gorgeous and simple to stroll by means of. It’s nicely definitely worth the effort. This one is nice for all ages, and should you don’t thoughts the driving distance then it’s undoubtedly some of the photogenic slot canyons close to Arizona!

Problem: Simple

E-book Now: Peekaboo Kanab Jeep Tour / UTV Tour

 

14. Purple Hole Canyon (Utah)

The Purple Hole Slot Canyon is a brief and simple hike in Orderville, Utah, not too removed from the favored Zion and Bryce nationwide parks. It’s about 1.5 hours from Web page, Arizona.

This can be a very photogenic hike, with good crimson rock colours and steep canyon partitions. As a bonus, Purple Hole Canyon is straightforward to achieve and nice for youths.

There’s one very tight slot that’s nice for chimneying or stemming, the place you place your again towards one wall after which push your toes on the opposite wall to cross the hole. One of these maneuver was new to us, however we had a number of enjoyable studying the best way to do it.

Despite the fact that Purple Hole may be very brief, it’s nice for photos. All in all, this was one in all our favourite slot canyons close to Arizona!

Problem: Simple

Learn Extra: Purple Hole Slot Canyon

       
 
 

15. The Zion Narrows (Utah)

After all I’ve to say the mom of all slot canyons, the Narrows! This one is situated in Utah’s Zion Nationwide Park, about 2.5 hours from Web page, Arizona.

This can be a large gorge with partitions a thousand toes tall, and the Virgin River flowing by means of it. Mountaineering the Narrows entails strolling in water, and it’s 16 miles whole.

The excellent news is that the Narrows is open to all health ranges since you don’t should hike to the tip of the gorge. You may cease and switch round everytime you need.

It’s doable to hike the complete Narrows in a single full day should you get a allow upfront, however most individuals simply go partway after which flip again (no allow required for that).

The dangerous information is that the Narrows is getting extraordinarily in style. The crowds type of ruined it for us. In case you’re actually intent on seeing the Narrows with out crowds, I’d advocate getting a allow and climbing it from the highest down. In any other case, you might need to go to one of many different locations on this slot canyon information.

Problem: Simple / Reasonable

 

Arizona Slot Canyons Map

Right here’s an Arizona slot canyons map you should utilize to plan your personal highway journey. You may click on the icons to get instructions and extra data on every focal point, however take note among the areas on this map could also be approximate.

As all the time, please keep in mind to maintain the path clear, be thoughtful of different hikers, and depart no hint. Thanks and completely satisfied travels!
 

 

Slot Canyon Security Suggestions

Flash Floods. At all times concentrate on the climate forecast. Don’t enter any slot canyon if rain is within the forecast, even when it is outdoors of your rapid space. Flash flooding could be very harmful in a slot canyon.

Sunscreen. Even on a slot canyon hike, there are nonetheless loads of elements on the path the place you will be uncovered to direct solar, so you may want sunscreen. A hat helps too.

Water. Attempt to pack a minimum of 3-4 liters per individual. In Arizona, you need to all the time carry extra water than you assume you want.

Map. It is a good suggestion to obtain an offline map of your climbing space on an app like Google Maps, that method you’ll be able to preserve utilizing it to navigate or discover your place even if you’re out of reception. Getting misplaced within the desert could be harmful.
 

Extra Arizona Slot Canyon Guides

Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this information for among the greatest slot canyons Arizona has to supply.

Don’t overlook to take a look at my full record of the greatest slot canyons in Utah and Nevada to see in your subsequent highway journey as nicely!
 

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