15 Greatest Slot Canyons Close to Las Vegas Nevada
These will not be the slots you had in thoughts for Vegas, however consider it or not, there are a bunch of nice slot canyons close to Las Vegas, Nevada!
Slot canyons are pure rock passageways which can be enjoyable to discover and good for pictures. Each is totally different, and the colours could be wonderful. A number of the hikes are household pleasant and nice for teenagers or pets.
We drove via the state of Nevada lately on our technique to Yosemite Nationwide Park, and determined to cease and take a look at a number of the slot canyons close to Vegas whereas we have been at it. A couple of of those are very near the town, whereas others would require some driving or perhaps a full day tour.
With out additional ado, right here’s our full listing of the very best Las Vegas slot canyons!
What Is A Slot Canyon?
A slot canyon is a slim canyon passageway shaped in rock (normally sandstone) that has been eroded by water over time, ultimately making a keyhole-like crack within the rock that’s simply extensive sufficient for an individual to suit via.
Whereas the densest assortment of slot canyons on this planet is in Utah, there are additionally some nice ones in Arizona and Nevada, and plenty of of them are household pleasant and simple for newbies to hike.
Aspect word: All the time pay attention to the climate forecast earlier than coming into a slot canyon. Don’t enter if rain is within the forecast, even when it’s exterior of your quick space. Flash flooding could be very harmful in a slot canyon.
Slot canyons are enjoyable and nice for footage
15 Greatest Slot Canyons Close to Las Vegas Nevada
1. White Domes Path
The White Domes Path is a brief and candy little loop hike with a stupendous slot canyon in Nevada’s Valley of Fireplace State Park.
It’s a 1 hour drive from Las Vegas to the trailhead, after which you’ll be able to attain the slot part after simply 10 minutes of mountaineering!
This can be a nice slot canyon for households with children, and it’s very photogenic too. Despite the fact that it’s solely a brief hike, it’s effectively value a go to! As a bonus, this spot was used as a movie location for the 1966 Western film ‘The Professionals,’ and there are remnants of the film set nonetheless there at this time.
Bear in mind this path could also be closed for security in the course of the summer time months (June – September) due to excessive warmth, so verify the present standing earlier than you go. There’s little or no shade on the path besides if you’re contained in the slot canyon.
Issue: Straightforward
This lovely slot canyon is a part of the White Domes Path in Nevada’s Valley of Fireplace State Park
2. Anniversary Narrows
This can be a very distinctive Nevada slot canyon with spectacular layered rock patterns, situated about 1 hour east of Las Vegas.
Despite the fact that it’s a bit tough to seek out, that is positively among the best slot canyons close to Las Vegas! To get to the path, you need to drive via a wash after which a rocky grime street till you attain an deserted mining space.
Having a little bit of clearance helps, however the street ought to be satisfactory by most autos so long as it’s not raining. Even the quick little bit of driving within the wash close to the beginning could be very tame.
To get to the Anniversary Narrows, you’ll have to do a little bit of ‘Google-Fu’ together with your map. I’ll clarify right here.
You may’t route your map on to the parking space as a result of the route goes off street for a short part within the wash. Should you attempt, you’ll get an error in your map saying no instructions discovered.
As an alternative, the closest place you’ll be able to route your map is that this flip off. From there, you drive throughout the wash briefly after which you’ll be able to open your map once more on the opposite facet of the wash and use it for the remainder of the best way to the place you’ll park.
Right here is the route we used to drive to our closing parking spot after crossing the wash. Bear in mind to obtain an offline map of the world earlier than you go, since you in all probability gained’t have any reception when you get there.
Anniversary Narrows — among the best slot canyons close to Las Vegas Nevada!
When you attain the parking space indicated within the map, merely stroll down the hill on the street till it goes into a large wash, after which hold following that wash strolling north till you attain the slot canyon. Here’s a strolling map you need to use to take you to the beginning of the slot canyon from the parking space.
Alongside the best way, you’ll cross some previous mine shafts and different fascinating sights, though I wouldn’t go inside any deserted mines as a result of they could be unstable and harmful.
From this location, going to the tip of the slot canyon after which again requires about 2 miles of mountaineering (roundtrip), though it could be extra if you need to park your automobile farther away. We hiked there and again in about 45 minutes.
The precise narrows part is roughly 1/third of a mile lengthy, and all of it’s photogenic, though I assumed essentially the most wonderful views have been close to the beginning of the narrows.
Once we visited, there have been no trespassing indicators or any indication that the world was off limits to the general public, though at one time apparently hikers have been being turned away by a non-public land proprietor on this space. Possibly that has modified.
This can be a pretty distant space of Nevada and there’s no shade in any respect on the path, so bear in mind to deliver numerous further water in your automobile and in your particular person. Carry extra water than you suppose you want, and save this hike for a day when it’s much less scorching!
Issue: Average
3. Spooky Canyon (Arizona)
Spooky Canyon is a cool little hidden canyon on the border of Arizona and Nevada, not too removed from the enduring Hoover Dam, and about 45 minutes of driving from Las Vegas. It’s a brief and child pleasant canyon you can end exploring in about 40 minutes.
This was positively one in all our favourite Las Vegas slot canyons! As you’ll be able to inform by the identify, Spooky Canyon is a mysterious wanting canyon and it’s additionally very photogenic, though you would possibly see a number 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 sweet and nonetheless comparatively unknown. We went on a weekday and it was fully empty and quiet.
There’s a wire fence you need to duck below 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 ‘hold out’ indicators.
Nevertheless, that is an unmarked path and the parking is straightforward to overlook because it’s proper off freeway 93. You’ll find a map for the precise parking location right here.
From the parking, simply stroll east in opposition to site visitors on the desert facet of the guard rail till you attain the outlet within the fence. After crossing the fence, simply stroll down the hill for a minute and you then’re contained in the slot canyon!
Issue: Straightforward
4. White Owl Canyon
The White Owl Canyon is a brief however good slot canyon hike close to Lake Mead, solely half-hour from Las Vegas Nevada.
This can be a fairly simple hike general, however like most hikes in Nevada, the warmth could make it fairly a bit more durable. Going to the tip of the slot and again to the parking space is roughly 2 miles roundtrip, so you are able to do it in about 45 minutes with a great tempo.
Alternatively, some individuals do that as a loop hike, crossing the street and incorporating a second small slot canyon on the best way there, which you’ll see within the map on AllTrails. In both case, the path isn’t very effectively marked, so downloading an offline map is a good suggestion.
That is typically not a busy path, and the slot canyon sections are good. Generally it’s possible you’ll even see owls there, nesting within the rock partitions! Rattlesnakes are additionally a chance, so hold an eye fixed out for them.
One of the best time to {photograph} Owl Canyon would in all probability be within the early morning or night, when there’s not an excessive amount of solar within the canyon. We went in the course of a summer time day and the lighting was fairly harsh for footage.
Issue: Straightforward / Average
5. Arizona Sizzling Spring
The Arizona Sizzling Spring path has a really distinctive slot canyon the place you’ll be able to swim in a pure scorching spring! Despite the fact that it’s situated proper throughout the Arizona state line, this one is just about half-hour from Las Vegas, Nevada.
On the finish of the hike, there are a number of clear, heat soaking swimming pools dammed with sandbags. Every pool has a distinct warmth stage, so you’ll be able to attempt them and discover the temperature you want!
The hike to the recent springs is about 6 miles roundtrip, with 1,200 toes of elevation acquire. You’re descending on the best way there, although, so the toughest half goes again.
Convey numerous water! Additionally word that this path is closed seasonally from Might 15 to September 30, due to the intense summer time warmth in Arizona and Nevada.
Issue: Average
6. Cathedral Gorge Slot Canyons
Should you don’t thoughts a little bit of driving, there are a bunch of neat slots to discover in Nevada’s Cathedral Gorge State Park, about 2.5 hours north of Las Vegas.
These are a number of the most unusual and engaging slot canyons I’ve seen. You may hardly even name them that. A number of the slots are solely 30 toes deep, whereas others appear to go on and on for fairly awhile, handing over all instructions like a enjoyable maze. Youngsters can have a blast right here.
There are a number of collections of slots right here, and all of them are simply reached from the place you park your automobile. On Google Maps, they’re marked because the Moon Caves and Cathedral Caves, and you can even discover a third set of unmarked slots right here.
The passageways are very tall and slim, which implies they keep cool inside even on a scorching day. A few of them are tight and a bit of claustrophobic.
For photographers, the lighting and colours look nice inside even in the course of the day, when the solar nonetheless barely streams into the chambers. The photograph ops are countless and it feels such as you’re within a sci-fi film set!
Issue: Straightforward
Cathedral Gorge State Park has a number of the finest slot canyons close to Las Vegas, Nevada!
Extra Slot Canyons Close to Las Vegas Nevada
These are another slot canyons close to Las Vegas that require a little bit of driving. Many of those are situated in Utah, however most of them are lower than 3 hours from Vegas, making them potential to go to on a day journey in the event you don’t thoughts driving.
7. Jenny’s Canyon (Utah)
Jenny’s Canyon is a household pleasant little slot canyon in southern Utah that’s excellent for the children. You may attain it in simply 5 minutes of strolling!
This slot is situated within the Snow Canyon State Park close to St George, about 2 hours from Las Vegas. The rock partitions are filled with photogenic little caves and cavities that the children can play in, and if you get finished on the slot, there’s additionally an overlook that’s fairly simple to hike up.
The one disappointment with this slot canyon is that it’s so quick, and also you attain the tip after solely strolling about 500 toes. Parking can be very restricted on the trailhead, though it tends to unlock usually for the reason that hike is fast.
Total, it’s a outstanding little slot canyon, and it’s effectively value a go to in the event you’re close to the Snow Canyon State Park!
Issue: Straightforward
8. St George Narrows (Utah)
Should you’re claustrophobic, keep distant from the St George Narrows! I debated whether or not or to not embrace this slot canyon within the listing, as a result of it’s so tight you could possibly virtually name it a crack relatively than a slot canyon.
In comparison with most slot canyons, this passageway is paper skinny. Even in the event you’re a small particular person, you’ll completely must stroll sideways to get via the crack, and it’ll nonetheless be tight. It’s a enjoyable problem in the event you’re feeling courageous!
This slot is a part of a free park space that has restrooms and loads of parking, simply exterior the city of St George in southern Utah. It’s 1 hour and 45 minutes from Las Vegas by automobile. Even in the event you’re not up for squeezing via the slot, there are another rock options right here which can be good for climbing and pictures as effectively!
Issue: Straightforward / Average
9. Kanarra Creek & Falls (Utah)
The Kanarra slot canyon is exclusive on this listing for additionally having two waterfalls inside, and it’s situated about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas. It’s positively one in all our favourite Utah canyons.
The primary waterfall is close to the beginning of the slot canyon, and it’s simple to cross because of a brand new metallic ladder that was put in by the town of Kanarraville. The second waterfall comes into view a bit later.
Total, I’d in all probability price this hike as simple, though the path does have a little bit of elevation acquire.
These days you need to pay for a allow to do the Kanarra Creek hike due to its recognition, and there are a restricted variety of permits out there per day. These promote out usually, so that you’ll wish to plan forward.
Issue: Straightforward
10. Spring Creek Canyon (Utah)
The Spring Creek Canyon is one other good slot canyon by the little city of Kanarra, situated about 2 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada.
This one is a fairly simple hike, and it has brilliant reddish-orange rock colours that may be actually gorgeous with the correct quantity of daylight.
We did Spring Creek on a weekday and the path was virtually fully empty, in order that’s one other factor it has going for it!
Issue: Straightforward
11. The Zion Narrows (Utah)
In fact 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 Las Vegas, Nevada.
This can be a large gorge with partitions a thousand toes tall, and the Virgin River flowing via it. Mountain climbing the Narrows includes strolling in water, and it’s 16 miles complete.
The excellent news is that the Narrows is open to all health ranges since you don’t must hike to the tip of the gorge. You may cease and switch round everytime you need.
It’s potential to hike your entire Narrows in a single full day in the event you get a allow prematurely, 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 common. The crowds form of ruined it for us. Should you’re actually intent on seeing the Narrows with out crowds, I’d advocate getting a allow and mountaineering it from the highest down. In any other case, it’s possible you’ll wish to go to one of many different locations on this slot canyon information.
Issue: Straightforward / Average
The Zion Narrows often is the most well-known slot canyon Utah has to supply
Large canyon partitions of the Zion Narrows
12. 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 3 hours and quarter-hour from Las Vegas.
It’s a really photogenic hike, with good crimson rock colours and steep canyon partitions. As a bonus, Purple Hole Canyon is straightforward to succeed in and nice for teenagers.
There’s one very tight slot that’s nice for chimneying or stemming, the place you place your again in opposition to 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 lots of enjoyable studying how you can do it.
Despite the fact that Purple Hole could be very quick, it’s nice for footage. All in all, this was one in all our favourite slot canyons!
Issue: Straightforward
Learn Extra: Purple Hole Slot Canyon
13. Purple Canyon Slot / Peekaboo Kanab (Utah)
The Peekaboo Purple Canyon is an excellent slot canyon close to Kanab, in southern Utah. It’s situated about 3 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada.
The primary problem with this slot is the mushy and deep sand on the street resulting in it. You’ll need a real 4 wheel drive automobile (not simply AWD), and even then it would be best to air down your tires and sustain momentum to keep away from getting caught within the sand.
A number 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 succeed in with no 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, nevertheless it’s a little bit of a tricky 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 via. It’s effectively definitely worth the effort. This one is nice for all ages, and in the event you don’t thoughts the driving distance then it’s positively one of the photogenic slot canyons close to Las Vegas Nevada!
Issue: Straightforward
E-book Now: Peekaboo Kanab Jeep Tour / UTV Tour
14. Buckskin Gulch & Wire Cross (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 a bit distant. It’s situated by the Utah-Arizona state border, however you can even attain it in 4 hours of driving from Las Vegas in the event you’re up for a full day tour.
The Buckskin slot canyon is nice for pictures, and it’s additionally notable for having some Native American petroglyphs which can be simple to succeed in. One of the best ways to go to this slot canyon is by coming into from Wire Cross, that manner you get to see two slot canyons for the value of 1!
We thought the slot canyon part at Wire Cross was much more photogenic than Buckskin itself. It’s slim and the colours are terrific. There’s even a bit of wood ladder that’s nice for footage.
Better of all, this slot dumps you proper on the intersection in Buckskin Gulch the place you’ll be able to see some petroglyphs on the canyon wall.
Issue: Straightforward
Learn Extra: Wire Cross To Buckskin Gulch
15. Antelope Canyon (Arizona)
In fact I can’t make an inventory of the very best slot canyons close to Las Vegas with out mentioning Antelope Canyon, which is known for being one of the lovely locations in America!
This one is definitely situated in Arizona, after all, nevertheless it’s nonetheless potential to go to it on an extended day journey from Las Vegas. It’s about 4.5 hours of driving every manner.
Antelope Canyon is a favourite with photographers, and for good motive. It has spectacular colours, and it’s so photogenic. It might be arduous to take a nasty image right here.
The one con is that it’s extraordinarily common, so a tour information is required these days, and also you might need to make a reservation months prematurely.
Nevertheless, GetYourGuide has some high-rated excursions of Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas, together with lodge pickup and drop-off, transport in a snug, air-conditioned minivan, and a dwell tour of the slot canyon with an authorized Navajo tribal information.
We’ve used GetYourGuide for many excursions and actions world wide, they usually’re nice. Extremely advisable!
Issue: Straightforward / Guided
Learn Extra: Antelope Canyon Information
E-book Now: Antelope Canyon Tour From Las Vegas (+Horseshoe Bend)
Las Vegas Slot Canyons Map
Right here’s a Las Vegas slot canyons map you need to use to plan your individual street journey in Nevada. You may click on the icons to get instructions and extra data on every focal point, however take into account a number of the places on this map could also be approximate.
As at all times, please bear in mind to maintain the path clear, be thoughtful of different hikers, and depart no hint. Thanks and blissful travels!
Slot Canyon Security Ideas
Flash Floods. All the time pay attention to the climate forecast. Don’t enter any slot canyon if rain is within the forecast, even when it is exterior of your quick 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 may 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 particular person. In Nevada, it’s best to at all times deliver extra water than you suppose you want.
Map. It is a good suggestion to obtain an offline map of your mountaineering space on an app like Google Maps, that manner you’ll be able to hold utilizing it to navigate or discover your place even if you’re out of reception. Getting misplaced within the desert could be harmful.
Extra Slot Canyon Mountain climbing Guides
Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this information for a number of the finest slot canyons close to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Don’t overlook to take a look at my full listing of the finest slot canyons in Utah and Arizona to see in your subsequent street journey as effectively!
