Slot Canyon Tours Kanab Utah

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Of all the stops on Burr, there’s really nothing like the little slot canyon at an inconspicuous turnoff 11.5 miles down from the starting point. Some locals of Boulder, Utah, call this slot canyon on the Burr Trail, “Singing Canyon.” When you go, you know exactly why. Little Wild Horse & Ding and Dang. Zion National Park boasts perhaps the most famous of the slot canyons in Utah – the Zion Narrows. Though this slot canyon ranks as the easiest to traverse within Zion National Park, it is 16 miles long and requires 13 hours to traverse. It includes slippery rocks, river hiking, and some swimming.

Like the similarly named Red Cave and Red Hollow, Red Canyon forms a colorful series of narrows through the deep red sandstone rock of the Glendale Bench, a few miles east of Zion National Park, although the drainage is a tributary of Kanab Creek rather than the Virgin River.
The canyon has about half a mile of enclosed, curving passages up to 100 feet deep, mostly without any obstructions, and quite easily reached from a main road (US 89); the canyon runs parallel to the highway about 2 miles from it, and may be accessed either by driving along a very sandy 4WD track or walking cross-country, hiking over a rolling, open landscape of dunes and occasional trees (the Sand Hills). Adventure tour companies from Kanab sometimes take visitors to the slot, which is known locally as Peek-a-Boo Canyon, though the place is in general little visited compared to the more famous narrows within the nearby national park.

Topographic Map of Red Canyon

Photographs

9 views of Red Canyon.

Kanab Slot Canyon Tours

Location

A secondary road leaves US 89 a mile east of the turn-off for Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and runs eastwards alongside (to the north) for 4 miles, rejoining the highway shortly before it begins the descent into Three Lakes Canyon towards Kanab. The secondary road is partly paved, and it provides many good places to camp, close to the main road though mostly out of sight. The track to the canyon starts at the east end of this old road, by the junction with US 89, and is very sandy from the start, as it skirts around a large area of dunes, rises slightly to cross a low ridge then descends towards a dry wash (a tributary of Kanab Creek) where the surface becomes even softer. The remaining stretch is more level though still across deep sand, as the road curves east then back west just before the streamway, meeting it one mile downstream of the end of the slot. ATVs can drive along the streambed right up to the start of the narrows.

Route Description

The wash is enclosed by low cliffs for a short distance below the slot, offering plenty of entry/exit routes before the walls become vertical and form the first section of narrows. The Navajo sandstone here is dark red in appearance, typical of this region, and is eroded into delicate curves bearing graceful surface patterns, from thin horizontal bands of lighter rock crossed by vertical strips of desert varnish. The first narrows are quite short, opening out to a sunlit section, but this doesn't last long as the drainage constricts again to a longer, deeper slot. Some parts are quite dark because of overhanging rocks above, and the smooth curving walls allow for pretty reflections and light effects, quite similar to canyons around Page in Arizona, such as Antelope. The floor is sandy and has no potholes to hold any water so the passages are largely unobstructed, until a 20 foot pour-off topped by protruding chokestones, a blockage not easily climbable. The nearest exit route to bypass this drop is quite far back. Above the dryfall, the canyon is not narrow for much further, soon becoming wider and less sheer-sided.

Slot Canyon Tours Kanab Utah Homes For Sale

Similar Canyons

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Our full-day Slot Canyon Photography Tour is designed for those craving adventure. We'll customize the outing to the level of physical exertion you desire, with the majority of locations being Moderate intensity.

Highlights

• Our full-day Slot Canyon Photography Tour is designed for those craving adventure. We'll customize the outing to the level of physical exertion you desire!
• Trek through narrow and winding slot canyons while photographing some of the most jaw-dropping scenery you've ever seen. We'll get you to the best parts at the best times of the day!
• Less strenuous options are available. Just let us know your desired level of physical activity.
• Professional photography instruction included on all outings. Take your slot canyon shots to the next level!
• Small group size capped at 5 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.

Trip Details

• Tour Length: 8 hours
• Drive Time: It depends on where we go. The closest canyons are around 30 mins drive from Kanab. Others are about an hour away.
• Time Spent on Location: Approx 5-6 hrs
• Tour Departure Time: This trip is slated to leave Kanab at 8AM and returning around 4PM. However, this start time can be flexible depending on your travel needs. Please arrive around 10 mins early to load your gear and finish the check-in process. Note that we operate on Utah time which is one hour ahead of Las Vegas. During the months of Daylight Savings (approx mid-March through early Nov), Utah is also one hour ahead of Arizona. Please take this into consideration if traveling from out of state.
• Tour Pricing: Please click on the Book Your Tour button for the latest pricing. Most of our tours require a 2-person minimum. Single individuals can always go, but may need to pay the 2-person rate if nobody else decides to join.
• Tour Meetup Location: You will meet at our office in Kanab, UT. The address will be given in your confirmation email. This is a safe place to park your vehicle and you can leave any valuables inside. Once you arrive, you'll load your gear and sign a liability release waiver. Las Vegas is the closest major airport to Kanab. There is no public transportation to Kanab, so you’ll need your own rental car or private vehicle. We recommend that you stay in a hotel in Kanab the evening of your tour. There are many good hotels in the area like the Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn & Suites, and the Canyons Botique.
• Permits: We hold commercial use permits for the locations we visit.
• Group Size: Our groups will never exceed 5 people per guide. We like to keep our tours small so we can give adequate individual attention.
• Instructors: Due to scheduling complexities, we don’t know which instructor will accompany your group until a day or two prior to your tour. If you want to request a specific instructor, please Contact Us to make your request. Although we’ll do our best to make it happen, please note that there are no guarantees.

Tours In Kanab

Trip Details

• Weather Conditions: With this being a slot canyon tour, we cannot go if rain is in the forecast. Should this happen, we will make alternate arrangements and may have to visit an alternate destination. This decision will be made the day of the outing based on the consensus of the group. Your safety is our top priority! Note that we cannot offer refunds due to weather unless we cannot go out at all. There can be mud and water in the canyons after recent rains. Even though it might be hot outside the canyon, temperatures can drop quickly, so make sure you bring a jacket.
• Hiking / Fitness: When you book the tour, please let us know what level of hiking difficulty you want and we'll make sure we go to the best canyons for you.
• Food/Water: We do not provide food on our outings. All participants should bring food/water to hold them through while hiking. We will have a cooler where you can store food and drink.
• What to Wear: You should check the weather forecast prior to coming on the trip (search for Kanab, UT on Weather.com). If it’s going to be hot, wear light-colored clothing and a hat. If the temperatures are cold, bring some warm layers and long pants. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. If it’s very cold and or windy, don’t forget a jacket, warm hat and some gloves.
• Restroom Facilities: There are limited facilities where we will visit. If you need to use the restroom in the backcountry, we will have toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a shovel available. You can dig a hole back behind a bush to do your business.
• Half-Day Option: If you want a less strenuous day, consider our Half-Day Slot Canyon Photography Tour.

Camera Gear

• Camera Gear: A wide angle zoom lens is the most useful on this trip (equivalent 16-35 on a full-frame camera or 10-22mm on a crop sensor). A mid-range lens can also come in handy (24-70 on full frame or 18-55 on crop sensor). Bring a polarizer to cut glare from the water. ND filters are nice for long exposures of water. All photographers should bring a tripod. Don’t forget extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
• Photography Advice: Read our article on Slot Canyon Photography
• Safety: Our guides are trained in CPR/First-Aid. All 4WD vehicles are equipped with extraction equipment and a first-aid kit. We carry a satellite beacon with us in case of emergencies outside of cell range.
• Cancellation/Re-Scheduling: Please see our Terms and Conditions.