- Escalante Slot Canyons can be accessed by boat from Lake Powell or from hiking trails nearby
- Skills required for traversing the slot canyons include downclimbing, stemming, rappelling, wading and swimming
- Coyote Gulch, Dry Fork features a long stream and several narrow passageways
- Spooky Gulch is a collection of unique rock formations in a claustrophobic canyon
Overview
The Escalante Slot Canyons are within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Slot canyons are formed by various tributaries forking off from the main Escalante River and carving out grooves in the rock which are then eroded by the weather. They vary greatly in width and length. Some Escalante canyons are very narrow, requiring skillful techniques to pass through them, sometimes 50 feet above the floor. Skills required for traversing the slot canyons include down climbing, stemming or bridging, rappelling, wading and swimming.
Location and Information
The only way to reach the Escalante Slot Canyons Utah is by going from Hole-in-the-Rock Road from the west through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The upper area of the slot canyons is crossed by UT 12 and tracks such as Wolverine Road and Burr Trail give access to canyons in the northeast. However, the slot canyons in the southeast cannot be reached by road and boat access is required from Lake Powell.
Entrance Fees/Hours
No fees. Open all year round, weather permitting.
These are some of the main Escalante Slot Canyons:
- Big Horn Canyon - Colorful ravine in a secluded area
- Brimstone Gulch - One of the darkest canyons in the southwest
- Coyote Gulch, Dry Fork - Features a long stream and several narrow passageways
- Davis Gulch - Features a very large natural arch with testing features
- Egypt 3 - Comprises some excellent slot canyons in three sections
- Harris Wash - An interesting slot canyon with classic Navajo sandstone drainage
- Little Death Hollow - A remote location with very narrow, challenging canyons
- Llewellyn Gulch - A hidden canyon worth seeking out. Long but not particularly enclosed
- Neon Canyon - The lengthy Neon Canyon ends at the golden cathedral
- Peek-a-boo Gulch - Lots of erosion with many pools and arches
- Red Breaks - Few visitors find this secluded canyon which is long but not especially enclosed
- Spooky Gulch - A collection of unique rock formations in a claustrophobic canyon
Fun Facts
Stemming or bridging involves climbing a corner with the legs spread wide apart, one against each face, with the feet relying on friction or very small holds.
