Slot Canyons Near St. George, Utah

One of Southern Utah's most photogenic slot canyons, located near Kanab. Narrow sandstone walls sculpted by centuries of flash floods create cathedral-like corridors glowing with warm light. A moderate 3.5-mile round-trip hike with sections requiring hand-and-foot scrambling through tight passages. No permit required for day hikes.

A hidden gem just outside Orderville, only 90 minutes from St. George. This undiscovered slot canyon offers spectacular pink and red Navajo sandstone walls with minimal crowds. The hike is approximately 2 miles round trip with moderate scrambling. Best visited after a recent rain when the walls display their most vibrant colors.

A beloved slot canyon hike near Kanarraville, just 45 minutes north of St. George. Hikers wade through a creek corridor carved into stunning red Navajo sandstone, culminating at a 30-foot waterfall. Daily permit quotas apply — book through the Kanarraville Town website well in advance, especially for spring and fall visits.

The longest and deepest slot canyon in the world stretches 13 miles through Vermilion Cliffs country south of St. George near Kanab. This full-day or multi-day adventure requires a BLM permit and serious preparation. Walls soar 300 to 500 feet high while passages narrow to 2 feet wide. Flash flood danger demands careful weather monitoring.

A short but spectacular slot canyon connecting to Buckskin Gulch near the Utah-Arizona border. The 3.4-mile round trip hike passes through some of the tightest narrows in the region. BLM day-use permits required. Arrives early to claim a parking spot at the Wire Pass Trailhead off House Rock Valley Road.

A family-friendly slot canyon hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante with no permit required. The creek flows year-round through walls of orange Navajo sandstone for a 4-mile round trip. The trail is mostly flat, making it accessible for older children and anyone wanting a slot canyon experience without technical scrambling.

Not to be confused with the Kanab-area Peekaboo, this canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante features some of the most dramatic light beams and color play in the region. The 3.5-mile loop combines two connecting slot canyons. Requires optional rope sections for easier entry. Best light for photography falls between 10 AM and 2 PM.

Local and regional guide companies offer photographer-specific tours timed to maximize the light beams and canyon glow that make slot canyons world-famous. Small groups, professional tips, and access to lesser-known canyon locations. Tours typically depart from St. George or Kanab and run 4 to 8 hours.

Do slot canyons near St. George require permits?

Permit requirements vary by location. Kanarra Creek Falls requires a paid permit purchased through the Kanarraville Town website with strict daily quotas. Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass require BLM permits available at self-service stations or online. Peekaboo Slot Canyon near Kanab and Willis Creek in Grand Staircase-Escalante currently require no day-use permit. Always check current regulations before visiting as permit requirements frequently change. The BLM and Utah State Parks websites have the most current information.

How difficult are slot canyon hikes near St. George?

Difficulty ranges widely across Southern Utah slot canyons. Willis Creek is beginner-friendly with flat terrain and a flowing creek. Kanarra Creek Falls and Peekaboo Slot Canyon are moderate, requiring some scrambling and log-climb assists. Wire Pass and Peek-A-Boo Gulch involve technical moves and optional ropes. Buckskin Gulch is a strenuous multi-day wilderness experience requiring navigation, stream crossings, and flash flood awareness. Always match your canyon selection to your fitness level and experience.

When is the best time to visit slot canyons in Southern Utah?

Spring from March through May and fall from September through November offer the most pleasant temperatures for slot canyon hiking in Southern Utah. Summer visits require early morning starts before heat intensifies, and thunderstorm season from July through September dramatically increases flash flood risk. Winter visits can be beautiful with fewer crowds but may encounter ice in shaded canyon sections. For photography, midday light in summer creates the famous light beam effects in narrow slot canyons with overhead openings.

How do you stay safe from flash floods in slot canyons?

Flash flood safety is the most critical concern in slot canyon hiking. Always check the weather forecast for the entire upstream watershed, not just the local area. Storms 50 miles away can send a deadly flood wave through a canyon with no warning. Never enter a canyon if rain is forecast anywhere in the drainage. Know your escape routes before entering. Watch for rising water sounds, increasing water flow, or debris. Download the National Weather Service app and monitor flash flood watches and warnings. Never camp in slot canyon bottoms. If caught in rising water, climb the walls immediately.

Are there family-friendly slot canyons near St. George?

Yes, Willis Creek in Grand Staircase-Escalante is the most family-friendly slot canyon near St. George with flat terrain, a year-round creek, and no permit required. Kanarra Creek Falls is suitable for older children and teens who are comfortable wading in water up to knee depth and climbing log ladders. Red Hollow Canyon near Orderville works well for families with moderate hiking experience. Avoid Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass with young children due to technical terrain and serious flash flood hazard. Always bring extra water and dress children in layers.

Can I take a guided tour of slot canyons near St. George?

Guided slot canyon tours are available from several outfitters operating in the St. George and Kanab area. Guided tours are especially valuable for first-time visitors, photography enthusiasts wanting optimal lighting conditions, and groups seeking local expertise on permit logistics and safety. Guides know the best hidden locations, optimal times for photography light beams, and can navigate permit requirements. Tours typically include transportation, permits, and equipment. Book well in advance for spring and fall seasons when demand is highest.

St. George, Utah provides an unparalleled base for exploring the slot canyon landscapes of Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip. Within a 90-minute drive, canyon enthusiasts can access some of the most spectacular narrows on the planet — from Kanarra Creek Falls with its year-round flowing creek and dramatic 30-foot waterfall to the world-record 13-mile length of Buckskin Gulch. The geology responsible for these wonders is Navajo sandstone, a pale orange and red formation deposited as ancient sand dunes more than 180 million years ago. Flash floods over millions of years have carved these dunes into the labyrinthine corridors that attract photographers, hikers, and adventurers from around the world. Peekaboo Slot Canyon near Kanab offers cathedral-like passages glowing with pink and orange reflected light, while Willis Creek in Grand Staircase-Escalante provides a family-friendly slot canyon experience with no permit required. Red Hollow Canyon near Orderville remains one of the region's best-kept secrets, offering slot canyon scenery with dramatically fewer visitors than more well-known locations.

Flash flood safety is the most critical consideration for slot canyon hiking in Southern Utah. The confined walls that make these canyons so breathtaking also make them extremely dangerous when storms occur anywhere in the upstream watershed. Water can arrive with tremendous force and speed, often before any local clouds appear overhead. Visitors should always check weather forecasts for the entire drainage area, not just the canyon entrance. Never enter a slot canyon when rain is forecast within 50 miles upstream. Permit systems at Kanarra Creek Falls and Buckskin Gulch also help manage visitor numbers and provide an additional layer of safety awareness. Local guide companies offering slot canyon tours bring invaluable knowledge of permit logistics, optimal photography timing, flash flood risk assessment, and access to lesser-known canyon locations that most visitors never discover. Whether you are a first-time canyon explorer or an experienced canyoneer, Southern Utah's slot canyons deliver geological wonder and photographic beauty unlike anywhere else on earth.