Experience the thrill of navigating narrow slot canyons with guided Zion canyoneering tours. These excursions combine hiking, scrambling, rappelling, and off-road UTV or Jeep rides through Southern Utah's rugged backcountry.
Free Cancellation Ride a UTV to Coal Hollow for a guided canyoneering tour featuring 6 to 7 technical rappels.
Free Cancellation Ride off-road into Southern Utah’s mountains for a guided hike and technical rappel through a hidden slot canyon.
Free Cancellation Explore the wind-carved slot canyons of Southern Utah through a mix of hiking, climbing, and rappelling.
Free Cancellation Explore Coal Hollow Slot Canyon with a guided off-road ride, a short hike, and four beginner-friendly rappels.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Zion — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Zion canyoneering tours offer an adrenaline-pumping way to experience the dramatic red rock landscapes of Southern Utah. You'll venture beyond the crowded park trails, riding off-road vehicles into remote backcountry areas before hiking, scrambling, and rappelling your way down spectacular, water-carved slot canyons.
Most tours kick off with a thrilling ride in a UTV, Can-Am Defender, or Jeep to reach the secluded canyon trailheads.
Expect a short but steep hike, usually around a half-mile, to reach the top of the slot canyon before your descent begins.
You will navigate the canyons using ropes and harnesses, completing anywhere from four to seven individual rappels depending on your tour.
There's no need to buy expensive equipment; your guides provide all the necessary technical canyoneering gear from start to finish.
These tours explore remote areas like Coal Hollow and Elkheart Canyon in East Zion, allowing you to escape the heavy crowds of the main park.
Before you book your Zion canyoneering adventure, it's important to understand the physical requirements and logistics of these backcountry tours.
Travelers must have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tours involve steep hikes, scrambling over boulders, and rappelling. They are not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.
You can choose a tour that fits your schedule, ranging from a quick 2.5-hour introductory descent to a more comprehensive 4.5-hour half-day adventure.
These are fully guided experiences led by certified professionals who handle the ropes and safety checks. Group sizes are kept small to ensure personalized attention and safety during the rappels.
Accessing these remote slot canyons requires rugged transport. Tours include rides in specialized off-road vehicles like UTVs or Jeeps to get you safely across the rugged backcountry.
Booking in advance is highly recommended as these small-group tours sell out quickly. Fortunately, operators offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time.
Most of these specific canyoneering tours operate in the East Zion backcountry just outside the main park boundaries. If you plan to visit Zion National Park before or after, you will need to pay the $35 private vehicle entrance fee.
| 2.5-Hour Intro Tour | 4-Hour Coal Hollow Tour | Elkheart Canyon Jeep Tour | Half-Day Coral Sands Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours 30 mins | 4 hours | Approx. 4 hours | 4 hours 30 mins |
| Best for | Beginners and those short on time | Active adventurers wanting a longer descent | Jeep enthusiasts and backcountry explorers | Comprehensive canyon exploration |
| Rappels | 4 separate rappels | 6 to 7 individual rappels | Multiple rappels | Multiple rappels |
| Price from | $136 | $180 | $201 | $177 |
Zion National Park: The park itself is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Facility hours vary by season. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center Information Desk is typically open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm during peak months.
Canyoneering Tours: Tour operators run multiple departures daily, usually starting early in the morning to avoid the midday heat. Specific meeting times will be provided upon booking, and you should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure.
Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel: If you are driving a large vehicle to reach East Zion, note that the tunnel is only open to large vehicles from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm daily and requires a ranger escort.
By Car: Zion is located in southwestern Utah. From Las Vegas (LAS), it is a 163-mile drive (about 2 hours and 45 minutes) via I-15 North and UT-9 East. From Salt Lake City (SLC), it is a 307-mile drive (about 4.5 hours) heading south on I-15.
Public Transit: The SunTran Zion Route connects St. George to Springdale for just $5 each way. It operates Monday through Saturday from 5:40 am to 10:30 pm.
Meeting Points: Most East Zion canyoneering tours meet outside the main park entrances. For example, some tours require you to meet at the recreation desk of a specific lodge, or at local spots like Sugar Knoll Chicken in Mt. Carmel, UT. Always check your specific tour logistics for the exact meeting location.
Shoulder Seasons (Spring & Fall): The absolute best months to visit Zion and go canyoneering are October and November. The temperatures are mild, the autumn colors are peaking, and the massive summer crowds begin to thin out.
Summer (June to September): June is the driest month, making it great for deep canyon exploration. However, July through September brings extreme heat (often over 100°F) and the monsoon season. Monsoon thunderstorms cause sudden, deadly flash floods in slot canyons, which may lead to tour cancellations for safety.
Winter: Winter brings freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, making technical canyoneering and hiking steep ridges incredibly difficult and dangerous.
Canyoneering Tours: Due to the rugged nature of the activity, canyoneering tours are not wheelchair accessible. Participants must be able to hike steep, uneven terrain for at least a half-mile, scramble over rocks, and wear a climbing harness. They are not recommended for those with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.
Park Accessibility: While the backcountry tours are demanding, Zion National Park itself offers excellent accessible facilities. The Zion Canyon Shuttle has wheelchair lifts, and visitors can enjoy the paved 3.5-mile Pa'rus Trail or the 2.2-mile Riverside Walk. Medical permits are also available for driving personal vehicles on the Scenic Drive.
Inside the Park: The Zion Canyon Visitor Center features over 350 parking spaces, which usually fill up by 8:00 am or 9:00 am during peak season. You will find restrooms, water refill stations, and the Zion Forever Park Store here.
Tour Facilities: Your canyoneering tour will provide all technical equipment, including ropes, harnesses, and helmets. Most tours also provide bottled water, but you should bring a small backpack for personal items. Restrooms are typically only available at the meeting point before you head into the wilderness.
Springdale: If the park lots are full, you can park in the town of Springdale for $15 to $25 per day and ride the free town shuttle to the park entrance. Springdale is also home to outfitters where you can rent specialized gear for unguided hikes like The Narrows.
No previous experience is necessary. Your certified guide will teach you the basics of rappelling, secure the ropes, and assist you with your harness before you make your descent.
You should dress in comfortable, athletic layers that you don't mind getting dirty. Sturdy, closed-toe hiking boots with good grip are essential for the steep approach hikes and scrambling over canyon rocks.
Rain poses a severe flash flood danger in slot canyons. Tour operators closely monitor the weather and will cancel or reschedule your trip if monsoon storms or rain are predicted.
Most of these specific guided tours operate in the East Zion backcountry, exploring remote areas like Coal Hollow and Elkheart Canyon. This allows you to experience stunning slot canyons without the heavy crowds of the main national park.
No, you do not need to bring any technical gear. The tour operators provide all necessary equipment, including climbing harnesses, ropes, helmets, and hardware.
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tours require a steep half-mile hike to reach the canyon entrance, scrambling over boulders, and navigating uneven terrain.
The adventure begins with an off-road ride. Depending on your tour, you will ride in a UTV, a Can-Am Defender, or a Jeep across rugged backcountry trails to reach the canyon trailhead.
Tours range in length depending on the route. You can choose a shorter 2.5-hour introductory tour, or opt for a longer 4-hour to 4.5-hour half-day experience that includes up to seven rappels.
Tour operators generally offer a flexible cancellation policy. You can receive a full refund as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time.
Because these tours operate in the East Zion backcountry and on private lands, the park entrance fee is usually not required just for the tour. However, if you plan to drive into the main Zion Canyon before or after, you must pay the $35 private vehicle fee.
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Your trip begins with a UTV ride to the base of Coal Hollow, a secluded slot canyon. After a steep half-mile hike to the top, you'll work your way through the canyon via six or seven individual rappels. We provide all the technical gear you need to complete the descent from start to finish. Because we run multiple trips a day, we cannot wait for late arrivals. If you are more than 15 minutes behind schedule, the tour will leave without you. Please double-check your clock before heading out; we operate on Mountain Time, which is one hour ahead of Las Vegas and Arizona.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This tour begins with a Jeep ride across the rugged backcountry of Southern Utah to reach a remote slot canyon. Once there, you will hike along red rock ridges to reach the canyon’s summit. Your certified guide will then secure the ropes and assist with your harness for the rappelling descent to the canyon floor. Inside the canyon, you will navigate through narrow twists and turns while your guide explains the local geology and assists with any physical obstacles. The route is designed to showcase the area's unique rock formations from both above and within the canyon walls. During the fall and winter months, temperatures in these canyons can be quite low; please bring heavy coats, hats, and gloves to stay warm throughout the trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Canyoneering in the Zion National Park area involves navigating narrow slot canyons using a combination of hiking, scrambling, and rappelling. These geological formations, shaped over thousands of years by wind and water, offer a perspective of the Utah desert that is inaccessible by standard hiking trails. Our tours take you into the heart of Southern Utah's backcountry. You will move through tight sandstone corridors and descend down vertical drops with the guidance of experienced instructors. This activity is designed to provide a hands-on exploration of the region's unique desert terrain.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Ride out to Coal Hollow Slot Canyon in a Can Am Defender driven by a professional guide. After arriving at the site, the group will take a half-mile steep hike to reach the canyon entrance. You will then descend through the slot canyon using four separate rappels. This experience is specifically tailored for families and those new to canyoneering. Since we operate on a strict daily schedule, punctuality is required. Please note that we follow Mountain Time, which is one hour ahead of Las Vegas and Arizona. To ensure the tour stays on track for all guests, we cannot wait longer than 15 minutes for late arrivals.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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