Slot Canyon Monument Valley

Slot Canyon Monument Valley Average ratng: 3,4/5 9649 votes

Secret Canyon is a branch of the larger Water Holes Canyon that cuts through the Navajo sandstone near Lake Powell. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections known as slot canyons. We then filmed moonrise and sunset over the Mittens Mesas in Monument Valley, Arizona. Next the famed Slot Canyons in Antelope Canyon, Arizona where the dry creek beds were carved from the.

Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley
Slot Canyon Monument Valley Of Fire
Slot Canyon Monument Valley

At over 1 million acres, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the largest national monuments in the United States. The majority of the land within the monument is wild, rugged, and much of it is inaccessible except on foot. Ancient cultures inhabited for thousands of years, and extensive ruins and evidence of these thriving civilizations can be found throughout the area. The monument has been in the news recently due to a political decision to reduce its size by 47%, and adventurers who’ve heard this buzz are eager to explore and understand for themselves what this southern Utah treasure is all about.

The Wave in Arizona and Monument Valley are both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary. Not only is the slot canyon itself stunning, but the surrounding area is breathtaking as well We took our time hiking out of the slot canyon and explored the surrounding area.
Monument Valley in Arizona is home to exquisite desert scenery and immense geological formations that can be seen for miles around. The valley lies within the range of the Navajo Nation Reservation and is accessible from U.S.

The area is full of some of the world’s most dramatic geologic features, from thousands of slot canyons cut by the Escalante River, to sandstone arches, natural bridges, and tall, skinny spires peeping throughout the landscape. If you’re planning a trip in the Escalante area, at least a day hike is a must. Below you will find a list of some of the best day hikes in the national monument.

If you have more time, the best way to experience the Grand Staircase-Escalante is to take a backpacking trip (read about our backpacking tips) or take a guided trip with REI to nearby Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park to see those highlights of the region and get a chance to explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante NM.

Favorite Day Hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

If you only have a day to see a glimpse of this massive monument, make sure you check out one of the hikes included below. After your hike, check out our favorite local coffee shop, Kiva Koffeehouse, for a refreshing frozen lemonade and sweet treat to bring those blood sugar levels back up. 😉

Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls

The trailhead to the Lower Calf Creek Falls hike can be found off of Scenic Byway 12, at the Calf Creek Campground. It is 11 miles south of Boulder, Utah and 15 miles east of the town of Escalante. The trail offers a beautiful hike through a verdant desert oasis with tall multi-colored sandstone walls towering above on either side. If you look closely, you’ll see remnants of ancient cultures painted on the walls. Hiking through this lush canyon, you will understand why the Fremont people lived here for hundreds of years.

For the most part, you will hike along Calf Creek on a very sandy path. Parts of the trail do not follow near the creek and in these sections the trail is very exposed with little shade. Make sure to bring water shoes, sun protection, and plenty of water. The final destination is the cascading 126-foot Lower Calf Creek Falls, perhaps the most beautiful waterfall of Escalante. Be sure to budget time for swimming and cooling down beneath the falls!

Distance: 6 miles (out-and-back)
Elevation gain/loss: 521 feet
How long it takes: 3-4 hours

Hike the Escalante River to the Natural Bridge

A hike along the Escalante River to the Escalante Natural Bridge is a great introductory day hike for getting to know Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This hike begins at the Escalante River trailhead, just off Scenic Byway 12 and slightly north of the Boynton Overlook. There are multiple river crossings on this hike, so be sure you are prepared to get your feet wet (and then sandy)! You’ll see multiple highlights in just a few miles – first the natural bridge, then petroglyphs, then an arch, and then a cliff dwelling in view on the south side of the river.

Temperatures heat up in the summer, so plan accordingly by starting your hike early, bringing proper sun protection, and plenty of water. Read more about hiking the Escalante River.

Distance: 4.4 miles to Escalante Natural Bridge (out-and-back)
Elevation gain/loss: 291 feet
How long it takes: 2-3 hours

Explore Peek-a-boo and Spooky Slot Canyons

Are you looking to explore the slot canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante? Peek-a-boo and Spooky slot canyons will fill you with amazement at the power of water that has formed such incredible, narrow, and textured canyons. These slot canyons are easily accessible off of the Hole-in-the-Rock Road a dirt road that is accessed from Scenic Byway 12 twenty-six miles south of the town of Escalante. This hike is quite popular, partially due its proximity to another famous hike, the dry fork of Coyote Gulch. If you struggle with claustrophobia, Peek-a-boo and Spooky slot canyons may not be the best hike for you. At some points, the canyon shrinks to only 18 inches wide and you often have to walk sideways. It can create a challenging situation if someone is coming from the other direction! If you’ve never explored slot canyons before, read up on these tips for hiking slot canyons in Escalante before you go.

Distance: 3.5 miles (lollipop-loop)
Elevation gain/loss: 459 feet
How long it takes: 2-3 hours

An Escalante Epic: Hike to Coyote Gulch

A “best hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante” list wouldn’t be complete without Coyote Gulch. You have most likely seen the infamous image on the internet of Stevens Arch, the incredibly immense sandstone structure that stretches above the Escalante Riverbed (if not, it’s pictured below). While well-known, this hike is not for the faint of heart, and those wanting to hike to Coyote Gulch in a day should be prepared for a long day of scrambling, hiking in sand, and through the Escalante River. In fact, we do not recommend doing this hike in just one day. The canyon is best explored when you are able to take your time and spend at least two nights of backpacking along the Escalante River, discovering the many slot canyons, arches, and bridges along the way!

You will need a Coyote Gulch permit if you plan to do a backpacking trip. The access point to begin this hike is located near water tanks on Fortymile Ridge, southwest of the confluence of Coyote Gulch and Escalante Canyon.

Distance: 11.5-17 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain/loss: 2,775 feet
How long it takes: 10-12+ hours

Out-and-Back hike of Willis Creek Slot Canyon

The diversity of geology is incredible in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Unlike the narrow Spooky slot canyon, Willis Creek is a wide (almost spacious!) slot canyon to explore. The best time of day to hike in this slot canyon is early, when the sun starts to pour into the canyon and bounce light and shadow off the walls. It is also a great hike to find shade on warm summer days but is not recommended during the late summer monsoon season when slot canyons can quickly become dangerous due to flash floods. The trailhead is off Scenic Byway 12 on a dirt road (BLM500) best for 4WD or high clearance vehicles.

Distance: 4-5 miles (out-and-back)
Elevation gain/loss: 816 feet
How long it takes: 1.5-3 hours

The best time to hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is early spring and fall, to enjoy cooler weather and avoid the dangers of flash flood season in late summer.

You do not need to obtain permits to do these day hikes in Grand Staircase. If you are camping or backpacking, you will need overnight permits. Permits are typically free and can be obtained at visitor centers or at developed trailheads.

Find out about REI’s multi-day adventure trips nearby in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.

It's a fair assumption to say that many Canadians are familiar with Las Vegas. But the spectacular natural beauty that lies just a day's drive away? Less so.

Straddling the Utah-Arizona border are enough national parks, state parks, national monuments, slot canyons and recreational areas to dedicate a month of your time to.

So the next time you swing into Vegas for pool season, a conference, or a bachelor /bachelorette party, I wholeheartedly urge you to hit the open road and discover some of the best of America. Chances are, you'll start seeing Las Vegas less for its slots and more as I do: as the gateway for exploring the wonders of the American Southwest.

Day 1: Las Vegas - Monument Valley

Driving distance: 640 km (398 miles)

Driving time: 6 hours 20 minutes

The route:

This is your longest driving day. But don't worry, the reward is sunset at one of the most iconic viewpoints in the American Southwest.

Depart Las Vegas as early as you can stand to rise. We managed to depart the desert city by 9:30 a.m. and arrived at Monument Valleyjust in time for sunset.

It's easy driving: straight, open roads and scenic terrain. You'll leave Nevada, skirt through the northwest corner of Arizona, and then quickly enter Utah. Pass through St. George (perhaps making a pit stop for lunch), before nipping southeast into Arizona.

TRAVEL TIP: TIME ZONE CONFUSION

On this road trip route, you'll pass through some time zones. Here are some handy tips to make sense of what can feel like a time warp:

Mountain time (Utah: St. George, Zion NP, Bryce NP) is one hour ahead of Pacific (Nevada/Las Vegas)
Utah, Arizona and Monument Valley Tribal Park operate on Mountain Time.
Caveat: Arizona does not participate in daylight savings. During daylight savings, the state of Utah and the Navajo Nation are one hour later than Arizona. In non-daylight savings months, Arizona, Utah and the Navajo Nation are on the same time. Double-check the time if you've made any time sensitive reservations.

Required stop: Horseshoe Bend, Page, AZ

Schedule a stop in Page, Arizona to refuel. It's also a very good idea to purchase any groceries, water, or other supplies you might want for the evening. There are limited provisions in Kayenta and even fewer within Monument Valley Tribal Park.

It would be criminal to depart Page without taking a peek at the awe-inspiring Horseshoe Bend. It's conveniently located just 4.8 miles south of the Glen Canyon Dam, which you'll pass on your way into Page.

The outlook at Horseshoe Bend is easily reached on a gently graded 2.4-km trail from a free parking lot. The path is mostly sand over hard-packed dirt. Bring water, as the route offers no relief from the sun.

In the warmer months, Horseshoe Bend can be overrun with visitors. However, the view is world-famous and does not disappoint in the least.

After you leave Page, you're just two hours from Monument Valley Tribal Park. You'll need $20 USD in cash to pay for park entry.

Sleep: In a one-of-a-kind Navajo hogan Airbnb

Monument Valley, Utah

Sleeps: 4 persons
Beds: 4 singles
Price: $184-$277 CAD + $11 CAD cleaning fee + Airbnb service fee + taxes, for a total of $353 CAD for one night.

There are very limited options for lodging near Monument Valley, but even more rare is the opportunity to sleep on the Valley floor, among those famous mittens. For that, one must turn to Airbnb hostess Verna Yazzie.

Some 5.2 miles down the rugged Valley Drive scenic loop, and tucked down a nondescript road, are a pair of Navajo hogans. A hogan is a dome-shaped, cedar-framed structure covered by tightly packed sand.

Not only is it special to be spending the night deep in the Park, but the hogan is culturally symbolic to the Navajo. Our hogan is a female hogan, its round shape representing the womb of Mother Earth. Verna tells us, 'As Her children, this is where she protects us from outside forces. This is where we get our rest – spiritually, emotionally and physically.'

Emotional indeed. The guest book brims with entries that describe quasi-spiritual experiences. This is sacred land and if you can't feel it, you'll miss the entire point.

Note: Guests should not expect hotel amenities. Staying at the hogan is something akin to glamping. There is no running water or electricity, and the washroom is a basic but clean outhouse.

Find it on Airbnb: airbnb.ca/rooms/11436203

Day 2: Monument Valley - Orderville, UT

Driving distance: 374 km (223 miles)

Driving time: 3 hours 55 minutes

The route:

Today, your route doubles back the way you came. You'll head to Page for a slot canyon excursion and from there, you'll head as far as Kanab before driving north to Orderville, your home base for exploring Zion National Park.

But first...

Required stop: sunrise in Monument Valley

You might be bleary-eyed, but rising to wake with the sun - a Navajo tradition - and watching the sun rise over Monument Valley's famous mittens is the stuff of legendary road trips.

Leave the hogan at least 30 minutes before sunrise and drive to The View Hotel. Bundle up, stake out a spot and ready your camera. You won't need to spend more than half an hour to absorb it all.

Optional stop: a blockbuster-famous film location

From here, you might want to drive north towards Mexican Hat, Utah, along US Route 163. Twenty minutes out, you'll look back to the mittens and recognize a very famous viewpoint. It's where Forrest Gump ended his three-year, two-month, 14-day and 16-hour run.

Optional stop: Goosenecks State Park

Bureau of Land Mangement (CCby2.0)

Detouring 20-minutes north of the Forrest Gump lookout, you'll find a well-kept secret: Goosenecks State Park.

What makes this park remarkable? Here, the San Juan River meanders a whopping six miles in just a one-mile distance. It's the work of 300 million years of geological activity and is considered to be one of the finest examples of entrenched river meander in the world. That, and it's fun to look at.

Bring $5 USD cash to pay the day-use entry fee.

Optional stop: Artist's Point,
Monument Valley Tribal Park

Jennifer Hubbert

Before or after you check out of the hogan, you might wish to drive the rest of the Valley Drive. Its terminus is Artist's Point, which gives visitors an alternate view of the mitten-punctured landscape.

Required stop: Antelope Canyon, Page, AZ

This road trip would not be complete without touring Antelope Canyon. It's also located just off the highway as you enter Page.

Antelope Canyon is divided into two sections: Lower and Upper. Tours are offered by a limited number of licensed operators, and you'll have to book a departure time in advance.

Upper Antelope Canyon boasts more even terrain and accessibility. Lower Antelope Canyon is narrower and involves climbing steel ladders. Both are extremely popular and wait times vary from 20 minutes to three hours, despite scheduled departure times.

Tours cost $25 USD for adults. Time spent in the canyon runs 45-60 minutes. You'll also need to pay $8 USD for a Navajo Park permit fee.

Despite being filled to the brim with tourists, a walk through Antelope Canyon is a quintessential Arizona experience.

Optional stop: Kanab

Making your way to Orderville, you might decide to stop in Kanab. This small town is cloaked in western charm.

Optional stop: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Flickr/dconvertini (CCBY-SA2.0)

Detouring to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park only takes 20 minutes (12 miles) each way. Access it from the Hancock Road turnoff while traveling north of Kanab along U.S. 89.

Sleep: In an adorable Airbnb tiny home

Orderville, Utah

Sleeps: 4
Beds: One queen and two singles
Price: $207 CAD + $104 CAD cleaning fee + Airbnb service fee + taxes, for a total of $386 CAD

This immaculate tiny home is located in Orderville, just 20 minutes east of Zion National Park. That means it's close enough to make a sunset run to Canyon Overlook Trail - if you're up for it. Otherwise, take a load off. This might be a tiny home, but it's fully equipped. I'm talking air-con, washer-dryer, kitchen complete with dishwasher and coffee maker, a grill, living room and covered deck. An electronic lock means you can check-in at your own convenience.

Note: Whether you want to stay in and cook or dine out, your options are more plentiful in Kanab than quaint Orderville.

Find it on Airbnb: airbnb.ca/rooms/13027086

Day 3: Zion National Park - Las Vegas

Driving distance: 304 km (189 miles)

Driving time: 3 hours 21 minutes

Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley

The route:

The first leg of today's road trip is arguably the most scenic. From Orderville, drive west along Zion – Mount Carmel Highway. After some premier hiking in Zion National Park, you might take a hearty meal in Springdale. From here, it's 2.5 hours to your road trip finish line in Las Vegas.

Required stop: Zion National Park

Unsplash/Jamie Hagan

Welcome to one of America's favourite national parks.

If you have a full day, two of the park's premier trails include Angel's Landing and The Narrows, Bottom-Up. An ambitious hiker could fit both in.

TIP: PARKING IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

From March to November, visitors can not drive themselves through Zion National Park. Park at the visitor's center and board the Zion Shuttle (free). You can also park within Springdale city limits, which is serviced by a second shuttle line (also free).

Suggested hike: Angel's Landing

This 8-kilometre (5-mile) trail elevates you 1,500 feet above the Virgin River. It starts out gently enough, before turning into a series of switchbacks that lead to Scout Lookout. Until this point, the trail is maintained and paved in parts, making it more of a grunt than a technical hike.

The next section crosses a short, albeit narrow ridge: 28 inches at its narrowest, with drops of 800-ft and 1,200-ft on either side. Once you're across, the final ascent up the humped peak begins. The outlook at Angels Landing affords sweeping views of Zion Canyon that are simply breathtaking.

Unsplash/Clarisse Meyer

The hardest part - if you're not already winded and suffering vertigo - is sharing the barely there trail with oncoming foot traffic. If you're afraid of heights, you might want to cut your hike short at Scout Lookout.

Tip: Hike Angels Landing as early as possible in the morning. It's that much more strenuous under a hot Utah sun.

Suggested hike: The Narrows, Bottom-Up

Have you ever hiked up a river?

Bottom-Up follows the Virgin River through a canyon that has towering walls up to 1,500-feet tall. The canyon narrows the farther one goes, measuring just 22 feet wide at its narrowest. Orange Navajo sandstone reflects the golden sunlight and the water is milky opaque blue.

Jennifer Hubbert

This hike is an out-and-back, in which hikers retrace their steps; hike only as far in as you'd like. I suggest allocating at least 3-4 hours.