Slot Canyons - By: Paula Radmall

Slot canyons are one of the most beautiful of nature’s handiworks. They are magnificent works of art caused by water rushing through a narrow crevasse, over a long period of time, carving and smoothing the canyon walls into bright, beautiful sculptures. What so unusual about that? Well, some of the slot canyons in Southern Utah and Arizona are hundreds of feet deep, while others are only a few feet, or even inches wide. Their vertical walls glimmer, changing hues as the sun moves across the sky. It is the mix of light streaming in and shadows that make these canyons remarkably memorable and gorgeous. It’s the beauty of these canyons, and deep oranges and reds of their walls, that bring people from all over the world hiking, backpacking, and camping so they can have the breathtaking view for themselves!

“It’s like the Grand Canyon turned inside out!” At least, that’s the way my daughter described the slot canyons we explored! You’ll understand her wonder when you step inside for yourself.

Until recent years, most slot canyon locations were very well kept secrets. In fact, no one really knows how many exist in the desert of the southwest because you can walk right by one without even knowing it! A natural reverence exists inside these deep, beautiful slot canyons and some of those who have visited them have felt a strong desire to protect them from being marred by too much traffic as their locations have become more widely known. But, as the information has become more available, more people have had the joy of experiencing the canyons beauty firsthand.

The Antelope Canyons

The well known, and well photographed Antelope Canyon slot canyons, lay mostly on Navajo land. If you have seen pictures of slot canyons, they were probably taken here.

The Antelope Canyon slot canyons are considered to be some of the most beautiful in the world. They are also the best known and the most heavily visited. And in recent years, the Navajo people have felt the need to protect the canyons from abuse and misuse. They have instituted procedures and guideline for visiting the Upper Antelope Canyon entrance site. We have locations and visiting guidelines to many of the slot canyons on this website.

Slot canyon exploring is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to appreciate the true wonders of nature. The many years of wind and water wearing on the land have left a playground for those who are willing to do a bit of preparation, and a little bit of hiking—or a lot, whichever you prefer. Come explore with us!

About the Author

Paula Radmall has authored this and various other articles about the slot canyons that dot the American Southwest. SlotCanyonExploring.com is a great reference for anyone interested in hiking, camping, or just learning about slot canyons.

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