When you take a guided canyoneering trip, you will be taken to slot canyons found on public lands surrounding of the park (ie. Near Kolob Terraces). Any technical canyoneering within Zion National Park must be done as a private party. You won't be able to hire a guide for canyons like the Subway, Pine Creek, or Keyhole Canyon. The reason I asked about your route of travel is that there are likely better dry slot canyon options outside of the Zion area, especially with the restriction on travel you have with SR9 closed. Finding a dry, non-technical slot canyon this time of year will be difficult. Red Hollow is located in Orderville near Zion National Park. This slot canyon begins at the end of a dirt road. The hike is only 1.0 mile round trip and is a great place to start slot canyon adventures. Little Wild Horse. This hike is probably the most famous slot canyon for families in Utah. It can be very busy in the Spring and Fall, so.

×The Elkheart Cliffs, a few miles east of Zion National Park, harbor several narrow canyons - Sand Wash/Red Cave is the largest but two other good short slots are found nearby. Red Hollow, east of Orderville and easily reached from US 89, has narrow, vertical-walled passages through deep red rocks, most of which is hikeable from the lower end though an unclimbable dryfall means that the full length can only be explored from above, using ropes.
Three miles north, just south of Glendale, Spring Hollow contains a shorter narrows section, usually with a shallow stream flowing through, that ends in an enclosed chamber beneath a pretty waterfall. Access to this is no longer possible, however, since the previously-used approach, from the lower end, crosses private land.

Topographic Map of Red Hollow

Location

Red Hollow is the main drainage emerging from the Elkheart Cliffs due east of Orderville, a small town on US 89 five miles north of the junction with UT 9 from Zion. A half mile dirt track leads towards the cliffs and the mouth of the canyon, starting at 100 E St in town; south one block then left (along Red Hollow Drive), a road that soon becomes unpaved then a bit rough and sandy, including one crossing of a streambed, so 4WD may be needed. The track ends by a fence in front of a water tank, from where the wash is a short walk downhill.

Photographs

7 views of Red Hollow and Spring Hollow.

Route Description

Red Hollow

The stony wash splits after a short distance upstream, at the base of the Elkheart Cliffs. The right branch enters a V-shaped, white-walled ravine that gains height steadily and is not narrow, while the left fork forms a more enclosed red rock gorge that becomes a slot after 1/4 mile. This canyon is deep from the start and soon is just a few feet across and sheer walled, without any overhanging rocks so the passageways are well lit, but not particularly distinctive as the rock is uniform in texture and grey/dark red in color - no delicate curves or decorative strata. The slot curves gently while remaining generally straight and has a few chokestones up of to 6 feet, though nothing too difficult until a higher fall of 25 feet on top of which are several webbing attachments for those descending from above.
Graffiti carved on some parts of the walls and abundant footprints suggest the canyon is often visited. The lower narrows, up to the dryfall, can all be seen in half an hour and while not especially pretty, Red Hollow makes for an enjoyable quarter day hike. Although the canyon is dry much of the year, at some times a fair amount of water might be present, making conditions rather more difficult.

Slot Canyons Near Zion National Parks

Spring Hollow

Slot Canyons Near Zion National Park Camping

The Spring Hollow creek emerges from quite a narrow opening at the side of the low cliffs that line this part of the Virgin River valley, above which is a straight passage through white/light brown rocks. After two bends and a quarter of a mile of canyon, the creek enters a shady chamber where the water falls 20 feet into a shallow pool, cascading down a wall of horizontal, thin-layered strata; a photogenic scene. Away from the waterfall, the rocks are carved with hundreds of inscriptions, mostly quite recent but some dating from the late nineteenth century, such as from several members of the Kent family.

Slot Canyons Near Zion National Park Hiking Trails

Similar Canyons

All Contents © Copyright The American Southwest Comments and Questions Contribute Affiliate Marketing Disclosure Site Map
3.2 miles 200 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail

Added by Spencer Rudy

Red Hollow is a short, easy, and scenic slot canyon just outside of Zion National Park, Utah. This is a good slot canyon for beginners with easy scrambling in some places.

The trailhead is about 18 miles from the eastern entrance of Zion National Park, located in the small town of Orderville. In Orderville, the streets aren't marked too well, so follow the road that goes past the cemetery and the school, 100 East. When the road Ts, turn left. The road ends in a sandy dirt road, and you can either park near the paved road or you can drive down and park by the fence if you have a 4x4. Once you reach to fenced in water tower, head down into the wash and follow it toward the red and white cliffs. The trail is exposed to the sun in the wash, but once you get into the slot canyon it is cool and shady.

The slot canyon goes about a mile in before you have to turn around. The red walls rise up above you and the trail is fairly narrow. There are some sections in this slot canyon where you will need to climb over some boulders, but it is nothing too hard. The canyon twists and turns until it reaches a dead end and you have to head back out. Be aware that if there has been rain recently, the canyon might be filled with water. If there is water in the canyon, only enter if the level is low and you know advanced canyoneering skills such as stemming.

We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more!

Join the community

Reviews

Stavros Mitchelides

about 3 years ago

Super fun hike!

Did it today as I'm staying in a hotel nearby and heard about it. There are 3 difficult rope climbs that will be impassible for some people...huge boulders blocked the way up and ropes were put in to get over them. THe first is about 20' high and the second is about 3/4 that. The last rope ascends what looks like a 50' climb, I only made it half way up that last rope because I was worried about damaging my camera. Amazing hike, I'll post about it on my blog this week at www.welovetoexplore.com!

5.0

Slot Canyons Near Zion National Park Campgrounds

Leave No Trace

Slot Canyons Near Zion National Park Reservations

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Slot Canyon Zion National Park Narrows

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.