A slot canyon is a naturally formed narrow canyon, often not wider than the average arm length. The canyon walls are very high and appear to be a “slit†in the rock formation around them. These natural wonders are found all over the world, but most frequently in places that get very little rainfall.
1.Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Perhaps the most famous of all slot canyons, Antelope Canyon is found near Page, Arizona. There are two separate sections, known as Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon, or more affectionately, The Crack and The Corkscrew. Formed by the erosion of sandstone from flash flooding and other processes, the slot canyons have curvaceous, strangely angled walls. The beautiful colors, textures, curves and spectacular lighting — particularly during the summer months — are a major draw for photographers and sightseers. They are located within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation and have become a significant source of tourism for the Navajo tribe.
2.Siq, City of Petra
The main entrance to the City of Petra in Jordan is a slot canyon. The Siq, translated literally to The Shaft, is a three-quarter-mile long narrow gorge, sometimes no more than 9.8-feet wide, that leads visitors to Al Khazneh, or The Treasury (pictured here), which is Petra’s most elaborate ruin. The walls range from about 300-600 feet in height. While most slot canyons are formed by water erosion, The Siq has a unique natural history. It is a geological fault that was split apart by tectonic forces and only later smoothed by water. Remains of ancient constructions around the slot canyon include two abutments and some hewn stones of a once-monumental archway for the grand entrance to the city, votive niches, several underground chambers, and a group of statues that, while heavily eroded, still reveal two merchants leading camels.
3.River Narrows Trail, Zion National Park
Perhaps one of the most famous collections of slot canyons in the world, Zion National Park has some doozies. The Narrows is an area of canyons on the North Fork of the Virgin River and is the site of several jaw-dropping sections of slot canyons (another of which is also in this slideshow). The Narrows is considered one of the best hikes on the Colorado Plateau, and has even been named one of the best hiking adventures in the U.S. However, it’s not for everyone. The canyons are formed by water erosion, and water still flows through them. This means much of the hiking is done in the river, sometimes wading waist-deep or even swimming some sections depending on the time of year. Since the walls are vertical, there is no escape should a flash flood occur, as happens during rainy periods.
4.Witches Gulch, Wisconsin
Not every slot canyon has to be made of red and gold sandstone. Witches Gulch in Wisconsin brings some emerald colors to the party. A wood boardwalk leads hikers into the moss-covered sandstone slot, which in some places is so narrow you can touch both sides of the canyon. Located in the tourist-heavy Wisconsin Dells, visitors can get here either by car or by boat. Witches Gulch was discovered in 1871 by H.H. Bennett, a photographer credited with making the dells popular among tourists.
5.Buckskin Gulch, Utah
The longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest U.S. (and quite possibly the longest in the world), Buckskin Gulch stretches for over 13 miles with the cliffs on either side reaching as high as 500 feet. It is one of the main tributaries of the Paria River, which flows only intermittently. Because of the depth of the canyon, it doesn’t fill with light the way Antelope Canyon does. But the length and diversity of terrain draw in experienced hikers. A permit is required to hike into the area, and the permits usually sell out months in advance, so if you want to hike this slot canyon, start planning way ahead of time. Also be aware this is a challenging hike and there is a risk of flash floods during certain seasons — as there is with most slot canyons.
6.Echidna Chasm
Echidna Chasm in Western Australia’s is a moderate 2 kilometer (1.2 miles) hike through a narrow canyon that is 200 meters (or 654 feet) deep. Echidna Chasm, considered one of the highlights of Pumululu National Park, does have some boulders to tackle and a challenging climb at the end. The walls of this slot canyon are quite colorful, with highlights that change depending on the angle of sunshine. The canyon is located in the Bungle Bungle Mountains that are considered one of Australia’s best hiking destinations.
7.The Wave, Arizona, United States
This slot canyon is probably the most photographed slot canyon in the world. This is actually not one, but two slot canyons that are very close together. The first is 62 ft (19 m) wide and 118 ft (36 m) long and the other is 7 ft (2 m) wide and 52 ft (16 m) long. The attraction is primarily caused by the unusual formation of the walls that happened as the water eroded them. This area welcomes tourists, but only twenty tourists are allowed to walk through the canyon each day. The low number is designed to keep the floor of the slot canyon from becoming damaged by the foot traffic.
8.Weano Gorge
Weano Gorge in Western Australia’s Karijini National Park starts out as an easy walk through fabulous scenery as it winds through steep cliffs that translate into narrow walkways. It becomes challenging, however, for visitors who want to go to Handrail Pool, as it involves climbing up and down canyon walls. Those who make the walk down will be rewarded with colorful rock formations ending with an icy cold pool at the bottom. Weano Gorge is considered to be the most accessible and colorful gorge in the park.
9.Gorges du Fier
Located about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Annecy in France, the Gorges du Fier is one of the easier slot canyons to walk through. That’s because visitors go through the canyon on a railed walkway that is about 30 meters (100 feet) above a river rushing below. The walk also has signage explaining how the canyon was formed and how high water has reached in the past. Previous visitors say people who are afraid of heights may want to avoid this. They also say to use caution on the walkway when it’s wet. The canyon is so narrow in spots, visitors can touch both sides.
10.Oneonta gorge
A series of four waterfalls make up scenic Oneonta Gorge, east of Portland, Oregon, at Bridal Veil, in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. The 1.9-km (1.2-mile) roundtrip walk is considered moderate but does involve wading in cool creek waters that can sometimes be chest-deep as the creek bed is the trail in some sections. Visitors can see canyon walls made up of 25-million-year-old basalt rock formations as well as a variety of vegetation unique to the area. Previous visitors recommend doing this hike on weekdays because weekends are busy. The walk is Fido-friendly as long as Fido is on a leash.
