Slot Canyons Traverse
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 38MI / 61KM
Trip Highlights
Our Slot Canyons Traverse backpacking trip is a 5-day, 4-night thru-hike a stunning slot canyon to where it enters the Colorado River east of the Grand Canyon. With water-polished, sandstone walls towering thousands of feet above us, these canyons are very similar to Zion Canyon but with more solitude! This trip is for folks interested in adventure, solitude, fantastically unique landscapes, and a generally secluded experience. We trek a 30-mile length of the canyon above its confluence with the Colorado; we explore an offshoot of the main canyon, which is the longest slot canyon in the world; we enjoy stunning and peaceful campsites; we visit arches, oases and have opportunities to see desert wildlife; and we hike heartily each day with mileages of 6-10 miles daily through a maze of Canyon Country landscapes.
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Incredible Slot Canyons
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Arches & Amphitheaters
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Towering Canyon Walls
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Cultural Sites
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Desert Solitude
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Wonderful Solitude & Scenery
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Guides Choice Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-10 mi -
Group Size
4-8 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
Significant mileage each day, often wading in ankle to calf deep water and stepping over boulders. The terrain is relatively flat and in some sections, your group will be able to move quickly on the packed sand. Other sections are slower and involve navigating small slippery boulders. There is no sanctioned trail as the trail is the canyon floor. The terrain can be altered by the conditions from day to day depending on flow levels of water in the canyon. There is one short (~4 strides-long) section of extreme exposure, where you must either walk along a narrow (~3 foot wide) section with a steep drop off on one side, or take an alternative off-trail bypass with some loose rock.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the Trailhead: 3-hour drive from St. George
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Loss: minimal
This amazing Utah backpacking trip begins in St. George, Utah where we get an early start and drive to the remote trailhead. From the trailhead, we hike a short distance before entering the main drainage. The day’s hike continues downstream and gradually the wash begins to resemble a canyon as the Navajo Sandstone walls rise on either side. We pass by an amazing sandstone arch before we arrive at the confluence of a side canyon and our camp for the night.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6-10 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: minimal
Today we have the chance to explore 1.5 miles up one of the world’s longest and deepest slot canyons. At its deepest point near the confluence with the main drainage its canyon walls stretch 500 feet above the canyon floor. As we progress, the day’s changing light plays on the canyon’s walls in a brilliant show of reds, yellows, and browns. Another option is to explore down the main drainage through stands of cottonwood and boxelder inside an enclosure of rich red, towering sandstone walls. We’ll then break camp and continue downstream to a serene spring-side camp, where we’ll enjoy a hearty dinner and laughter beneath a star-lit sky.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6-10 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: minimal
This morning we’ll enjoy a big breakfast, then continue down the river that carved the miraculous canyon walls that soar above us. The canyon grows deeper and presents an ever-changing mix of massive overhangs, refreshing springs, exquisite lighting and a myriad of colors. We see evidence of historic development along the river. In the afternoon, we’ll have the option of hiking up another side canyon to a wonderful arch, in fact one of the most remote arches in the world. We’ll once again set up camp near one of the springs.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 8-10 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: minimal
As we encounter the much softer Chinle Formation, the canyon begins to widen quickly. Today we will leave the creekbed and begin hiking on the high water route. This is a long day consisting of 8-10 miles of rugged canyon hiking and will likely take most of the day to complete. We’ll see Petroglyphs today and encounter a historic ranch.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 3-5 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: minimal
Shuttle to St. George: 3-hour drive from the South Rim
After a relaxing morning, we will finish our journey today. We will have a chance to explore several historical sites along the way, including a 19th century, very picturesque ranch. We’ll meet our shuttle driver and enjoy a relaxing and scenic drive back to St. George.
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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Neoprene socks for hiking in the water
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in St. George, Utah to the trailhead and back
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will rendezvous with the guide and group in St. George, Utah for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip starts to specify the orientation location. The guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Utah Tours your guide can meet you at your hotel in St. George or Cedar City, Utah at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to St. George, Utah
This Utah trip originates in St. George, Utah where you’ll meet your guide and group. St. George has a small airport served by Delta Connection and United Express. From the St. George Airport one can take a taxi into town or some hotels offer a complimentary airport shuttle. The more popular method of travel though is to fly into Las Vegas, NV and take a shuttle (www.stgshuttle.com or https://saltlakeexpress.com/destination/las-vegas-airport-nv/) to St. George. This is often your cheapest option. It is a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas to St. George on good roads.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in St. George, Utah as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 4 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Kathleen F
5 months agoHave already booked my next trip
Jennie, is an absolute wealth of knowledge all things outdoors. She explained everything, answered all our questions and encouraged feedback. She is an amazing cook offering diverse meals that were tasty and filling. Throughout the trip Jennie, routinely check-in with the group regarding pace, energy, mood and if there was anything we needed. She has amazing stories, wonderful sense of humor and took an interest in each of us and our story. This is my 4th trip with Wildland Trekking and have already booked my next trip.
Tammy P
1 year agoMore Exciting Than the Last
This was my 4th adventure with Wildland Trekking. Each adventure I take proves to be more exciting than the last. I can't wait to plan my next exciting adventure.
Jennifer H
1 year agoThank you so much for an incredible trip!
This was a trip of a lifetime!! What an incredible experience! The trip was overwhelmingly scenic. Everyone that I talked to before my trip was very helpful and took time to answer all my questions. Casey was exceptional. He was calm and patient. He shared stories and information about the area, made sure all guests were comfortable and safe. His meals were creative and delicious. I really enjoyed his company and would highly recommend him as a guide :) Thank you so much for an incredible trip!
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