The second rappel next to Morning Glory Arch is 100 feet. It's a really cool rappel as you free hang rappel down to the bottom. 

The Medieval Chamber, a popular canyoneering route, is located approximately 7 miles from downtown Moab, Utah. This makes it a convenient and accessible adventure for visitors staying in or near Moab. The drive to the trailhead typically takes about 15-20 minutes, followed by a short hike to reach the beginning of the canyon.

We rate our canyoneering trips based on physical difficulty. The Medieval Chamber tour is a one-way, mostly downhill hike with very minimal elevation gain. The first mile of the trail is on open slickrock and the last 2 miles are on an established trail in the bottom of a wide canyon. The rappels are straightforward and great for beginners

Absolutely. This is one of the best trips for first-timers. Your guide will walk you through everything step-by-step, and you’ll have a backup safety system on every rappel. Most people are surprised at how quickly they feel comfortable once they’re on rope.

They look more intimidating than they feel. The first rappel into the Medieval Chamber can feel dramatic at the top, but it’s very controlled and smooth once you start. By the second rappel, most guests feel confident and even excited—especially with the incredible views near Morning Glory Bridge.

The term “canyoneering” basically refers to exploring canyons, though it is most commonly used to describe canyon hikes in which ropes and basic climbing skills are occasionally required to completely get through the canyon. These canyons are called “technical canyons” due to the special skills and equipment required. Moab Canyoneering features big rappels and wide open canyons, while going further afield to Hanksville, we encounter true slot canyons. Typically, canyoneers will hike down, or “descend” a canyon since it’s often easier to rappel down the canyon’s steep drops than to climb up them. Once we’ve negotiated the canyon’s technical challenges, an easier side canyon – sometimes with its own unique set of obstacles – is then hiked up in order to get back to the start. Rappelling is necessary in every canyon that Desert Highlights visits.

The beauty of all this is that canyoneering skills allow people to venture into places out of reach from regularly equipped hikers. As a result, canyoneers frequently find themselves in the lesser visited – and oftentimes more beautiful – parts of a canyon.

During a Moab canyoneering trip, we travel over terrain throughout the duration of the trip. We are hiking, scrambling (easy climbing) and using techniques like down-climbing and rappelling to navigate through an area that is otherwise inaccessible. Moab rock climbing tours are more focused on simply climbing. We visit one area (called a “crag”) where your guide will set up a rope high on the cliff (called a “top-rope) that will be used to protect you from a fall (called “belay”) while you’re climbing up to the anchor. Once you’ve arrived at the top, you will be lowered back down to the ground and repeat on another route at the same cliff.

Yes—this is one of the best family-friendly canyoneering trips in Moab. Kids who are comfortable trying new things and listening to instructions tend to do great. It’s a fun, confidence-building experience for all ages.

It’s considered one of the easier routes. The hike is about 3 miles and mostly downhill, with minimal elevation gain. As long as you’re comfortable walking on uneven terrain and standing for a few hours, most people find it very manageable.

You get big, exciting rappels without a long or strenuous day. The descent into the Medieval Chamber feels like stepping into another world, and rappelling next to a massive natural arch is something very few beginner trips can offer.

It depends on the time of year. The hike out follows a creek, and in warmer months many guests enjoy wading or cooling off in the water. It’s optional—but highly recommended on hot days.

It’s one of the best. You’ll learn the fundamentals of rappelling, experience a true canyon descent, and leave feeling confident—without the intensity of a full-day or more technical route.

You may encounter hikers on the trail out, but the technical sections of the canyon—especially the Medieval Chamber itself—feel quiet and tucked away from the crowds.