Yukon Rafting: Wild Rivers, Big Water, and the Last True Wilderness
Listen to the episode on Spotify https://youtu.be/wrjy0vCWfNs Imagine paddling beneath th ..
Read moreLooking for an adventure beyond the usual hikes in Zion? If you’ve already done the Narrows and Angels Landing — or just want a new way to explore Southern Utah’s red rock country — canyoneering and rock climbing near Zion National Park offer a whole new perspective on this iconic landscape.
We spoke with the team at Zion Rock and Mountain Guides, who have been helping visitors explore the area for over 20 years. From guided rappels into narrow slot canyons to climbing soaring sandstone towers, here’s what you need to know to plan your next adventure.
Most visitors to Zion know about The Narrows, but the park (and surrounding public lands) are home to dozens of slot canyons you can explore — many accessible only with the right gear and know-how. That’s where a guided trip comes in.
Canyoneering combines hiking, scrambling, rappelling, and sometimes stemming (using your hands and feet to climb between canyon walls) to explore narrow sandstone canyons carved by water over millions of years. The canyons range from a few feet wide to 20+ feet wide, with towering walls rising 200 feet overhead.
Unlike rock climbing, where you start at the bottom and climb up, canyoneering often begins at the top — hiking into the backcountry and then rappelling down a series of drops to exit through the canyon floor.
Exploring Zion’s slot canyons isn’t like a typical hike — you’ll be using ropes, friction devices, and anchors, and weather conditions like flash floods can pose real risks. A guide helps with:
Zion Rock and Mountain Guides offers everything from one-day intro trips to five-day courses where you’ll practice knots, rappels, and lead skills.
Some of the top guided canyoneering routes include:
Trips range from half-day adventures to multi-day backcountry team-building experiences, where guides handle logistics, camping, and even campfire meals.
For those who prefer scaling cliffs rather than rappelling down them, Zion’s sandstone towers and walls make for unforgettable climbs.
Unlike the slot canyons, climbing here focuses on sandstone cliffs and freestanding monoliths. Climbers can expect mostly trad (traditional) routes, with crack systems, moderate faces, and some big exposure.
One of Zion Rock and Mountain Guides’ signature trips is Tooele Tower — a 1,000-foot sandstone spire near Eagle’s Crag, visible from Springdale. Despite its size, the climb is surprisingly approachable:
The reward? Sweeping views over the valley and Zion’s towering cliffs.
Even experienced climbers benefit from a guide in Zion due to:
Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., drawing over 4 million visitors annually. But there are ways to find solitude:
To keep Zion’s landscapes pristine:
Whether you’re descending narrow slot canyons or climbing sandstone towers, canyoneering and climbing near Zion National Park offer a way to see this iconic region from a completely new perspective.
To book a guided trip or gear rental, check out Zion Rock and Mountain Guides — their experienced team can customize adventures for beginners, families, and seasoned explorers alike.