Kanab is a strong contender for the ‘adventure capital of Utah’ title.
There are so many amazing adventures to be had in this beautiful red rock country.
We recently booked a family canyoneering tour in a Kanab slot canyon called The Huntress with All Ways Adventures, and it was the highlight of our trip!
Keep reading to learn more about this unforgettable experience!
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The Huntress: One of the Coolest Slot Canyons in Kanab, Utah
Table of Contents
- The best canyoneering tour company in Kanab
- What to expect on a Kanab slot canyon canyoneering tour
- Things to know before your canyoneering tour
- Other things to do in Kanab
The best canyoneering tour company in Kanab
After doing some research, we decided to book our tour with All Ways Adventures, and we are so glad that we did!
Each tour is private, so your family will have your own personal tour guide. The tours are catered to your family’s abilities and can accommodate ages 5 and up, including grandparents!
No experience is necessary, this was our first time canyoneering and our guide was so great to be patient and teach us everything we needed to know.
You can customize your tour by length and location. We chose the half-day family canyoneering adventure near Kanab.
The guides also know the best hidden canyons to explore that are away from the crowds. It was so nice to have this beautiful Kanab slot canyon almost exclusively to ourselves!
When you book your tour, they will discuss different options with you to determine what adventure would work best with your family.
They also offer off-roading excursions that we would love to experience next time!
What to expect on a Kanab slot canyon canyoneering tour
When we booked our tour, they asked where we would be staying so that they could recommend a canyon nearby. We were staying in Kanab so they recommended exploring a nearby canyon in Mount Carmel Junction.
Since we were visiting in the summer they also recommended booking an 8 am tour before the sun got too hot, and I’m so glad that we did!
Prior to the tour, they gave us a detailed list of what to bring and the location where we would meet our guide.
We met our guide, Brett, at the designated location. He had a few nearby canyons in mind but let us decide which one we wanted to do. After weighing the pros and cons, we decided on the Huntress slot canyon.
We then followed him to the trailhead where we parked our car and hopped in his 4WD vehicle to drive a little closer to the canyon.
We put on our harnesses and packed up all the gear then headed to the top of the canyon. It was about a 3/4 mile hike so we were glad we started early before it got too hot!
Once we reached the canyon, the fun began! Brett gave us a safety briefing and demonstration then we took turns rappeling into the canyon.
He was so patient and good with the boys, they were a little nervous to begin with, but quickly felt relaxed and comfortable.
The trail begins at the top of the canyon with sweeping views across the red sandstone horizon. The canyon itself appears to be a small crack in the distance.
As you make your way down the various rappel lines, you’ll soon find the walls beginning to narrow as you settle into the shade of the deep canyon walls.
Not only is it stunning, but you’ll also get a reprieve from the stifling summer heat.
There are a total of 8 rappels in the Huntress Kanab slot canyon, and a really awesome natural rock slide too!
The harness comes equipped with a rubber seat attached to the backside so the boys could slide down over and over again without getting holes in their pants!
It took us about 4 1/2 hours to complete the tour. We took our time in the canyon, Brett was patient to let the boys play on the rocks and take snack breaks along the way.
Once we reached the bottom of the canyon, we made our way through the labyrinth of swirling pastel sandstone to the exit.
This was my favorite part of the tour. It was reminiscent of Antelope Canyon, but unlike Antelope Canyon, you won’t be herded like cattle through the slot canyon.
And for one of our favorite Utah slot canyons that don’t require technical gear, check out the Kanarra Falls Trail! We also love Jenny’s Canyon, Peekaboo Canyon, and Shelf Canyon.
We only saw a few other people the entire time we were in the canyon, so we could take our time and enjoy the remote beauty in isolation.
I loved that we were able to experience both serene beauty and fun adventures while on this tour. And we felt totally safe with Brett as our knowledgeable and capable guide!
After exiting the canyon, you’ll need to make your way back up a steep and sandy trail. It was a little challenging, but just bring plenty of water. We were sure glad we started early!
We made it back to the vehicle dripping in sweat but with huge smiles on our faces! It was so fun to try something new and it gave us the confidence to do it again.
If you are planning a family vacation to Southern Utah, I would highly recommend booking a canyoneering tour through a Kanab slot canyon with All Ways Adventures for an unforgettable experience!
And if you’re looking for more family adventures in Southern Utah, be sure to check out our guide 4 Epic Things to do in St George This Summer!
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Things to know before your canyoneering tour
- Plan to bring 1-2 liters of water per person for the half-day tour. We prefer the hydration packs, click here for a great one that is under $20.
- Dress in layers. The canyon can get cold in the shade depending on what time of year you visit. The weather can also be unpredictable.
- Wear comfortable shoes for both hiking and rappelling. Our guide prefers wearing Tevas to avoid getting sand in his shoes. My daughter loves those shoes too, they are a great investment if you like to do water hikes as well.
- Pack a lunch or snacks and carry it in a small backpack. You won’t want anything too bulky while you’re rappeling.
- Be sure to wear sunscreen, SPF chapstick, and possibly a hat. The desert sun can be brutal!
- All the equipment is provided and no experience is necessary.
- Be sure to tip your guide, they do an amazing job making sure you have an unforgettable adventure!
Other things to do in Kanab
There are so many other fun things to do in Kanab. I have put together a few travel guides with our favorite recommendations, including Kanab: Southern Utah’s Best Kept Secret, and A Complete Guide to Kanab Utah for Families.
They include the details for a few of these awesome things to do in Kanab:
- Hike along the water slot canyon at Kanab Creek.
- Volunteer or take a tour at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
- Book an ATV tour to the Peekaboo Slot Canyon.
- Go sandboarding at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
- Explore the Moqui Sand Caves and the nearby Moqui Cave Museum.
- See old movie sets at the free Little Hollywood Museum.
- Tour the Heritage House Museum.
- Go on a mural crawl around the historic downtown.
- Discover the unworldly beauty of the Toadstool Trail (about 40 minutes from Kanab).
- Explore the Belly of the Dragon Tunnel at the nearby Mount Carmel Junction.
- Discover 185-million-year-old dinosaur tracks on the Dinosaur Track Trail.
- And if you’re looking for a place to stay in Kanab, I would highly recommend Timber and Tin!
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