Dunham Slot Canyon rappelling: 3 descents, 85-foot finale

Rappel through narrow red rock and drop 85 feet into the Paria River

Rappel three times through Dunham Slot Canyon (locally known as the Bryce Canyon Drop) descending past towering sandstone walls and tight glowing passageways, finishing with an 85-foot rappel that gives the canyon its name. A short approach and steady final climb bookend the descent. Your guide manages all ropes, so beginners feel confident. The full outing takes about four hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bryce Canyon Drop rappelling adventure

• Approach Dunham Slot Canyon
• Descend three rappels
• Complete 85-foot final rappel
• Observe ancient canyon markings
• Climb out of canyon

The experience

Dunham Slot Canyon sits in red rock country near Bryce Canyon, and the adventure starts with a short walk into towering sandstone walls that twist into narrow passages. Your guide sets up the first rappel, and you descend through the slot on three separate lines: each one dropping you deeper into the canyon. The third and final rappel is the signature: an 85-foot descent that earns the canyon its local name, the Bryce Canyon Drop. Your guide manages the ropes throughout, so even if you've never rappelled before, the technical side stays in their hands while you focus on the rock, the light, and the moment.

As you step out of the slot into the Paria River, the canyon walls around you carry ancient markings: etchings left by people who moved through this landscape long before rappelling gear existed. The final climb out is a steady push uphill, a physical finish that brings the four-hour outing to a close. All safety equipment comes with the booking, and your guide speaks English and knows the canyon's history and geology.

What’s included

• All safety equipment for rappelling.
• expert guide speaking English.
• instruction and rope management for all three descents.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co

Is this one for you?The four-hour commitment means you can fit this into a day trip from Bryce Canyon or a longer Utah itinerary, but it's not a quick stop: the approach, rappels, river section, and climb out fill the whole window. Choose this if you want a full morning or afternoon of canyoneering rather than a brief slot canyon walk.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How difficult is rappelling if I've never done it before?

Beginners are welcome. Your guide manages all the ropes and anchors, so the technical setup is handled for you. The physical challenge is the rappelling itself, controlling your descent on the rope, and the final climb out, which requires moderate fitness but no prior experience.

What's the 85-foot rappel actually like?

The 85-foot drop is the finale of the canyon and the reason it's called the Bryce Canyon Drop locally. You descend on a rope your guide has anchored, moving down the red sandstone wall with the canyon narrowing around you. It's the most dramatic of the three rappels but follows the same technique as the earlier descents.

What should I know about the Paria River section?

After the final rappel, you step out into the Paria River at the canyon floor. This is where you'll spot ancient markings on the canyon walls: petroglyphs left by earlier inhabitants. The river itself is part of the landscape. You're not swimming, just walking through the canyon bottom before the climb out begins.

Is there a time limit on how long I can take for the rappels?

The full outing runs about four hours from start to finish, including the approach, the three rappels, the river section, and the final climb. Your guide sets the pace based on the group, so there's no race, but the overall timeframe is built into that four-hour window.

What happens if I'm not comfortable with a particular rappel?

Talk to your guide before you start. They know the canyon and can discuss what to expect on each descent. The guide manages the technical side, so your role is to control your descent on the rope. A skill they'll walk you through. If you decide partway through that rappelling isn't for you, discuss it with your guide. They know the canyon and can advise on options.