ATV Riding & Slot Canyon Hike near Orderville

Drive the backcountry, then climb through a slot canyon carved by millions of years of water and stone

This activity combines an off-road UTV ride through private Utah backcountry with a guided hike into a narrow slot canyon near Orderville. You depart from Orderville in a customized vehicle, traverse rugged terrain to the canyon entrance, then hike inside sandstone walls up to 8–10 feet tall, where you'll see ancient Native American writings. A licensed guide leads both the drive and the hike, manages safety over boulder sections, and explains how the canyon formed. The experience takes around two hours and requires moderate physical fitness.

The Experience

You start in Orderville and climb into a customized UTV built for rough terrain. The ride itself is the first part of the day—the vehicle tackles a backcountry trail that few people access, crossing private land most visitors never see. The guide drives while you take in the landscape, and the trail ends at the mouth of a narrow slot canyon where the real hiking begins.

Once you reach the canyon, you step out and hike into walls of sandstone that tower around you. The passage is narrow and the floor uneven; you'll climb over several large boulder sections, each one 8–10 feet tall, using handholds and the guide's assistance to move through safely. Inside the canyon you'll spot ancient Native American writings carved into the rock and learn how water and wind shaped this place over millions of years. The guide stays with you the whole way, pointing out details and making sure the footing is secure before you move forward.

After you've hiked as far as you want to go and taken pictures, you return to the vehicle and head back to the starting point in Orderville. In certain months standing water collects in the canyon floor; if that happens, the guide will take an alternate route to keep you safe and dry. Come prepared for cold weather, and bring water and sun protection—the canyon offers little shade once you're inside.

What’s included

• Customized off-road UTV ride through private backcountry.
• guided hike inside the slot canyon with assistance over boulder sections.
• licensed guide in English throughout.
• access to ancient Native American writings and geological explanation.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by East Zion Adventures

Is this one for you?If you're staying in or near Orderville without a car, the activity departs from town and returns there, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to the trailhead. The two-hour timeframe fits a free afternoon or a break between other plans, and the guide handles both the driving and the route-finding, so you show up ready to ride and hike.

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Top questions

What's the physical demand like on this UTV ride and canyon hike?

You need at least moderate fitness to complete it. The canyon hike requires you to climb over and down boulder sections that are 8–10 feet tall, using handholds and the guide's help. The UTV ride itself is not strenuous, but the combination of the hike and the boulder scrambling makes this a physically demanding activity.

Do I need any experience driving an ATV or UTV to do this?

No. You're a passenger in the customized UTV; the guide operates the vehicle. You only need to be comfortable riding in an off-road vehicle over rough terrain.

What will I see inside the slot canyon?

The canyon has narrow sandstone walls that tower above you, and you'll see ancient Native American writings on the rock. The guide explains how water and wind carved the canyon over millions of years and points out geological features as you hike through.

What happens if there's water in the canyon when I go?

In certain months standing water collects on the canyon floor. If that's the case, the guide will take an alternate route instead, keeping the group safe and dry while still showing you the landscape and geological features of the area.

How long does the whole activity take?

The experience runs around two hours from start to finish, including the UTV ride to the canyon, the hike inside it, and the return drive to Orderville.

Can children do this activity?

Children are welcome from age 4. They'll ride in the UTV as passengers and hike with the guide, though they'll need to be able to climb over the boulder sections with assistance—the guide helps, but the physical demand is real.