Utah Slot Canyon UTV Tour: Red Cave Upper & Lower Adventure

Summary

Red Cave slot canyons by UTV with local guides and wild colors

You’ll ride out from Kanab by UTV with local guides who know every twist of Red Cave’s upper and lower slot canyons. Expect short walks on soft sand, wild rock colors, and plenty of time for photos (or awkward attempts at them). This small-group adventure includes private transportation and bottled water — but it’s those quiet moments inside the canyon that stay with you.

What’s the experience like?

Li grinned at me over the engine noise — honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a slot canyon tour near Kanab, but bouncing along in the Can-Am Defender with dust in my teeth, I felt like a kid again. Our guide (I think his name was Jake?) kept pointing out little things — a lizard sunning itself, that weird sweet smell after last night’s rain. We’d barely left the main road when the rock started turning that deep red you only see in southern Utah. I tried to snap a photo but mostly got my own thumb.

The first stop was Upper Red Cave. There’s this hush when you step inside — cooler air, soft sand under your boots, and those crazy swirling walls that look painted on. Jake told us how flash floods carve these shapes every year; he picked up a pebble and showed us how smooth it gets from just tumbling around. Someone behind me laughed because I nearly tripped over a root (classic). It’s only about a quarter mile of hiking total, but you feel tucked away from everything.

Lower Red Cave was tighter and darker — we squeezed through one bit where my backpack scraped sandstone. The light does this thing where it bounces off the walls and turns everything orange for a second. I tried to say “slot canyon” in Mandarin (Li laughed so hard she almost dropped her water bottle), but honestly words kind of fail here. The silence is strange too — just our footsteps and someone’s breath echoing back.

I still think about that cool air inside the canyon after the hot ride out there. If you’re even half-curious about slot canyons or want something more than just another hike near Kanab, this UTV slot canyon tour is worth it for those weird quiet moments alone — even if you do get sand in your socks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — UTV tour of slot canyons

• Drive UTV to Upper Red Cave Canyon
• Stop and explore Upper Red Cave Canyon
• Drive UTV to Lower Red Cave Canyon
• Hike 100 yards into Lower Red Cave Canyon
• Take photos of slot canyons

Top questions

How long is the UTV slot canyon tour?

The tour covers both Upper and Lower Red Cave slot canyons with about 1/4 mile of hiking total.

Is pickup included for this day trip?

The tour includes private transportation in UTVs driven by your guide.

What should I bring on the tour?

You should bring your camera for photos; bottled water is provided.

Are there any health restrictions?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.

How far are the slot canyons from Kanab?

The Red Cave slot canyons are reached quickly by UTV from Kanab; exact distance depends on starting point but it’s close by.

Is this suitable for all fitness levels?

The short hikes are suitable for most fitness levels but not for those with certain health concerns as noted above.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation in Can-Am Defender UTVs driven by your guide, visits to both Upper and Lower Red Cave slot canyons near Kanab, bottled water to keep you going, plus plenty of time to wander inside those red sandstone corridors before heading back out into the sun.