Zion Canyoneering & UTV Tour: Rappel Red Rock Canyons

Navigate rugged trails and master ropes in Zion’s wild backcountry adventure

A full-day activity in Zion National Park combining canyoneering and UTV driving: rappel through a guide-selected slot canyon with all gear provided, then drive or ride a Polaris UTV across rocky terrain, sand and slickrock. The guide picks the canyon based on weather and your group's fitness level, and both the ropes and the vehicle are handled by professionals trained in safety protocols.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day rappelling and UTV adventure

• Meet guides and gear up
• Travel to selected local canyon
• Rappel and navigate slot canyons
• Explore terrain via UTV ride
• Return from canyon adventure

The experience

The day splits between two kinds of terrain and two kinds of control. In the morning, your guide gears you up with a harness, helmet, ropes and all canyoneering equipment, then leads you into a slot canyon in East Zion's Red Rock Country. The canyon itself is the route: you'll rappel down sections, navigate tight passages and move through whatever the rock throws at you. Your guide stays close as your safety partner using a two-man system, and communication stays clear throughout. Which canyon you enter depends on the weather that day and what your group can handle. The operator has multiple options and picks the one that fits.

After the canyon, you switch to a Polaris UTV. If you have a valid driver's license, you drive. Otherwise you ride as a passenger. The terrain shifts from slot canyon to open slickrock, scrub forest, sand and rocky ground. An eight-hour day means you have real time in both environments, not a rushed taste of each. Bottled water is provided, and helmets and goggles are mandatory. The operator emphasizes safety on both the ropes and the vehicle, so this is not a speed run.

What’s included

• All canyoneering gear including harness, helmet and ropes.
• UTV helmets and goggles.
• bottled water.
• a live English-speaking guide who selects the canyon and leads both activities.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Mar 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

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 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kanab Tour Company

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to both rappel and drive in one day. The eight-hour format gives you real time in the canyon and on the red rock, not a quick sample of each. You'll need a moderate fitness level for the rappelling and a valid driver's license if you want to drive the UTV yourself.

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Top questions

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.

What canyon will we rappel in?

Your guide hand-picks the canyon on the day of the tour based on weather and your group's fitness level, so the exact location is not set in advance. The area has multiple slot canyons, and the operator chooses the one that matches your abilities and the conditions.

Do I have to drive the UTV, or can I ride as a passenger?

You can choose. If you have a valid driver's license with you, you can drive the Polaris UTV. If you don't drive or prefer to ride, you can be a passenger instead. Anyone under 21 cannot drive, but can ride.

What gear do I need to bring for the full day?

Bring a lunch and snacks for the eight hours, a face covering if you want one (the office sells them for $3 each or two for $5), and water bottles to refill. All canyoneering equipment (harness, helmet, ropes), and UTV helmets and goggles are provided. Government-issued ID is required if you're 18 or older for the UTV waiver.

Is this activity suitable for children?

Children as young as five can ride on the UTV with an adult, and families often do this tour together. The guide tailors the canyon to your group's abilities, so younger or less experienced climbers can still participate in the canyoneering portion.

How physically demanding is the canyoneering part?

You need at least a moderate level of fitness to rappel and navigate the canyon. The guide picks a canyon that matches your group's capabilities, but rappelling and moving through slot canyons require strength and stamina. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or if you are pregnant.