Zion Canyoneering: Rappel 100-Foot Slot Canyons

Rappel 100 feet through narrow slot canyons carved into red stone

East Zion's Stone Hollow canyoneering adventure combines climbing, hiking and rappelling through slot canyons in Zion National Park, led by a trained guide who handles all safety precautions and equipment. The full-day activity runs 7.5 hours and includes helmets, ropes and canyoneering gear. Children from age 10 are welcome; moderate physical fitness is required.

The Experience

Multiple rappels up to 100 feet drop you through narrow canyons where water and wind have carved the red walls smooth. A trained guide leads the way, explaining what makes these slot canyons remarkable—the geology, the hydrology, the scale of the landscape—while managing the technical setup so you focus on the climbing and rappelling itself. The guide handles all precautions and equipment checks, which is what lets you move through the canyon without stopping to second-guess the rigging.

The day mixes hiking, climbing and rappelling in sequence. You'll walk the canyon floor, scramble up sections where the walls narrow, and lower yourself down stretches where the only way forward is down. Helmets and ropes are provided, along with the other canyoneering gear you'll need. In fall and winter, bring warm layers—hats, gloves, coats—since the canyon stays cold even when the sun is high.

This is not a guided walk through a canyon; it's a technical activity where your body does the work. The guide instructs and secures, but you're the one climbing the rock, managing the rope, moving through the narrow passages. If you've never rappelled before, the guide walks you through it. If fears come up, the trained team takes time to work through them before moving on.

What’s included

• Helmets, ropes and all canyoneering equipment.
• instruction and guidance from a trained, English-speaking guide.
• multiple rappels through slot canyons.

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?The day runs 7.5 hours of continuous climbing, hiking and rappelling, so you need moderate fitness and comfort with physical exertion over a long stretch. If you want to move through a canyon under your own power—using your hands and legs to climb and rappel—rather than walk a trail, this is the activity that does it.

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Top questions

What does a 100-foot rappel feel like, and how many times do I do it?

The itinerary includes multiple rappels up to 100 feet—the guide lowers you down the rope face of the canyon wall, and you control your descent by managing the friction on the line. The exact number and height of rappels varies depending on the canyon route and conditions that day, but rappelling is the core technical skill you'll practice repeatedly.

Do I need climbing experience to do this canyoneering trip?

No prior canyoneering or climbing experience is required. The guide instructs you on technique and manages all the rigging and safety systems. You do need moderate physical fitness to hike, climb and rappel for 7.5 hours, and you must be at least 10 years old.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Helmets, ropes and all canyoneering equipment are provided. Bring warm clothing if you're going in fall or winter—hats, gloves and a coat—since the canyon is cold. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip; the guide can advise on footwear when you book.

How long is the full day, and what time does it start?

The activity runs 7.5 hours total. The guide will confirm the exact start time when you book, which depends on the season and the specific canyon route.

What makes slot canyons in Zion different from other canyons?

Slot canyons are narrow passages carved by water flowing through soft rock over thousands of years. The walls in Zion's slot canyons rise high and close in tight, creating a landscape you can only move through by climbing, hiking and rappelling—not by walking a trail. The guide explains the geology and hydrology that shaped them as you move through.