Hike Zebra Slot Canyon | How Narrow is it?

I’ve heard of narrow slot canyons in Utah. I’ve even hiked through The Narrows in Zion National Park, Little Wild Horse Canyon, and Lower Antelope Canyon in Arizona. But none of those places compare to what my kids and I experienced at Zebra Slot Canyon. We’d tried to hike the canyon several summers ago, but since there were no signs by the road marking the trailhead, we drove right past it. This time I did my research. We made it to and through the canyon, and we created some fun memories for Spring Break 2021.

If you’re looking for adventure in Utah’s great outdoors, here are a few tips to help you not only find the trailhead, but know what you’re getting into at Zebra Slot Canyon. You’ll want to come prepared. While we were there, I talked with a few people that had no clue what to expect when they go there. As a result, they weren’t able to full explore or enjoy the narrow canyon.

What to Know Before You Go

Slot canyons can be a lot of fun. But if you aren’t prepared, it can be dangerous and even deadly. As you plan to hike to Zebra Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, here are some specific things you need to do before you even leave your house:

• Bring LOTS of water. In Utah, summer temperatures can reach 100+. There is almost no shade along this trail, so you’ll be exposed to the sun pretty much the entire way. Dehydration is real, so you should plan on at least 3 liters of water per person for your hike. Salt snacks are great, too, so you can retain the water you’re drinking.
• Be aware of the weather. Flash floods do happen. A rainstorm several miles away can bring sudden rivers of water to narrow canyons. If there is a chance of rain, you risk being caught inside a narrow canyon when the river starts flowing. It’s just not worth it.
• Bring the right shoes. Good hiking shoes are best for the trek out to Zebra Slot Canyon. But those same shoes aren’t the best inside the canyon, especially if there’s standing water. I packed a pair of water shoes with me and switched into them at the mouth of Zebra. My son went barefoot, which is an option. We all had an extra pair of socks with us, but we didn’t have to use them.
• Think skinny thoughts. I’d heard Zebra Slot Canyon was pretty narrow. But I didn’t expect to find myself pigeon-footing my way up the narrow canyon with both my stomach and backside touching the rock wall at the same time. It is narrow (like less than 12 inches across), and some people who are big-boned weren’t able to get very far up the canyon. If you’re claustrophobic, you may also want to know your limits so you don’t have a panic attack up the canyon.
• Driving on a dirt road. You don’t necessarily need 4-wheel-drive to make it to the trailhead. Although, if it’s been raining, the muddy roads may prohibit you from driving your Ford Escort down the muddy road. We drove our Toyota Sienna, and as you can see from the parking lot photo below, there are sedans and trucks who successfully made the trek on the road.

Take Hole in the Rock Road to the Trailhead

A few summers ago, I was excited to take my family out to the slot canyons. We were camping near Escalante for their annual Pioneer Day Parade in late July. After the parade ended, we ventured east of Escalante along Scenic Byway 12. Shortly after leaving town, we turned south on Hole in the Rock road. We kept our eyes open for signs to Zebra, Peek-a-Boo or Spooky slot canyons. After 30 minutes or more, we hadn’t seen a single reference to those canyons. We gave up and headed back to to town. We were bummed.

I was later told by a ranger at the Bureau of Land Management Office in Escalante that they didn’t want to litter the roadway with signs, so they don’t post them. That’s why we didn’t see the signs, and that’s also why we didn’t get to the hike the canyon.

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Hole in the Rock road is a graded dirt road. I think most vehicles can venture down it (at least as part as the slot canyon and Devil’s Garden). Be prepared to have your brain shaken. The washboard road will make you feel like a piece of clothing being run up and down the washboard. Your driver will need to navigate the road and try to find the areas that will keep your brain from rattling.

FINDING THE TRAILHEAD

Keep an eye on your vehicle’s odometer. Make a mental note of where it’s at when you turn onto Hole in the Rock road. Around eight miles later, after you cross your third cattle guard, you’ll see an area to your right – that’s the designated parking area. Find a spot that doesn’t impede someone else from parking or getting out of their parking spot. You’ll see what looks like a trail on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot. That’s the start of the trail.

Hike out to Zebra Slot Canyon

The 2.6 mile (5.2 round trip) hike is relatively flat. There are a few ups and downs along the way, but nothing most people aren’t able to handle – including kids. One-hundred yards down the trail, there’s a sign that says NO COLLECTING and another one that asks a few questions to help keep you safe. It’s another reminder to ensure you have enough water with you for the hike. Please don’t try to hike out there without adequate water.

The first part of the trail is pretty typical – sage brush, a few trees… and even a cow. Cattle graze this area, so just be mindful of them. We walked past one just eating some food by the trail.

RELATED POST: 10 adventures along Utah’s Scenic Byway 12

After about a mile, the trail enters a wide canyon. As you progress into the canyon, enjoy the rock formations and textures. My son likes to climb on the rock areas to get different views or push his boundaries. We all commented on the layers of rocks and the waves of lines that flowed through the solid formations.

When you reach what looks like a barrier, don’t worry. The wooden fence is just hanging there, so you can push it aside and continue the hike. I don’t know exactly why it’s there, but maybe it’s to keep cattle from going where they shouldn’t.

As you emerge from the canyon, you’ll reach an open wash area (or dry riverbed). Keep an eye on the trail and follow it as best you can. Zebra Slot Canyon is on the other side of the wash. The final few hundred yards of the trail are sandy. Be prepared to get some sand in your shoes. But you can always dump it out when you go to change your shoes as you enter the canyon.

Tight Spaces and Cold Water

Now that you’ve reached Zebra Slot Canyon, it’s time to get ready for adventure. But here are a few pointers to help you navigate your way up the narrow canyon to see the zebra striping that gave the canyon its name.

• Switch into water shoes. You can go barefoot, but water shoes will give you more grip on the walls and protection.
• There may be water. I’ve read reports of standing water, ranging anywhere from ankle deep to chest deep. If there is water in the canyon, it’s likely to be VERY COLD. In the heat of the summer, that may feel refreshing. Other times of the year, it may hurt because it’s biting cold. Once you get past the water, the canyon is dry the rest of the way up.
• Expect traffic jams. While there are some areas that allow people going up to pass by people coming down, you may just have to be patient or do some back-peddling to an area that allows two directions. Just be patient.
• Leave your backpack. My first venture up the canyon was with my hiking backpack. I had to take it off and carry it, because the canyon was too narrow for me to maneuver with it on. The second time I went up (so I could guide two more of my kids up the canyon), I left my backpack at the entrance. Be cautious and have a member of your group watch the backpacks – you never know if someone’ll decide to browse through it for a wallet or other valuables.
• Use upper body strength. There were two areas that were too narrow to maneuver, so I had to use my upper body strength to pin my way up and over the narrow slot. I helped my kids make it through those areas, along with a few strangers who were stuck in the same spot. Be a team player and help others where possible.

The Details:

Address: 8 miles down Hole in the Rock road, just east of the city of Escalante, Utah.

Cost: There is no cost for parking or accessing Zebra Slot Canyon.

Hours: Access is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Website: https://www.blm.gov/visit/escalante-interagency-visitor-center

Phone: (435) 826-5499

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