Slot canyons are narrow, naturally formed canyons with towering walls and a width no wider than your arm span, if that. If they weren’t so mesmerizing beautiful, they would make you feel claustrophobic. Found around the world, these geological formations usually occur in places with low rainfall, and many of the most well-known are in the American Southwest, including Wall Street (pictured here), which lies in a section of The Narrows in Zion National Park. Check out the beauty of the world’s most stunning slot canyons — it will make you want to pack some hiking gear and get traveling.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Perhaps the most famous of all slot canyons, Antelope Canyon is found near Page, Arizona. There are two separate sections, known as Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon, or more affectionately, The Crack and The Corkscrew. Formed by the erosion of sandstone from flash flooding and other processes, the slot canyons have curvaceous, strangely angled walls. The beautiful colors, textures, curves and spectacular lighting — particularly during the summer months — are a major draw for photographers and sightseers. They are located within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation and have become a significant source of tourism for the Navajo tribe.
Siq, City of Petra, Jordan
The main entrance to the City of Petra in Jordan is a slot canyon. The Siq, translated literally to The Shaft, is a three-quarter-mile long narrow gorge, sometimes no more than 9.8-feet wide, that leads visitors to Al Khazneh, or The Treasury (pictured here), which is Petra’s most elaborate ruin. The walls range from about 300-600 feet in height. While most slot canyons are formed by water erosion, The Siq has a unique natural history. It is a geological fault that was split apart by tectonic forces and only later smoothed by water. Remains of ancient constructions around the slot canyon include two abutments and some hewn stones of a once-monumental archway for the grand entrance to the city, votive niches, several underground chambers, and a group of statues that, while heavily eroded, still reveal two merchants leading camels.
The Wave, Arizona
The Wave is a surreal-looking geological formation in Arizona, made by two water-eroded troughs, one of which is only 7 feet wide and falls into the category of slot canyon. Because it is an incredibly popular place for tourists, sightseers, hikers and photographers, only 20 hikers a day are allowed to visit and walk through the 52-foot long slot canyon and the 62-foot-wide (and more photographed) neighboring trough, to avoid damage and erosion caused by human feet. The Wave is considered to be one of the most photographed landscapes in the United States, and no wonder.
River Narrows Trail, Zion National Park
Perhaps one of the most famous collections of slot canyons in the world, Zion National Park has some doozies. The Narrows is an area of canyons on the North Fork of the Virgin River and is the site of several jaw-dropping sections of slot canyons (another of which is also in this slideshow). The Narrows is considered one of the best hikes on the Colorado Plateau, and has even been named one of the best hiking adventures in the U.S. However, it’s not for everyone. The canyons are formed by water erosion, and water still flows through them. This means much of the hiking is done in the river, sometimes wading waist-deep or even swimming some sections depending on the time of year. Since the walls are vertical, there is no escape should a flash flood occur, as happens during rainy periods.
Witches Gulch, Wisconsin
Not every slot canyon has to be made of red and gold sandstone. Witches Gulch in Wisconsin brings some emerald colors to the party. A wood boardwalk leads hikers into the moss-covered sandstone slot, which in some places is so narrow you can touch both sides of the canyon. Located in the tourist-heavy Wisconsin Dells, visitors can get here either by car or by boat. Witches Gulch was discovered in 1871 by H.H. Bennett, a photographer credited with making the dells popular among tourists.
Buckskin Gulch, Utah
The longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest U.S. (and quite possibly the longest in the world), Buckskin Gulch stretches for over 13 miles with the cliffs on either side reaching as high as 500 feet. It is one of the main tributaries of the Paria River, which flows only intermittently. Because of the depth of the canyon, it doesn’t fill with light the way Antelope Canyon does. But the length and diversity of terrain draw in experienced hikers. A permit is required to hike into the area, and the permits usually sell out months in advance, so if you want to hike this slot canyon, start planning way ahead of time. Also be aware this is a challenging hike and there is a risk of flash floods during certain seasons — as there is with most slot canyons.
Subway, Zion National Park
Heading back to Zion National Park, The Subway is a favorite among experienced canyoneers and adventurous photographers. Sculpted by the Left Fork of North Creek, this section has a unique tunnel shape that resembles a subway tube. The rock floor of the slot canyon is riddled with potholes from the water that rushes through, and they are usually filled with icy cold water. This lends not only a beautiful mix of colors to the slot canyon but also a compelling dance of light as it reflects and refracts. Plus, you’ll find frogs, dragonflies and other water-dwelling critters. Because of the difficulty level of The Subway, which requires skills with ropes and repelling (and the fact that you have to swim through at least three pools of cold water), this is one canyon that most of us will only enjoy through photos.
Cathedral Gorge, Bungle Bungles Range, Purnululu National Park, Australia
It’s true that the Blue Mountains of Australia are known for the amazing number of slot canyons within the range. But not to be outdone is the Bungle Bungles Range in Purnululu National Park. This World Heritage Site is a collection of sandstone and conglomerates formed into dome-shaped towers by wind and rainfall over millions of years. Within these formations are cracks, slot canyons, gorges and natural amphitheaters, Cathedral Gorge among them. One could wander the slot canyons here for days, even weeks. It is a fascinating and unique landscape, and Cathedral Gorge is one of the most popular among visitors for its ease of access.
Colored Canyon, Sinai, Egypt
The tall walls of Colored Canyon reveal the source of the name. Sinai was once covered by ocean, which left layer upon layer of sediment to be eroded away by water and wind over millions of years. Those layers reveal diverse colors — reds, magentas, purples, golds and yellows, sometimes with a metallic sheen — can in places look something like The Wave, which is a continent away. The walls rise to heights of over 100 feet in some places, and is sometimes only a few feet wide. It is a relatively easy hike, and as a result is a popular destination for tourists.
Weano Gorge, Karijini National Park, Australia
In Karijini National Park, the second largest park in Western Australia, lies Weano Gorge. Views from the top and walking trails with towering walls of banded iron rock offer spectacular sights, and for those experienced in rock climbing, you can descend down to Handrail Pool. An unforgettable place, the smooth walls of this slot canyon are a must-see for hikers visiting this part of Australia
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