Moab Adventures · Canyoneering
Canyoneering in Moab: Rappel Into the Desert's Hidden World
Moab's most famous views are the ones you drive to. Its best kept secrets are the ones you rappel into. Guided canyoneering takes you down ropes and through sculpted sandstone canyons that most visitors never even know exist — and you don't need a single day of experience to do it.
- No experience needed
- All gear provided by guides
- Family friendly options
- Tours run year round
Suggested: guest on a free hanging rappel with red rock canyon walls and blue sky
The Basics
What Is Canyoneering, Exactly?
Canyoneering is the art of traveling down a canyon — a mix of hiking, scrambling, downclimbing, and rappelling through terrain you can't reach any other way. Around Moab, that means descending sandstone drops on a rope, squeezing through sculpted narrows, and standing in places that feel completely untouched.
Beginners Are the Norm
Most people on a guided Moab canyon tour have never touched a rope before. Guides teach rappelling step by step at the top of the first drop, and you're backed up on a safety line your guide controls the whole way down.
Moab Is Built for It
The same geology that carved Arches and Canyonlands carved hundreds of hidden canyons in between. Moab's routes favor open rappels with huge views — arches, petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, and grottos included.
Guides Handle the Hard Parts
Permits, ropes, anchors, harnesses, helmets, route finding, and safety systems are all on your guide. Your only job is to lean back, trust the rope, and enjoy the best "I can't believe I did that" moment of your trip.
Local tip: The first step backward over the edge is the hardest part of any canyoneering trip — and it lasts about three seconds. Every guide in town has watched nervous first timers reach the bottom of their first rappel grinning and asking to do it again.
The Best of Moab
The Top 5 Canyoneering Tours in Moab
We've hiked, scrambled, and rappelled our way through the canyons around Moab, and these five stand above the rest. Each one offers something different — pick the canyon that matches your crew, then dive into the full guide to book your trip.
Suggested: 110 ft free hanging rappel in Bow and Arrow Canyon
No. 1 · Best All Around
Bow and Arrow Canyon
The greatest hits of Moab packed into one canyon: ancient petroglyph panels, fossilized dinosaur tracks, a hidden natural arch, and four rappels that build from a gentle warmup to a thrilling free hanging drop of around 110 feet. Close to town, big on payoff, and perfect for adventurous families.
Explore Bow and Arrow CanyonSuggested: rappel beside Morning Glory Natural Bridge into the Medieval Chamber
No. 2 · Best for First Timers
Medieval Chamber
Two dramatic rappels, zero filler. The first drops you into a shadowy sandstone chamber that feels like a cathedral; the second descends alongside Morning Glory Natural Bridge, one of the longest rock spans in the country. The hike out follows a spring fed creek through Grandstaff Canyon — a rare ribbon of green in the desert.
Explore Medieval ChamberSuggested: rappeller descending into remote Granary Canyon with arches visible
No. 3 · Most Adventurous
Granary Canyon
The connoisseur's canyon. Granary shelters natural arches, sculpted narrows, and thousand year old Ancestral Puebloan granaries hidden in its walls. A seasonal closure to protect bighorn sheep keeps it wild and quiet — which makes the short spring and fall booking windows some of the most coveted dates in Moab.
Explore Granary CanyonSuggested: guest stemming between narrow slot canyon walls in Entrajo
No. 4 · Most Playful
Entrajo Canyon
Moab's natural jungle gym. Entrajo trades big vertical drops for hands on fun — stemming and bridging through elegant water carved narrows, scrambling over chockstones, and splashing through canyon pools. The rappels are short and approachable, which makes this the pick for groups who want maximum play per mile.
Explore Entrajo CanyonSuggested: canyoneer navigating potholes or a tight slot on the Rock of Ages route
No. 5 · For Fit Adventurers
Rock of Ages Canyon
The big day out. Rock of Ages strings together roughly six rugged miles of desert travel with three rappels, a tight slot, sculpted potholes, and hidden arches most Moab visitors will never see — including the route's namesake reward near Pool Arch. Earn it, and you'll have stories the parking lot crowds can't match.
Explore Rock of AgesQuick Comparison
Which Canyon Is Right for You?
| Canyon | Length | Rappels | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow and Arrow | Half day | 4, up to ~110 ft | Beginner friendly | First timers who want variety — history, views, and a big free hanging drop |
| Medieval Chamber | Half day | 2, ~100 ft each | Easiest | Families and nervous first timers who still want a bucket list rappel |
| Granary Canyon | Half or full day | Multiple big drops | Adventurous beginner | Travelers visiting in spring or fall who want remote wilderness |
| Entrajo Canyon | Half day | Short and fun | Beginner friendly | Groups who want a playful, hands on slot canyon (and don't mind water) |
| Rock of Ages | Full day | 3 over ~6 miles | Challenging | Fit hikers ready to earn hidden arches and true backcountry solitude |
Local tip: Can't decide? Book Bow and Arrow or Medieval Chamber for your first Moab trip — they're close to town, easy to fit into a busy itinerary, and they'll almost certainly convince you to come back for Granary or Rock of Ages next time.
Before You Go
Good to Know Before You Book
Timing and Seasons
Spring and fall offer the best canyon temperatures and book out weeks in advance. Summer tours run early to beat the heat, and winter trips reward you with empty canyons. Note that a few routes, like Granary Canyon, close in summer to protect bighorn sheep.
What to Wear and Bring
Closed toe shoes with good grip, clothes you don't mind getting dusty or wet, sun protection, snacks, and at least two liters of water per person. Guides supply every piece of technical gear — harness, helmet, ropes, and rappel devices.
Safety and Weather
Flash flood awareness is part of every guide's job, and trips are rescheduled or rerouted when storms threaten. On rappels, you're always backed up by a second rope your guide controls — you set the pace, and your guide has your back the entire descent.
Common Questions
Moab Canyoneering FAQ
Do I need experience to go canyoneering in Moab?
Which canyon is best for kids and families?
How high are the rappels?
Will I get wet?
What if I'm afraid of heights?
When is the best time of year to go?
How do I book a tour?
Your Canyon Is Waiting
Five canyons, five very different adventures, one guarantee: you'll come home with a story no viewpoint photo can match. Pick your route and lock in your dates before peak season fills up.
Choose Your Canyon