Slot Canyon

geology · water erosion · desert landscapes · adventure

Incredibly narrow gorges. Slot canyons are so skinny that they can be less than 1 meter (3 feet) wide at the top, yet plunge down more than 30 meters (100 feet) deep, like someone took a knife and sliced straight through a rock wall.

Carved by flowing water. Over millions of years, water flowing through soft rock like sandstone slowly carved out these amazing channels, creating walls that tower overhead in dramatic, colorful stripes.

Dangerous flash floods. Slot canyons can fill with water very quickly during heavy rains, turning them into rushing rivers that make them risky places to explore, especially during rainy seasons.

Desert superstars. Most slot canyons are found in the southwestern United States, especially on the Colorado Plateau, where the dry climate and hard rock create perfect conditions for these narrow wonders.

Unique wildlife homes. Slot canyons contain special plants and animals that are different from the dry desert around them, because the narrow walls keep the canyon cooler and more moist than the open land above.