10 Jaw – Dropping Slot Canyons You Really Need To See

cathedral gorge
Photo: mnn.com

1. Cathedral Gorge, Bungle Bungles Range, Purnululu National Park, Australia

The Bungle Bungles Range is a collection of sandstone and conglomerates. The formations on this canyon are formed by wind and rainfall over millions of years. Some of the things that can be seen within these formations are slot canyons, cracks, gorge, and natural amphitheaters, like the Cathedral Gorge.

weano gorge
Photo: mnn.com

2. Weano Gorge, Karijini National Park, Australia

The Weano Gorge is located at Karijini National Park; this is the second largest park in Western Australia. The towering walls of this slot canyon are filled with banded iron rock. When you’re at the top of the walking trails, you’ll be able to see some spectacular sights.

 

Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Photo: tourplicity.com

3. Antelope Canyon, Arizona

The Antelope Canyon in Arizona is considered as the most famous of all slot canyons. This slot canyon has two separate sections, the Upper Antelope Canyon and the Lower Antelope Canyon, or The Crack and The Corkscrew.

The curvaceous, strangely angled walls of these slot canyons are formed through erosion of sandstone caused by flash flood and other processes.

The beautiful colors, textures, curves, and breathtaking lighting, especially in the summer are the reasons why photographers and tourists love visiting this spectacular slot canyon.

 

The Wave, Arizona
Photo: venturacountytrails.org

4. The Wave, Arizona

An amazing geological formation, The Wave is made by 2 water-eroded troughs, one of which measure 7-ft. wide and is considered as a slot canyon.

The Wave in Arizona is a very popular destination for tourists, photographers, and hikers. To avoid damage and erosion caused by human feet, only 20 tourists per day are allowed to walk through the 52-ft. long slot canyon.

 

colored canyon
Source: mnn.com

5. Colored Canyon, Sinai, Egypt

Years ago, Sinai was covered by ocean and it left layers upon layers of sediment which was eroded away by water over millions of years. The layers have colors like red, magenta, purple, gold, and yellow.

The Colored Canyon is filled with tall walls, some walls rises to the heights of more than 100 feet and some with only a few feet wide.

 

siq petra
Source: mnn.com

6. Siq, City of Petra, Jordan

The Siq or The Shaft is a slot canyon which is the main entrance of the City of Petra. It is a three-quarter-mile long narrow gorge; there is a 9.8 ft. wide pathway that leads to Al Khazneh or The Treasury. Al Khazneh is the most complex ruin in the City of Petra, its walls is about 300-600 ft. tall.

The Siq is not formed by water erosion; it is formed through geological fault. It was split apart by tectonic forces and it was smoothed by water later on.

Some of the things that you can see around the Siq are the remains of ancient constructions, which include two abutments and an archway with some hewn stones leading to the grand entrance of the city.

 

Buckskin Gulch, Utah
Photo: wildbackpacker.com

7. Buckskin Gulch, Utah

This is the longest and deepest slot canyon found in the Southwest of U.S. This slot canyon has an area of over 13 miles with both sides of the cliff measuring about 500 feet.

Experienced hikers love to go here because of its length and diversity of terrain. However, hikers need to get a permit first before they can hike the area. The Buckskin Gulch is a very dangerous place to hike; flash floods may happen during certain seasons.

 

Witches Gulch, Wisconsin
Photo: tripadvisor.in

8. Witches Gulch, Wisconsin

Unlike other slot canyons which are made of red and gold sandstone, the Witches Gulch is made up of some emerald colors. Hikers will walk through a wood boardwalk which will lead them into the moss-covered sandstone slot. There are some narrow places here; you can touch both sides of the Witches Gulch canyon.

 

River Narrows Trail, Zion National Park
Photo: allzion.com

9. River Narrows Trail, Zion National Park

One of the world’s most famous collections of slot canyons can be found at Zion National Park. The Narrows which can be found on the North Fork of the Virgin River is one of the best hiking destinations in the U.S.; it is also the site for a number of amazing sections of slot canyons.

 

The Subway, Zion National Park
Photo: everytrail.com

10. The Subway, Zion National Park

The Subway which can be found on the Left Fork of North Creek is one of the favorite destinations for hikers and photographers. This slot canyon has a unique tunnel shape similar to a subway train. The rock floor of this slot canyon is filled with potholes from the flowing water. The floor is usually filled with cold water, which gives the slot canyon a beautiful mix of colors.

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