Zebra slot canyon
![zebra slot canyon zebra slot canyon](https://calledtowander.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Zebra-Slot-Canyon-3745.jpg)
I’m sharing because I want you to understand what it means to hike through water in a slot canyon. That is not my photo – we didn’t run into water. It can get pretty high, as evidenced in the photo above. There is not a guaranteed way to know without first going. HOW CAN I TELL WHAT THE WATER LEVEL IS INSIDE THE CANYON? The system will re-adjust for you…and you’ll be closer to the other hikes down this road. Put the coordinates in, but keep going to the gravel road. The only thing I’ll note about the coordinates is that we found it better to go in off Hole in the Rock Road rather than going into the camping area off Hwy 12.
![zebra slot canyon zebra slot canyon](https://cdn-assets.alltrails.com/uploads/photo/image/20777223/extra_large_0dc602269a254ed2a4385851625a7a49.jpg)
We use Campendium to help find the best camping spots, and this option worked well for us. With time to explore the canyon and take photos, it took our large group of 10 about 4.5 hours.Ībsolutely! There is a ton of dispersed camping off Hole in the Rock Road. With kids ranging from 8 to 13 and a hellishly hot day, we were averaging about 30 minute miles through the wash. We didn’t travel with pets, but in the large amount of research we did prepping for this hike we noticed a half-dozen or so people say they wish they hadn’t brought Fido with them. Yes, dogs are allowed in the Zebra Slot Canyon. The trailhead parking lot is on the right. In Grand Escalante, take Hole in the Rock Road off of Hwy 12 for 7.8 miles. That was the end for us we turned around and headed back. It was filled with water when we visited, but regardless, it felt impossible to pass. It’s only about 5 yards, but it’s not easy!Ībout 200-300 feet into the tunnel, past another climb (but without the shimmy) you’ll come to a large hole in the slot. You’ll need to climb up out of the lower section, squat, and Spiderman your way across. The rock offers only about a 3-inch gap from about hip width down. There is one section of the slot that is more challenging than most – you can see it in the video above, where Elliot is sliding across the rock in a squatted position. The second group? It was a little more like Slot Canyon Twister. Luckily we met the first group in a place with a small bump out, which allowed our group of 10 to pass them. We ran into two groups coming from the opposite direction. Once inside, the walls will grow more and more narrow. In my research, I read an online recommendation to leave our backpacks at the start of the canyon so we did that and boy was I glad we did! The slot canyon is pretty short so you won’t be gone long…and you’ll see others things along the side walls. With the map it took some effort, but it led us right to the opening of the Zebra Slot Canyon. We would have been lost if not for downloading the AllTrails map prior to setting out. We really struggled to stay on the trail here there are a ton of paths leading in various directions and no cairns to lead hikers through the wash. OK, maybe not as majestic…but without a permit, this will do. As you can see in the photo above, the short section of walls here give the impression of The Wave on the Arizona border. Shortly after you begin your walk, you’ll notice a large cattle guard gate to you right (you see it at the beginning of the Instagram video above.) Go through the gate and continue through the gorgeous red rocks.
![zebra slot canyon zebra slot canyon](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/00/8d/02/008d02fac9b83ed09abb7d8296646277.jpg)
There is zero shade on this part of the hike, so be sure to bring plenty of water for everyone. The first 2.5 miles of this adventure is through the Harris Wash, and the elevation change is so slight that it feels flat, flat, flat.