Trip Overview

The Slot Canyon Sampler is an adventure designed to explore some of Utah's most breathtaking and diverse slot canyons. We will guide you through various regions, each offering unique canyon characteristics. The trip starts in Salt Lake City and makes it’s way to Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and the area just East of Zion National Park on BLM land.

We will start off relaxed, teaching the skills necessary to begin canyoneering safely, before diving into more advanced techniques. The trip objectives will be determinant on the abilities of the participants and we request that everyone be comfortable being out for 8-10 hours on average.

After being out canyoneering during the day, each evening we will come back to our camp and enjoy some relaxation while utilizing our glamping setup, and enjoying guide cooked meals at our basecamp. All tents will come equipped with cots and are double occupancy, and our basecamp will have a powered cooler and starlink wifi.

Itinerary

Day 1: SLC to Capitol Reef National Park.

• We will meet at 7am and begin our drive down to Capitol Reef National Park (3.5 hours)

• We will do an introductory lesson on the gear and what to expect and do a short canyon in the afternoon

• Setup our glamping camp for 2 nights

• Dinner on Mountains and Canyons

Day 2: The whole day will be spent in Capitol Reef National Park

• We will travel a longer canyon today. Some of our favorites are Cassidy Arch Canyon, Arch Nemesis, Burro Wash, Timpie, Nighthawk. There are many options to consider here depending on group interest/abilities. Stay in Capitol Reef this evening

Day 3: Capitol Reef to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

• 2-2.5 hour drive from Capitol Reef to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument on a beautiful drive. Stops along the way for pictures as the group desires

• Short afternoon canyon, either Egypt 1 or Zebra/Tunnel are common choices

• Lessons on guided rappel and more advanced techniques

• Camp in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument with our glamping setup 2 nights

Day 4: Full day of Canyoneering Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

• Some of our favorite canyons for today are more advanced like Egypt 2, Egypt 3, or Micro Death Hollow

• Camp in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Day 5: Red Breaks to Zion East Side

• We will do a shorter canyon like Upper Red Breaks in the morning before driving to Mount Carmel Junction to stay in a hotel and get showered up and refreshed. Dinner and hotel out on Mountains and Canyons

Day 6: Birch Canyon

• Today’s objective is likely Birch Canyon. This is a stunningly beautiful canyon that takes anywhere from 6-8 hours including the round trip hike back to the car. After returning to the car we will move camp to near tomorrow’s objective. Camping will be either glamping or large tents depending on timing/group interests.

Day 7: French Canyon and back to Salt Lake City

• Today’s objective’s options are Rock Canyon, French Canyon, or Minaret Canyon. These are short but beautiful canyons that will allow us the time to return to Salt Lake City this evening. For those interested in a shuttle to Las Vegas please reach out when booking. Return drive to Salt Lake City is our longest around 5 hours. Hotels are guests responsibility for the evening.

Dates and Cost

• Duration: 7 days

• Cost: $2500 per person (we reserve the right to cancel or delay trips with only 1 participant)

  • Hotel rooms in Mount Carmel Junction are double occupancy. Please reach out to us for the single supplement cost

• Dates:

  • September 17-23, 2026

  • September 24-30, 2026

  • October 17-23, 2026

  • November 3-9, 2026

Trip itineraries are subject to change and are dependent on weather and group abilities. If we are unable to get in a canyon for the day due to rain or inclement weather we will try to plan an alternate activity like a hike or sightseeing.

Mountains and Canyons will collect a 25% non-refundable deposit at booking to secure your space(s) that we are happy to use towards another trip if you cancel more than 60 days out. The full balance is due 45 days from the start of the trip.

Custom Details

For groups that want a private or customized experience, please reach out for longer/shorter trips, trips that include basing out of hotels instead of camping, and a customized planning process. We are more than happy to accommodate these type of requests. Any groups larger than 5 persons will require 2 guides. Custom trips can request 2 guides for smaller groups.