Moab, Utah · Private Guided Tours
Moab
Canyoneering
Tours
Step into slot canyons carved by ancient water and time. Private guided adventures in Bow and Arrow, Morning Glory, and Entrajo — from your first rappel to multi-canyon mastery.
Where Ancient Water
Carved Cathedrals of Stone
Moab's slot canyons are unlike anything else on the Colorado Plateau. Narrow passages where walls close to arm's span, sunlight filters 200 feet from above, and the only sound is your heartbeat echoing off stone shaped over millions of years by flash floods and desert wind.
Our guided canyoneering trips take you beyond the crowded overlooks into these hidden worlds. No experience necessary — just a willingness to move, work as a team, and trust the process. Our local guides choose these canyons as their backyard and share them with the same gratitude that brought them to Moab.
Welcome
Five Core Canyoneering Techniques
Every move through canyon terrain has a name and a method. Our guides teach all five on-site before you need them — no prior experience required.
Rappelling
Controlled rope descents into chambers carved by flash floods. Your first rappel becomes your favourite part of the day.
Hand Lines
Fixed anchor systems for steep but walkable terrain — giving you confidence on edges that would otherwise feel impossible.
Partner Assists
Team lifting and spotting that turns individual challenges into group triumphs. This is where trust gets built fast.
Stemming
Opposing pressure between opposing walls to move through passages too narrow to walk. A full-body puzzle in stone.
Chimneying
Back-and-foot technique for ascending or descending narrow slots. You become part of the rock itself.
Choose Your Canyon Adventure
Three iconic slot canyon routes, each offering a different chapter of Moab's geological story. Your guide selects and adjusts daily based on conditions, weather, and what your group is ready for.
Bow & Arrow Canyon
The perfect introduction to Moab canyoneering. Navajo sandstone walls rise like cathedrals, with short approaches, stunning slot sections, and rappels that build confidence without overwhelming newcomers. Our most popular canyon for families and first-timers.
Book This RouteMorning Glory Canyon
Named for the way morning light filters through its narrow openings. Longer rappels, more technical sections, and slot canyon beauty that explains why people become addicted to this sport. A favourite of photographers and serious adventurers.
Book This RouteEntrajo Canyon
The hidden gem locals treasure. Less crowded than the famous routes, Entrajo offers intimate, challenging terrain that feels like genuine discovery. Varied obstacles, sustained technical sections, and the satisfaction of a route few visitors experience.
Book This RoutePick Your Format
Whether you have a half-day window or want to turn canyoneering into the centrepiece of your Moab trip, we have a format for your group.
Private Half-Day
The ideal introduction. One signature slot canyon, all techniques taught on-site, and a full morning or afternoon of desert adventure.
- 4–5 hours total
- One canyon route
- All gear provided
- Ages 8+, all levels
- Up to 5 guests
Private Full-Day
Multiple canyons, advanced techniques, and the kind of comprehensive skill development that turns beginners into confident canyoneers.
- Full day in the canyons
- 2+ canyon routes
- Advanced rappelling
- Anchor assessment
- Up to 5 guests
3-Day Multi-Sport
Combine canyoneering with Arches hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing into one seamless private expedition.
- 3 days, 4 activities
- All gear & transport
- Seamless transitions
- Beginner-friendly
- Skills compound daily
Your Day in the Canyons
Every canyoneering tour follows a natural arc — preparation, descent, challenge, and the kind of quiet satisfaction that only comes from earning your way through stone.
Gear Up & Brief
Meet your guide, fit your harness and helmet, and run through all techniques before you need them. No surprises at the edge.
Approach Hike
Walk slickrock and desert trail to the canyon entrance. Your guide narrates the geology — ancient seas, shifting dunes, and patient time.
Descent & Techniques
Rappel into chambers. Stem through narrows. Work as a team through partner assists. The canyon becomes your classroom.
Exit & Debrief
Emerge with new skills, tired legs, and a story worth telling. Your guide answers every question you've accumulated on the way through.
Canyoneering Season Guide
Moab canyoneering runs year-round. Each season offers a different version of the same spectacular terrain.
Spring
March – MayIdeal temperatures, wildflower blooms in hidden drainages, comfortable all-day activity for any fitness level. Manageable flash flood risk with attentive planning.
⭐ Prime Season — Book EarlySummer
June – AugustEarly morning starts capture spectacular light and beat the heat. Canyon shade keeps temperatures manageable. Longer daylight means more time in the narrows.
Early Start RequiredFall
September – NovemberCrystal-clear skies, perfect temperatures, and ideal conditions for attempting more challenging routes. The best photography light of the year in slot canyon country.
⭐ Prime Season — Book EarlyWinter
December – FebruaryDramatic light, complete solitude, and unique seasonal beauty. Combine desert canyons with La Sal Mountains backcountry skiing for a one-of-a-kind Moab adventure.
Unique Desert ExperienceEverything You Want to Know
No experience necessary. Clapper Adventures guides teach all techniques on-site — rappelling, stemming, chimneying, partner assists, and hand lines — before you need them. You should be comfortable hiking off-trail over uneven terrain. Beginners are genuinely welcome.
Yes. We welcome children ages 8 and up. Routes and rappel heights are customised around the youngest participant in your group. Some of our most memorable tours have been multi-generational family adventures where grandparents and grandchildren rappel together for the first time.
All Clapper Adventures canyoneering tours are completely private. You will never be grouped with strangers. Your tour is designed around your group's abilities, pace, and interests from start to finish.
Bow and Arrow Canyon is the perfect introduction — manageable rappels, spectacular slot sections, and suitable for anyone ages 8+. Morning Glory suits intermediate adventurers ready for longer rappels and more technical movement. Entrajo is ideal for experienced groups seeking a challenging, less-crowded route. Your guide will always confirm the best fit for your group's comfort level and goals.
We provide all technical gear: ropes, harnesses, helmets, and rappelling devices. You bring sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip, 2+ litres of water per person, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), snacks, and weather layers. A detailed packing list is sent after booking.
Flash flood risk is a real factor in canyon country — and we take it seriously. Our guides monitor weather conditions starting days before your tour, select routes based on current forecasts and drainage patterns, and always have alternative plans ready. Responsible risk management through local knowledge is a core part of what we do.
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer ideal conditions — comfortable temperatures, manageable flash flood risk, and great light for photography. Summer tours start early to beat the heat. Winter offers dramatic solitude and can be combined with La Sal Mountains backcountry skiing. We operate year-round.
Absolutely. Our Multi-Sport Adventures combine canyoneering with Arches hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing into seamless multi-day private expeditions. Our "get out and stay out" philosophy means no wasted time on logistics between activities.
Book Your Private Canyon Tour
Spring and fall dates fill fast. Lock in your canyon adventure today.
Book Now 435.260.7066 Send an Inquiry →What Our Adventurers Say
"Evan is a superb guide! Amiable, knowledgeable, and very adept at determining the skills and limitations of our group. He was spot-on in every way! Can't imagine there is anyone better at what he does."— George T.
"Best trip ever! We had zero canyoneering experience and left feeling like we could do it all over again the next day. The guides were patient, encouraging, and obviously love these canyons."— Adriel T.
"Took our family including kids aged 9 and 13. Guide somehow managed to make it challenging for both adults and kids simultaneously. They're still talking about the rappel weeks later — that's all I needed to hear."— Family Guest
More Ways to Experience Moab
Canyoneering is just one chapter. Combine it with climbing, biking, and hiking — or go deep into the La Sal Mountains for a completely different Moab adventure.
Ready to Enter Moab's Hidden World?
Spring and fall dates fill early. Call or send an inquiry and we'll match you to the right canyon, the right format, and the right guide for your group's goals.