Moab
Canyoneering
Tours
Step into slot canyons carved by ancient water and a few million years of patient geology. Private guided adventures in Bow and Arrow, Morning Glory, and Entrajo — from your first rappel to your most challenging descent yet.
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 chose these canyons as their backyard and share them with the same gratitude that brought them to Moab.
Private Groups Only
Your party, your pace — never mixed with strangers
All Gear Included
Ropes, harnesses, helmets, rappelling devices
Family Friendly
Routes customized for kids ages 8 and up
Permitted and Insured
All trips with licensed outfitter partners
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, no guessing at the edge.
Rappelling
Controlled rope descents into chambers carved by flash floods. Your first rappel almost always 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 to navigate alone.
Partner Assists
Team lifting and spotting that turns individual challenges into group triumphs. This is where trust gets built fast and the group finds its rhythm.
Stemming
Opposing pressure between canyon walls to move through passages too narrow to walk. A full body puzzle in stone — surprisingly intuitive once you start.
Chimneying
Back and foot technique for ascending or descending narrow slots. The canyon becomes your climbing wall and the movement becomes second nature quickly.
Choose your canyon adventure.
Bow and 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 completely devoted to this sport. A favourite of photographers and serious adventurers.
Book This RouteEntrajo Canyon
The hidden gem locals genuinely treasure. Less crowded than the famous routes, Entrajo offers intimate and challenging terrain that feels like real discovery. Varied obstacles, sustained technical sections, and the satisfaction of a route few visitors ever experience.
Book This RoutePick your format.
Whether you have a half day window or want canyoneering to anchor your entire Moab trip, there is a format built 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. Perfect for families and anyone trying canyoneering for the first time.
- 4 to 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 by the time you drive home.
- Full day in the canyons
- 2 or more 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 where every skill compounds on the last.
- 3 days, 4 activities
- All gear and transport
- Seamless transitions
- Beginner friendly
- Skills build 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 and Brief
Meet your guide, fit your harness and helmet, and run through every technique before you need it. No surprises at the edge. No one gets to the first rappel feeling unprepared.
Approach Hike
Walk slickrock and desert trail to the canyon entrance. Your guide narrates the geology — ancient seas, shifting dunes, and the patient forces that carved what you're about to descend into.
Descent and Techniques
Rappel into chambers. Stem through narrows. Work as a team on partner assists. The canyon becomes your classroom and every obstacle has a technique that makes it possible.
Exit and Debrief
Emerge with new skills, tired legs, and a story worth telling for years. Your guide answers every question you've been collecting on the way through — and probably raises a few more.
Canyoneering through the seasons.
Moab canyoneering runs year round. Each season offers a different version of the same spectacular terrain — and we know exactly how to make the most of each one.
Spring
March through MayIdeal temperatures, wildflower blooms in hidden drainages, and comfortable all day activity for any fitness level. Manageable flash flood risk with attentive daily planning.
★ Prime Season — Book EarlySummer
June through AugustEarly morning starts capture spectacular canyon light and beat the heat. Canyon shade keeps temperatures manageable through the narrows. Longer daylight gives you more time to explore.
Early Start RequiredFall
September through NovemberCrystal clear skies, perfect temperatures, and the best conditions for attempting more challenging routes. The most spectacular photography light of the year in slot canyon country.
★ Prime Season — Book EarlyWinter
December through FebruaryDramatic light, complete solitude, and unique seasonal beauty in the canyons. Pair a desert descent with La Sal Mountains skiing for one of the most memorable Moab days possible.
Crowd-Free Canyon BeautyWhat 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. The guide somehow managed to make it challenging for adults and kids simultaneously. They're still talking about the rappel weeks later — that's all I needed to hear."— Family Guest
Real answers to real questions.
No experience necessary. Our guides teach every technique 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 and make up a large part of our most memorable tours.
Yes. We welcome children ages 8 and up. Routes and rappel heights are customized 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 tours are completely private. You will never be grouped with strangers. Canyoneering is built on trust and teamwork, and private guiding means every element of the day is designed around your specific group's abilities, pace, and goals.
Bow and Arrow Canyon is the perfect introduction — manageable rappels, spectacular slot sections, 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 confirms the best fit after a quick conversation about 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 or more liters of water per person, sun protection including hat and sunglasses and sunscreen, snacks, and weather appropriate 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 every day we operate.
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer ideal conditions — comfortable temperatures, manageable flash flood risk, and great light. Summer tours start early to beat the heat. Winter offers dramatic solitude and pairs beautifully 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 philosophy is simple: get out and stay out.
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.
435.260.7066