Utah's 5 Best Canyoneering Destinations

This new video shows some of the fun to be had canyoneering in the Moab area. Here's the title:

DISCOVER Canyoning in Moab, Utah | STA Travel Uncover/Discover USA video

Moab offers some great canyoneering options, as do many areas in southern Utah. Below I give my 5-best canyoneering destinations. The sport is growing in popularity and so more and more people are discovering Utah's canyons. If you are new to canyoneering, engage a guide service for an adventure or two. The professionals will help you "learn the ropes" and develop the confidence to do it yourself.

Utah.com and other websites offer good descriptions of routes. Conditions change frequently so always get current info from rangers or local shops before plunging into a canyon. And be alert as you hike. Here are headlines I noticed today:

• Ranger Hike Fiery Furnace. Last week 4 evacuations for heat. Our trip did fine. CARRY WATER!
• The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Zion until 7:00 pm. All slot canyons, including The Narrows, are closed.

Here are my top five destinations for canyoneering. (Note, a destination is a large area, not a specific route. All of these destinations offer multiple routes.)

• Zion National Park (Subway, Misery, Pine Creek, many others)
• Grand Staircase-Escalante Hole In the Rock Road (Spooky, Peekaboo, just because they are so fun)
• Grand Staircase-Escalante technical routes
• Capitol Reef National Park Waterpocket Fold routes
• Moab (Because you can combine canyoneering with so many other activities)

– Dave Webb