Written by Paula Radmall
Slot canyons are one of the most beautiful of nature’s
handiworks. They are magnificent works of art caused by water
rushing through a narrow crevasse, over a long period of time,
carving and smoothing the canyon walls into bright, beautiful
sculptures. What so unusual about that? Well, some of the slot
canyons in Southern Utah and Arizona are hundreds of feet deep,
while others are only a few feet, or even inches wide. Their
vertical walls glimmer, changing hues as the sun moves across
the sky. It is the mix of light streaming in and shadows that
make these canyons remarkably memorable and gorgeous. It’s the
beauty of these canyons, and deep oranges and reds of their
walls, that bring people from all over the world hiking,
backpacking, and camping so they can have the breathtaking view
for themselves!
“It’s like the Grand Canyon turned inside out!” At least,
that’s the way my daughter described the slot canyons we
explored! You’ll understand her wonder when you step inside for
yourself.
Until recent years, most slot canyon locations were very well
kept secrets. In fact, no one really knows how many exist in
the desert of the southwest because you can walk right by one
without even knowing it! A natural reverence exists inside
these deep, beautiful slot canyons and some of those who have
visited them have felt a strong desire to protect them from
being marred by too much traffic as their locations have become
more widely known. But, as the information has become more
available, more people have had the joy of experiencing the
canyons beauty firsthand.
The Antelope Canyons
The well known, and well photographed Antelope Canyon slot
canyons, lay mostly on Navajo land. If you have seen pictures
of slot canyons, they were probably taken here.
The Antelope Canyon slot canyons are considered to be some of
the most beautiful in the world. They are also the best known
and the most heavily visited. And in recent years, the Navajo
people have felt the need to protect the canyons from abuse and
misuse. They have instituted procedures and guideline for
visiting the Upper Antelope Canyon entrance site. We have
locations and visiting guidelines to many of the slot canyons
on this website.
Slot canyon exploring is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and
to appreciate the true wonders of nature. The many years of
wind and water wearing on the land have left a playground for
those who are willing to do a bit of preparation, and a little
bit of hiking—or a lot, whichever you prefer. Come explore with
us!
About The Author: Paula Radmall is the author of this article
as well as an editor for the website
http://www.slotcanyonexploring.com which explores what slot
canyons are, how they are formed, and various locations of slot
canyons in the American Southwest.
