Wedged In: A Slot Canyon Scramble in Utah

There’s something irresistible about a narrow path that promises mystery just around the bend. We set out into one of Utah’s many slot canyons on a blue-sky morning, grateful for the sunshine and clear forecast—no flash floods in sight, which was crucial given how deep and narrow things would get.

The whole crew came along—five kids, two parents, and one highly excitable spaniel. Slot canyons are perfect for families: they keep toddlers and dogs moving in one direction. Poky was thrilled…and also overwhelmed. Horses had clearly used the same wash, and the million overlapping scents short-circuited his senses. He zigzagged nose-down like a caffeinated truffle pig, convinced something hoofed and fascinating was just around the bend.

We followed the sandy path as it narrowed, the sun giving way to shade and the canyon pulling us deeper into its curving sandstone walls. James, who’d refused to put on hiking shoes in the parking lot, ended up barefoot, hopping between shoulder rides and the soft sand of the canyon. The kids loved wedging themselves into the rock walls, climbing up above each other like a vertical game of leapfrog.

As we got deeper, the obstacles got trickier. Carolina and James needed boosts over boulders. Poky gave up jumping and went the spaniel-preferred route—scurrying under the biggest rocks instead. When we hit one steep rise, I had to wedge myself above Carolina to pass her and haul Poky up. Lorelei took the lead with calm, nimble confidence. Mom stayed at the back, making sure everyone made it through.

Eventually, the canyon opened just wide enough to reveal a perfectly smooth, vertical rock face—about fifteen feet high. Jack and Adeline immediately tried to scale it, of course. They were halfway up before we called them back down, reminding them how far we were from a hospital. It was the natural endpoint for this hike, and as far as anyone without ropes should ever go. We’d made it.

We paused there in the cool sandstone shade. The sun outside had been hot, but in the canyon it was calm and cool, with just enough breeze to keep everyone happy. Poky, still determined to find a stream, made the return hike extra challenging by pulling us down the riverbed with his nose on high alert.  We saw what the slot canyon had to offer: narrow squeezes, team climbs, soft sand, shade, sun, and the satisfaction that we’d turned a couple resistant hikers into slot canyon enthusiasts.