Award Winning UTV Slot Canyon Tour

The rough ride is part of the reward. This East Zion excursion combines a Can-Am UTV trip across backcountry terrain with walks into two striking slot canyons. I like the small group size, capped at 15 people, and I like that your guide handles the driving while you focus on the views, photos, and canyon walls. The main consideration is time: the UTV ride takes a fair share of the two-hour tour, so anyone wanting a long canyon hike may find the walking portion brief.

I also like the personal touch from guides such as Joe, Dennis, Rob, Deanne, and Coleman. They have shared local stories, pointed out wildlife, explained rock formations, helped with phone photography, and in some cases taken photos for the group. The ride can be rough, though, and one unhappy participant felt there was too much vehicle time for a short hike.

Key points at a glance

• Two Red Cave stops: Visit Upper Red Cave Slot Canyon, then walk about 100 yards into Lower Red Cave Slot Canyon.
• A guide-driven Can-Am UTV: You do not operate the vehicle. Your driver-guide manages the rough route and provides commentary along the way.
• Small groups of 15 or fewer: The limited group size should make it easier to hear the guide and move through the canyon stops.
• A good photo outing: Guides may suggest camera settings, frame people against the walls, and take group pictures on their phones.
• Outside Zion National Park: The canyons are in the East Zion area near Orderville, not inside the national park itself.
• Two hours for $105: The price includes the UTV ride, guide, safety equipment, private transportation, and bottled water.

What this East Zion outing is really like

This is not a long canyon trek. It is a compact backcountry trip that uses the UTV to reach places you would not simply pull up to in a standard rental car. You ride from the meeting point toward the Red Cave area, then get out and walk into the narrow canyon sections with your guide.

That mix is the appeal. You get the excitement of rough roads without having to drive, followed by quiet time on foot among red rock walls. The ride adds access and fun, while the walking stops provide the best close-up look at the stone.

I would think of it as an active sightseeing trip rather than a serious hiking tour. The itinerary gives about 20 minutes at Upper Red Cave and 30 minutes at Lower Red Cave. The remaining time includes the briefing, loading, driving, and return to Orderville.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can participate. The stated maximum is 15 people, which is much more manageable than a large bus excursion.

Starting near Orderville on Highway 89

You make your own way to 500 E State St, Orderville, Utah 84758, before your selected start time. The tour ends at the same place, so plan your day around returning to Orderville rather than ending at Zion National Park.

This location works well for a day that links Zion and Bryce Canyon. One couple used it as a side trip while moving between the two parks, and the position near East Zion makes that especially practical. It also gives you a different setting from the main Zion canyon, with more open backcountry roads and less of the park’s familiar traffic.

You will meet the guide and your small group for a safety briefing before setting out. Safety equipment is included, as is bottled water. Wear clothing you can move in and shoes suitable for uneven ground. The supplied information does not specify a required footwear type, but the route includes a rough vehicle ride and walking into a slot canyon, so practical outdoor clothing makes sense.

The Can-Am UTV ride through rough country

The UTV is driven by your guide, not by you. That matters for two reasons: you can watch the scenery instead of concentrating on the route, and you do not need to learn how to operate an off-road vehicle during a short tour.

Expect a bumpy ride. The UTV crosses rugged terrain, and one negative account described the ride as long and rough compared with the short amount of walking. That criticism is worth taking seriously if you dislike jolting roads or want most of your time spent inside the canyon.

For many people, though, the ride is a major part of the fun. The route provides a sense of reaching somewhere remote, rather than simply parking beside a viewpoint. Guides have also used the drive to discuss local plants, animals, rock formations, and the forces that shape the slots.

The guide quality is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Joe was praised for stories about the area and even football stories. Dennis has taken a detour to point out deer. Kyle, who grew up in the area, has shared local knowledge. Rob has been especially praised for making the ride lively and helping with photographs. These personal details can turn a transfer into part of the tour rather than dead time.

Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but deer have been seen on some outings. If you spot animals, enjoy them from the vehicle and follow the guide’s instructions.

Upper Red Cave Slot Canyon, your first short stop

The first listed stop is Upper Red Cave Slot Canyon, with about 20 minutes set aside. This is your first chance to leave the UTV, stretch your legs, and see the red rock from close range.

The canyon’s value is scale and texture. From the vehicle, you see broad Southwest scenery. On foot, the walls close in and show the curved, weather-shaped forms that make slot canyons so photogenic. The guide can point out how weather affects the rock and explain local plant life and animals.

The short timing is both useful and limiting. Twenty minutes is enough for an introduction and photographs, especially when the guide knows the best angles. It is not enough for a leisurely exploration of every side passage or a long walk into the canyon.

If you like photography, have your phone or camera ready before you leave the UTV. Guides have helped people improve phone photos by showing them how to frame the walls and use better settings. That kind of assistance can matter in a narrow canyon, where bright sky and darker stone can confuse a phone camera.

Some outings have also included views of petroglyphs or other rock art, according to the experience accounts. Treat any marked cultural feature with care. Do not touch or climb on rock art, and follow the guide’s directions about where to stand.

Lower Red Cave Slot Canyon and the 100-yard walk

The second stop is Lower Red Cave Slot Canyon, where you walk about 100 yards into the canyon. With roughly 30 minutes allowed, this is the longer and more substantial of the two walks.

That extra time gives you a better feel for the slot canyon form. The walls narrow, the colors shift with the light, and the route offers a stronger sense of being enclosed by the stone. Your guide leads the way and provides context about the area rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

The walking distance is modest, but the surface may be uneven because this is a natural canyon rather than a paved attraction. The supplied details do not promise a flat trail, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking. The general information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a specific accessibility rating.

This stop is where the tour’s photography help can pay off. Guides have taken pictures of couples and families inside the canyon, and one guide used a phone to send photos to participants after the trip. That is convenient when you want a group picture without handing your camera to a stranger.

Allow yourself time to look up as well as ahead. Slot canyon walls often reward small observations: a bend in the stone, a change in color, or a thin slice of sky above. The guide’s commentary can help you notice these details without turning the stop into a lecture.

Guides who add more than directions

A UTV tour can be little more than transportation to a photo stop. This one appears to depend heavily on the individual guide, and the strongest accounts describe guides who do much more.

Deanne made a cold morning easier for a participant’s mother by seating her near the front heater and providing extra blankets. Coleman was praised for explaining local history and pointing out petroglyphs. Jaron, also spelled Jeran in one account, was described as friendly, entertaining, and informative.

The repeated praise is not only about facts. Guides have helped five-year-old children feel comfortable, adjusted their attention to older family members, and kept groups entertained during the drive. That makes this a better fit for mixed-age families than a hard-charging off-road trip.

You should still remember that guide experiences can vary. The company has several guides, and no tour can promise the exact personality or storytelling style you prefer. The available information does show a strong pattern of warm, involved guiding, which is a good sign.

How the $105 price holds up

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see red rock near Zion. The price makes more sense when you consider what it bundles: a guide, private transportation in a Can-Am UTV, safety equipment, bottled water, and access to two remote canyon stops.

You are paying for access as much as for scenery. Without the UTV and local driver, reaching the canyons would not be as simple. You also get a guide who can explain plants, animals, rock formations, and local stories while handling the rough route.

The value is strongest if you want variety. For two hours, you receive a short off-road adventure, two canyon walks, photo help, and commentary. It is less compelling if your main goal is a long, quiet hike. In that case, the 20-minute and 30-minute canyon stops may feel too short.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and 5-star average from 1,471 ratings point to a consistently well-liked experience, but the single detailed negative account provides a useful warning: the vehicle portion can feel lengthy and rough. I would not book this expecting a pure walking tour.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups looking for an easy way to add an off-road experience to a Zion or Bryce itinerary. The group of 15 or fewer is small enough for personal attention, and the guide-driven vehicle means you can enjoy the ride without taking the wheel.

It also suits people who want strong photographs. The canyon walls are naturally dramatic, and guides such as Rob, Colt, Kyle, and others have helped participants find better angles or taken photos for them.

Families with a wide age range may find it particularly useful. One group ranging from age five to 72 reportedly enjoyed the outing, and another guide took extra care of a family member who got cold. Still, you should be comfortable with a bumpy ride and a short walk over natural ground.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who dislikes off-road motion, expects a long hike, or wants to spend most of the day inside Zion National Park. The canyons are outside the park, in the East Zion area near Orderville.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The tour lasts approximately two hours and ends back at the Orderville meeting point. It is booked, on average, 33 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible if your Zion schedule is fixed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The operator may cancel for poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Weather matters here because the tour uses rough backcountry roads and enters slot canyons. Check the forecast before you set out, and avoid leaving your plans until the last minute if you have a tight national park schedule.

Should you book the East Zion UTV slot canyon tour?

Book it if you want a compact mix of off-road fun, red rock scenery, and guided canyon walks. The best parts are the personal guiding, the small group, the photo help, and the chance to see two impressive slots outside Zion’s busiest areas.

Skip it if a bumpy ride sounds unpleasant or if you want several hours of hiking. For everyone else, $105 is a fair price for transportation into remote terrain, a guide who does the driving, and a well-paced introduction to East Zion’s Red Cave canyons.

FAQ

Where does the UTV slot canyon tour meet?

The meeting point is 500 E State St, Orderville, Utah 84758, USA.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Orderville.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $105 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 participants.

Which canyons does the tour visit?

The tour visits Upper Red Cave Slot Canyon and Lower Red Cave Slot Canyon.

Is the UTV driven by the participant?

No. A driver-guide operates the Can-Am UTV while you ride along.

What is included?

The experience includes a guide, UTV transportation, safety equipment, private transportation, and bottled water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.