Award Winning UTV Slot Canyon Tour

The best part of this East Zion outing is the mix of a rough UTV ride and quiet time inside two red-rock slot canyons. You are driven across remote backcountry, then walk into the canyon passages with a guide instead of trying to find the route alone.

I like the small group size, capped at 15 people, and the way guides such as Rob, Dennis, Joe, and Deanne add useful local detail. I also like the practical photo help. Several guides take pictures, suggest camera settings, and point out the best places to frame the glowing sandstone.

The tradeoff is clear: the ride can be bumpy, and one stop involves only about 100 yards of walking into the canyon. If you want a long hike or a full-day backcountry trip, this two-hour tour may feel brief.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different stops: Upper Red Cave offers a short look at a striking canyon, while Lower Red Cave gives you a longer walk into the sandstone walls.
• The UTV does the hard approach: Your guide drives the Can-Am vehicle over rough ground, saving you from a long hike to reach the canyons.
• Small groups matter: With no more than 15 people, the outing feels more manageable than a large sightseeing convoy.
• Strong guide service: Guides including Rob, Dennis, Jaron, Kyle, and Deanne are praised for local stories, safety, wildlife spotting, and friendly help.
• Good for family groups: The tour has worked well for groups ranging from children around age five to adults in their seventies.
• Plan around the weather: The tour requires good conditions, and cancellations for poor weather come with a new date or full refund.

Why these East Zion canyons are worth your time

Zion National Park gets most of the attention, but the red-rock country outside the park can give you a very different outing. This tour begins in Orderville, east of the main Zion area, and heads toward slot canyons reached by rough back roads rather than a standard park shuttle or paved trail.

That setting is part of the appeal. You are not simply walking up to a viewpoint, taking a picture, and leaving. The UTV ride becomes part of the experience. You pass through open Southwest scenery, cross uneven ground, and let the driver handle the route while you watch for rock formations and wildlife.

The canyons themselves are smaller than Zion’s famous walls, but they offer the close, sculpted sandstone shapes people seek in a slot canyon. Narrow passages, warm red stone, and changing light make even a short walk feel special.

I would choose this tour for a first look at slot canyons, especially if you want the scenery without committing to a demanding hike. It also works well as a side trip between Zion and Bryce Canyon, which is how many people fit it into a larger southern Utah route.

The UTV ride into the backcountry

You meet at 500 East State Street in Orderville and should arrive before your selected departure time. After a safety briefing, your driver-guide takes the wheel of a Can-Am UTV. Safety equipment, private transportation, and bottled water are included.

The vehicle gives you access to remote canyon areas that would be difficult to reach on foot. That convenience comes with a price: the ride is not smooth. One unhappy account described a long, rough UTV approach followed by a short canyon walk. That criticism is worth taking seriously if you have back problems, dislike jolting rides, or expect most of the two hours to be spent hiking.

For many people, though, the rough ride is part of the fun. The vehicle adds a little excitement without asking you to drive. You can keep your hands free for photographs and let the guide focus on the route.

Your guide also provides commentary along the way. The subject matter includes local plants and animals, rock formations, weather effects on the canyon walls, and area history. Dennis has taken a detour to show deer, and late-day departures may offer better chances to see wildlife. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but the open backcountry gives you more to watch for than a direct drive to a trailhead.

Upper Red Cave: a quick introduction to slot canyons

The first listed stop is Upper Red Cave Slot Canyon, with about 20 minutes set aside. This is a short visit, but it helps you understand how water and weather shape the sandstone.

You can expect a brief walk, time to look closely at the walls, and opportunities for photographs. The red stone changes as the light moves across its curves, and the narrow spaces give you a close view of the canyon’s sculpted surface.

The short time here is both a benefit and a limitation. It keeps the tour moving and gives you two separate canyon experiences. At the same time, 20 minutes is not enough for slow exploration or a long photography session.

If you enjoy taking pictures, use this stop to learn from your guide. Several guides have shown people how to improve phone photos inside the canyon, including where to stand and how to frame the rock. That help can matter because slot canyon light can fool a phone camera into producing dark or flat images.

Lower Red Cave: the main walking section

Lower Red Cave Slot Canyon is the longer stop, with about 30 minutes planned. The walk goes roughly 100 yards into the canyon, so this is the place where you get the clearest sense of entering a narrow sandstone passage.

That distance is modest. You do not need to prepare for a long trek, but you should still expect uneven ground and a short walk away from the vehicle. The tour description says most people can participate, yet the rough vehicle ride and canyon footing may be important considerations for anyone with mobility concerns.

The lower canyon is likely to be the most rewarding stop for photographs. The walls close in, the colors become more concentrated, and the shapes show how flowing water has cut through the rock. Guides may point out petroglyphs, rock markings, native plants, or signs of weathering along the way.

Do not rush this part. Take a moment to look up and back toward the canyon entrance. The view changes as you move only a few steps, and your guide can help you find a better angle for a portrait or a phone photograph.

Guides who add more than directions

The guide can make or break an outing like this. Here, the strongest part of the experience appears to be the personal attention.

Rob is praised for area knowledge, photo help, and an easygoing manner. Dennis has explained canyon history and local scenery, and he has also made time to look for deer. Deanne has taken special care of visitors in cold weather, placing a family member near the heater and offering extra blankets.

Other guides named in the feedback include Joe, Ted, Jaron, Johnny, Kyle, Ken, Coleman, Colt, and Ron. The details vary by guide, but the pattern is consistent: storytelling, safety reminders, local information, and help with pictures are central to the outing.

Kyle grew up in the area and has shared local knowledge along the route. Coleman has pointed out petroglyphs and explained the place with enthusiasm. Some guides take photos of the group and send them afterward, including by AirDrop. That is a useful touch if you want pictures of everyone together.

You should not assume every guide will provide the same photo service or wildlife detour. Those details depend on the person leading your departure. Still, the guide-driven format gives you a better chance of learning something than simply riding out to the canyon on your own.

Is $105 a fair price?

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity near Zion. The tour lasts about two hours, and the actual walking time listed for the two canyon stops totals about 50 minutes. The rest is the UTV approach, return ride, briefing, and commentary.

The value comes from access and ease. You are paying for a vehicle capable of crossing rough terrain, a driver who knows the route, safety equipment, bottled water, and guided time in two remote canyons. You also avoid the work of finding the access road and figuring out how to reach the canyon entrances.

The price makes the most sense if you value a guided experience, want to avoid a long hike, or are traveling with a mixed-age group. A group ranging from age five to 72 enjoyed the outing together, which shows why the format appeals to families.

I would think twice if you mainly want a long slot canyon walk. In that case, the short canyon visits may not feel like enough for the cost. The experience is best understood as a backcountry ride with two canyon walks, not as a full hiking day.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to:

• Families who need an activity that works across several ages
• Couples looking for a short outdoor adventure near Zion
• Photographers who want help finding angles in red sandstone
• People moving between Zion and Bryce Canyon
• Visitors who want canyon scenery without planning a difficult independent route
• Anyone who enjoys a bumpy off-road ride and open backcountry views

It may not suit you if you dislike rough vehicle travel, need a long walking itinerary, or want to spend most of your time away from other people. The group can reach 15, so this is small compared with a large bus tour but not a private outing.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity returns to the same meeting point in Orderville.

Timing, clothing, and practical planning

Wear clothes you can move in and shoes suitable for a short walk over uneven canyon ground. Bring a camera or phone, since photography is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Your guide may offer useful camera advice, but you still need your own device to capture the scenery.

Cold mornings deserve attention. Deanne has provided blankets and a warmer front seat for someone sensitive to the cold, but you should still dress for the conditions. Late-day departures may offer better chances of seeing deer, based on the experiences described, though wildlife is never promised.

Give yourself enough time to reach 500 East State Street in Orderville before departure. The activity ends back there, so you can plan a meal, hotel stop, or onward drive afterward.

The cancellation terms are simple. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Since good weather is required, a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

How this compares with a standard Zion outing

A day inside Zion National Park usually centers on established trails, shuttle stops, and major canyon views. This experience takes you outside the park to a quieter, less formal setting near East Zion.

That difference matters. You will not get the scale of Zion Canyon from a main overlook, and you should not book this expecting a famous national park trail. Instead, you get access to narrow red-rock passages, a rough ride through open country, and a guide who can explain details you might miss alone.

The two experiences can work well together. Spend time on Zion’s major trails, then use this tour for a shorter off-road change of pace. It also makes sense during a driving day between Zion and Bryce, when you want something more active than another scenic stop.

Should you book the Red Cave UTV tour?

I would book it if you want a two-hour mix of adventure and scenery, especially if your group includes different ages or hiking abilities. The guides add real value through local stories, wildlife spotting, canyon explanations, and practical photography help.

I would skip it if your main goal is a long slot canyon hike. The UTV ride is a major part of the activity, and the walking sections are short. Go in expecting a bumpy backcountry drive followed by two compact canyon visits, and the $105 price is easier to justify.

For a first taste of East Zion’s red rock, this is a lively and convenient choice. Pick a departure time that suits your weather tolerance, bring a camera, and leave room for the guide to show you details you might otherwise pass by.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is 500 East State Street, Orderville, Utah 84758. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the UTV slot canyon tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours, including the UTV ride, briefing, canyon visits, and return trip.

What does the $105 price include?

The tour includes the driver-guide, Can-Am UTV transportation, safety equipment, private transportation, and bottled water.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Which canyons will I visit?

The tour visits Upper Red Cave Slot Canyon and Lower Red Cave Slot Canyon. About 20 minutes is planned at Upper Red Cave, followed by about 30 minutes at Lower Red Cave, including a walk of roughly 100 yards into the canyon.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.