What is Canyoneering?

There are different types of canyoneering. Some are non-technical, meaning you can explore the beautiful sandstone slot canyons by hiking through the canyon. Some are technical, meaning there are more skills aside from hiking to safely descend the canyon. These extra skills include rappelling, down-climbing, swimming, wading, and squeezing through some narrow spaces.

Zion National Park is famous for canyoneering and is one of the best activities you and your family should try when. Hiring a professional guide service in the greater Zion National Park area allows for you to experience the thrill of canyoneering while knowing that your family’s safety is in capable hands. Rock Odysseys is a Zion National Park guide service. They offer guided canyoneering tours and have a variety of options to choose from that is the perfect adventure for you and your family during your visit.

Zion Family Canyoneering Trips

If this is your first-time trying canyoneering, a Half-Day Guided Canyoneering trip is a great option to experience the sport. This canyoneering trip is a four-to-five-hour experience that includes pick up and drop off, all technical gear, and a professional canyoneering guide. One of Rock Odysseys’ most popular Half Day Canyon trips will take you to the Kolob Terrace portion of Zion National Park. This canyon features stunning panoramic views, three parallel slot canyons to explore and multiple rappels ranging from 20′ to over 100’. One of the canyons is so narrow you really must squeeze through it. All the kids love the experience of going through these slot canyons as it is like an outdoor playground. Adults like it too! This location has tons of options for more or less adventurous routes making it easy for your guide to customize the trip to what your family is looking for. 

Zion Canyoneering with Kids

One of the biggest questions you may have been asking yourself is “Can my children try canyoneering?” Our answer is yes! Our recommended ages for our Half Day Canyoneering tour are ages four and up. Although we have taken children as young as three! Because our family canyoneering trips are private, your guide can customize the trip to your family’s comfort-level and needs. During your private, guided canyoneering trip, you can expect to experience the beautiful sandstone slot canyons that the greater Zion National Park area has to offer as a family.

Do you think your child is excited enough to try canyoneering but may also be a bit timid? No problem! Our guides are experts are working with them. Rock Odysseys’ canyoneering guides are trained to tandem rappel with your child to help them get more comfortable with the process. This really helps them learn to trust the equipment and makes them more confident while canyoneering. Most kids are able to go down on their own with some encouragement and some practice with their guide!

Are your kids more adventurous and want a longer experience in a canyon? Rock Odysseys’ Full Day Guided Canyoneering trips offer more chances to rappel, swim, and experience Zion as a family. For a full day canyoneering tour, we recommend kids are ages 12 and up. Our full day guided canyon trips are a great way to escape the crowds that Zion National Park frequently has. One of our Full Day Canyoneering trips is Water Canyon. This trip is approximately seven to eight hours in duration. Water Canyon is a blast and covers quite a bit of territory, with gorgeous big wall scenery, rappels into water and sometimes down waterfalls, and lots of great technical elements. The rappels are up to 100′. This is the only option with water. This one will start with a strenuous 1.5-hour hike. If you watch the video on our homepage this will give you a good idea of what a Water Canyon trip looks like.

Planning a Utah Vacation and wondering what places to see in and around Zion National Park? One of the best ways to see the stunning Zion area is to hire a professional guide, strap on a backpack, and find yourself off the beaten trails. We specialize in Big Adventure Rock Trips, Guided Slot Canyon & Rappelling Trips and Backpacking Tours near Zion National Park, including Climbing, Canyoneering & Combination Trips (a little of everything). Find out more