Award Winning UTV Slot Canyon Tour

Trade pavement for red rock. This East Zion outing pairs a bumpy Can-Am UTV ride with short walks into Upper and Lower Red Cave Slot Canyons, giving you both motion and quiet canyon time. I especially like the small group size, capped at 15 people, and the guides’ habit of helping with photos, local stories, plants, wildlife, and rock art. The main drawback is simple: part of the two-hour tour is spent riding over rough ground, so the walking portion may feel brief if you want a long canyon hike.

The price is $105 per person, which I consider fair for a guided trip into remote terrain, transportation, bottled water, safety equipment, and a guide who drives instead of asking you to handle the vehicle. I also like that the tour works for a wide age range, with one group ranging from age 5 to 72. Still, you should know that the canyons are outside Zion National Park, not inside the park itself.

Five things to know before you book

• The UTV ride is part of the main event: Your guide drives the Can-Am vehicle over rough back roads to reach the canyons.
• Two different canyon stops: Upper Red Cave gets about 20 minutes, while Lower Red Cave includes a walk of roughly 100 yards and about 30 minutes on site.
• Small groups help: The maximum group size is 15, making it easier to hear your guide and get help with photos.
• Guides add real value: Joe, Dennis, Ted, Deanne, Rob, Jaron, Johnny, Kyle, Ken, Coleman, Colt, and others have been praised for local stories, safety, history, wildlife spotting, and photography help.
• Plan around the weather: The tour requires good weather, and cancellations caused by poor conditions come with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Why this East Zion trip is different

Zion National Park is famous for its towering cliffs and crowded main canyon. This experience takes you east of the park, near Orderville, where the scenery feels more open and the canyons are smaller, quieter, and shaped by a different kind of adventure.

You do not drive the UTV yourself. Your driver-guide handles the Can-Am while you sit back, hold on, and watch the scenery change from roads to rough backcountry tracks. That makes this a good choice if you want the thrill of an off-road ride without renting or operating an ATV.

The outing begins at 500 E State St in Orderville, Utah, off Highway 89. You make your own way there before your selected start time, meet the guide and the rest of the group, and receive a safety briefing. From there, the ride heads toward Upper and Lower Red Cave Slot Canyons before returning to the same meeting point.

The ride is not just a transfer. Several people describe it as one of the most enjoyable parts of the experience. It brings the whee factor, especially when the vehicle leaves ordinary roads and crosses rougher ground. At the same time, that is where you need to set your expectations. One unhappy customer felt the ride was too long and rough compared with the short walks in the canyons.

The Can-Am ride: scenic, bumpy, and guide-led

The UTV gives you access to places that are not practical to reach on foot during a short visit. Instead of spending your limited time navigating back roads, you ride with someone who knows the route and can explain what you are seeing along the way.

Guides have pointed out native plants, local animals, rock formations, and how weather shapes the narrow canyon walls. Dennis even made a detour to show a group deer. Several people also described seeing wildlife on later rides, with late-day departures offering a possible chance to spot deer. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the chance adds interest to the drive.

The vehicle also changes the pace of the outing. You get movement, noise, wind, and rough tracks before stepping into the quieter canyon spaces. I like that contrast. A standard canyon walk can be beautiful but physically repetitive. Here, the UTV ride gives the tour a clear sense of occasion.

You should still prepare for a rough ride. If you prefer a calm, smooth transfer, this may not be your best choice. The route can be bumpy, and your comfort will depend on your tolerance for off-road travel. The supplied information does not specify the exact vehicle seating arrangement, so if you have a concern about seating or riding comfort, ask the operator before booking.

Safety equipment and the driver-guide are included. Bottled water and private transportation are also included, though you need to get yourself to Orderville.

Upper Red Cave, a quick first look

The first planned stop is Upper Red Cave Slot Canyon, with about 20 minutes allotted and admission included. This is a short visit, but it gives you a first taste of the red sandstone formations and the narrow spaces that make slot canyons so striking.

Your guide leads you into the canyon and helps you notice details that are easy to miss when you are focused only on taking pictures. The reviews give special credit to guides who explained the area’s past, pointed out rock art, and described how water and weather affect the canyon walls.

Twenty minutes is enough for an introduction and photos, but it is not a long hike. I would think of Upper Red Cave as a compact scenic stop rather than a full walking excursion. If you want hours of hiking, this tour will feel too short. If you want to see a slot canyon without committing to a demanding half-day walk, the timing works well.

Bring your camera or phone. Guides have helped people find better angles, use phone settings, and frame the curved walls. Some have also taken photos of couples and families, which solves the familiar problem of returning home with plenty of scenery and very few pictures of yourself in it.

Lower Red Cave and the 100-yard walk

The second stop is Lower Red Cave Slot Canyon. The walking portion goes about 100 yards into the canyon, with roughly 30 minutes at the stop. This is the longer and more substantial of the two canyon visits.

The short walk lets you see the canyon from within rather than simply viewing its entrance. Red rock walls close in around you, and the changing light creates the photo opportunities this tour is built for. You might find the narrow passage more impressive than expected, especially after the open, rough ride to reach it.

The time here is still limited. The guide needs to keep the group together and return everyone to Orderville within the approximate two-hour schedule. That means you will not have unlimited time to wander, study every wall, or wait for perfect light.

The short distance makes Lower Red Cave suitable for people who want a taste of slot canyon walking without a long route. A family group with children and older adults found the experience manageable, and a five-year-old was made comfortable by a patient guide. Even so, the tour is not a promise of effortless movement. The ground may be uneven, and the ride itself can be more physically demanding than the walking.

Guides are the biggest part of the value

The scenery is the reason you book, but the guide can determine whether the tour feels ordinary or special. Here, the strongest pattern is the guide’s role as driver, storyteller, safety lead, local interpreter, and sometimes photographer.

Joe has been praised for his stories and strong knowledge of rock formations. Dennis has explained the area’s history and local terrain, while Ted took photos and shared them with the group at the end. Deanne paid close attention to a guest who became cold, placing her near the front heater and providing extra blankets.

Rob appears again and again as a friendly, capable guide who offered photo help and local context. Jaron was praised for being fun and informative. Kyle, who grew up in the area, shared local knowledge and took photos. Coleman has been described as enthusiastic and helpful around the slot canyons and petroglyphs.

The names matter because they show how much personality can shape a short tour. You are not just being delivered to a viewpoint. The guide is expected to keep the ride lively, explain the country, manage the group, and help you get more from the canyon visit.

The guide quality may vary from one departure to another, as it does on any guided outing. But the overall rating is unusually strong: 99 percent of people recommend the experience, with a 5.0 rating from 1,471 reviews. That does not erase the one clear complaint about the rough ride and limited walking, but it suggests that the guide-led format works very well for most people.

Photo help makes a real difference

Slot canyons are naturally photogenic, but they can be tricky to photograph. Tight walls, deep shadows, bright sky, and red stone can fool a phone camera. A guide who knows where to stand can save you a lot of trial and error.

Several guides have shown people how to frame the walls and adjust phone or camera settings. One guide took professional-looking photos, while another used a phone to photograph the group and sent the pictures afterward. Those touches are especially useful for couples and families who want a shared picture without handing a phone to a stranger.

Bring a camera if you have one, but do not feel that you need expensive equipment. The guide tips appear to focus on practical composition and phone use rather than specialized photography. You will get the most from your camera if you keep it ready during both the ride and the canyon walks.

Morning and late-day light can change the feel of the canyon. The tour information does not promise a particular lighting condition, so do not book a specific departure solely for photography. Late rides may offer a chance to see deer, but wildlife and lighting remain dependent on conditions.

Is $105 a good deal?

At $105 per person, this is not a cheap roadside stop. I think the cost makes sense if you value access, transport, and instruction more than a long hike.

Your fee covers the guided UTV transfer, the driver, safety equipment, bottled water, and access to two remote canyon stops. You also avoid the trouble of finding your own route through rough country. For a first-time visitor, that combination can be worth more than trying to arrange a vehicle and locate the canyons independently.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and small groups who want a compact activity between Zion and Bryce Canyon. It is also a practical side trip if you are already driving Highway 89. One couple used it while moving from Zion to Bryce and found it a worthwhile addition to the route.

The value is weaker if your main goal is extended canyon hiking. You spend part of the two hours riding, then about 50 minutes at the two listed stops. That structure favors variety and ease over distance.

Who should book this tour?

I would suggest it to you if you want:

• A guided introduction to East Zion’s slot canyons
• An off-road ride without driving the UTV yourself
• A family activity that can suit several age groups
• Local stories about plants, wildlife, rock formations, and petroglyphs
• Help taking better canyon photos
• A short activity near Zion, Bryce Canyon, or Highway 89

I would be more cautious if you dislike rough vehicle rides, have limited tolerance for bumps, or want a long, quiet walk through a canyon. The tour is also weather-dependent, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Most people can participate, and the group maximum is 15. The information does not list a specific accessibility plan, so contact ROAM East Zion before booking if you need detailed help with mobility, seating, or transfers.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a rescheduled date or full refund.

The final call on Red Cave

I would book this tour if I wanted to add a lively two-hour stop to a Zion or Bryce trip. The best parts are the mix of UTV travel and canyon walking, the small group, and the guides who often do much more than simply lead the route.

Go in expecting a short canyon visit, not a full hiking day. Accept the rough ride as part of the experience, bring a camera, and ask your guide for photo help. If those terms suit you, the $105 price buys an easy way to reach striking scenery that you would not casually find on your own.

FAQ

Where does the UTV Slot Canyon Tour begin?

The tour begins at 500 E State St, Orderville, Utah 84758, off Highway 89. You make your own way to the meeting point before your selected start time.

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 many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.

Do I drive the Can-Am UTV?

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

Which slot canyons does the tour visit?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.