Award Winning UTV Slot Canyon Tour

East Zion’s Red Cave Slot Canyons offer a different kind of Zion experience. Instead of crowded overlooks and shuttle stops, you ride a Can-Am UTV over rough backcountry tracks, then walk into narrow red-rock corridors with a guide. It is part scenic drive, part short hike, and part off-road thrill ride.

I like the small group size, capped at 15, and the way the guide handles the driving so you can watch the scenery. I also like the practical touches: guides such as Dennis, Rob, and Deanne have helped with phone photography, pointed out wildlife, and shared local stories. The main drawback is simple: the UTV ride can be rough and takes up a good part of the two-hour outing, so anyone expecting a long slot-canyon hike may find the walking time brief.

Key points to know before you book

• The canyons sit outside Zion National Park: You start in Orderville, off Highway 89, and visit East Zion country beyond the park boundary.
• The UTV ride is part of the attraction: Your guide drives the Can-Am vehicle over rugged terrain while you take in the scenery.
• You explore two canyon areas: Upper Red Cave gets about 20 minutes, while Lower Red Cave includes a walk of roughly 100 yards and about 30 minutes at the stop.
• Guides add real value: Expect local information about plants, animals, rock formations, weather, and area history.
• Photo help is a recurring strength: Guides may suggest camera settings, show phone tricks, and take pictures of your group.
• The $105 price is fair for the format: It includes the UTV ride, guide, safety equipment, bottled water, and access to remote canyon areas without arranging your own off-road vehicle.

Why this East Zion tour feels different

The familiar Zion experience centers on the main canyon, where towering cliffs, marked trails, and shuttle traffic shape the day. This outing takes you east of that busy core. The red rock is still the star, but the setting feels more open and less managed.

You meet at 500 East State Street in Orderville, Utah, then join your guide and the rest of the group for a safety briefing. The group can include up to 15 people, which is small enough for the guide to talk with you without turning the trip into a private outing.

The Can-Am UTV gives the trip its character. You are not driving your own vehicle, so you can focus on the views and the ride. The driver handles the rough route, and the bumps are part of the experience. If you enjoy a little motion and backcountry travel, the ride adds welcome energy before the quieter canyon walks.

If you have a sensitive back, dislike jolting vehicles, or want a calm scenic tour, think carefully before booking. One unhappy account described the ride as long and rough compared with the short walks inside the canyons. That is a useful warning, not a reason to dismiss the tour. You simply need to understand that this is a UTV adventure first and a hiking trip second.

The ride from Orderville into the red-rock country

The road portion begins soon after the briefing. Your guide drives into remote terrain where the route itself becomes part of the sightseeing. The UTV lets the group reach canyon areas that are not presented as easy roadside stops.

The guides add plenty of context along the way. You may hear about local plants, animals, rock formations, and the way weather shapes the narrow canyon walls. Several guides have also taken short detours to point out deer and other wildlife, especially later in the day.

This is where the guide can make or break the experience. Dennis has been praised for explaining the area and its past while keeping an eye out for wildlife. Rob is known for making the ride lively and helping with photos. Deanne has made a point of keeping colder passengers comfortable with blankets and a warmer seat near the front. Those details matter because two hours in an open or partly exposed off-road vehicle can feel very different in cold weather.

Ask your guide about photo stops during the ride. Some guides know exactly where the red formations show their best curves and color. The ride may also offer views that you would miss if you arrived only for the canyon walk.

Upper Red Cave: a short first look

Upper Red Cave is scheduled for about 20 minutes. That is not a long stop, but it gives you a first taste of the narrow rock formations and lets you adjust to the walking conditions.

The appeal here is scale. Slot canyons compress light, color, and space into a small area. Even a short walk can produce strong photographs as the walls twist and the sky narrows overhead. Your guide may point out weather marks, plants, or details in the stone that are easy to pass without local help.

Do not expect a full-day canyon hike at this stop. Twenty minutes goes quickly, especially if your group pauses for photos. I would treat Upper Red Cave as a compact introduction rather than the main event.

That short time can work well for families and mixed-age groups. You get the drama of a slot canyon without asking everyone to commit to a long walk. Guides have helped young children feel comfortable, and one family described a five-year-old enjoying the outing with patient guidance.

Lower Red Cave and the 100-yard walk

Lower Red Cave receives about 30 minutes, including a walk of roughly 100 yards into the slot canyon. This is the more substantial walking stop, though it remains short by hiking standards.

The narrow walls provide the classic red-rock setting people hope to see in southern Utah. You can walk farther into the canyon, study the curves and shadows, and make use of the better photo angles your guide points out. If conditions allow, you might also see petroglyphs or rock markings in the area. Treat those features with care and never touch or climb on them.

The short distance is both a strength and a limitation. It makes the tour manageable for many ages and fitness levels, but it will not satisfy someone seeking a long trek through a slot canyon. The experience gives you access and atmosphere rather than mileage.

Bring your phone or camera with enough battery space. Guides have helped people improve their shots by changing phone settings, adjusting angles, and placing people where the rock frames them best. Some have taken group pictures and shared them afterward, including through phone-to-phone transfer. That can be especially useful when everyone wants to appear in the same picture.

The guides are a major part of the value

A UTV can get you to the canyons, but the guide gives the outing its meaning. Without commentary, you would still see red rock. With a good guide, you begin to notice how water cuts the walls, where plants survive, and why the area looks the way it does.

The guides named in the feedback include Joe, Dennis, Ted, Deanne, Rob, Jaron, Johnny, Kyle, Ken, Coleman, Ron, and Colt. You are not guaranteed a particular person, but the repeated pattern is clear: the guide’s personality and local knowledge are central to the day.

Kyle, who grew up in the area, has shared local knowledge and taken striking photos. Coleman has been praised for explaining the area and showing petroglyphs. Joe has mixed area stories with plenty of humor, while Rob has helped with professional-looking canyon pictures. These examples show the range of what your guide may add: history, natural details, humor, photography, and simple care for the people in the vehicle.

The best guides also adjust to the group. They can slow down for a child, help an older passenger, answer questions, or suggest a better place to stand for a picture. In a small group, you have a better chance to ask questions than you would on a large bus tour.

Is $105 a good value?

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see red rock. But the price covers more than a short walk. You receive transportation in a Can-Am UTV, a driver-guide, safety equipment, bottled water, and access to remote canyon areas.

The value depends on how you measure the day. If you want several hours of hiking, the price may feel high for two canyon stops lasting about 20 and 30 minutes. If you want an easy way to reach remote scenery without renting or driving an off-road vehicle, the cost makes more sense.

You are also paying for the guide’s route knowledge and judgment. Rough terrain, changing weather, and narrow canyon conditions are not ideal settings for improvising on your own. The guide manages the vehicle and leads the walking portions, leaving you free to take pictures and look around.

For a family group, the value can be strong. People from about age 5 through 72 have enjoyed the format, and the short walks allow different fitness levels to participate together. For couples, the combination of scenic ride and photo-ready canyon walls makes a memorable half-day addition to Zion or Bryce National Park plans.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground. You do not need to prepare for a long hike, but the canyon floor and approach may not be smooth.

Dress for the forecast, not just the temperature at your hotel. The ride can feel cold in the morning, and Deanne’s use of blankets for a chilly passenger shows why an extra layer is sensible. Bottled water is included, but you may still want your own water if you tend to drink often.

Bring a camera or a phone with free storage and a charged battery. This tour is unusually photo-friendly, and guides may offer tips about settings, framing, and where to place your group. If you have a tripod or bulky camera gear, keep in mind that you are riding in a UTV and may prefer a light setup.

Arrive at the Orderville meeting point before your chosen start time. The activity ends back at the same location, which makes it easy to continue toward Zion, Bryce, or another East Zion stop afterward.

Who will enjoy it most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see slot canyons without committing to a long hike. It also suits families with mixed ages, couples seeking a more active outing, and anyone who likes a rough ride paired with short scenic walks.

It works well for photographers, especially if you appreciate help with phone settings and group pictures. It is also a good choice if you have already seen Zion’s main canyon and want a different setting nearby.

You may want another tour if your main goal is solitude, a long walk, or a quiet natural experience. A group of up to 15 is modest but not private, and the UTV ride can be noisy and bumpy. The canyon walking time is measured in minutes, not hours.

Weather matters, too. The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, no refund is available, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Red Cave UTV tour?

Book it if you want a lively backcountry ride, two short canyon walks, and a guide who can add local stories and practical photo help. The mix is particularly good for families and couples who want memorable scenery without a demanding hike.

Skip it if you dislike rough vehicles or expect to spend most of the two hours walking inside slot canyons. The ride is a major part of the outing, and the canyon stops are brief.

For most people planning time around Zion or Bryce, this is a worthwhile side trip from Orderville. The strongest reason to book is not simply the red rock. It is the combination of access, guide attention, wildlife possibilities, and a chance to see a quieter corner of East Zion without managing the rough route yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is 500 East State Street in Orderville, Utah 84758. You make your own way there before your selected start time.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours. It ends back at the original meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Do I drive the UTV?

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

How much walking is included?

The tour includes walking inside Upper and Lower Red Cave Slot Canyons. Upper Red Cave is scheduled for about 20 minutes, and Lower Red Cave includes a walk of roughly 100 yards and about 30 minutes at the stop.

Is the tour inside Zion National Park?

No. The canyon stops are outside Zion National Park, in the East Zion area near Orderville.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.