Family Canyoneering in Southern Utah
An adventure designed specifically for families with children 12 years and under
On this guided experience, families hike through narrow slot canyons, scramble over natural obstacles, downclimb short sections, rappel with support, and—depending on conditions—wade through shallow canyon pools. No prior experience with ropes, knots, or rappelling is required. Our team handles all technical systems and instruction so families can stay present and focused on the experience.
With more than three decades of experience hosting thousands of families in the backcountry, we’ve intentionally adapted our Canyoneering Slot Canyon Tour to meet the needs of younger participants. This trip is specifically designed for families with children 12 and under, emphasizing challenge by choice, child-led exploration, and a pace that supports curiosity and confidence.
Every one of our guides completes an extensive training program developed by professional educators and undergoes annual assessments. This commitment allows us to deliver a high-quality, well-supported family adventure while adapting each day to the abilities, comfort levels, and energy of your group.
What Is a Family Slot Canyon Tour?
|
A Family Slot Canyon Tour is a guided canyoneering tour featuring rappelling, hiking, and scrambling designed specifically for families with children 12 and under. It’s flexible, supportive, and paced for connection—so your family can explore, learn new skills, and build confidence together. Rather than following a fixed route, your guide selects the canyon and approach based on current conditions, your family’s ages, comfort levels, and goals for the day. That means each trip feels intentional—whether this is your child’s first time in a slot canyon or your crew is ready for a bigger challenge. Family Slot Canyon Tours focus on:
This isn’t a checklist-style tour. It’s a guided canyon day shaped around your family—where kids get to try hard things, parents get to cheer them on, and everyone goes home with a stronger sense of trust and teamwork. From there, you can choose a half-day or full-day experience depending on how much time (and adventure) your family is looking for. Our Family Tours are private trips and will not be booked with other guests. |
|
- AM tours return between 11:30am - 12:00pm
- PM tours return between 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Tours return between 3:30pm - 4:30pm
- Meet your guide at Zion Adventures™, 36 Lion Blvd.
- All times listed are Mountain Standard Time
- Drive time to canyon is between 35 - 75 minutes, depending on season and location.
Private Trip Group Size |
Half Day Rate Per Person |
Full Day Rate Per Person |
7+ |
$159 |
$189 |
5-6 |
$179 |
$219 |
3-4 |
$199 |
$249 |
2 |
$219 |
$279 |
- Water (2-3 liters per person)
- Sun protection (sunscreen, protective layers, hat, etc.)
- Closed-toe footwear (athletic shoes or hiking shoes)
- Lunch and snacks
- Camera (hire a professional photographer to join your trip)
- Clothing for varying seasonal weather
- Summer: A synthetic t-shirt, shorts or lightweight pants
- Spring/Fall/Winter: Warm synthetic layers, waterproof jacket, and gloves
Our guides provide all the necessary technical gear for your experience.
Safety Comes First—Experience You Can Trust
Since 1996, Zion Adventures has been guiding guests through Southern Utah’s slot canyons with one clear priority: safety, paired with high-quality instruction and thoughtful decision-making.
Our guides are experienced professionals who understand not only canyon systems and technical movement, but also how to care for people in unfamiliar environments. Every Family Adventure Day is shaped by real-time conditions, conservative judgment, and a deep respect for the landscape.
We’ve guided thousands of guests through these canyons—many of them first-time adventurers of all ages—and earned a long track record of five-star experiences by meeting people where they’re at and helping them move confidently through new terrain.
From route selection to pacing to instruction, safety is built into every step of the day. That’s what allows our trips to feel both adventurous and supportive—never rushed, never reckless.
See What A Family Slot Canyon Tour Is All About
|
For people new to canyoneering, seeing the terrain and the pace of the day can help clarify what to expect. This video offers a look at how our Family Canyoneering/Slot Canyon Tours typically unfold—from moving through sculpted sandstone corridors to navigating technical sections with the guidance of experienced professionals. Each trip is shaped by the canyon, conditions, and the needs of the group. While no two days are exactly the same, our approach remains consistent: thoughtful route selection, clear instruction, adaptable pacing, and a strong emphasis on safety throughout the experience.
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
|
No. Many families are trying canyoneering for the first time. Your guide provides instruction throughout the day and adapts the route, pacing, and challenges to match your family’s comfort level and ability. Family Adventure Day is designed for families with children 12 and under. Guides tailor the day based on ages, experience, energy, and conditions so it feels supportive and doable for kids and adults. It’s active, but intentionally paced for families. Expect hiking in a slot canyon, scrambling over natural obstacles, and optional challenges. Your guide adjusts difficulty and pace to fit your group. That’s normal. Guides introduce skills step-by-step and keep the experience encouraging and flexible. With “challenge by choice,” participation is never forced—your family can engage at a level that feels right. Canyoneering involves real terrain and natural hazards. Our guides are highly trained, and each trip is planned and adapted based on current conditions and group needs. While no adventure is without risk, we focus on preparation, communication, and conservative decision-making. Your guide may adjust the route, choose a different canyon, or modify the plan based on conditions. Flexibility is built into the experience so the day remains appropriate for your family. We provide technical canyoneering gear. You’ll receive a detailed packing list after booking, but plan for comfortable clothing you can move in, closed-toe footwear (or approved footwear options), water, and snacks. Highly. Rather than following a fixed route, your guide selects the canyon and approach based on your family’s ages, comfort levels, goals, and current conditions—so the day feels intentional and well-matched to your group. |
/
We did a half day guided canyoneering trip for families with younger children. I couldn’t recommend this more. Our guides were AMAZING with our kids (5 and 7). They were super friendly and went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and had a great time. They always had safety in mind and did a great job of introducing us all to the sport. We got to see a part of Zion we never would have explored.
|
Ready to Plan Your Families Zion Adventure?
and thoughtful decision-making. Whether you’re planning a half-day introduction or a full-day exploration, each trip
is shaped by conditions, your children’s ages, family comfort levels, and your goals for the day.
Have questions or want help choosing the right option? Contact Our Team
