The Best Canyons & Gorges in the United States

Northern Arizona

Antelope Canyon near Page is a narrow slot canyon cut into sandstone, and visitors walk its curved passages on a guided tour led by a Navajo guide. Grand Canyon is a very wide gorge with layered red walls that drop to the Colorado River, and most visitors view it from rim viewpoints or walk trails such as South Kaibab. Horseshoe Bend is a gorge where the Colorado River loops around red sandstone cliffs, reached by a gravel trail to a cliffside deck with little shade. Canyon de Chelly has towering red sandstone cliffs, ancient ruins and a river through its floor, seen from rim overlooks or on a Navajo-guided jeep tour. Boynton Canyon has red rock walls around a wooded valley floor, with a trail along the walls and a scramble up to the Subway Cave.

Southern Utah

Kanarra Creek Canyon is a narrow slot canyon of red rock where visitors wade and scramble up the creek to several waterfalls. Buckskin Gulch is a long slot canyon with walls close enough to touch and pools on the floor, reached by a dry wash from the Wire Pass trailhead. Spooky Gulch is a narrow red sandstone slot with shallow water pooling in places, usually hiked as a loop from Peek-a-boo. Peek-a-Boo Gulch is so narrow that hikers squeeze and remove their packs in places. Little Wild Horse Canyon is a tight slot with towering walls and boulder climbs, and many visitors turn back early. Zion Canyon has tall cliffs and a river through narrow gorges, where visitors hike along the water or wade into the Narrows.

Northern Utah

Big Cottonwood Canyon has layered rock formations rising above a river that runs close to the road. Visitors see it mainly from the drive, at roadside pullouts and along many hiking trails. Provo Canyon is a mountain canyon with cliffs on both sides, a river through it and forested slopes. Visitors see it from the scenic highway, a paved bike and pedestrian path, and trails to waterfalls such as Bridal Veil Falls. Red Canyon at Flaming Gorge has red and orange cliffs above the Green River, which runs between dams. Visitors view it from rim overlooks and a short rim trail, and some take a boat tour.

Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison has steep, dark rock walls that drop hundreds of feet to the Gunnison River. Most visitors drive the South Rim road and stop at overlooks, with some short walks and a few longer trails. Red Canyon in Colorado National Monument has red rock walls and deep drop-offs above the Colorado River, with natural arches in nearby canyons. Visitors mostly see it from rim viewpoints along the park drive. Eldorado Canyon has sandstone cliffs rising above South Boulder Creek near Boulder. Visitors see it from rim overlooks and trails along the creek, and climbers work the rock faces.

Eastern United States

Watkins Glen Gorge has shale cliffs about 200 feet high on either side of a narrow stream gorge. Visitors walk the Gorge Trail along stone steps, bridges and ledges, and use the rim trail and a shuttle for the return. Enfield Glen is a narrow gorge of rock walls and stone steps, cut by a stream that drops over waterfalls. Ausable Chasm is a narrow gorge of layered rock with a river along its floor, seen from rim paths and a walkway, then by raft, tube or guided tour. Flume Gorge has sheer granite walls, waterfalls and boulders, crossed by boardwalks, stairs and covered bridges. Linville Gorge is a deep wilderness canyon of quartzite cliffs and boulders, with the Linville River on its floor. Dismals Canyon is a moss-covered canyon with sheer walls, a creek crossed several times, caves and a night tour to see glowing dismalites.

California, Hawaii and South Dakota

Fern Canyon at Orick is a narrow canyon with steep green walls, ferns and a creek along its floor. Visitors walk the canyon floor on wooden walkways and logs, and a loop trail forms a short circuit. Waimea Canyon on Kauai is red and green, with steep cliffs, deep valleys and a river along its floor. Visitors view it from roadside lookouts and hike trails down toward waterfalls. Painted Canyon at Mecca has narrow slots through layered red, orange and cream rock, with a dry wash that once carried a river. Visitors climb ladders and ropes up the slots, then walk ridge trails with views of the Salton Sea. Sunday Gulch at Custer State Park is a loop trail that drops through boulders with metal railings into a gulch with tall stone walls. Indian Canyons near Palm Springs hold palm groves along a creek between rock walls, walked on loop and out-and-back trails.