Exploring East Zion: Elkheart Canyon Canyoneering and UTV Adventure
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should have moderate fitness and be comfortable with hiking, scrambling, and rappelling.
Overview
Start your day with a rugged UTV ride through Southern Utah’s wild East Zion, then descend into Elkheart Canyon for a thrilling rappelling experience. Discover twisting slot canyons, dramatic sandstone formations, and a landscape shaped by time and water.
Exploring East Zion: Elkheart Canyon Canyoneering and UTV Adventure
Select participants and date
The sun rises over the rugged ridges of Southern Utah’s East Zion, casting long shadows across red rock spires that challenge the sky. Your adventure begins behind the Sinclair Gas Station in Orderville, where a fleet of rugged UTVs awaits, eager to navigate the uncompromising terrain that defines this outback region. As the engines roar to life, the landscape unfolds—a mosaic of sandstone cliffs sculpted by millennia, their twisted shapes daring you onward.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress in layers for changing temperatures
East Zion can be warm during the day but cold when shaded in the canyon, especially in fall and winter—pack hats and gloves.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Reliable footwear with good traction is crucial for rambunctious trails and rappelling surfaces.
Bring plenty of water
Hydrate before and during the tour to offset physical exertion and dry desert air.
Listen closely to your guide’s safety briefings
Following rope rigging and rappel techniques is vital for a safe canyon descent.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Common canyon tree lizards
History
Elkheart Canyon is part of a region once inhabited by the Southern Paiute, whose knowledge of the land informs much of the area's cultural significance.
Conservation
Efforts in East Zion focus on minimizing visitor impact in fragile desert canyon environments through guided access and Leave No Trace principles.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Orderville
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Closed-toe hiking boots
Provide ankle support and grip on rocky, uneven surfaces.
Thermal layers
Keep warm when temperatures drop in the canyon during cooler months.
fall specific
Hydration pack or water bottle
Maintains hydration throughout the physically demanding tour.
Lightweight gloves
Protect hands during rappelling and on chillier days.
fall specific