Canyoneering Boundary Canyon, Zion

Disclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it.

Your Boundary Canyon adventure starts at the West Rim Trailhead with a pleasant stroll down an old logging road. Dodge fallen trees and enjoy a lush, high alpine forest, not typical of Zion hiking.

After a couple miles, the canyon drops in spectacular fashion.

Gear up and rappel into the chasm, starting with a 100 foot, multi-tiered drop. Enjoy the next third of a mile where you’ll rappel 11 more times, from natural and bolted anchors. The longest rappel is 110 feet. You would be hard-pressed to find a more fun section of canyoneering within such a short distance. 

Water may be flowing, (typically in the spring and early summer) adding to the rugged beauty of the canyon and spicing up the adventure. You will want wet suits if water is flowing!

The last rappel will drop you into a green oasis where you’ll bolder hop a half mile to the confluence with Kolob Canyon. Hang a right and march down canyon. This section of Kolob Canyon is incredible! It’s one of my favorite places in Zion and contains some of the best narrows.

You’ll probably have the canyon to yourself, and there’s a reason for it. The exit. A two hour, two-thousand-foot scramble will take you to the top of the MIA trail and another hour will return you to your vehicle. It’s painful, but worth it.

So, so very worth it. The entire adventure will take 6-10 hours.