Red Hollow Canyoneering 

Canyoneering in Red Hollow Canyon offers an exhilarating adventure through the rugged and picturesque landscapes of Southern Utah. This unique outdoor activity involves navigating narrow slot canyons, scrambling over red rock formations, and descending into stunning, often hidden, water-carved chasms. With its red sandstone walls, natural arches, and breathtaking vistas, Red Hollow Canyon provides an unforgettable canyoneering experience for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. It’s a challenging yet rewarding journey through a mesmerizing natural wonder, combining hiking, climbing, and rappelling in one unforgettable expedition.

Red Hollow, located just 30 minutes east of Zion National Park, near Orderville, is an easy hike. The trails takes you up a sandy wash through majestic red and white canyon walls, that gradually narrow and lead to a short, colorful, slot canyon for about 100 yards before a dry fall stops progress.

Red Hollow Hike Details

Distance – 1.2 miles roundtripApproximate hiking time – 1 to 2 hoursElevation at Trailhead – 5593 feetElevation in Red Hollow – 5718 feetDifficulty – EasyTrail – sand, some rockAmount of water recommended – 2 litersBathrooms – NoneSeason to hike – Year aroundProne to flash floods? – Yes, can be prone to flash floods. Luckily, Red Hollow isn’t very long, and it is very easy to get to get out of the wash.Permits – N/APets: Permitted, preferably on a leash

How to get there:

If coming from Zion National Park, continue east on UT-9 past the east entrance of the Park for 13.0 miles to the Mt. Carmel Junction. Turn left (north) on US-89 for 4.6 miles, where you’ll arrive in Orderville, UT. You’ll cross over the Virgin River in town and turn right (south) onto 100 East, which is the first street past the small Virgin River bridge. After 0.2 miles, turn left (east) onto Red Shadow Drive. After 0.3 miles a dirt road continues straight, while the paved road curves to the right. Go straight onto the sandy dirt road. After 50 feet of being on the dirt road, you’ll cross a small wash, which is usually fine for passenger cars. Continue on the dirt road for about 0.4 miles until it ends at a fenced in city water facility. There is room for two or three cars to park.

If coming from the north, take Interstate 15 to Exit 95 which is for UT-20, and turn left. (east) Follow UT-20 for 20.5 miles where it runs into US-89. Turn right (south) onto US-89 and stay on US-89 for 55 miles until you arrive in Orderville, UT. Right before US-89 goes over the small Virgin River bridge, take the last left before you cross over it. This is 100 East. Turn here. After 0.2 miles, turn left (east) onto Red Shadow Drive. After 0.3 miles the a dirt road continues straight, while the paved road curves to the right. After 50 feet of being on the sandy dirt road, you’ll cross a small wash, which is usually fine for passenger cars. Continue on the dirt road for about 0.4 miles until it ends at a fenced in city water building. There is room for two or three cars to park. (See the Google map for this hike at the end of this post)

Hitting the Trail!

As you leave your car, you may see several different paths leading south. Don’t panic, because all of these paths will converge into a wash, which happens to be the same wash that you crossed through soon after getting on the sandy dirt road. The various trails will lead you to the wash. On the other side of the wash, you’ll see some tall white sandstone. Turn left and head up the wash toward the colorful Elkhart Cliffs.