Epic Travel → North America → Mountain States → Utah → Kanab → Catstair Canyon (Complete)

⊗ Technical Route ⊗

Warning: Do Not Attempt Without Proper Training – click here for details

Location: Kanab area, Utah

Time Required: 1-2 hours

Elevation Gain: 200 feet

Rappels: 1-2, lengths up to 60 feet

Red Tape/Notes: No permit required. Parking is just off US89, on a little dirt road/pullout area just east of mile marker 25 (west of Big Water, Utah). Additional details (including gpx) can be found on ropewiki. A non-technical version of the hike is worthwhile and is described in our Upper Catstair Canyon post.

What’s Nearby?: Paria River Valley, Upper Catstair Canyon, Johnson Canyon Movie Set, Toadstool Hoodoos

This canyon packs a lot of bang for your buck in under two hours. We were experiencing a heat wave when we were in the area (117° F at 7pm?? gross!), and this was a perfect option for still getting a little canyon time in without risking heat stroke. In only 0.7 miles, you get some pretty desert scenery, a cool section where stacked, crushed cars have been piled up to help support the highway, some nice sculpted rock (it’s not as deep and narrow as many canyons, but it’s still nice) with a few little down climbs, a two stage rappel (25 feet, followed by 10 feet, but you end up needing about 60 feet of rope) followed shortly by a moderate chimney down climb or short rappel, then a nice stroll to the canyon exit, where there’s a neat rock art panel with pictographs. After the rock art, just scramble up to the road and walk back to your car. You can definitely be in and out in an hour if you don’t linger.

Epic Travel → North America →Mountain States → Utah → Kanab → Catstair Canyon (Complete)