8 Breathtaking Slot Canyons in California (Best Times to Visit and More!)

The Slot

It’s pretty easy to get to the slot canyon, however, it’s recommended that you take an offroad vehicle, or a vehicle suitable for dirt roads. We don’t want you messing up your tires or windows if you have a Mercedes. The best way to find the canyon is to follow the footprints that go down into the canyon’s crevice. It will be obvious, and once you do that, you can go wiggle your way in.

The best time to go is before it gets too hot — late morning or before 2 p.m. If you’re going during wintertime, make sure to bring extra layers just in case.  The slot canyon is accompanied by a hike and you’ll find some pretty cool cavernous rocks along the way too. Make sure you pack some water to hydrate and wear hiking shoes. Some animals you’ll find in the area include various species of lizards, deer, cougars, coyotes, and even a few rabbits.

Annie’s Canyon

The best part about Annie’s Canyon is the juxtaposition of a slot canyon with desert vibes along with the Southern California coast. You can go mountain hiking or frolic on the beach, all within minutes of each other. The trail to go to the canyon is located on coastal wetlands, so the hike can be a fun way to look at different ecological landscapes. The walls of this slot canyon are thin, so watch out for that. Because it’s so close to the ocean, you can visit at any time during the day. The ocean breeze will cool things down when it gets too hot. Animals you may find roaming in the area include ducks, seabirds, several species of fish, and invertebrates.

Banshee Canyon

The Rings Trail is what you will be hiking and it starts in the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. The hike is a loop and as you start, you will come up to a small slot canyon that has ring bolts to help you out. You will eventually reach Banshee Canyon which are these gigantic cliffs that you can wind through, eventually completing the trail in a little more than a mile.

The canyon’s hiking trail is quite serene, but if you’re lucky, it will get windy enough that you will be able to hear the noises that the wind and canyon put together, which sound like a banshee. Though, the canyon is named after the Banshee tribe that lived in the area. Animals in the area include bighorn sheep, black-tailed jackrabbits, and even a red-tailed hawk up above.

Grotto Canyon

Grotto Canyon is one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the state. It is a bit different from the narrow ones you’ve read so far. You can enter Grotto Canyon through a dirt road from Highway 190, near where tourists stop to take pictures of the sand dunes.

The road is narrow and you’ll have to drive for about 2 miles until you reach the wash or as far as the car can take you. Once you reach the canyon, you will see the beauty up close. The gray rocks that wind along your path are just so elegant. And the height of the walls feels as if the grottos will swallow you whole. It’s a one-in-a-lifetime experience! Animals in the area include kangaroo rats, cougars, mountain lions, and even bighorn sheep.

Ladder Canyon

Going in the summer to Ladder Canyon can be excruciatingly hot, so it’s best to go during spring, autumn, or winter. Mornings or early afternoons are best, so it doesn’t get dark when you are finishing up the hike. To get there, follow Painted Canyon Road for 4 miles until you reach the trailhead. As you reach the canyon, you can look around at the serene desert before you.

Finally, descend into the slot canyon using ladders, and from there, wind through the narrow walls of the canyon. Animals in the area include several species of lizards, fennec foxes, and kangaroo rats. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a cougar or two (unlikely, however).

Mosaic Canyon

Although not as unique and beautiful as Grotto Canyon, Mosaic Canyon has its charm. The rocks are all sorts of colors (hence the name) and the trek is quite narrow, but quite stunning to walk through. You can get there through the south end of the national park and start from the parking lot where you’ll eventually see wavy, smooth rocks. That’s when you know you’ve begun.

The best time to go is in the morning and recommended in the spring, winter, or autumn because it gets very hot in the summer. Animals you can spot include mule deer, coyotes, several species of lizards, and kangaroo rats.

Palm Wash

This slot canyon has very sandy-colored and smooth rocks that make it more unique than other slot canyons. Its tall, canyon walls give for a very Star Wars-themed landscape, which is perfect for pictures. There are several ways to enter once you go inside the national park. The best way is to find Calcite Mine Road to start the trail into the canyon.

The best time to go is mornings or during early afternoons before it gets too hot, and like all other slot canyons on this list, it’s recommended you go in the spring, winter, or autumn, as summers get too hot. Animals near Palm Wash you can spot include black-tailed jackrabbits, several species of lizards, and mule deer.

Stretched Pebble Canyon

Also located near the more popular Grotto and Mosaic Canyons, the Stretched Pebble Canyon is an awesome hidden treasure. Some rocks are squished because of the pressure and heat they have withstood over time. These squished rocks are what give the canyon its name.

The canyon walls can also be perfect for rock climbing because the walls are jagged, which gives you some spots to hold on to with your hands and feet. It’s recommended to go in the morning as it’s not too hot. You should also park at the side of the road, about 3 miles away from Stovepipe Wells Village. Animals that live in the area include coyotes, lizards, ground squirrels, and even bighorn sheep.