Peek-a-Boo is the slot canyon visitors can actually enjoy without canyoneering skills, and a guided small-group trip from Kanab is the simplest way to see it. Slot canyons are narrow gaps worn through sandstone by flash floods, and this one is a classic: smooth, curving orange walls that close in overhead and bounce soft reflected light down onto the sand. The hike is described as relatively flat but unpaved terrain, with easy walking through a shaded canyon of roughly a mile, which suits anyone who can handle that distance on uneven ground. The tour is about two to three hours in total. The tour includes bottled water, snacks and the admission ticket to the canyon, and the group is capped at ten travelers so the canyon never feels like a parade. The journey is part of the experience. Peek-a-Boo lies off paved roads in the desert near Kanab, so the guide drives a skilled off-road route to the canyon mouth and then walks the slot with you, pointing out the sculpted rock, the colors and how the water shaped it. The meeting point is in downtown Kanab, and the tour returns you there. Highly rated by hundreds of travelers, the trip is a popular alternative for people who want a slot canyon without the long drive to Page or the rappelling of a canyoneering outing.
Who it suits. The walk is gentle, so it is a good fit for families with young children, older travelers and anyone who wants a photogenic slot canyon without scrambling. The operator advertises it for any age group that can walk about a mile, and infant seats are available for the vehicle; reviewers mention children as young as two and a half taking part. If you want to rappel or scramble through tight sections, look instead at a guided canyoneering day, which is a much more physical commitment.
When to go. Early morning is the favorite for cooler temperatures and fewer people in the slot, and the soft light at that time also flatters the canyon walls. Midday brings the best direct light bouncing into the narrows but also the warmest air, so bring a hat and water in summer.
Never enter a slot canyon when rain is in the forecast, and trust your guide's judgment if the weather turns, since flash floods can start from storms miles away. Wear sturdy closed shoes, bring a camera with a wrist strap and keep phones secure when you stop to look up.
Planning it into a trip. Kanab is the natural base for this outing, about an hour from Zion's east entrance and close to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, so the hike fits neatly into a morning with time left for the dunes, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or the drive to Bryce. Reserve ahead in spring and fall, when small-group departures sell out, and check the current departure times and any season notes on the booking page.
A guided trip also handles the off-road driving and the canyon access arrangements, which removes the logistics that put many independent visitors off. Remember that you are walking in a natural slot canyon: keep to the guide's route, leave the rock as you find it and carry out all trash, so the walls stay beautiful for the next group.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group trip with an off-road drive from Kanab and a roughly one-mile, relatively flat walk through a shaded slot canyon; water, snacks and canyon admission are included.
Best time
Early morning for cooler air and fewer crowds; skip any day with rain in the forecast.
How long
Two to three hours from the Kanab meeting point and back.
Tips
Wear closed, grippy shoes, bring a hat and a secure camera strap, and follow your guide's weather calls. Reserve ahead in spring and fall.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want to see a real slot canyon with no technical skills.
- Families
- Great for children who can walk a mile on uneven ground; infant seats are available for the vehicle.
- Couples
- Soft light on sculpted walls and a short, easy adventure.
- Pair with
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or an evening in Kanab.
- Time needed
- Half a morning.
Good questions
How long is the hike?+
About a mile of easy walking through the slot, within a tour of roughly two to three hours including the off-road drive.
Do I need canyoneering experience?+
No. The terrain is relatively flat and unpaved, with no ropes or scrambling, and the tour suits any age group that can walk about a mile.
What is included?+
Bottled water, snacks and the admission ticket to the canyon, with a guide who handles the off-road driving.
Where does it start?+
At a meeting point in downtown Kanab, where the tour also ends. The group is capped at ten travelers.
When should I go?+
Early morning is favored for cooler temperatures and fewer people. Do not enter slot canyons when storms are forecast.
