Canyoneer Keyhole Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah

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Keyhole Canyon in Zion is a short but technical challenge that can be completed in 2 hours or less. Downclimbing, rappelling and rope skills are a necessity. The route is only ¾ mile but requires 100 feet of rope and 20 feet of tubular webbing to be safely completed. One 20 foot drop has a pool of water at the bottom that can present a challenge when attempting to exit. Various pools of water exhibiting systematically reduced temperatures as they are sequentially encountered are a hallmark of this descent until the keyhole slot is spied at the end of the canyon. The pool of water can be a chilly swim - wetsuit suggested. It's a great way to spend an hour or two on a hot summer day. The canyon is often combined with Pine Creek. The canyon is often used as an introduction to technical canyoneering. The parking area (3-4 cars) is located on 1.8 miles east of the Mt. Carmel Tunnel on SR-9. The end of Keyhole Canyon is just north of the parking area. To start the hike go east along the shoulder of SR-9 for about 1/4 mile to another drainage area. Enter this drainage area on the left to start the hike to the canyon. You must get a backcountry permit to do this route. The National Park Service limits access to the canyon to 50 people a day, which shouldn't be a problem except on the busiest of weekends or holidays. The Park holds a lottery for permits four months in advance. For more information on permit reservations, please see the Zion Permits website. WARNING: Slot canyons are particularly dangerous due to the risk of flash floods. Storms far away can send walls of water down the narrow canyons and hikers have been killed in such events. In many slot canyons, it can be miles before a safe exit or rescue is possible. Hikers should check conditions carefully and not rely on seeing the sky to judge the weather. If there is even a slight chance of rain, do not enter slot canyons.

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