Stone Donkey Slot Canyon

Stone Donkey is a slot canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, tucked deep enough into the backcountry that most visitors never hear of it. It's short but genuinely tight — narrows dark enough in places to need a headlamp — and getting through it is a technical outing, not a walk. Canyoneering trip reports describe a rappel at a spot known as the Cathedral Rap along with downclimbing sections.

What to know

• Reaching the canyon itself involves a long approach hike before the slot begins
• The route includes at least one rappel and downclimbing — canyoneering gear and experience are expected, not optional
• Flash flooding is a real hazard in any GSENM slot canyon; check the forecast before committing
• This is not a maintained trail — route-finding skills matter

Stone Donkey rewards the effort for those set up to do technical canyon travel, but it's a poor choice for a casual hike.