Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Pine Creek Canyon - Zion National Park
Opening shot by Karl: youtube.com/@KarlDeckerPresents
His shots are pretty great.
Anyway,
Pine Creek Canyon was one of my first technical canyons. It remains one of my favorites to this day. Why? Where to even start. The approach takes about 30 seconds. It's harder to find a parking spot than to complete the approach.
And that's it. You're right into the goods. Rappel after rappel after rappel. It starts and never lets up. Then out of the blue you find yourself in the cathedral room; a huge chamber with an 80' (I think) rappel and a double arch. If this spot doesn't make you fall in love with canyoneering, nothing will. From there it just keeps getting deeper, darker and more amazing. (Unfortunately I don't have much footage of the deepest spots because my GoPro doesn't do well in low light.)
It's all over way too soon, honestly. But it ends with a bang; a 100' free hanging rappel into another amazing grotto. Then a short slide into a pool of fresh spring water (seriously, no canyon stew here) and you're finished. You're also looking down into Zion National park along a beautiful creek...I used to think the exit dragged on forever, but it felt like a breeze and the scenery was amazing.
Pine Creek Canyon is one of the most beautiful, fun, amazing technical canyons around.
Pine Creek Canyon - Zion National Park
Opening shot by Karl: youtube.com/@KarlDeckerPresents
His shots are pretty great.
Anyway,
Pine Creek Canyon was one of my first technical canyons. It remains one of my favorites to this day. Why? Where to even start. The approach takes about 30 seconds. It's harder to find a parking spot than to complete the approach.
And that's it. You're right into the goods. Rappel after rappel after rappel. It starts and never lets up. Then out of the blue you find yourself in the cathedral room; a huge chamber with an 80' (I think) rappel and a double arch. If this spot doesn't make you fall in love with canyoneering, nothing will. From there it just keeps getting deeper, darker and more amazing. (Unfortunately I don't have much footage of the deepest spots because my GoPro doesn't do well in low light.)
It's all over way too soon, honestly. But it ends with a bang; a 100' free hanging rappel into another amazing grotto. Then a short slide into a pool of fresh spring water (seriously, no canyon stew here) and you're finished. You're also looking down into Zion National park along a beautiful creek...I used to think the exit dragged on forever, but it felt like a breeze and the scenery was amazing.
Pine Creek Canyon is one of the most beautiful, fun, amazing technical canyons around.
