Chamisa (Entrajo) Canyon — a 2.5‑mile water‑carved Moab slot for wading, scrambling and optional rappels

MOAB WALKING TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Chamisa (Entrajo) Canyon — a 2.5‑mile water‑carved Moab slot for wading, scrambling and optional rappels

A concise field guide to the Chamisa Canyon walking tour in Moab, covering the route’s water‑carved narrows, technical hiking and summer swimming sections.

Chamisa (Entrajo) Canyon — a 2.5‑mile water‑carved Moab slot for wading, scrambling and optional rappels.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Moab
Operator
Red River Adventures
Category
Walking Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Chamisa Canyon (also called Entrajo Canyon) is a water‑carved slot in the red sandstone around Moab. The 2.5‑mile route threads narrow walls, pools and sandstone features, combining technical hiking, easy scrambling and optional rappels, with stretches that require wading and swimming—making it a distinctive summer outing.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE LANDSCAPE

A classic water‑carved slot of sandstone and pools

Chamisa presents the tight, sculpted walls and smooth rock surfaces typical of Moab’s slot canyons, carved by persistent water flow into dramatic narrows and pools.

THE ROUTE

A varied 2.5‑mile line of hiking, scrambling and optional rappels

The route covers roughly 2.5 miles and mixes technical hiking and easy scrambling with optional rappel sections for teams who choose to use them.

SUMMER RELIEF

Wading and swimming make it a warm‑weather favorite

Because the canyon requires wading and occasional swimming, it’s especially appealing on hot days—an active, water‑cooled alternative to exposed desert trails.

What the day feels like

How the trip feels on the ground

Expect a compact, immersive canyon experience: you enter a water‑carved slot, move through narrows and pool sections by hiking and easy scrambling, and encounter optional rappels where the canyon drops more steeply. The presence of water turns parts of the route into a swim/wade progression, and the sandstone scenery feels intimate and constantly sculpted by flow.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this trip suits—and who should think twice.

1
Active hikersWell suited: hikers comfortable with technical trail sections and scrambling will find the combination of movement and occasional exposure rewarding.
2
Warm‑weather seekersA good match: the route’s wading and swimming sections make it appealing on hot days, offering water relief in a slot‑canyon setting.
3
Families with older childrenPossible fit: families with teens who are confident in water and on easy scramble terrain can enjoy the canyon, though younger children or inexperienced swimmers may struggle.
4
Novice or unprepared hikersNot ideal: those uncomfortable with technical footing, swimming or optional rappels should avoid this route or join a guided trip with appropriate support.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What to bring

Because the canyon requires wading and occasional swimming, bring water‑ready footwear and clothing, sun protection and a dry change of clothes. Optional rappel sections mean groups may choose to carry technical gear if they intend to rappel.

Best conditions

The route is particularly attractive on hot days when water sections provide cooling; be mindful of seasonal water levels and flash‑flood risk where applicable.

Operator

The trip is offered in this region by Red River Adventures.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the Chamisa (Entrajo) Canyon route?

The canyon route is approximately 2.5 miles in length.

What level of difficulty should I expect?

Expect technical hiking and easy scrambling, with optional rappels in some sections.

Is swimming or wading required?

Yes—wading and occasional swimming are part of the route, making it especially suitable on hot days.

Are rappels mandatory?

Rappels are optional; some steeper sections offer rappel opportunities but they are not necessarily required on every itinerary variation.

Who operates trips in this canyon?

Red River Adventures is noted as an operator for this outing.

When is this canyon most enjoyable?

The canyon is described as ideal for hot days because of its wading and swimming sections.