Diana's Throne Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 II) Raps:11, max ↨50ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 9 Nov 2025
"Still some puddles from the October rain, but easy to avoid. Great introductory trip for a beginner! |
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| Best season: | Any; hot in summer
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37.1937, -112.6498
37.1948, -112.6610
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WaterflowIntroduction
A short but scenic canyon not far from Zion National Park's East entrance, suitable for beginners and children. The canyon includes a bit of stemming, bridging, and downclimbing that will be more exciting with water in the potholes. There are no lengthy committing sections, with possible exits in many parts of the canyon; additionally, some rappels can be walked around. While the canyon may not appeal to seasoned canyoneers, it is a fine inaugural trip for those just learning the sport. Several of the rappels can be downclimbed, with a climber's belay from the anchor at the top - an excellent way for people to practice downclimbing.
All anchors are bolted; this canyon is frequently guided. Be prepared to dance well with other groups.
Approach
From the parking area follow the dirt road east for about 5 minutes to the Powerline Road. Turn right and follow the road, at first on soft sand, but soon becoming a gravel road, southeast up the hill for about 15 minutes to a well-travelled sandy path angling left.
The sandy path soon merges onto a dirt road running away from the powerline and winding through the trees, leading to many side roads. Continue heading towards the cliffs visible ahead and uphill, eventually heading left towards the canyon edge. Follow the road steeply as it switchbacks into the canyon bottom. Turn left and follow the sandy wash, then some nice child-friendly narrows to the first obstacle, a short downclimb. Gear up here. (total approach about 40 minutes)
Descent
A short downclimb leads to the first set of rappels - two 25 foot rappels from bolt anchors, followed by a spicy-looking slide that can be easily walked around.
The canyon soon opens wide and drops. A short traverse on an angled slab leads to a two bolt anchor for R3 - 35 feet down to a pothole ledge. The anchor for R4 is in an exposed position - some people might want to use the rope from R3 to get to it.
R4 is 50 feet, the longest in the canyon, down a slab then into a groove. Much of the groove can be downclimbed.
R5 is 35 feet with perhaps a small puddle at the bottom.
R6 at 10 feet tall follows soon after.
R7 - a short rap of 15 feet is followed by a 10 minute walk along a straight corridor.
The canyon narrows up again for a series of 4 small rappels, R8, 9, 10 and 11 - the tallest being 20 feet. These four rappels all can be downclimbed, with bolt anchors positioned conveniently for belaying downclimbing canyoneers.
Then the canyon opens wide and the technical part is done.
Exit
Walk down the wash about five minutes to a sandy, well-defined trail on the left up out of the wash and onto a ridge.
Follow the ridge back toward the powerline, then back to your vehicle. (30 minutes)
In the main wash, across from the sandy trail exit, is a rougher trail that climbs up to access The Hunted, a more-challenging short canyon close at hand.
Red tape
Beta sites
RoadTripRyan.com : Diana's Throne Canyon- HikeArizona.com : Diana
- CanyonCollective.com : Diana's Throne Canyon
- Super Amazing Map : Diana's Canyon
- AmericanSouthwest.net : Elkheart Cliffs Canyon
- ZionCanyoneering.com : Dianas Canyon
Trip reports and media
- https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/dianas-throne-canyon
- https://www.facebook.com/pat.winstanley.7/media_set?set=a.954442657947765.1073742011.100001461198708&type=3&pnref=story
- Candition.com: Diana Canyon
- YouTube.com: Gerald Murphy, Diana's Throne Canyon with a Kid movie
- YouTube.com: Richard Pattison, Diana's Throne Canyon movie
Background
The canyon is named for the rock formation at its head, Dianas Throne.
Diana is the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, thus the original name, "The Huntress".
First known descent circa 2006 Nick Smith, Nick's Dad, and Tom Jones.