Nizhoni Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 I) Raps:3, max ↨180ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | |||
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| Condition Reports: | 15 Oct 2025
"This isn’t a very good canyon. It definitely doesn’t get run often if at all. The approach is a little bushwacky and there’s a lot of loose crum |
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37.0939, -112.5364
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Introduction
Nizhoni canyon is a great adventure hike with plenty of escape opportunities. The descent offers breathtaking views and a tangible sense of the iconic locations where many great movies were filmed.
Please stay in the water coarse to protect the cryptobiotic soil.
Approach
There are many routes that you can take to reach the top. The main route extends the hike. The alternate route will require a climb through the cliff band.
Descent
All three rappels are impressive and worthwhile.
Rap 1 170ft off tree CDL: 37.09351, -112.53635 Rap is set to avoid dropping in on the Arch site.
After dropping into Rap 1. Ascend CDR approx. 80' to the archeological site. Please do not trample and respect the site.
Continue down canyon and stay in the watercourse to protect the soil.
Rap 2 180ft off tree: 37.09324, -112.53796
Rap 3 125ft off tree: 37.09270, -112.53920
Exit
continue down canyon to road back to car.
Red tape
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
Background
First documented descent by Ron Lebfrom Solo in November 2017. Although the area was inhabited by the Paiute, the canyon was named in the language of the Navajo. Nizhoni is the Navajo word for "beautiful." Found evidence of webbing on the last rappel. Local rock climbers have descended the last rappel. Filmed in 2017, I had obtained approval from both the airport manager and the BLM Kanab field office to fly the drone before the current regulations were in place. However, flying drones in this area is now prohibited.
Rap 1 FD: First descent solo flying drone while rappelling in 2017 before all the drone regulations were implemented.
(Checked in with the Kanab airport before flying at that time. The airport manager expressed gratitude for the check-in.):
Rare drone footage of rap 2 and rap 1:
The arch site was unknown to BLM at the time in 2017. The documented vandalism was presented to the BLM and law enforcement.
The Coral pink sand dunes is a worthwhile destination when you are in the area.
In Memory of Luca Chiarabini
https://vimeo.com/235242803
https://lucamemorial.org/