Labyrinth Canyon

Labyrinth Canyon is a hidden slot canyon off Padre Bay, on the south end of Lake Powell. You ride in by jet ski or boat, beach on the sand where the water ends, then walk or paddle into a winding slot so narrow you can touch both walls. You do not need a tour to ride in, and it is one of the best half-day adventures on the lake.

Where Labyrinth Canyon Is

Labyrinth Canyon opens on the south side of Padre Bay, near main-channel buoy 18, about 18 lake miles above Glen Canyon Dam. A marked buoy shows the way in from the bay. From Antelope Point it is roughly 12 to 15 miles by water. From Wahweap the ride is longer when Castle Rock Cut is closed, because you go around Antelope Island through the main channel. Plan on about an hour each way at a relaxed pace.

Not to be confused with the other Labyrinth Canyon on Utah’s Green River. This one is on Lake Powell, close to Page, Arizona.

What the Ride Is Like

The mouth of the canyon is wide and open, and it narrows as you go. Slow to wakeless speed once the walls close in, both for safety and because other boats and paddlers share the canyon. Where the water ends, pull your jet ski up gently on the sand and tie it off.

The Slot at the End

Beyond the water, the canyon pinches into a true slot: a sandy floor, smooth curving walls and light bouncing down from far above. Wear water shoes, since you may wade through pools. How far the slot runs past the waterline changes with the lake level. At lower water there is more canyon to walk, and at higher water more of it is a paddle. A kayak or paddle board is the best way to explore the narrow upper section when it is flooded; ask us about adding a paddle board.

Safety Tips

• Flash floods: never enter a slot canyon if storms are in the forecast, even miles away. July through September is monsoon season.
• Fuel: there is no fuel up-lake from the south-end marinas, so leave with a full tank and turn back with plenty to spare.
• Hazards: at low water, rocks and sandbars sit just under the surface near canyon mouths and points. Keep your speed down.
• Navajo land: much of the land on the south side of Lake Powell is Navajo Nation land, where hiking and camping need a Navajo permit. Respect any posted signs, and do not wander up side drainages away from the canyon floor.
• Bring: drinking water, sunscreen, a hat, snacks and a dry bag for your phone.

Make a Day of It

Pair Labyrinth Canyon with the beaches of Padre Bay, a look at Gunsight Butte and the slot at the back of Face Canyon. It is a great day on the touring Sea-Doo GTX 230, or on a MasterCraft boat with jet skis along for the side canyons. See all our Lake Powell jet ski routes.