Mary Jane Slot Canyon aka Professor Creek: Moab’s Most Refreshing Hike
Lace up your trail runners and try splashing through Mary Jane Slot Canyon on your next visit to Moab.
Mary Jane Slot Canyon is one of the most refreshing hikes near Moab, Utah. What starts as a sandy desert trail slowly transforms into a refreshing water hike beneath towering canyon walls.
Trek through an ever tightening slot canyon to flowing waterfalls. Also known as Professor Creek, this trail keeps getting better the farther you go. If you don’t mind wet feet and a little adventure, this is easily one of the most unique hikes in the Moab area.
An added bonus: Mary Jane Slot Canyon is dog-friendly. If you’re hiking in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks, you have to leave your furry friend behind. There’s much more to explore around Moab besides the parks.
➡️ Find more off-the-beaten path hikes in National Parks and remote locations in my Utah Adventure Guide.
How to Get to Mary Jane Slot Canyon
Use this Google Map pin to get to the Mary Jane Slot Canyon Trailhead.
If you’re coming from Moab, turn right onto UT 128 at Lion’s Park and start driving along the Colorado River. You’ll drive past plenty of campgrounds and the popular Grandstaff Canyon hike. Watch for rafters on the river!
Eventually, you’ll turn onto a BLM dirt road that parallels private property. The road isn’t paved, but it was in decent shape when we drove it. Rain events may make the road muddy. You won’t need 4WD. Most passenger vehicles can reach the Mary Jane Slot Canyon trailhead in dry conditions.
➡️ If you want a 4WD adventure near Moab, try driving in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. You’ll see a fraction of the visitors compared to the Island in the Sky.
Speaking of parking, it is quite limited. If you want to find a spot on a warm, sunny day, I suggest arriving as early as you can. There really isn’t any roadside parking due to the private property and unimproved shoulders.
You can see the iconic Castleton Tower of Castle Valley from the trailhead. Also nearby is the popular Onion Creek Trail and Fisher Towers. You can easily spend several days exploring this small area. Few slot canyons near Moab are this accessible and refreshing during warmer months.
Mary Jane Slot Canyon Trail Overview
- Distance: 7.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 540 feet
- Route type: Out-and-back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Mary Jane Slot Canyon Trail Map
You don’t have to go all the way to the end for this to be a rewarding hike. I will say, though, the canyon gets tighter as you hike deeper, and the waterfall at the end isn’t a half-bad treat for your efforts.
This trail is best for hikers who don’t mind wet feet and want a more adventurous alternative to typical Moab desert hikes. I tracked 8.2 miles when I hiked it, so just prepare for around 8 miles.
➡️ Want a shorter hike still without crowds and dog-friendly? Try hiking Colonnade Arch and Crocodile Rock. A day trip from Moab and totally worth it.
What Hiking Mary Jane Slot Canyon Is Actually Like
Starting the Trail: Open Desert to Canyon
When you first start the trail, it doesn’t look like much. You’re hiking in sand and crossing the creek a few times. The views of the red rock cliffs and La Sal mountains are stunning, though.
About 1.2 miles in, the trail turns at an abrupt 90º angle. At first, my instinct was to keep hiking straight ahead, but the water flowed with the angle. With a quick double-check of my downloaded map, we turned left. It’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.
The trail is generally easy to follow after the turn. Simply continue hiking upstream through the canyon.
Hiking in Water
After the turn, you enter the beginning of the canyon. The walls are still pretty short, and walking in the water becomes unavoidable.
My favorite way to hike in water is with my non-waterproof trail runners and wool socks. The trail runners provide more grip and stability than water sandals. Hiking boots become too heavy when saturated and can take days to dry. Trail runners can be dry in a matter of hours.
➡️ Need more convincing to wear trail runners? See my post on hiking boots vs trail runners to learn when to wear each. I have both and use them depending on trail conditions.
Keeping my wool socks on means that my feet stay warm if the water is still cool in the early morning and reduces friction with sand. I’ve hiked many trails for miles in the water like this and been very comfortable.
➡️ Learn more about why wool keeps you warm even when it’s wet in my post about merino hiking clothes.
I’ll also note that hiking poles are a must when trekking through rocky streams. I saw more than one person with a soaked shirt, indicating they had fallen. Rocks can be loose and slippery. Sometimes you can’t see very clearly through running water and take a wrong step.
➡️ I discuss why trekking poles are worth it and when to use them in my informational post. Learn about what kind of hiking poles are right for you.
The Canyon Keeps Getting Better
Continuing trekking in Professor Creek, the canyon walls slowly start to get higher and rockier. I start to notice the offshoot canyons and yearn to explore them. Some look like they go back quite a ways.
I have a feeling that no matter how many times I do this hike, I’ll notice something different each time. As we get closer to the end, the walls stretch and narrow even further. Finally, I would consider this a true slot canyon.
Water rushes over larger rocks in the stream, creating peaceful waterfalls. You can’t see anything beyond the walls, making the canyon feel intimate. There’s a building sense of excitement as the sound of crashing water beckons around the next bend.
Mary Jane Canyon Waterfall
The satisfying turnaround point of Mary Jane Slot Canyon is the waterfall. A large chockstone is wedged in the canyon crack, and water gushes around it. You can walk right up to the waterfall and put your hand into the roaring stream. A perpetual cloud of mist hangs around the pool.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself throughout the hike. Even though this is an out-and-back trail, the slight change in perspective on the return trip yielded a new appreciation of Mary Jane Slot Canyon.
Best Time to Hike Mary Jane Slot Canyon
Given that you can’t avoid hiking in water if you want to make it to the waterfall, adding this trail to your spring or summer itinerary would be best. In Moab, it can be pleasantly warm from March through September.
Do keep in mind that early-spring snowmelt is COLD. If you think the water might be a little too chilly for just wool socks, consider investing in a pair of neoprene socks. They won’t keep your feet dry, but they will keep your toes warm.
We hiked May Jane Slot Canyon on a moderately warm day in April. In the morning, the water felt cool, but by afternoon it was refreshing.
➡️ Hike Horseshoe Canyon, just a day trip from Moab, if you’re looking for a canyon hike without getting your feet wet. The pictographs are unbeatable.
Flash Flood Risk
Do not attempt this hike during or after heavy rainfall. Flash floods are a real danger out in the desert. Water concentrated in a small canyon becomes increasingly powerful, and there’s no higher ground to climb to safely.
Even if it’s not raining at Mary Jane Canyon, storms from miles away can carry water and flood the canyon. Just be smart and check the weather (not only in Moab but also in the surrounding areas) before hitting the trail.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Expect wet feet
- Wear non-waterproof trail runners
- Bring trekking poles
- Check the weather for flash flood warnings
- No shade outside the canyon
- Limited parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly
Mary Jane Slot Canyon is like a mini version of The Narrows in Zion National Park — but with far fewer crowds. It’s also a more mild hike, as the water in Mary Jane Canyon isn’t very deep. Add this refreshing water hike to your Moab itinerary.
Is Mary Jane Slot Canyon Worth It?
Mary Jane Slot Canyon is one of my top hikes in the Moab area. It’s so different from many desert hikes. After all, there aren’t tons of slot canyons with water running through them year-round near Moab.
I love it when a hike gets better and better until the very end. It’s really motivating and keeps me moving, the miles slipping by.
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FAQs About Mary Jane Slot Canyon
Do your feet get wet while hiking Mary Jane Slot Canyon?
Yes — expect wet feet. Much of the hike follows Professor Creek, and water crossings become unavoidable as you go deeper into the canyon.
How deep is the water in Mary Jane Slot Canyon?
Water depth varies depending on recent rainfall and snowmelt, but most crossings are shallow enough to wade through easily. Expect ankle- to calf-deep water in many sections.
Is Mary Jane Slot Canyon dog-friendly?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on the trail, making this one of the better dog-friendly hikes near Moab.
Do you need 4WD to get to Mary Jane Slot Canyon?
Usually no. In dry conditions, most passenger vehicles can reach the trailhead. However, heavy rain can make the dirt road muddy and difficult to drive.
Is Mary Jane Slot Canyon suitable for kids?
Older kids who are comfortable hiking in water and walking on uneven rocks will likely enjoy this trail. However, the distance and slippery creek crossings may be difficult for very young children.
Can you get lost in Mary Jane Slot Canyon?
The trail is generally straightforward because you follow the creek upstream, but downloading an offline map is still a good idea due to limited cell service.
