Medieval Chamber – Moab Canyoneering

• Duration: 4-6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Minimum Age:  We suggest a minimum age of 6 for Medieval Chamber trips. Exceptions are sometimes made, so please give us a call or shoot us an email to discuss your options.
• Total Hiking Distance: 3 miles
• Rappels: 2 (90 ft/27 m, 100 ft/30 m)
• Distance from Moab: 15 minutes one-way
• Season: All year
• Morning and afternoon trips available
• All trips are private – just your group and your guide!
  • 1 Person – $320
  • Group of 2 – $160/person
  • Group of 3 – $150/person
  • Group of 4 or more – $135/person
  • Please call for availability if your group has 14 or more people in it

The Medieval Chamber is a very pleasant canyoneering adventure into one of Moab’s finest canyons.

We begin our hike over ancient petrified sand dunes and big open views of the La Sal Mountains and Arches National Park. We soon reach the canyoneering route’s namesake feature – the Medieval Chamber – a deep, dark slot canyon that creates our first rappel. We’ll spend time here discussing gear and rappelling technique before clipping into the rope and backing off into the void! You’re always backed up with a second rope that your guide is controlling, so you can rappel with ease as you marvel at the rock walls around you!

At the bottom you’ll probably think you’re in a different world than the others still at the top. You’ll probably also think that the rappel wasn’t as terrifying as you thought it would be! Behind you, the Keyhole, a subtle and narrow passageway, provides an escape from the Chamber’s seemingly exitless confines.

​Once all down, we continue on and are soon presented with the massive Morning Glory Arch. Despite being the ninth longest arch in the world , it is discreetly shoehorned into the canyon and we quickly find ourselves level with the top of the 243′ long span. The canyon floor plummets 100 feet below. Since we’ve just pulled our ropes at the Chamber, there’s no way out but to rappel and this rappel is quite spectacular. We begin our rappel on the wall with the huge arch spanning behind. As you begin your descent to the canyon bottom, the wall sweeps away and leaves you free-hanging. Be sure to look around and down into the lush green canyon below! While on rappel, you can turn to see the arch behind you – this is a view of the arch that you’re sure not to forget.

​Below this awesome span a lively spring gushes transforming the canyon from a dry, shallow-walled slickrock valley to a deep red rock gorge carpeted with lush colorful plant life. In the hotter months, the clear pools of water begat from this spring provide welcome relief and reward to those who overcome this route’s notorious roped descents. The hike out follows the Grandstaff Canyon (formerly known as Negro Bill Canyon) trail, which is a very enjoyable stroll. If you plan to hike the Medieval Chamber route with us then we recommend you not hike the Grandstaff Canyon trail beforehand since we have to hike out that trail anyway. This is, by far, the most interesting way to see that canyon!

This is one of the best canyoneering tours in Moab. Its proximity to town and its awesome rappels makes it a sure bet for a memorable adventure. Though experienced canyoneers will find the rappels breathtaking, the trip is enjoyable even for novice canyoneers. As daunting as the rappels sound, with a good guide everyone does just fine.