Bear Creek is an Ouray classic canyoneering route. The canyon is beautiful but technical as the creek carves a deep narrow gorge. You must be commited and experienced once you enter the canyon. There is exposed downclimbing and a lot of swimming. During heavy snowpack years, the water levels may never be safe. There are 6 rappels with the tallest being 100 ft. Bring rappelling and anchor gear, 70 ft. of webbing, 6 quicklinks, a wetsuit, and a life jacket for weak swimmers.

Cascade Creek is a classic and popular canyoneering route in Ouray. The canyon offers rappels, downclimbing and beautiful scenery. There are about 10 rappels; 3 of them are over 200 ft. and the highest being close to 300 ft. The highlight of the trip is the very last rappel. Watch for sharp rock in this canyon which can do damage to ropes. Anchors are mostly natural anchors with one bolted. Bring rappelling gear, wetsuit, 70 ft. of webbing and 13 quicklinks.

Angel Creek is one of the first canyons to be accessible for canyoneering in Ouray. The trailhead begins at Angel Creek Campground. The Canyon offers about 4 rappels with the largest being 50 ft. The middle section is technical and for experts only. The lower sections can be done by beginners. All anchors are bolted. Bring rappelling gear, a wet suit, 30 ft. of webbing and 4 quicklinks.

Weehawken Creek is also known as Blue Moon Canyon. It offers a remote and technical canyon in the Ouray area. It is physically demanding and has difficult and exposed with downclimbs and rappels down waterfalls. Depending on the year you may see glacier caves. Be aware of loose and rock throughout the canyon. There are 6 rappels with the tallest being up to 200 ft. Bring rappelling and anchor gear, 60 ft. of webbing, 6 quicklinks, and a wetsuit.

Buckwater Draw offers a technical slot canyon in Northwest Colorado. This canyon is very pristine, rugged and untouched. There are no trails so good route finding is a must. From the trailhead follow the old road until the drainage deepens to the south. Bushwack through boulders and vegetation to the beginning of the slot. The first drop is a rappel followed by downclimbs up to 5.7 or you can just rappel them. This canyon has awesome and very unique terrain. When the canyon opens up climb north back to the old dirt road and back to your car. The highest drop is 95 feet, bring several slings, 6-10 rappel rings, helmet, and harness/rope. Prepare for some shallow wading but no forced swims. Do not enter this canyon with rain in the forecast.

Buckwater Draw offers a technical slot canyon in Northwest Colorado. This canyon is very pristine, rugged and untouched. There are no trails so good route finding is a must. This route is shorter than the traditional route. Park at the Plug Hat Picnic Area and follow along the rim of Bull Canyon to the point. Scramble down the canyon and the slot gets better the further you go. There are a few rappels with the highest being 30 ft. When you reach the confluence with the main fork of Buckwater hike up a little into the highlight of the trip known as the Magic Chamber. Once it opens up a bit find the best route up to the rim on the south side. This will be very steep. Follow the rim back to where you dropped into the canyon. Bring several slings, 6-10 rappel rings, helmet, and harness/rope.

Corbett Creek was named after the Corbett family who was a prominent family and a big part of the early years of Ouray in the late 1800s. It is a wild and remote sandstone canyon that offers beautiful scenery with one of the tallest waterfalls in the area. There are several really neat small waterfalls throughout. The technical sections have risky anchors with loose and exposed sections of climbing. There are some anchors drilled but use at your own risk. Expect about 11 rappels with the tallest being close to 300 ft. Floods change this canyon so plan on building your own anchors. There is no forced swimming but you will get wet. Bring rappelling gear, wetsuit, 150 ft. of webbing and 12 quicklinks.

Oak Creek Canyon offers a challenging and fun canyoneering experience. To reach the upper trailhead a 4WD vehicle is required. The approach hike is in full sun and will be hot. It follows the Oak Creek and Twin Peaks route. The descent has several rappel drops down wateralls that will leave you drenched. The tallest drop is 170 ft and is bolted. Anchors consist of mostly trees and logs. Bring full wetsuit/dry suit and 40 ft. of webing and 6 quicklinks.

Ivans Tail is a short but adventurous route in Ouray. It is one of the only limestone slot canyons in Colorado and is very popular to go during the summer. There are just 2 rappels and both are bolted with the tallest being 55 ft. Bring rappelling gear, a wetsuit, 20 ft. of webbing and a quicklink.

This area has incredible scenery that is remote and untouched. There are dozens of unexplored slot canyons in the area. Outlaw Canyon is located along the Yampa River near Outlaw Park. There are a few approach options but this is the easiest. You may run in to river runners and if you choose to camp along the river a permit is required. Crossing the river at one point is required so prepare accordingly. Plan on some rappel descents and once you reach the saddle you will have access to several canyons to explore.