Grand Canyon Gems: Matkatamiba Canyon 

We’ve covered some pretty spectacular places within the Grand Canyon and today we are going to do it again. We are talking about Matkatamiba or Matkat for short. Matkatamiba is a Havasupai family name. 

Matkat is a favorite stop for many river runners, but it isn’t a very common stop because of how difficult it can be to access. The pull in for the boats can be challenging at certain water levels. But if the boats are able to make it in it is well worth it. 

Matkat is a very narrow limestone slot canyon. It’s gorgeous, but it can also be quite the adventurous hike up to a place where the canyon widens into a natural amphitheater.  There are two ways to get to the amphitheater, the adventurous way or less adventurous way. Either way you’re in for quite the experience. Let’s talk about the adventurous way up the slot canyon to start. This is my favorite way up. This hike is more like swimming and rock climbing than it is actually hiking. You follow along the bottom of the slot canyon and wade up and climb rocks to reach the amphitheater. It isn’t the easiest but it sure is fun! The other option is to make an initial quick climb up to a trail that is a bit above the bottom of the slot canyon. While this is the easier of the two hiking options it is more exposed so if you don’t like heights, this may not be the trail for you. 

Once you’ve made it through the narrowest part of the slot canyon, you reach a place where the canyon walls rapidly expand into a natural amphitheater. This area is shaded most of the day and creates a heavenly escape from the summer sun and the flat ledges all around make for the perfect lounge spots. 

Matkat has it all, adventure and relaxation and maybe just maybe you’ll be one of its lucky visitors. 

Check out some of our other Grand Canyon Gems Blogs!

Blacktail Canyon

Nankoweap Granaries

Clear Creek

Shinumo Creek