Hiking Kanarraville Falls - Kanarraville, UT
Kanarra Falls was once considered a hidden secret but not anymore. The stunning slot canyons and waterfalls make this hike about as photogenic as it comes and with all those amazing pictures posted all over social media, this hike has become a destination spot for many travelers. Even if you aren't the only one on the trail, this really is a hike you don't want to miss. Bring the family and make a day of it. You will be making memories that will last a lifetime.
FEE + Permit
$12 permit per person is required. Starting March 1st 2019 you will need a permit. You can get one online here or get one the day of at the beginning of the trailhead. 150 people a day will be able to get a permit so best to get one ahead of time online to make sure you get the permit needed to access the hike.
LENGTH
4.4 miles round trip
DIFFICULTY
This trail has a little elevation gain in the beginning as you walk up the dirt road but it levels out quickly. There are ups and downs, some rock scrambling and lots of walking in water, but for the most part, this is a family-friendly hike. The ladders in the slot canyons will be the most difficult and intimidating for kids and even adults. Kids will need a lot of help with the slippery ladder. The water at Kanarra Falls is also very cold for little feet. Depending on your pace this trail could take anywhere between 2-4 hours to hike.
LOCATION
This hike is located in the small town of Kanarraville, UT, just 15 minutes south of Cedar City and 1-hour north-west of Zion. Click here for map and directions from your location.
TRAIL DETAILS
This trail starts out on a dirt road for about 1/2 mile as you head towards Kanarra Canyon. Once the dirt road ends, you will follow a dirt path going back and forth along a small stream. Eventually, you will be required to hike in the stream. A little over a mile in you will come to a waterfall. Just about 10 to 15 minutes past the waterfall is the famous and beautiful slot canyon....it is amazing you guys!!! Just a short hike through the slot canyon and you will come to a waterfall with a ladder to climb up. This ladder is slick and pretty intimidating. Kids will need help climbing up this ladder. Once at the top, you will soon come to a large boulder with ropes to help you climb it. Kids will require assistance here as well. Past this section, you will follow the stream up for much more beauty and fun.....or so that is what I hear. Go as far as you want and then turn around and go back the way you came. I have only hiked to the 2nd ladder. I don't think the end of the trail is too far past the 2nd ladder. Scroll down for tips and additional information.
TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFO
This hike is very busy in the summer, and due to how cold the water is, it is also the best time to go. Spring and fall are also great times to go but wear neoprene socks.
I recently hiked Kanarra Falls at the end of April. Just adults, no kids (see pics above). The water was so cold. Our feet were very numb by the time we made it to the 2nd ladder. I would recommend anyone going at the end of April to wear neoprene socks. We went on a weekday morning, and there were no crowds.....yay! It took us a little over 2 hours from start to finish to get to the 2nd ladder.
At the end of August, I did this hike by myself. The water was very cold, but it was manageable. I went on a weekday morning and beat the crowds (if there are crowds on a weekday at the end of August?). I made it about 15 minutes past the 1st ladder. This took me about 1 1/2 hours going at a fast pace.
We did this trail with the kids (2, 5,8) and some friends, with a 4 and ten yr old, at the end of October. We should have brought jackets for the kids because it got very cold once we were in the shaded slot canyon. Hiking in the cold water was hard for the younger kids. The 10-year-old seemed to do great. If we try something like this again, I will look into neoprene socks or even rain boots to keep the kid's feet dry. We made it up past the ladder and then turned around. The hike took us about 3 hours.
For adults wear hiking boots with good traction that can get wet, hiking sandals work too.
Bring plenty of snacks and water. This trail gets very hot in the summer so make sure you have enough water for everyone you are hiking with.
I always recommend going first thing in the morning or later in the day to beat the crowds. This will definitely be the best way to go in the summer when there are lots of people.
If you are doing this hike In the summer with kids, I would go early in the morning and take sack lunches to eat at the waterfall . Go slow and bring suits for the kids so they can play in the water. Make it an all-day activity.
If you have hiked this trail and you have any tips or additional info we would love to hear from you in the comment section below.
