Utah is famous for its AMAZING National Parks and adventurous hikes, but sometimes those National Parks can be a bit crowded and overwhelming. This post will introduce you (and give ya all the details) to the MOST AMAZING alternative Slot Canyon Hike along Kanarra Falls trail! Kanarra Creek Falls is a true hidden gem that should NOT be missed.
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Table of Contents
How do I get to Kanarra Creek Falls?
Kanarra Creek is located in Southwestern Utah in Kanarraville. Although it is not a part of Zion National Park, It is less than 1 hour away. When I visited, I flew into Las Vegas Aiport (161 miles), rented a car and road tripped to Utah.
Other nearby airports:
- St. George Regional Airport: 54 miles
- Las Vegas Airport: 161 miles
- Salt Lake City Airport: 268 miles
- Phoenix Airport: 429 miles (Hint: combine this with a Sedona and Tucson road trip!)
When is the best time to hike Kanarra Creek Falls?
Kanarra Creek Falls is open year-round and each month brings different challenges and adventures. Summer is best for warmer temperatures and water but also flash flood season. Spring brings more opportunities to grab tickets (less competition), but high waters. Winter leads to beautiful views, but a lot of ice…so be sure to dress extra warm and protect your feet.
Average Kanarriville Monthly Temperatures:
- Summer (June-August): 82/59
- Fall (Sept-Nov): 65/46
- Winter (Dec-Feb): 48/30
- Spring (March-May): 63/41
Flash Floods: Be sure to check the website before hiking for any closures as flash floods need to be taken very seriously. They can occur in any month but are most common from July-September in the afternoons.
Initial Planning:
When planning a camping trip to Zion National Park in Utah, the two hikes I knew I wanted to do were Angels Landing and The Narrows.
Unfortunately, due to high waters (in early June), the Narrows hike was still closed. I was bummed because I had never seen or hiked through a slot canyon before. I started searching for alternatives and found a picture on Instagram of Kanarra Falls.
It looked amazing, but I continued to search and found limited information. I took this as a bad sign and thought it must not be as cool as it looks.
Regardless of what I felt, we decided to try it.
Follow along on Instagram for more USA road trip stops, itineraries, and amazing hikes!
Reservations:
Kanarra Falls only sells 150 tickets per day, so you do have to buy a ticket in advance. You can do so very easily on their website for only 12 dollars.
Although this may seem like an inconvenience, I truly wish more hikes/parks would do this. It protects the area and offers a chance to explore without hundreds of people around.
Honestly, I would have paid much more than 12 dollars to hike Kanarra Falls.
**It is becoming more and more popular so make sure to make your reservation early!
The Hike:
When we arrived, the parking lot was mostly empty with a bathroom available.
Shortly after beginning the hike, we realized we had made the BEST decision. It was quiet (we only saw one other group), and had the MOST amazing views!
The first part of the trail you will be hiking alongside the river, but once you reach the slot canyon, you will be completely in the water (don’t worry it’s SO worth it). If you continue to hike through the canyon, you will be rewarded with a BEAUTIFUL waterfall (about 1.6 miles in) (see pictures below).
If you choose to climb up the ladder at the first waterfall, you can continue on (.2 miles) to find a swimming hole and then another .1 mile to the last waterfall. This is the end of the trail and it is not safe to continue further.
**When we visited, most spots the water up to our calves, but some even deeper. I wore my keens (and no socks), but other people were neoprene socks to stay a bit warmer.
Kanarra Creek Falls Quick Facts:
- Distance: 4.3 miles (out and back)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 734 ft.
- Dogs Allowed: No š
- Permit: Yes (12 dollar fee)
Kanarra Creek Falls Frequently Asked Questions:
How difficult is this hike?
I would rank the hike as moderate because a lot of the time you are walking across the river or straight through it. So be prepared to get wet!
The water was extremely cold, but we eventually got used to it (and sometimes had to take a break on the rocks).
The rocks are a bit slippery, so make sure you have shoes with great traction. Again, I wore my keens. š They are perfect because they protect your toes from the rocks, but also serve as comfortable water shoes (good for in or out of water).
How long will the Kanarra Creek Falls hike take?
We ended up hiking about 3 miles of the trail, but you can go a bit further into the canyon. The total trail is just over 4 miles. I would reserve at least 2.5 hours for this trail to take your time and enjoy the view!
How deep is the water?
The average depth is between 8-12 inches but can range throughout the trail and depending on the season.
What should I wear and bring to Kanarra Falls?
Most importantly, you will need a pair of comfy shoes with great traction. As I have already stated, I wore my keens (I’m obsessed). My feet were chilly, but it was bearable. Other hikers recommend wearing neoprene socks to stay warmer. You should also make sure to bring layers as the temperatures are lower inside the canyon.
And of course, bring your backpack with a water bladder and all the snacks!
How far in advance should I purchase my permits?
The trail is getting more and more popular. As of (August 25), tickets were sold out for the rest of the month and 14 days in September. If you have set dates, I would recommend buying your ticket two months in advance.
Is Kanarra Creek Falls worth a stop from Zion National Park?
100 percent YES! It ended up being my absolute FAVORITE hike of the trip. It was peaceful, adventurous, and beautiful!
I would highly recommend this Utah slot canyon hike as an alternative to The Narrows!
***Because it is a slot canyon, be sure to check the weather before hiking. There is always a high risk for flash flooding.
Keep reading::: The ULTIMATE list of USA Day Hikes to add to your Bucket List!
Sample Utah Itinerary (with Kanarra Creek Falls)
- Day 1: Fly into Las Vegas and start the drive towards Kanarraville (stay here for the night).
- Day 2: Hike Kanarra Creek Falls and drive up to Zion Ponderosa to set up camp.
- Day 3: Hike Angels Landing and horseback ride back at camp
- Day 4: Day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park (Hike Fairyland Loop)
- Day 5: Head back toward Vegas and fly home
Click HERE for all the details.
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