Kanarra Creek Canyon

3.5 - 4.8 miles RT
moderate
2.5-3 hrs
late summer when water is warmest?

This is a water hike and cannot be completed without getting wet. The trail crosses Kanarra Creek many times and eventually enters a slot canyon where you have no choice to to enter the 3-8 inches of water so you can see the falls. The trail is lush with trees, plants, reeds – lots of green. Not really suitable for small children unless you plan to carry them a lot of the way.

Kanarra Creek offers a fun slot canyon hike in a very photogenic canyon just outside the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park. Access is easy, the hike is relatively short and the route can be customized to keep it easy or make it a little challenging.

The challenge comes from two waterfalls that block upstream travel through the narrow slot. Water flows here year-round and hikers must wade the stream in many places. The hike to the base of the first waterfall is short and easy. If you want moderate challenge then climb the falls and continue up the canyon.

Tree limbs and ropes will probably be in place to allow hikers to clear the falls without technical climbing gear. But the limbs and ropes will deteriorate over time - test them before risking your life. If those things are not available then it would be very difficult to climb past the falls.

This canyon is located just east of the town of Kanarraville, just south of Cedar City. Exit I-15 and drive to the center of the small town. Follow 100 North as it winds east, becomes 250 North and enters the mouth of the canyon. Limited parking is available at the end of the dirt road near the stream - you may have to backtrack to find a parking spot and then hike down the road to the streambed.

Just hike up the canyon, following trails above the stream when possible and then wading up the stream where that is the only option. (In the heat of summer you may want to spend more time in the water, but hiking is much easier if you can follow a dry trail.)

A tree has been placed against the first waterfall, with boards nailed to it to provide handholds and footing. It is relatively easy to climb the tree to the top of the waterfall.

When we visited, a rope was strung along the canyon wall, with rungs tied into it, to allow hikers to climb above the second waterfall. The rope looks intimidating, but we found the climb to be easier than it looked.

There are interesting features in the canyon above the second fall - if you choose to hike farther. We encourage hikers to continue at least another half-mile, to a nice swimming hole with mossy rock slide.

From St George, head north on I-15 for about 33 miles and take exit 42 to New Harmony/Kanarraville. Turn right on Hwy 144 and take an immediate left onto Harmony Ridge Dr/Old US 91. Continue about 4.5 miles into Kanarraville and turn right onto 100 North.  Follow 100 North 3.5 blocks until you see the parking lot on your left.

We payed the $10 parking fee to park in the parking lot right at the trail head and went on our way.  We started the trail at about 8:30 and there were very few people on the trail.  The beginning of the hike is on a nice dirt road with a steep incline that got our heart pumping and provided a beautiful lookout over the valley. This dirt road continues for awhile with several inclines and declines and requires you to cross water in a couple of different places. You wonder if this dirt road is all the hike is but you eventually start to walk near the stream and start heading into the even more beautiful canyon. There are many places that you have to cross the stream to continue on the trail and the further you get up the canyon the water gets very cold. A large portion of the hike is walking through water up to your ankles and sometimes a little higher.  The trails are small and winding with beautiful foliage.

Sometimes it was hard to tell which path we should take but it’s hard to go wrong. Young children might have a difficult time walking the trails quickly but on our way back we saw plenty of children on this hike.

You continue up the river and come to the mouth of a beautiful slot canyon. There is a nice place to sit and rest at the mouth of the canyon. It doesn’t take long to get through the canyon when you come to a waterfall. There is a large log with metal steps attached to it to climb up to the top of the fall. There are also ropes attached the the rock wall next to the ladder which are helpful.  You have to be careful on this ladder because it could be a little slick and at the highest point it is about a 12 foot drop. Young children will need help climbing up the ladder and getting safely to the top.

Once past the fall we continued on and came to more falls which are smaller and if you are brave with the cold water you can slide down them.  There are many places to sit by these small falls and the rising mountains are beautiful.

We headed back after these falls.  There were many groups of hikers on our way back so we were glad that we came early.   We wore running shoes which worked fine but there were many people who wore water shoes which would have been helpful.  This is an all around great hike that is beautiful and perfect for a hot summer day!


Kanarra Creek flows through a gorgeous canyon featuring majestic waterfalls and beautiful narrows with sculpted sandstone walls. With the exception of the optional ladders and waterfall obstacles, Kanarra Creek is a fantastic family hike that kids will really enjoy. Those comfortable with climbing the ladders will be treated to even more waterfalls and beautiful scenery. Much of this hike is in cold, flowing water. Sturdy footwear with good traction is highly recommended.

Trailhead

The Kanarra Creek Trailhead (37.537583, -113.175717) is located at the east end of 100 North Street in Kanarraville, Utah, approximately 11 miles south of Cedar City.

Reaching the trailhead traveling from the north:

Travel south on Interstate 15 until you reach exit 51 for Kanarraville.
Turn left onto Old US Hwy 91 and continue 4.7 miles.
Turn left onto 100 North and travel 0.4 miles to the signed parking area on the left near the end of the road.
Reaching the trailhead traveling from the south:

Travel north on Interstate 15 until you reach exit 42 for Kanarraville.
Turn right onto E Hwy 44 and drive 100 yards.
Turn left onto Old US Hwy 91 and continue 4.4 miles.
Turn right onto 100 North and travel 0.4 miles to the signed parking area on the left near the end of the road.
NOTE: There is a $10 fee to park at the trailhead, which you must pay in cash at a self-serve kiosk.

The Hike

The Kanarra Creek trail begins by following a gated dirt road up the canyon, occasionally crossing the stream. Soon the canyon narrows and it is necessary to travel in the watercourse for much of the hike. There are many social trails that have formed in this area but the easiest route stays close to the stream.

After about 1.5 miles, you will arrive at the beginning of the first section of narrows where the creek emerges from a dramatic opening in the cliffs ahead. This beautiful section of the canyon is the deepest, darkest section you will encounter with wall-to-wall ankle-deep water between soaring sandstone walls.

At the end of the narrows, you will encounter a beautiful 15-foot waterfall with a log leaned up on the right side. For many, this is a good turnaround point but for those adventurous enough to climb the log, there is much more to see. Climbing the log can be very dangerous. There is typically a hand line installed on the wall next to the log but be sure to evaluate before trusting it. The log has had various wooden rungs fixed to its face over the years to help hikers make the climb. As of 2013, a series of steel rungs is drilled onto the face. These rungs will likely provide better traction than their wood predecessors but they may also make a slip and fall even more dangerous due to the hard edges. Do not proceed up the log ladder if you are not comfortable with the risks.

Beyond the waterfall the canyon opens up somewhat as it passes by waterfall after waterfall. Some can be climbed directly and others may need to be bypassed on trails along the stream. About one half mile beyond the big waterfall in another narrow section of the canyon, you will arrive at a 10-foot waterfall that prevents easy access further up the canyon. This upper waterfall sometimes has a ladder in place but it is rarely as sturdy as the log at the lower falls. If you feel comfortable climbing up, you may continue a little further up the canyon.

Round trip distance from the trailhead to the upper falls is approximately 4 miles.

Rules and Regulations

There is a $10 per vehicle fee to park at the trailhead.
Please do not litter.
Pack out all trash.
No pets allowed.
Special Considerations

Kanarra Creek is the primary water source for the residents of Kanarraville. Balancing the need to keep this water source pure and still allow hiker access has been problematic, at times leading to the closure of the canyon. Please be respectful of this resource to help ensure continued access. Pack out everything you pack in and pickup any trash you may see along the way.
Kanarra Creek poses a significant flash flood risk. Do not enter the canyon if stormy weather is possible or if the water levels do not appear safe.
Much of this hike is in cold, flowing water. Sturdy footwear with good traction is strongly recommended.