If you are looking for the best waterfall hike in Utah, then look no further than the Kanarra Falls Trail! This stunning hike will take you through a narrow slot canyon to reach multiple waterfalls with fun and adventure along the way!
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Everything you need to know before hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail
Table of Contents
- Kanarra Falls Trail information:
- What to bring while hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail
- How do you get to Kanarra Falls?
- Do you need a permit for Kanarra Falls?
- What to expect when hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail
- Best place to eat near Kanarra Falls
- Best place to stay near Kanarra Falls
Kanarra Falls Trail information:
- Distance: 3.8 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Moderate, due to uneven footing, slippery rocks, and some rock scrambling.
- Elevation gain: Approximately 600 feet
- Time: Plan for about 3 hours, depending on how long you stay at the falls and play in the water along the way.
- Best time to visit: The summer is the best time to visit as the water stays frigid year round. There are mulitple stream crossings and portions where you will be walking in the bitter cold water, so it is best to visit between late May to early September.
- Hours: The trail is open from dusk to dawn in spring, summer, and fall. The hours are limited in the winter, call ahead before you plan to visit.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on the trail. Kanarra Creek provides drinking and irrigation water for the town of Kanarraville which can become contaminated with animal waste.
- Facilities: Flush toilets are available at the parking lot and a vault toilet can be found at the first stream crossing. Covered picnic tables are also available at the parking lot.
- Kid-friendly: This hike is not recommended for young children, due to the uneven footing, slippery rocks, and cold river crossings.
- Notes: This canyon is prone to flash flooding. Do not hike the trail if it is raining or there are thunderstorms in the forcast. Use caution especially during the monsoon season from July-September.
What to bring while hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail
- Hiking poles: Hiking poles are strongly recommended due to the nature of the trail. This set of two hiking poles has high reviews and is a great value.
- Water shoes: You will want to wear durable water shoes while hiking this trail. Our preferred brand are Keen for kids and adults, or Teva for women.
- GoPro camera: We always take our GoPro Hero 12 on all of our adventures, especially when water is involved. It is waterproof and produces stellar videos!
- Hydration backpack: Hydration packs are a must. You’ll need to stay well hydrated, especially if hiking in the summer. These hydration backpacks can hold a lot of water without the weight of water bottles. This one also has several zippered pockets to keep your snacks and secure your keys, phone, and wallet.
How do you get to Kanarra Falls?
Kanarra Falls is located in the small farming community of Kanarraville about 15-20 minutes south of Cedar City, Utah.
To reach the Kanarra Falls Trail, go east on 100 N in Kanarraville for a few blocks until it comes to an end at the trailhead. Here you will find a parking lot and public restrooms. Park only in the designated lot.
Note: The Kanarra Falls Trail may pull up on your phone as the Kanarra Creek Falls Trailhead, this is different than the Kanarra Creek Canyon Trail. If you enter Kanarra Creek Canyon Trail it will take you to a different location.
The easiest way to find the trailhead is to just put Kanarraville into your maps then find 100 N and follow it to the end. It’s a small town so it’s not easy to get lost!
Do you need a permit for Kanarra Falls?
Yes! As of May 2018, permits are required to hike Kanarra Falls. This helps protect and preserve the beauty of the trail by limiting the number of hikers.
While it can be a little bit of a hassle obtaining a permit, you will be grateful that you will not be sharing the trail with hundreds of other people!
The permit fee is $12 per person, children age 3 and under are free (although I wouldn’t recommend taking kids that young). Permits are non-refundable, however, if the trail is closed due to weather you may reuse your ticket on a future day.
To purchase a permit, follow the link and click on the date you would like to visit and it will show how many permits are still available.
There are 150 permits issued each day. They go quickly during the summer and holiday weekends so it is advised to reserve them a few months in advance. Tickets are released on January 1 for the entire year.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the trailhead if the maximum number of 150 permits has not been reserved for that day.
Before you begin the trail, you will pass a booth where they will scan your permit. Be sure to print out your permit beforehand or have the QR code accessible on your phone.
What to expect when hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail
From the Kanarra Falls Trail parking lot, you’ll follow the old access road for approximately 0.8 miles.
There will be some uphill sections as it follows up into the Hurricane Cliffs before entering the canyon. The road is exposed with little shade and can be quite hot in the summer.
After about one mile you’ll come to the first stream crossing. This is also where you’ll find the only vault toilet available on the trail.
As you enter the canyon, the barren landscape will be replaced with rugged cliffs, sun-dappled trees, and the serenade of a babbling brook.
As you navigate through the boulder-laden canyon, you’ll be crossing the river multiple times.
There are worn paths on alternating sides of the bank, or you can just walk upstream in the river. The water is less than a foot deep in most places.
After about 0.5 miles, the canyon will begin to narrow and you’ll enter into the slot canyon’s snaking ravine.
Related posts: Check out these other awesome slot canyons in Utah: Jenny’s Canyon, Peek-a-boo Canyon, Shelf Canyon, and the Huntress Canyon!
The trail follows in the deep shade of the towering Navajo sandstone cliffs for another 0.3 miles until you reach the first waterfall (1.6 miles from the trailhead).
This 15-foot waterfall is the most photographed part of the trail. There is just something seductive about the untamed beauty of the falls and the sound of rushing water echoing through the canyon walls.
Since our vist, the crude wooden ladder has since been replaced with a staircase to assist hikers that would like to climb up the waterfall and continue on the trail.
Once you climb the stairs, the canyon opens up a little more as you continue up the creek.
You’ll soon come to another small waterfall with a boulder that you’ll need to carefully scale over.
About 0.2 miles from the first waterfall, you’ll come to a fun rock waterslide where the smooth slick rock plunges into a shallow pool. The water is freezing, but your kids will love this natural playground!
And if you love hidden waterfall hikes, be sure to check out the Lower Pine Creek Falls in Zion and the Mossy Cave Trail in Bryce Canyon! You’ll also love Toquerville Falls and Stewart Falls!
This is also a great spot for a picnic or snack break. Just be sure to pack out any trash and practice Leave no Trace.
After you’re done playing, continue on through another narrow section of the slot canyon where you’ll soon discover the second waterfall. This is located 1.9 miles from the trailhead and marks the end of the trail.
You may find a makeshift ladder put in place by other hikers, but it is strongly advised to not go past these falls.
The trail becomes more dangerous and it is difficult for Search and Rescue to access this portion of the canyon. If you are injured it may take up to 7 hours to be rescued and you are responsible for the bill.
After you’ve had time to revel in the beauty of nature and snap a few photos to document your adventure, turn around and exit the canyon the way you came.
*Related post: for another one of Utah’s best kept secrets, check out our guide to visiting Utah’s Pink Lake!
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Best place to eat near Kanarra Falls
After you exit the parking lot onto 100 N, continue a few blocks until you reach Main Street. On the southeast corner of 100 N and Main Street, you’ll see the Kanarra Falls Snackery.
This cute little wooden shack serves up fresh smoothies, sandwiches, salads, coffee, drinks, ice cream, and snacks. It is the perfect spot to refuel after a long day of hiking!
Some of the menu items are seasonal as they use farm-fresh ingredients grown right in the garden behind the cafe.
There are several picnic tables on the lawn where you can enjoy your meal or sweet treat in the shade.
The cafe is open daily from 11 am -7 pm and 12 pm – 6 pm on Sundays.
Best place to stay near Kanarra Falls
Your best option for lodging will be in the nearby town of Cedar City. Here you will find a variety of hotels and vacation rentals.
We found the cutest farm stay on Airbnb that I would highly recommend. We stayed at the Homestead at the Family Farm in Enoch, just north of Cedar City.
The modern unit is housed in a charming red barn located on their family farm. It sleeps up to 5 people with a queen bed and a triple bunk bed that my boys loved!
The home was clean and spacious with darling decor and little details. It was also a great deal at only $69/night (plus service and cleaning fees).
We hope this guide will help as you plan your visit to Kanarra Falls Utah!
WOW this is such a full list!! I love it so much! You always have some amazing photography. Makes me want to jump right in!
Thanks so much, Justin, I really appreciate that!