Hiking to Kanarra Falls offers a great Utah waterfall hike. Hike through a beautiful, accessible slot canyon, walk in the river on a hot day, and see several gorgeous waterfalls.
About
Hiking Kanarra Falls presents a significant challenge due to the crowds, which have become an increasing concern over the past year (read more about this issue here). To address this, the park introduced a new reservation system to manage the influx of visitors.
You can purchase tickets up to one day in advance, but it’s advisable to plan ahead, as tickets for Kanarra Falls often sell out quickly, especially during the summer months.
During my March visit, I secured tickets for a Tuesday without any problems. On the day of our hike, we had the entire trail and waterfall to ourselves! If you time your visit correctly, you can experience the beauty of the falls with minimal crowds. However, expect up to 200 visitors— the maximum number allowed per day—during the summer months.
This hike is ideal for families. It takes just 2-3 hours to complete, and no special equipment or advanced hiking skills are necessary. Even children will enjoy the journey! Just make sure to wear sturdy water shoes, as most of the hike involves wading through the river.
**Warning: Do not hike this trail if is is raining, or there is nearby rain due to flash flooding**
UPDATED 2018 – DOGS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED ON THIS TRAIL!
Directions
Drive south on I-15 past Cedar City, UT. Take exit 51 for Kanarraville, and turn left onto E 100 N Street. Continue to the end of the road and turn left into the parking area. Click here for Google Maps directions.
Trail Info
Distance: 3.5 mi to 1st waterfall, 3.7 mi to 2nd waterfall, & 4.4 miles (all round trip) to the turnaround
Elevation gain: 700 ft
Time: 2-3 hours
Dog friendly? No. As of 2018, dogs are not allowed on this trail!
Kid friendly? Yes!
Permits: Yes, a reserved ticket is needed prior to hiking
Hiking Kanarra Falls: What to Expect
Start your hike at the designated parking lot (restrooms available). Parking is included with your ticket, but spots can fill up, so arrive early.
At the check-in station, confirm your reservation, pick up a map, and get basic trail info before starting.
You’ll hike past water tanks and soon encounter the first stream crossing.
First stream crossing! Depending on the season, you might be able to rock-hop or wade through the river.
Tip: Wear quick-drying clothes you don’t mind getting wet! I found a pair of fun tights at a thrift store for $3—perfect for this kind of adventure!
Stay left at the split. Going right is the old jeep road, and while it does connect, stay on the trail.
I hiked in my Chacos and waterproof/neoprene socks.
The next creek crossing required more effort to stay dry, but I did it.
Finally you will see the entrance sign. Now the fun begins!
Last spo for cell service for an SOS.
The canyon begins to narrow and you will now be hiking along the creek. However, we were able to stay dry for the first 1.3 miles.
At 1.5 miles you will enter the slot canyon! If your feet aren’t wet yet, they will be now.
The lighting here is absolutely stunning, making it one of the most photogenic parts of the hike.
Kanarra Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Southern Utah, and one of my favorite spots in Utah. It’s so beautiful!
At about 1.6 miles, you’ll see the iconic waterfall and steel staircase. This area has changed over the years due to flash floods, but the current stairs are sturdy.
Just above the Kanarra Falls, if you want to continue further, you’ll need to scramble up a log next to the falls. This section can be tricky for kids, and many families turn around here. The log scramble challenges hikers, but it rewards those who reach the top.
Once we climbed up we entered a whole new, snowy world. Wow, wasn’t expecting that!
This serves as a strong warning that in winter, you can never predict the conditions and must be prepared for anything.
We continued on, fully submerged in the water. Our waterproof socks soaked through, and our feet began to chill.
We couldn’t pass up these views! This is another great spot to hang out in summer and just wade in the water. Can you spot my friend?
One more small stretch.
Technically, you could keep hiking beyond the second falls, but without technical gear, climbing becomes unsafe due to slippery rocks and lack of handholds.
Even if you stop here, it’s a truly unforgettable adventure—especially if you time it to avoid the crowds!
Whew what a cold, wet but super fun experience! Did you notice no one else was in my pictures? That is the plus side of going in winter. No people!
Throwback: In 2015, a ladder was once present at Kanarra Falls when I first hiked the trail. However, it has since been removed.
Trail Map
Nearby Hike
Want another adventure nearby? Check out Spring Creek Canyon!
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