Kanarra Falls Hike: Complete Guide to Kanarra Creek Falls Trail
- Logan & Audri
- 7 days ago
- 10 min read
The Kanarra Falls hike, or Kanarra Creek Falls Trail, is easily one of the best and most beautiful slot canyon hikes in the world, and I'm honestly shocked more people don't know about it!
If you saw a photo of this trail without any context, you would probably assume it was The Narrows in Zion National Park. You still get that same adventurous feeling of walking through water between the canyon walls, but without the massive crowds that Zion is known for.
And I’m just going to say it… I actually preferred Kanarra Falls over The Narrows!
Not because The Narrows isn’t incredible, because it absolutely is, but Kanarra Falls feels more like a hidden gem. It’s less overwhelming, insanely beautiful, and has waterfalls, ladders, creek crossings, and just feels like an adventure the entire way.
So if you’re planning a trip to Southern Utah, especially near Zion National Park, Kanarra Falls absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Here is everything you need to know before you hike to Kanarra Falls!
In This Post:
How to get a Kanarra Falls permit and what to know before booking
Where to park and what to expect when you arrive
What the Kanarra Falls hike is actually like from start to finish
What to wear and what gear you’ll actually need
Key safety tips to know before hiking through the canyon
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Kanarra Falls Hike Overview 📍 Location: Kanarraville, Utah ✈️ How to Get There: Fly into Las Vegas (2.5 hour drive) 🥾 Distance: 3.7 miles roundtrip ⏰ Time Needed: 2-4 hours ‼️ Difficulty: Moderate 🎟️ Permit Required? Yes (learn more about the Kanarra Falls Permit) 🏨 Where to Stay: Zion Kolob Farm Stay, WorldMark St. George, or Best Western Coral Hills |
What is the Kanarra Falls Hike?
Kanarra Falls is a slot canyon hike that follows Kanarra Creek through a narrow canyon. What makes this hike one of the most unique in the world is actually being able to hike through the creek and in between the stunning Kanarra Creek Canyon (and of course, you can't forget the ladder that makes Kanarra Falls so special!)
Along the way, you'll find two waterfalls:
Lower Kanarra Falls: This is the waterfall most people come to see and probably the reason you want to do this hike in the first place! It’s located about 1.6 miles into the trail and has the famous Kanarra Falls ladder right beside it.
Second Waterfall: After Kanarra Falls, you can continue farther into the canyon to reach a second, unnamed waterfall. To get to this one, you’ll have to climb over a large boulder obstacle.
There are technically more small cascades and water features throughout the trail, but these are the two main waterfall sections!
Where is Kanarra Falls?
Kanarra Falls is located in Kanarraville, Utah, a small town in Southern Utah about 15 minutes south of Cedar City and just outside of Zion National Park's Kolob Canyons section.
The trail starts at the Kanarra Falls trailhead in Kanarraville, where you’ll find the parking area, restrooms, and check-in area for your hiking permit. From there, the hike takes you through Kanarra Creek, into a beautiful slot canyon, and eventually to the waterfalls.
The Kanarra Falls trailhead location is pinned below!
TIP: You’ll definitely want a rental car to visit Kanarra Falls and explore Southern Utah. We'd highly recommend booking your rental car through Hertz, we’ve used them for years and have always had a smooth experience! Having your own car makes it so much easier to explore nearby spots like Zion, St. George, and Cedar City.
Do You Need a Permit For Kanarra Falls?
Yes! A permit is required to hike Kanarra Falls.
Permits are currently $15 per person for adults and children ages 8 and up, while children 7 and under are free. Permits are also non-refundable and non-transferable, but you can reschedule up to 48 hours before the date of your hike.
Even though Kanarra Falls requires a permit, it is not a lottery system. You just choose your date online, buy your permit, and you’re good to go!
That being said, I would not wait until the last minute because there is a limit of 200 people allowed here per day. We hiked Kanarra Falls on a Saturday, and permits sold out about two days before our hike. During busier times, especially weekends, peak season, or holidays I would book as soon as you know your plans!
When you arrive, there is a check-in area near the start of the trail where someone checks your permit. Make sure to bring a state or government-issued ID with you, because the person at the front may check it.
You can purchase your Kanarra Falls Permit here.
What to Expect While Hiking Kanarra Falls
Kanarra Falls is an out-and-back hike, so you’ll return the same way you came in. The full hike to the second waterfall is about 3.7 miles round trip, but you can turn around after the first waterfall if you don’t want to continue through the more challenging section.
The trail begins with a steep incline, and for the first mile or so, there isn’t too much to look at. You’ll be walking on a dirt trail before eventually making your way down toward the creek.
Once you reach Kanarra Creek, the hike starts to get a lot more fun! From here, you’ll begin crossing through the water, stepping over rocks, and hopping back onto the dirt path whenever the trail picks up again. You'll do this for about half a mile before you reach the actual slot canyon.
There are a few tricky spots here, with both footing and following the trail. You could easily miss the trail marker if you're too busy paying attention to where you're stepping. Because of that, I'd highly recommend downloading the AllTrails map for Kanarra Falls ahead of time!
Once you get into the slot canyon, you’ll walk about a quarter mile until you reach Lower Kanarra Falls, where you’ll find the famous Kanarra Falls ladder! Although everyone still calls it a ladder, it’s more of a metal staircase now. It used to be a sketchier wooden ladder, but it has since been upgraded to make this section safer and easier to climb.
If you want to continue to the second waterfall, it’s about another quarter mile up the creek, but you’ll need to climb the staircase and make your way over a very large boulder.
There is also a third waterfall farther up the canyon, but the trail is not maintained past the second waterfall, and the water can get about waist-deep, especially during peak snowmelt. We personally did not go to the third waterfall.
Water Temperature
I am not usually the type to get bothered by cold water, but this water is FREEZING (I couldn't feel my feet!) Kanarra Creek is spring-fed and sits at a higher elevation, so the water stays cold year-round. Depending on the season, the creek can range from around 32°F to 52°F, and it usually gets colder the farther up the canyon you go.
For reference, we hiked Kanarra Falls at the very beginning of May, and if I had to guess, the water felt like it was in the 30s. We actually hiked The Narrows the next day, and The Narrows felt refreshing compared to Kanarra Falls!
The good news is that the canyon is very shaded, so on a hot day, the cooler temps can actually feel really nice. But your feet will definitely feel the cold, especially in spring or early summer. If there is one thing I would not skip for this hike, it’s a good pair of neoprene socks! Keeping your feet warm will make the hike a lot more comfortable.
Slot Canyon Safety
Even though the slot canyon portion of the Kanarra Falls hike is relatively short, it’s still so important to take flash flood safety seriously. Flash floods can be extremely dangerous, and in a slot canyon, there are not many places to escape once the water starts rising.
Always check the weather before your hike, and if there is rain in the forecast, do not attempt this trail. This also includes storms upstream, even if the weather looks fine where you are.
Here are a few warning signs of a possible flash flood:
A sudden rise in water level
Debris floating in the water
A change in water color or clarity
The sound of rushing water
Thunder, rain, or storms in the distance
Flash floods are possible any time of year, but the risk is usually highest during the summer monsoon season. Late fall and winter are typically lower risk, but you should still check conditions before hiking.
What Gear Do You Need For the Kanarra Falls Hike?
You don’t need anything fancy to hike Kanarra Falls, but because this trail involves water, slippery rocks, and a few more adventurous sections, having the right gear will definitely make a difference.
The biggest thing is wearing shoes and socks that can handle getting wet, since you'll be walking through Kanarra Creek for part of the hike.
Here are the main things I’d recommend bringing for the Kanarra Falls hike:
Waterproof hiking boots with a good grip (or water shoes)
Water and snacks
Change of shoes/socks for after the hike
Tips for Hiking Kanarra Falls
Go early: We started a little before 8 AM and finished around 10 AM, and we barely saw anyone until we were heading back to the trailhead. If you want fewer people in the canyon and better photos at the waterfall, start as early as you can.
Download the AllTrails map ahead of time: The trail can get a little tricky to follow once you reach the creek. Since you’ll be crossing water and hopping back onto the path in different spots, having the AllTrails map downloaded makes it much easier.
Be careful on the ladder: The ladder section at Kanarra Falls is a lot steeper than it looks in photos, and the steps can get very slippery from the waterfall spray. Take your time, use the handrails, and don’t feel rushed if people are waiting behind you.
Know your turnaround point: You don’t have to hike all the way to the second waterfall to have an amazing experience! If the water feels too cold, the ladder feel intimidating, or you’re not comfortable continuing, turning around at the first waterfall is completely fine.
Check conditions before you go: Since this is a slot canyon hike, always check the weather and current trail conditions before starting. Do not hike if there is rain in the forecast. Learn more about slot canyon safety here.
Don’t rush the hike: Even though Kanarra Falls isn’t a super long hike, you'll definitely want to take your time. The rocks can be slippery, the ladder can get backed up, and you’ll probably want to stop for photos along the way!
Best Time to Hike Kanarra Falls
The best time to hike Kanarra Falls is usually late spring through early fall, but the experience can change a lot depending on water levels, snowmelt, and flash flood risk.
The trail is open from dawn to dusk during spring, summer, and fall, with more limited hours in the winter.
Spring
Spring can be a beautiful time to hike Kanarra Falls, but it can also be a little unpredictable. Snowmelt can make the creek higher, colder, and faster-moving, especially in early spring or after warmer weather melts snow in the mountains.
We hiked Kanarra Falls at the very beginning of May, and the water was still freezing. If you’re hiking in spring, I would definitely wear neoprene socks and check the weather and conditions before you go.
Summer
Summer is one of the most popular times to hike Kanarra Falls because the weather is warmer, and walking through the creek can actually feel very refreshing on a hot day. During summer, the water is usually around ankle to mid-calf deep, but the water will still be cold.
The biggest downside to summer is flash flood risk, especially during monsoon season. Since Kanarra Falls is a slot canyon hike, do not hike if there is rain in the forecast, even if the storm seems far away.
Fall
Fall is probably one of the best times to hike Kanarra Falls. The weather is usually more comfortable, the risk of flash floods are slimmer, and the water levels are typically lower than they are during spring snowmelt.
Winter
You can technically hike Kanarra Falls in winter, but this is the season I would be the most cautious with. The trail has limited hours during winter, and the water is obviously going to be extremely cold.
You may also deal with ice, freezing canyon temperatures, and very slippery conditions, especially around the ladder/staircase and creek crossings. If you’re not experienced with winter conditions, I would personally choose a different season. But the upside to winter hiking here is very little crowds!
Where to Stay Near Kanarra Falls
There are several great places to stay near Kanarra Falls that give you easy access to the hike, Zion National Park, and so many other gems around Southern Utah.
St. George: WorldMark St. George, @HOME by Best Western St. George, or Hyatt Place St. George
Virgin: Zion Wildflower Resort, The Riv at Zion, or AutoCamp Zion
Springdale: Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, Hyatt Place Springdale, or Driftwood Lodge
Cedar City: Abbey Inn, Big Yellow Inn, or Best Western Plus Cedar City
Things to Do Near Kanarra Falls
One of the best parts about visiting Kanarra Falls is how many beautiful places are nearby. If you’re already making the trip to Southern Utah, you can easily pair this hike with plenty of other outdoor adventures!
Here are a few nearby places to add to your itinerary:
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon
Toadstool Hoodoos
Snow Canyon State Park
Paria Townsite
Belly of the Dragon
And if you're already in this part of Utah, you might as well take the full Mighty 5 roadtrip (arguably the best roadtrip in the US!)
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