Southern Utah is an outdoor lover’s paradise with adventures for everyone. Whether you’re wanting to slide into a narrow slot canyon, discover a waterfall amidst a desert oasis, scale sandstone cliffs or explore Dr. Seuss-like rock formations, this part of Utah has it all.
While there’s no shortage of “epic” when it comes to hikes in Southern Utah, finding the right ones that you can take your kids on can be a little more of a challenge. I have put together a list of 10 epic family-friendly hikes in Southern Utah. Make sure to check out our comprehensive guide to other outdoor activities near St. George, Utah too.
Kanarraville Falls – Kanarraville, UT
Kanarra Creek is stunning slot canyon where you climb a ladder in the midst of a magical waterfall. Plan on getting your feet wet and sliding down a natural water slide. The trail to Kanarraville Falls is as photogenic as they come with vibrant green trees and plants sprouting up throughout the hike. There is some rock scrambling, but experienced little hikers shouldn’t have any trouble making it through this one with a little bit of help. The entire hike is around 3.5 miles round trip.
Hiking through Kannara Creek Canyon to the falls is an adventure your kids love!
Red Reef Trail – Red Cliffs National Reserve
The Red Reef trail, just outside St. George, Utah will excite toddlers and teens alike with an elephant-like tree trunk to crawl in, caves, petroglyphs, and water running for at least six months of the year making pools to swim and jump in. This trail starts out in the Red Cliff Reserve campground and ventures into a canyon that gets more narrow as you travel up.
Look for a giant cholla standing proudly alongside the trail after you climb the first little hill. This hike has tons of bouldering for kids, and in spite of being a short trail (less than 3 miles round trip), it also offers a few offshoots to explore that can extend the hike.
The hike on the Red Reef trail through Red Cliffs Recreation Area just outside St. George, Utah is the perfect day adventure with kids of all ages.
Canyon Overlook – Zion National Park
One short climb at the beginning and then a meandering trail takes you to one of the best views in Zion National Park, the Canyon Overlook. As long as no one is afraid of heights, the whole family will love this trail, plus it is only 1 mile round trip! You get a wooden walkway hanging over a cliff, a cave-like overhang to explore, and bighorn sheep sightings on this trail. This trail can get crowded so consider going earlier in the morning to beat the rush or brave the crowds and watch an epic sunset at the overlook.
The Canyon Overlook trail in Zion National Park offers great views without too much work, making it a great hiking option with littles.
Yant Flat – Dixie National Forest
The other-worldly Yant Flat (otherwise known as Candy Cliffs) in Dixie National Forest begins with a short 1.5-mile hike through the woods before reaching open terrain of swirling smooth rock formations that spill out for miles. The landscape can be steep at times, and there are cliffs to be aware of, but the sticky rock will allow kids to adventure across much of the area.
Make sure to pay attention to weather patterns in this area. The road getting out to Yant Flat is dirt and can muddy up quickly, making it hard for a car to pass. Depending on how much exploring you do, this hike can be 3 to 7 miles round trip.
Yant Flat in Dixie National Forest, Utah is lesser known, but a fun playground to explore.
Water Canyon – Cannan Mountain
Located at the end of a 4-wheel drive dirt road, Water Canyon is a hidden gem just outside of Hildale that has a shallow year-round creek and a waterfall as a reward at the end of the first part of the hike. You can venture on farther, but this isn’t advised with young kids. The trail can be a little tricky due to all the rock scrambling that is required.
Look up as you hike to find an arch in the rocks high above to the right as you venture up the canyon. Also, keep an eye out for narrow slots along the trail that only little kids can slide into. This trail is around 3-4 miles round trip depending on far up the canyon you explore.
Water Canyon in Cannan Mountain is just outside Hildale, Utah is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Wire Pass Trail – Kanab UT
There is nothing quite like a good slot canyon to make a simple hike feel like a grand adventure. Wire Pass Trail, located off a bumpy dirt road one hour east of Kanab, UT, is the perfect day hike to escape from it all and get the adventure juices flowing. At less than 4 miles round trip, families and seasoned adventure junkies alike will enjoy exploring in the deep narrows and taking in the quiet solitude and beauty of the wavy red rock walls.
This trail is best visited from March through October and is also dog-friendly. You can also access Buckskin Gulch from this trail, the longest slot canyon in the Southwest and popular with overnight backpackers.
If you want the experience of a slot canyon, but without too many people, Wire Pass trail in Kanab, Utah will not disappoint.
Calf Creek Falls – Escalante, UT
This is the longest hike on the list, at 6 miles round trip, but believe me, the destination is worth it. Calf Creek Falls is hot and exposed in the summer sun, so prepare accordingly with lots of water, sunscreen, snacks and plenty of breaks along the way. Look for panels of petroglyphs on the sheer cliff walls while you hike, to keep the kids entertained.
Once you reach the end, you reach a beautiful waterfall oasis ideal for resting in the shade, playing in the sand, and sliding down the mossy edges of the waterfall. It is a bit cold for swimming, but on a hot summer day, it is perfect for a quick dip before journeying back.
Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah is the perfect hike for kids who love water.
Snow Canyon Overlook – Ivins, UT
Off the beaten path, the trail to Snow Canyon Overlook is located at the far north side of Snow Canyon State Park, long past where the main tourist stream of people travel. There’s plenty of parking in the large lot, and the trail is easy to navigate. A rocky and at times sandy 2.5-mile hike takes you to expansive and stunning views of Snow Canyon that will take your breath away.
Many of the trails in Snow Canyon State Park, Utah can be quite popular, but this hike to Snow Canyon Overlook is out of radar mostly, making it great for getting away from the hustle and bustle of a busy park.
Navajo Trail – Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is all about the hoodoos, the tall eroded spires that jut out of the desert landscape. If you only have time to do one trail while in Bryce, the Navajo Loop trail is the adventure you should choose. This is a family-friendly, action-packed trail that is only 1.5 miles long (unless you combine with the Queens-Garden loop) with switchbacks, carved out caves to climb in and views for days.
There is a steep climb at the end of this hike, so take it slow and take plenty of snack breaks. Avoid hiking this on a rainy day as the sticky cement-like mud makes the trail impossible to hike and very slippery. Read our comprehensive guide to Bryce Canyon for more hikes and other ideas on what to do in this beautiful national park.
You haven’t been to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah until you’ve hiked the infamous Navajo trail.
The Narrows – Zion National Park
One of the most famous adventure hikes in Zion National Park, the Narrows trail is around 5 miles round trip and paved all the way up to the point when you start wading in the Virgin River up the canyon. In the summer, this hike is the perfect reprieve from the intense summer heat, and kids love the opportunity to hike in the water. While The Narrows can feel a bit like a freeway at rush hour due to being so popular, it’s still beautiful and gives you the feeling of a true slot canyon with rock walls that shoot up for thousands of feet.
At a certain point, this hike becomes a permit-only adventure, and everyone has to turn around. Be aware of weather conditions because flash floods are a possibility. For more info on this hike, find a complete guide to hiking the Narrows and other hikes in Zion National Park with kids.
Hiking through the Narrows in Zion National Park will likely be one of your all-time favorite hikes.
Do you have a hike in Southern Utah you would like to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
About Arika Bauer:
Arika Bauer is a Southern Utah local, born and raised, and the owner of Zion Adventure Photog, a photography business dedicated to photographing world travelers, outdoor lovers, and adventure junkies in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. She has made it her mission to explore all of the hidden, and not-so-hidden gems of Southern Utah, with her husband and three kids and shares about different adventures in Southern Utah on her blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
