Buckle up friends!! We've done quite a few hikes as a family but this one is our all time favorite! It's got it all. River trail hiking, chains and ladders to climb, towering slot canyons, even a natural water slide make this a perfect adventure for the whole family.
Kanarraville is about 30 minutes before St. George. To find the parking lot you'll take the exit 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. Now you can park here for $10 or you can turn around and park at the church down the street for free.
The first 3/4 of a mile follows a wide dirt road. Keep in mind there is no shade in this portion the trail. We did it in June and it was sweltering. Don't worry though, there are a few stream crossings to cool you off. Just little ones you can hop over pretty easily.
After another mile or so the trail starts to become a little tricky. You'll be tempted to avoid the water because we moms like to keep our kids feet dry as much as possible but just go with it on this hike. Go nice and slow to avoid slippery rocks but my advice is just to hike right in the river. Your feet get used to it.
Now you'll read on the internet that this hike is categorized as "moderate" but if I can do it while carrying two babies anyone can do this hike! My mom even came along and thought it was the highlight of our trip.
We hiked through the river trail for probably another 2 miles.
Then all the sudden the slot canyon pops up out of no where. This was my kids first time seeing anything like this and they were completely blown away. It's cold and windy in the slot canyon so be aware of that.
Within about 10 minutes you come to "kanarra falls" It's really loud and windy right here. Just kinda a fun surprise to tired little hikers. Again, if my 67 year old mom and me holding 2 babies can make it up this ladder anyone can!!
Just above the falls the slot opens up and it's warm and sunny again. This is a perfect spot to rest a minute. I brought lunchables for the kids and trailmix and beef jerky for the grown ups.
Now this a perfectly acceptable place to turn around. But, we kinda like going as far as we can possibly push it! So after a little recharge we pushed through the canyon a little further. The water gets deeper and slightly more difficult to boulder through. But after about 15 or 20 minutes of that you get to the water slide! As if the slot canyon and sneaking behind the waterfall and climbing the ladder wasn't enough you get to slide down one of the best natural water slides I've ever seen. I had saved a bag of mini oreos from lunch so that I could entice the nervous ones down the slide. Works like a charm!
Kanarraville Falls Hike: 5ish miles round trip
Best time of year: late spring to fall
Not Stroller friendly
Bathrooms at the trailhead
$10: if you park at the trailhead
Directions to Trailhead: take the exit 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.
Enjoy this hike! It's one of the best out there!!
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