Kanarraville Falls

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!!

CEU Prehistoric Museum

One day on our way to Goblin Valley we stopped in Price to get gas and noticed the CEU Prehistoric Museum.  We decided to give it a try.  

Such a fun surprise on an otherwise boring drive.  One thing that makes their museum so unique is that their items on display were actually discovered within a stone’s throw of the actual museum location!  

They even have a guided tour you can take on your cell phone.  I tried it, but you know, kids...

It’s not just a dinosaur museum either.  They have a archaeological finds from all over the Eastern Utah area focusing for the most part on the Fremont Indians.

Best of all though would have to be the kids corner in the back of the museum.   Games, puzzles, books, and even a little digging spot made for some pretty happy kids.  

CEU Prehistoric Museum

155 East Main Street

Price, Utah 84501

Adults: $6 Kids: $3

Capitol Reef National Park - Hickman Bridge

Capitol Reef National Park is the least visited and know national park in Utah, but it is our family's very favorite! And the hike to Hickman Bridge inside Capitol Reef NP is the perfect hike to start your family on becoming hikers. The hike is relatively short (1 mile each way) and flat and the end is spectacular! 

The trail is well maintained and easy to follow, but it is exposed - not much shade, so plan accordingly (go early in the morning or at least be sure to bring water). We stopped at rocks and trees to "rest".

We opted to carry both of our youngest (2 years old and 1 year old) because they love to look for/collect rocks, sticks, lizards, bugs, etc which makes even a short hike quite long. 

About half-way to the arch, there is a really cool area with boulders to climb on and and sandstone to scramble all over.  It is also a perfect photo op!

Once you reach Hickman Bridge, the rock changes to red and it is stunning! Walking down off the trail has loose rock, so you may want to hold littles' hands. 

Check out this arch! It spans 133' and 125' high! Can you spot me below taking pictures?

This boy thought it was the most fun to play in the soft, cool sand below the arch. 

Our girls ran all around finding cool "caves" and "tunnels" to play in. It was perfect for children to climb up and down and all around!

And it was also fun to explain the variation of colors, and the strata and how the bridge was formed. According to the pamphlet, "The Kayenta Formation consists of hard beds alternating with much softer layers. The bridge is firm sandstone, while next to the trail is friable red shale which crumbles easily. During wetter times, water coursed down behind the fin into which the bridge was cut, and eroded the soft shale until it broke through. Subsequent erosion enlarged the span. "

Directly below the arch, you can really see the red rock and feel how much softer it is than the hard sandstone. 

And, if you are really lucky, there is a large puddle (probably filled with ghiardia, so I wouldn't let my kids play in it) at the base, too. It was fun to throw rocks in it.

While the girls explored the walls and such, our toddlers played in the sand. 

These girls could've spent all day playing around Hickman Bridge. Plan on an hour (and if you're smart, take a light picnic to eat while there) at the arch before returning down to the trail head. 

THINGS TO KNOW:

• There are restrooms at the trail head parking lot
• Trail is mostly exposed, very little shade
• Plan on 2+ hours of hiking and playing at the arch
• No water along, so be sure to bring enough for your family

Pine Creek Waterfall Hike

Next time you find yourself at Zion National Park and you don’t really want to deal with crowds or keeping your kids on the marked path or out the water I have the perfect hike for you!!  We were looking for a place where our 5 kids ages 2-9 could just run wild and explore and get wet if they wanted to.  The Pine Creek Waterfall is all that and so much more.  

After you enter the park you’ll stay on route 9 as you pass the junction and you’ll start to head into the U-Curve area.  At the very first curve you’ll see a little pull out on the the left side of the road, right before the bridge.  That’s the spot!!  It’s not well marked (which is kinda the best part ).  There is this little no pets and no bicycle sign so you’ll know you’re in the right parking area.  Don’t worry if your kiddos are super annoyed and grumpy about the drive to get here!  They will perk right up when they see why you’re here.  I promise!!

There is a pretty clear worn path from the parking area and you can just start on your way.  

After about a quarter of mile following the creek, you will notice boulders along and in the trail.

Just climb up and over staying along the creek.  You should cross the creek a few times. After about a ½ mile hike you’ll find yourself at the lower waterfall.

This is a fun place to pull out some lunch or just play in the warm sand.

There is also a spot here where the water runs down some boulders making a perfect little waterslide in the summer.  Since we did it in February we didn’t brave the waterslide.  Although my husband did offer anyone who dared to cliff jump in $5.  Four of my five kids including my 4 year old did it.  (I didn’t because the water was frigid but $5 is $5!!)

If you keep climbing up the rocks and boulders you get to the upper waterfall which is also beautiful and slightly warmer.  

This upper waterfall also has slippery rocks that would be fun to slide down in the summer.  We spent another couple hours just climbing around and exploring.  

I took my 2 year old out of the backpack and just let her climb around with the rest of us - totally do-able with little kids like mine.

The very best part of Pine Creek Waterfall is:  If you go in the summertime this entire swimming hole is full of tadpoles!  You can take a couple plastic bags and the kids will have the best time catching and releasing the tadpoles.  Also, all over these boulders you’ll see frogs hopping in and out of the water.  It’s just a magical kind of place away from the bustle and crowds you usually find at Zions.

After everyone is back in dry clothes and warmed up you just have to take a trip through the famous Zions tunnel.  It’s just right up the road from the Pine Creek Waterfall.  Roll down your windows and let the kids scream and echo.  If you’re really daring and the tunnel is pretty empty turn your headlights off for a second.  That’s REALLY crazy! And yes, we totally did that.

Pine Creek Waterfall Hike

Location: Zion National Park

Cost: $30/vehicle valid for 7 days from purchase