Hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail in Kanarraville, Utah
Distance: 3.8 miles / 6.1 km
The Kanarra Falls Trail in Kanarraville, Utah, is a beautiful out-and-back day hike just outside of the Kolob Canyons District of Zion National Park that leads up a stunning narrow canyon with multiple waterfalls, all located within the last 0.3 miles (0.5 km) of the hike!
That said, the Kanarra Falls Trail is certainly not what it once was. By this, I mean that, following an explosion in popularity—driven largely by the rise of social media in the mid-2010s—the Town of Kanarraville implemented a permit system on May 1, 2018 for all visitors hiking up Kanarra Creek.
At first, this permit system was open to an unlimited number of hikers, but just one year later, in April 2019, the Town of Kanarraville set a daily cap on the number of reservations allotted, as the original permit system was not effective in reducing crowds.
Today, the number of permits issued is set at 200 per day.
How to Book a Kanarra Falls Trail Permit?
All those interested in hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail must have a valid permit.
That said, permits are sold both in person at the trailhead and online, but, for the safest guarantee, I highly recommend booking in advance!
I say this because the strict 200-person daily limit often sells out during the busy summer travel season, typically mid-April – mid-October.
Book Here: Kanarra Falls Permit
Kanarra Falls Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kanarra Falls Trail is located in a large, paved parking lot just down the hill from the permit station, where hikers can purchase permits on-site before hiking up.
Google Maps Directions: Kanarra Falls Trailhead
Southwest Hiking Checklist
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Southwest U.S.
Hiking the Kanarra Falls Trail
The Kanarra Falls Trail begins in the middle of the parking lot next to the pavilion, where it first climbs a short distance up to the permit station, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.
Kanarra Falls Permit Station
This is where the Kanarra Falls Trail passes the permit station, and it’s where all hikers must either show permits purchased in advance or buy one on-site—that is, if permits have not already sold out!
This is why I recommend purchasing your permits in advance.
Book Here: Kanarra Falls Permit
Kanarra Canyon Road
After the Kanarra Falls Permit Station, the Kanarra Falls Trail begins by climbing a service road to the start of the actual trail.
That said, the first 0.4 miles (0.6 km) of the hike on the service road passes through private land before reaching public Bureau of Land Management (BLM) portion.
This is exactly why the Kanarra Falls Trail is such a different experience from most day hikes across southern Utah—meaning it is because of a public-private partnership that the trail stays open, and it is also why permits are required but not managed by the BLM, even though the majority of the hike is on public land.
At the top of the initial hill, Kanarra Canyon Road passes a few water tanks on the left-hand side, which is always a nice sight on the hike back.
This is also where the road starts descending to Kanarra Creek and the BLM boundary, about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from this point.
This restroom at the bottom of the hill is the only one on the entire Kanarra Falls Trail.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boundary
Immediately after the first creek crossing, the Kanarra Falls Trail leaves the private portion of the hike behind and enters public BLM land.
This is the 0.4-mile (0.6 km) mark.
After the Bureau of Land Management sign, the Kanarra Falls Trail continues to follow a service road for most of the next 0.7 miles (1.1 km), with the exception of one very short stretch that parallels a long creek crossing.
Apart from the narrowest sections of Kanarra Creek Canyon ahead, there is not much shade among the Juniper trees throughout much of the day!
This is why I highly recommend wearing a hooded sun shirt to stay safe, especially if you plan to check out other amazing adventures in the nearby Kolob Canyons District, like the Timber Creek Overlook Trail.
This is the one very short stretch along the service road where the Kanarra Falls Trail follows an actual trail.
That said, go left at this split to continue on the Kanarra Falls Trail and both the road and the trail will meet again about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) ahead.
This is where the trail around the long creek crossing and the service road come back together.
This second creek crossing is exactly 1.0 mile (1.6 km) from the lower trailhead in the Kanarra Falls parking lot.
Kanarra Falls Trail (End of Kanarra Canyon Road)
This is the 1.1-mile (1.2 km) mark, and it’s where the service road comes to an end and the true Kanarra Falls Trail begins.
Shortly after leaving the service road, the Kanarra Falls Trail drops down to Kanarra Creek, which it will follow for the entirety of the hike to the upper waterfall.
At the very beginning of Kanarra Creek, there are a few side trails worth following.
However, over the next 0.2 miles (0.3 km), the canyon walls close in on either side, and the trail essentially becomes the creek.
After the first 'long' side trail up the left side of Kanarra Creek, the walls of Kanarra Creek Canyon close in dramatically.
This means that from this point on, the Kanarra Falls Trail very closely follows the creek as it switches from side to side somewhat rapidly, many times being easiest to simply walk straight up the flowing creek.
Warning
It’s important to mention that Kanarra Creek can flash flood without warning, and the dangers of being caught in the canyon during a flash flood only increase as the trail approaches Lower Kanarra Falls, including the sections that follow.
This is why it’s important to check the forecast before setting off—especially during the summer monsoon months, when there is an increased risk of flooding.
If you plan to hike all the way to Upper Kanarra Falls, it’s worth mentioning now that it is not possible to keep your shoes dry.
I say this because the trail eventually passes through not one, but two, sections of narrows, where Kanarra Creek is the only route to continue higher.
Therefore, I recommend getting your feet wet early on, as it makes for a much more enjoyable and easier hike than constantly trying to avoid the stream on either side.
Since the Kanarra Falls Trail has so many creek crossings and even becomes the creek farther up the canyon, some hikers may want to bring trekking poles—especially from March to mid-May, when spring snowmelt is at its peak.
Lower Kanarra Creek Narrows
After roughly 1.6 miles (2.6 km), the Kanarra Falls Trail reaches the beginning of the Lower Kanarra Falls Narrows, one of two sections that resemble portions of The Narrows in Zion National Park!
That said, the Lower Kanarra Falls Narrows are also a nice mental checkpoint, as Lower Kanarra Falls is just 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away from where the trail first enters.
This very short, narrow corridor is easily one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire Kanarra Falls Trail!
Lower Kanarra Falls
This is Lower Kanarra Falls, and it is the first of three different waterfalls on the Kanarra Falls Trail, though the argument could certainly be made that there are four.
What Happened to the Log Ladder at Kanarra Falls?
The iconic log ladder that can be seen in the cover photo of this article is a thing of the past.
Following a flash flood that occurred in August 2021, the beautiful log ladder that used to lean against Lower Kanarra Falls was swept away and subsequently replaced by this more permanent staircase.
If not for the flash flood, the old log ladder wouldn’t have lasted much longer, but its replacement was sped up by the August 2021 flood.
After climbing Lower Kanarra Falls, the trail simply continues straight up Kanarra Creek.
This short cascade is what I was referring to when I mentioned that there is certainly an argument that there are four waterfalls on the trail.
Nevertheless, go right to climb up and over this large boulder to continue toward both Middle and Upper Kanarra Falls.
At the top of the scramble, the Kanarra Falls Trail becomes much like the sections after the service road but before Lower Kanarra Falls.
From this point, there is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) left before reaching Upper Kanarra Falls, which is why I recommend finishing the hike if you already decided to continue up the stairs at Lower Kanarra Falls.
Once again, some hikers may want to use trekking poles for these narrow sections up Kanarra Creek.
At this large boulder, the easiest route forward is around the right side and through Kanarra Creek.
At this sharp bend in the canyon just before the second waterfall, the Kanarra Falls Trail climbs up a very short, steep hillside.
Middle Kanarra Falls
The top of the steep section is Middle Kanarra Falls, and it’s a nice sign that the Upper Kanarra Creek Narrows—just before the third and final waterfall—are but a few steps ahead!
The Kanarra Falls Trail levels out significantly at the top of Middle Kanarra Falls.
Upper Kanarra Creek Narrows
With just 0.1 miles (0.2 km) to go, the Kanarra Falls Trail enters the second set of narrows.
This is exactly why I said that keeping your feet dry is not possible if you plan to hike to Upper Kanarra Falls, and it’s why I recommend committing early!
However, during the cooler off-season months, that is much easier said than done!
Upper Kanarra Falls
This is Upper Kanarra Falls, and for the vast majority of hikers, this is the end of the trail.
However, as you can see below, it is possible to hike higher up the spring-fed creek, but that’s typically more of a local adventure, as climbing Upper Kanarra Falls is quite challenging without the right gear.
Arizona
Utah
