The Red Reef Trail offers absolutely stunning scenery. The views along the trail are beautiful, and…read morethe hike itself is enjoyable. I didn't end up completing the very last section because I was a little too nervous about using the rope to climb along the side of the rocks. However, that obstacle is near the end of the trail, so I was still able to experience most of the hike and felt like I got the full beauty of the area. Even without finishing the final portion, I would definitely recommend this trail. Just be prepared for a little bit of scrambling and the rope section if you plan to complete it!

You can use your national park pass to avoid the fee here. You just have to display it on your…read moredash. Maps took us like 2 miles north, then back track to the tunnel to get in. Not sure if that was the best way or not. The parking lot is not huge, and you can't park in the designated camping area spots. There are plenty of picnic tables, probably more than parking spaces. There are at least 20 tables there. There are a few trails to choose from. Very close the parking and campsites is a short 1/4 hike (or shorter) to the dinosaur prints. There is a hike in the other direction to the mini waterfall and pond. Probably about a mile or a little over a mile (1direction). We also found an old almost petrified bristlecone tree (that was neat). We got lucky with the weather for Dec, it was probably about 60 degrees and very nice. I saw that in the summer it can be over 110 so I am glad that we got the nice weather. The red /orange scenery is spectacular and representative of the area, like it is at zion, bryce, snow canyon, pioneer park, etc. We enjoyed a picnic lunch there, and we had a blue bird, a scrub jay, come join us and beg for food. Check out my photos.

It's a very tough drive up, we had a large truck and very much struggled half way up till we gave…read moreup. Lifted truck, jeep, quad or dirt bike is your only option. Unless you don't care about absolutely destroying your vehicle I recommend hiking the entire trip or drive halfway then start hiking because it gets only worst the further you go. It might get better over time but the flooding made it more difficult journey.

DOPE Ride!! Yelp reviewers are correct, you should NOT attempt this trail unless you are familiar…read morewith off roading, have a 4x4, and/or have Matt's number (Matt's OffRoad Recovery) and cell service. Gnarly road with awesome views of Utah's mountains and valley. Sometimes you're so darn close to the edge, one miscalculated move... A bit nerve-wracking! The falls were okay. Water temperature was perfect for a hot day.

Morning of day2 of a road trip with my son from AZ to WA. We stopped in Hurricane, UT overnight so…read morewe could visit Zion National Park the next morning. It was a beautiful overcast day in the park where we got a few short showers. We parked in the visitor lot just early enough to find a few open parking spots (when we returned the lot was full and cars were everywhere trying to usher people out so they could take their spot). We took the shuttle to the stop at the end and did a casual hike along the river and the canyon walls. It was an amazing spot and we wished we had time for the 7-hour experience but was had to get to Boise before the end of the day. After about 1 hour we arrived back at the first stop and did another 1 hour hike around one of the main intermediate trails. The beauty of Zion is everywhere- the rock formations, the rivers, the waterfalls, the vegetation, the animals and more. We spent an hour more than we planned just to soak as much in as we could! I'm definitely coming back here in the future to spend a full day or more with the family. We only saw the tip of the iceberg and it was amazing!

First and more importantly, arrive early. Zion's visitor center has a small and limited parking…read morelot, if no spots are available, then your option is to First and more importantly, arrive early. Zion's visitor center has a small and limited parking lot, if no spots are available, then your option is to park in town at Springdale and shuttle in. We parked at the closest parking lot to the park, it was $42, I am not sure if other lots have a charge but I would assume so. This park is primarily accessible by shuttle, after passing the ticket booth, you will proceed on the shuttle to your desired destination. We first did the 3 Emerald Pool hikes, we were not impressed with the hikes, the pools were primarily dried up and there was not much to see. We proceeded to the Narrows, a 1/2 mile trail ended up in the river and the rest of the hike is on foot. We proceeded 2.5 miles into the river and the deepest the water reached was mid-thigh. We did hear the water got as deep as chest high a bit farther. The rapids were strong, so chest deep water would've been difficult to maneuver. We wore keen hiking sandals and did not rent water shoes or sticks. The sandals worked fine, we could see how it is beneficial to have a walking stick to test the depth of the water or where a rock might be. High risk for rolling ankles so move carefully. This was an enjoyable hike. We spent 1 full day at Zion, we later determined we needed a second day to get more of a Zion experience. With everything, bring plenty of water and salty snacks. There are some water refill stations along the way but be sure to check in advance. I recommend having a hydration pack with a water bladder, plenty of sunscreen, bandaids and a hat. It was 102 degree F our day in Zion mid sept.

Zion National Park covers nearly 150,000 acres. Most people will go the most popular area in…read moreSpringdale, but there's a separate area known as Kolob Canyons which is located in a different area of the park about an hour's drive away. I spent a leisurely day here, which I thought was enough to enjoy the visitor center, the scenic drive, and hike Timber Creek Overlook as well as Taylor Creek Trail. The visitor center has the NPS ranger desk, a small gift shop with the usual NPS offerings, and information about the rocks. There's also washrooms here and water available. The drive was beautiful with many pull outs to enjoy the view. I drove up to Timber Creek Overlook which is at the end of the drive. It's about a 1.2 mi path, although it was evidentially super muddy in the past with super deep foot prints and people walking everywhere. It was ok. The Taylor Creek Trail was amazing. I've never hiked a trail with as many stream crossings, which made it fun. There's also two homestead cabins on the way, and the trail takes you through a narrow box canyon toward the Double Arch Alcove. The end of the hike was pretty chilly due to the shade and the water present. Brr. I think this is a great counterpart to the more famous area - it's definitely less visited and you get more solitude.

Kolob Canyons as part of Zion National Park is an underrated gem much less visited than The Narrows…read morein Zion. It's located about an hour north of the main park entrance, off the highway on the way to Cedar City. An admission fee is required to enter this area of the park. We arrived around 8:30am and there were only several cars in front of the visitor center. We checked in with our national park passes and started the 5-mile scenic drive up to the top of the mountain. There's are many pullouts along the road to take pictures and see the beautiful views. A circular parking lot is at the summit with vault restrooms and a nice view of the Kolob Canyons. The secret here is to hike the 0.5 mile trail with the trailhead at the parking lot. The hike has a little elevation, but a 76-year old in our party was able to hike all the way. The views at the end of the trail are phenomenal and worth the trip. We spent a lot of time here taking pictures and soaking up the sights. We could see far into the horizon, past the mountains into Arizona on a clear day. For me, visiting Kolob Canyons was my favorite and most memorable part of my Utah trip. The crowds here are nearly nonexistent, though parking at the top of the mountain can get full. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend adding Kolob Canyons to your itinerary!

Sand Hollow State Park is a standout in southern Utah, offering a visual contrast of turquoise…read morewater set directly against bright orange sandstone and red-rock dunes. It's an outdoor playground where you can spend the morning boating, paddle boarding, or the afternoon riding OHVs straight into the adjacent sand trails. Between the scenic red-sand beaches and top-tier water recreation, it's one of the best warm-weather day trips near St. George.

Such a fun lake day. We usually arrive super early to reserve a spot. This year we got a great spot…read moreunder plenty of trees. Water is always a little cold but it's a cold u can get used too, the sun is extremely strong so it's refreshing definitely. The bathroom situation isn't the best, it's similar to porter potty, but it does the job. Shaved ice truck is passing through regularly so that was cool. Rented a boat for 2h and the boat ride was very soothing for me, enjoyed the views & my company. Definitely always a great family day here. Canams & jet skis are also available for rental here.

We made the drive from Vegas and stopped here to stretch our legs and had such an amazing time…read more This park is free, super clean, informative, and good for everyone - from folks with young kids, folks in wheel chairs, and for my young teens, it was perfect for them to climb rocks and check out amazing views. There is a bathroom, would def recommend bringing water/snacks, sunscreen/hat

We visited Pioneer Park for the first time recently, and while it's definitely a beautiful and…read moreunique spot, our experience was a bit mixed . We didn't really know where to start when we arrived, and there wasn't much direction, so we ended up just climbing the first rock formation we saw. Honestly, if it weren't for a group of people ahead of us, we probably wouldn't have had any idea where to go. I was hoping to make it to the arch, but the climb felt a little too steep and slippery, especially with kids. We were carrying our three-year-old and keeping a close eye on our six-year-old, who was feeling a bit more adventurous than we were comfortable with in that terrain. We didn't make it very far in and mostly just stopped to take a quick photo so we could say we visited. It was also pretty hot, with the sun beating down the whole time, which made it harder to explore and enjoy the park fully. That said, the park itself is really nice, and you can tell there's a lot to see if you're prepared and know where you're going. I'd recommend going earlier in the day, bringing plenty of water, and maybe looking up a map or trail guide ahead of time, especially if you're visiting with young kids. Overall, it's a cool place, but we didn't get to experience it as much as we had hoped. Definitely worth another try with better planning!

Utah is one of the most majestic, awe-inspiring states and has been such an unexpected joy in my…read morelife - if you had told me 10 years ago that I'd be spending a significant part of my life in Utah I never would've believed you lol. Exploring Utah over the past 4-5 years has changed me - I have developed such a deep appreciation for the deserts and canyon lands that I used to vehemently dislike thanks to the Beehive State! Our 45th state is packed full of burnt orange cliffs and slot canyons, deep green rivers, towering multicolored mountains and hoodoos, unlimited arches and natural bridges, well preserved dinosaur footprints, and an insane amount of petroglyphs and pictographs dating back many thousands of years. I thoroughly enjoyed combing through my Utah photo collection from the past several years and I hope my pics will give you a sense of the vast land of adventure this state holds! When my son got out of the marines, he announced he was moving to Salt Lake City to go to college with his marine "brothers" - at the time I was absolutely devastated bc I thought he'd always live with me forever until the end of days (as I'm sure all mothers do LOL) - but he went off to make a life for himself with his newfound military bros (how dare he??!!!) His decision ended up being such a wonderful turn of events in all our lives - not only did it open up a whole new world of outdoor adventures and American history to explore, but it also brought so many wonderful people into our lives and given us a whole new branch of our family!! His military bros are the most fantastic people and their families have all become part of our family! The outdoor activities and wildlife are unparalleled- and the people are the kindest I've ever encountered. My son has utterly thrived in Utah and excelled at "The U" in his engineering major. This state will forever hold a special place in my heart! It's a hidden gem and I hope it stays that way - but I don't think it will bc apparently it's one of the fastest growing state in the US waaaa!! So I highly recommend visiting - but also please don't so it won't change LOL!!

Just Go (#10) We've…read morevisited the Great State of Utah many times over the years. This is an updated review. We love Utah because they have some of the most beautiful National Parks, which I mentioned extensively in my original review. We even revisited Bryce Canyon during Covid year (2020)... it was a great place to social distance ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Aside from these iconic national parks we also found some national monuments, landmarks and small towns to visit including Virgin Town. If passing by don't forget to stop at the Buffalo Trading Company and try their awesome buffalo burgers... and did you know that there is a real UP House located in the southwestern City of Herriman? You won't find Carl, Ellie and Russell here, though. This house isn't cartoon. Old Irontown (Cedar City) - located in the southern part of Utah Old Irontown is said to be the very first ghost town in Utah. What we found was an off-the-beaten trail that led to the historical part of Old Irontown and a charcoal kiln was one of the landmarks in the ghost town... no ghosts, just a bunch of fire ants! Yikes! Park City Historic Main Street - I was charmed by this popular historic mountain town. Lots of shops and restaurants, bars and breweries, entertainment, galleries, and nearby hotel and lodging. It was once a silver town and hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002. Reminded me of Virginia City in NV. Bonneville Salt Flats (Wendover) - this was cool! We drove here in 2020... can't practice anymore social distancing than being here at the Salt Flats. We drove a mile out from the west rest stop area and checked out this densely packed salt bed. I had no idea that Southern Utah was once a dinosaur stomping ground (no pun intended) and that inside the St George Dinosaur Discovery Site @ Johnson Farm is the original intact track surface. Thank you Great State of Utah... so much natural beauty! Review #1348 updated

Kanarra Falls was absolutely worth it. The entire trail was beautiful from start to finish, but…read moreonce you get into the canyons it is seriously mesmerizing. The red rock, the narrow canyon walls, and walking through the water made the whole hike feel so different from anything else we've done. The water was definitely cold, but honestly it felt so refreshing. One of my favorite parts was that it wasn't packed full of people. We went early in the morning, and thanks to the permit system, you're not dealing with huge crowds all over the trail or trying to squeeze past people in the canyon. In my opinion, this is the only way to do a hike like this. Limiting the number of people makes the experience so much more peaceful and lets you actually stop, look around, and enjoy how incredible the canyon is. Such a beautiful hike and definitely one I would recommend. Go early, be prepared to get your feet wet, and take your time because the scenery is amazing.

Tons of waterfalls + slot canyon hiking through a freezing river = one of the most epic trails I've…read moreever done! It's like a mini version of The Narrows in Zion. The Kanarra Falls trail is quite an adventure - it's a water hike with some dramatic scenery and intense rock scrambling depending on how far in you go. If you only go to the ladder, I'd say it's a moderate trail. But if you go all the way to the last falls, it's more strenuous. I hiked it in late spring and the water was a balmy 38°F! I did some research and planned ahead to wear thick neoprene socks - But even with my thermal socks, the water was so cold my lower legs were numb for about 60-70% of the trail which made this moderate/strenuous hike even more challenging! So I highly recommend the socks if you're hiking outside of the late summer season bc that water is COLD! And you'll be walking in water depths anywhere from your ankles up to your mid-shins for about 75-80% of the trail. Getting to the first large falls by the ladder isn't terribly difficult and you'll still see several smaller falls along the way. The first part is along a well maintained dirt trail with a few small water crossings before you have to get down into the riverbed. So for those wanting to stop at the top of the ladder, it's still a fantastic and much less strenuous hike. But there are about 3-4 gorgeous falls and slot canyons past that leading up to the last falls that I really would've regretted not seeing. The rock scrambling can get quite difficult- especially for a short person (I'm 5'2"). At one point I had to hoist myself up over some very tall boulders using just my arms and had to do a bit of a chimney crawl up another boulder and a narrow slot wall so be prepared and know your abilities bc I struggled to get back down LOL! I used one of my poles for most of the hike bc the riverbed is very rocky and slippery. I also wore an old pair of my fave Salomon waterproof(ish) hiking shoes with really solid tread - definitely helped. I imagine in the hot weather you'd be fine in some sort of water shoe with no socks but not in winter/spring. Reservations for this hike are required year-round as they limit the number permitted daily to preserve the environment here since this is such a popular trail. It was easy to reserve my spot online and I recommend doing it as far in advance as possible bc spots go fast - especially in the summer. There's plenty of paved parking at the trailhead with nice bathrooms. There are also more bathrooms along the trail right before the first water crossing. It's easy to find - google maps takes you right to the parking area. AllTrails says the trail is 3.6 miles with 656 feet elevation gain but I did just over 5 miles total with 1100+ feet elevation gain by going past the ladder at the first falls - totally worth it - Definitely in my top 5 trails of all time!

Booked 6 for Narrows water gear online, followed advice to come the night before to pick up…read more Process was super easy, this is the 3rd time at the Narrows but the 1st renting gear and we will never go without again. Boots and socks were in great shape and dry. Made our hike the best experience yet with having peace of mind that our feet were protected and the walking stick was very handy to have. Makes us think how we ever navigated without it. Return was just as easy. Will rent again. Thanks Gurus!!

Zion Guru Outfitters: We Always Help Our Customers. My wife…read moreand I are retired and real old school. We don't respond to solicitations for completing service solicitations or surveys. That changed during our planning and for when we started our Mighty 5 road trip in Springdale UT with Zion National Park, September 11-13. We needed e-bikes for getting around the ark for 2 days and for gear for the Narrows. After reviewing the local outfitter websites for Zion, and previous customers' Youtubes, we liked what Zion Guru represented. They had a good vibe. It got better. Being new to Zion, to riding ebikes, and hiking in a river, we called with specific questions about all 3 areas. A Zion Guru staff member answered our questions simply, enthusiastically and honestly. Our e-bikes were ready for us on the morning of September 12. The customer attention by each staff member was great and really friendly. When our RV Park could not deliver our shuttle back later that day, Zion Guru said no problem. "We can help. Take your bikes overnight back to your RV park. We'll give you a charged battery now and another when you come back for your Narrows gear." Now for the best! The previous day's orientation on the Narrows and the gear we picked up (neoprene socks, hiking shoes and wooden rod), made for a great and fun experience. It was a blast! We brought our bikes back Sunday afternoon only to find out we couldn't find any way to get to our RV. Our park said can't help you. No public bus, Uber or Lyft or taxi. Shout out to Carson with Zion Guru! He asked his manager for personal time off to drive us the 12 miles back. His manager said you can stay on the clock. "They are customers. We always do what we can to help our customers." This ethic of fun, safety and customer satisfaction, local area knowledge - and staff respect - is why Zion Guru rents more e-bikes than any competitor, and why they deserve your trust and business. Ken and Leisa from Amador County, CA

This place is so beautiful and peaceful. It's hard to imagine how hard it must have been to live…read moreback then. Take the hikes if you can. Get tickets at the main office to hike down to the dwellings. They will only let so many people down a day.

I was thinking about slot canyons today …read more.. Check out the original review! What a trip down memory lane. I choked up a little.