Whilst the crowds head for the Narrows, those in the know make a beeline to Kanarraville for the stunningly picturesque Kanarra Falls hike. This walk through the river is shorter and includes two very narrow slot canyons and two beautiful waterfalls.

We visited in the fall which had the added spectacle of the trees turning dazzling yellows and reds. As there are only 150 people allowed to hike this trail per day, it felt significantly quieter than the Narrows. It’s easily one of our favourite hikes in Utah.

Here’s why we loved Kanarra Falls and what to expect from the hike.

*Kanarra Falls - Everything you need to know*

The Kanarra Falls hike

Kanarra Falls stats

Difficulty: Moderate with scramble sections
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.3 km)
Elevation: 767 feet (234 metres)
Type of trail: out and back

First things first, you do need a permit for this hike, we’ll tell you all about the process at the end of this post.

The Kanarra Falls hike starts just outside of Kanaraville (around a 50 minute drive from Zion National Park) and quickly heads uphill from the village into the mountains. At first the trail is very obvious and you can only go one way. In fact it doesn’t feel remotely like you are going to get to a slot canyon, you can still see the road for the first part of the walk! The path is wide and easy, any uphill sections are gentle. You will cross a couple of creeks (for us in fall, the water level was low, about ankle height) before arriving at the river.

After about 0.75 of a mile the trail suddenly heads sharply downhill to the river. At this point the path isn’t obvious. We went wrong several times, following the social trails by mistake. These get really rocky and a bit slippery in places and ultimately get you nowhere so always remember to stick close to the river.

We realised it’s actually better to walk through the river as much as possible, there are paths that avoid some of the faster water or small waterfalls and these are obvious. So whatever you do, don’t follow a path that veers uphill. You’ll find a dead end.

Hiking in Kanarra Creek

We visited in October and the water was unbelievably cold! Despite having neoprene socks and special boots (which we rented at half price from Springdale as we used them to hike the Narrows the day before), our feet were numb for the entire river walk (does that mean the boots actually don’t work or maybe numb is better than painful?!).

Hiking up to the slot canyon at Kanarra Falls

The water gets colder the further up river you go. For that reason going in warmer weather is going to be more pleasant, although we wouldn’t miss this hike even if you can only go in winter - just wear neoprene socks as a minimum.

The first section is primarily walking up the river, sometimes crossing over to the river banks and climbing a few rocks.

It’s incredibly beautiful and there were swathes of red and yellow trees among the orange canyon as we hiked along. If you haven’t made any wrong turns it won’t be too long until you reach the adventurous part of the hike: the slot canyon.

The first slot canyon at Kanarraville

The slot canyon at Kanarra Falls appears almost out of nowhere! After hiking a wide canyon, things suddenly narrow and get a lot darker. This is one of the most stunning slot canyons we’ve seen: it’s really tall and deep orange and purple in colour. Walking through it on your own is a magical experience. It really does feel wild and untamed.

We’d been in quite a few slot canyons by the time we did this hike and it still blew us away like it was the first one we’d ever seen. It is truly breathtaking. You’ll follow the slot canyon for around 100 metres or so before reaching the famous ladder.

The ladder at Kanarra Falls has become a favourite with photographers. The log with metal steps bolted into it is pretty rustic and right next to a roaring waterfall. Add in the slot canyon walls and you get a incredibly dramatic spot.

*The famous ladder on the Kanarra Falls hike*

The Kanarra Falls ladder

The photos don’t really do it justice (it is bigger than it looks!). It freaked out quite a few people - me included - not because of its height, but how wobbly it is.

I can tell you after some trepidation, climbing up the ladder looks worse than it actually is. Despite looking dodgy, the ladder is pretty solid and there’s a rope attached to the wall to hold onto. Most people used the rope but I found that I felt more secure with both hands on the rungs and the rope put me off a bit - so try both ways if you feel nervous!

The main difficulty is that the top three steps slide depending on which side you put your weight on. Not going to lie: this looked really sketchy and almost stopped me getting up.

But here’s our top tip - you can skip the top two steps (meaning you only have to stand on one of the wobblers) by stretching up and placing one of your feet in the tiny pool at the top. If you are hiking with someone that is confident then let them go first so they can give you a hand to make the stretch up to the top - when I had a hand I felt totally ok with this bit!

Onto the second waterfall

As soon as you reach the top you’ll be out the slot canyon, and you’ll face a small scramble to the next level. The only way up is to squeeze up beside this huge boulder, using the logs that have been placed there. The logs are wet and can be a tiny bit slippery but you’ve just got up that ladder so you know you can do the logs!

After the logs you’ll need to scramble up the canyon walls to the top which is not difficult.

*Another obstacle to scramble past (the path is to the right)*

For a while it is a straightforward river walk again before another narrow rock scramble which is easy compared to what you have already done. You’ll be in and out of the river but there are plenty of places to take a break along the way and enjoy the scenery. If we’d hiked in warmer weather I’d have loved to have stopped for a picnic up here. Overall it’s a short walk until you reach the second stunning slot canyon and an unavoidably wet section!

At the entrance to the second canyon is a tiny waterfall which requires scrambling up. This is the deepest water on the hike.

Until this point the water was rarely above our ankles (this can change depending on the season you visit), but here the water was well above our knees and the power of the falls meant it splashed your upper body too.

Not normally a problem, but as the water was under 40F it felt like daggers! The water was running quite powerfully on our visit but it was manageable and we saw kids tackle it with a helping hand from an adult.

Once you’re above the small falls it’s a very short flat walk through the slot canyon to the final waterfall and the end of this amazing hike. A fitting view to finish a beautiful hike. There used to be a ladder here that allowed you to explore the third level of Kanarra Falls but it has since been removed and I don’t think anyone but an experienced scrambler could get up now. Particularly as the waterfall is wide and powerful making the whole area you’d have to climb slippery.

To be honest, though we’d have loved to have seen more, the first two levels were so staggeringly beautiful that we didn’t feel like we’d missed out.

Heading back

Heading back on the Kanarra Falls hike is straightforward and a lot easier than you’d expect (it’s probably because we knew the water would get warmer as we went along!).

The ladder is the main concern as you’ll be starting with the wobbly section. The key is to face the ladder and climb down, rather than facing forwards. This means your centre of gravity isn’t pushing you forwards and off the ladder. We saw someone slip when facing forwards.

I was really nervous about those top steps but actually if you go carefully and gently they are not too bad and so much less scary than I had expected.

After this, it is a gentle and gradual hike downhill back to the parking lot.

Essential info about the Kanarra Falls hike

Kanarra Falls hike difficulty

The Kanarra Falls hike isn’t too difficult and is a lot easier than The Narrows. The water isn’t as deep and you aren’t walking on large rocks so it is rarely slippery. The trail also has a lot more dry sections which were pretty straightforward. The trail is easy up until the ladder in the slot canyon. After this you’ll need to climb up fast flowing water and a few rocky sections. It’s not too difficult, but it’s not what we’d describe as easy either.

The ladder is something that quite a few people find daunting. It doesn’t look the most sturdy of ladders and the moveable top three steps are unnerving. Having said that I get really worried about anything that is really slippery and I got up so I would say go for it.

Even if you get to the ladder and don’t want to go up, you will still have seen one of the most beautiful slot canyons in Utah so it really is a win win situation. If you do think you might be nervous I’d also recommend bringing someone who you know won’t be nervous, to lend a helping hand at the top of the ladder.

How long does it take to hike Kanarra Falls?

We recommend allowing 1.5 - 2.5 hours to complete the trail so that you have enough time to ensure you can enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed. To be honest had the weather been warmer we could have stayed here longer than that soaking it all in.

We got lost at first and that added on another half hour to our walk, (we thought the trail in the water only started at the slot canyon!). If you are in a rush, you could do the whole hike in under two hours.

*The dramatic first slot canyon at Kanarraville*

Do you need a permit for Kanarra Falls?

Yes, nowadays you need a permit and it is checked. There is a booth with a person who will ask for your permit and scan it before letting you through (they can scan it straight from your phone). We saw a disappointed group behind us who were hoping to sneak in without one, but got turned away. We understand the disappointment if you can’t get a permit and have limited time in this area but the permit system is in place to protect the canyon so it needs to be respected.

If it isn’t sold out you can buy one on the day. However at weekends and in peak season, it will have sold out before the day. In fact we travelled at the very end of October and had to wait three days to secure a permit so I would pick a date and book as early as you possibly can to avoid disappoint.

Permits cost $12 and are non-refundable. You can book them here.

Kanarra Falls safety

As with all slot canyons, flash flooding can be a risk. Don’t hike this trail if there is a threat of rain or thunderstorms as the water levels can rise incredibly quickly making it very dangerous. Flash flooding is more likely to occur in July, August and September and you are entering the canyon at your own risk. If you notice any change in the water clarity or amount of water flowing through the canyon you should exit immediately.

Other than that just watch your step on any slippery sections or when in the faster flowing water.

What to pack for Kanarraville Falls

If you are visiting in very cold weather we recommend getting neoprene socks and boots. Personally we still felt numb even using them but others who didn’t have them said they felt great pain in the water (you have to think you are walking in water a lot of the way over a couple of hours).

If you plan on hiking the Narrows as well, then a lot of companies offer a second day boot and sock hire for 50% off. Whilst this is still $37.50 for two days, it meant we didn’t ruin other shoes and were supposedly warmer than others!

If you are visiting in warm weather I’d say you don’t necessarily need them, the water will be cold year round but at least the air will be warm and the water will also be slightly warmer.

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