Kanarra Creek - Zion National Park

Kanarra Creek
aka: Kanarra Falls

Zion National Park
Canyoneering

Kanarra Creek offers dramatic scenery, majestic narrows, a fun hike, wading and a few scrambling problems to spice up your adventure. Most novice hikers can easily visit the bottom portion of canyon. A minor touch of climbing or athletic skill is required to visit the entire canyon.

Kanarra Creek is an extremely radiant and photogenic slot canyon located just outside the Kolob Section of Zion National Park. The canyon offers an abundance of opportunities for the shutterbug to get that perfect slot canyon photograph.

General Information:
Kanarra Creek is a semi-technical canyoneering adventure. This canyon is remarkably photogenic. It is possible for novice hikers and families to visit the lower section of slot canyon. Those who want to visit the entire canyon and upper slot will need at least one experienced hiker or rock climber along to help defeat a few minor obstacles. This route will require 4 hours to complete. You will need a 30-foot rope for hand lines, belays, lowering packs and possible emergency use. I also suggest carrying a 30-foot length of webbing to replace the fixed handlines if necessary.

Kanarra Creek is the water supply for the town of Kanarraville. Please pick up all trash, avoid all water pipes and keep the water clean or we will lose this route to hiking.

          This canyon is not accessible during spring run-off when water levels are high. Kanarra Creek requires several miles of knee deep wading combined with a couple of sections of possible waist deep wading. The water is cold and a hot day is suggested.

          "Kanarraville" is the USGS 7.5 minute topographical map that shows Kanarra Creek. Navigation for this adventure is easy, but there is no established trail. All waypoints and maps for this route use the WGS84 datum. You will be walking and wading in a canyon bottom.

          Kanarra Creek is rated 2C II using the Canyon Rating System. You do not need a Zion backcountry permit for this canyon because it is located outside the National Park. Kanarra Creek has a moderate flash flood danger. Check the weather report before entering the slot canyon.

Permit Information:
Hiking permits are now required to visit Kanarra Creek. The permit fee includes free parking at the Town of Kanarraville trailhead parking lot and is non-refundable. Children age 3 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Group or non-profit discounts are not offered. Bring your permit with you the day of the hike.

"Kanarra Creek On-Line Permit"

The family at the beginning of the Kanarra Creek slot

Trailhead Information:
The Kanarra Creek Trailhead is accessible to all vehicles in all weather conditions. The road to the trailhead is paved. A car shuttle is not required for this adventure. The trailhead consists of a large signed parking area with toilets, information kiosk and picnic tables. There is a $10.00 fee (as of 2016) required for using the parking area. For those to cheap to pay you can park at the Town Hall three blocks away on 40 South Main Street for free. Vehicles parked elsewhere or not paying are booted or towed, you have been warned.

From the North:
From I-15 near Kanarraville Utah, take Exit #51, signed Kanarraville. Follow the highway south towards Kanarraville for 4.7 miles to the center of town. From the intersection of Main Street and 100 North, turn east (left) on 100 North and follow it for 0.3 miles until the road turns to dirt and is blocked by a gate. The signed Kanarra Creek Trailhead is located near the gate on the north (left) side of the road.

From the South:
From I-15 near Kanarraville Utah, take Exit #42, signed Kanarraville & New Harmony. Follow the highway north towards Kanarraville for 4.5 miles to the center of town. From the intersection of Main Street and 100 North, turn east (right) on 100 North and follow it for 0.3 miles until the road turns to dirt and is blocked by a gate. The signed Kanarra Creek Trailhead is located near the gate on the north (left) side of the road.

Route Information:
From the Kanarra Creek Trailhead (N37° 32' 15", W113° 10' 33"), pass through the gate and follow the dirt maintenance road up the hill for 1/4 mile to a large water tank (N37° 32' 19", W113° 10' 24"). Keep following the maintenance road as it descends for 1/4 mile to a stream crossing. After crossing the stream just keep following the dirt road to a second crossing. After the second crossing the maintenance road climbs to a fenced enclosure and ends (N37° 32' 17", W113° 09' 32").

From the fenced enclosure follow the hiking trail heading east. There are an abundance of different trails in the lower canyon but all roads lead to Rome. It's nearly impossible to get lost since the creek flows out of the slot canyon that is your destination. Just follow the trail that works best for you. All the trails converge in the upper canyon the route becomes easier.

Approximately 1 1/2 miles from the trailhead you will encounter the first section of slot canyon (N37° 32' 17", W113° 09' 11"). It is rather impressive as the creek appears to burst from the massive sandstone wall. Follow the creek and wade up through the first section of narrows. The head of the narrows is guarded by a massive 15-foot chokestone that you must climb up and over. This is normally the most difficult obstacle in the canyon. There is a knotted rope running between two bolts on the south (right) canyon wall to help you defeat this obstacle. Care should be used by the first person up to insure that the rope is in good condition. If not, please consider replacing it and packing out the trashed rope.

Above the massive chokestone the slot opens briefly with a couple interesting sandstone pools, the upper most pool contains a fun waterslide that drops you into the middle of the pool. Take a slide and have some fun.

The canyon remains extremely impressive as it slots up again above the waterslide and pool. Just keep wading up stream and you will reach the second major obstacle in the canyon. This is a 10-foot rock jam that you must again climb up and over. There is a rope running between two bolts on the south (right) canyon wall to help you defeat this obstacle. Care should be used by the first person up to insure that the rope is in good condition. If not, please consider replacing it and packing out the trashed rope.

Once above the second major obstacle you can hike up canyon as far as you desire. It is not long before all signs of a trail disappear and you will be constantly hiking up the creek bottom. It is an enjoyable stroll with changing scenery around every corner. Hike up canyon as far as you desire and than return the way you came.

Beginning of the 2nd section of slot canyon

No Dogs Allowed:
PLEASE!!! do not take your dog. This drainage is Kanarraville's drinking water. If the water quality drops below the health department standard the canyon will be closed to all visitors. The no dog rule is not because the town hates dogs, its to protect the water supply.

Video:
Enjoy a short video of Kanarra Creek. If this video fails to play on your mobile device or computer you can always watch the Original YouTube Version here.