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.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DO NOT FOLLOW THE YELP…read moreDIRECTIONAL MAP TO GET HERE! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To reach the Red Reef trailhead, take Exit 23 off Interstate 15 S and head east on Red Cliffs Campground Road. The trailhead is located at the campground, which is about 5 miles down the paved road. GPS Coordinates: 37.224794, -113.406300 It is $5 to park your car here in the parking lot, follow directions to the trail. It is a beautiful and easy hike - until the very end. it meanders along a path - then at the end you need to climb some pretty big rocks to see the payoff of the beautiful canyon. We loved this hike. (but were thrown off by the Yelp directions that sent us in an alternate direction.

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.

Visiting Zion National Park was absolutely breathtaking. Living in Las Vegas and being raised in…read moreWashington, I really needed to see some greenery, and this trip delivered in every way. My hiking day was perfect, but I definitely recommend coming prepared. Pack snacks, a water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, and hiking poles if you have them. There are water refill stations throughout the park, which is super convenient and helps you stay hydrated on the trails. Also, get to the parking lot early. I arrived around 6:45 a.m. and it was already busy, so an early start really makes a difference. Overall, an unforgettable experience and one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.

Truly breathtaking. No camera could do it justice. The views entering the park alone where a treat,…read morebut the main activity I did was hiking the narrows. I had to sign a waver to get the proper wear for the trek, they offer special water-resistant (not water proof) socks and boots, and a walking stick. Hiking the narrows was very enjoyable, a fun challenge with amazing views of the massive canyon wall on either side of the trail. The current was decently strong, and the rocks in the river where slippery at points, which made the walking stick crucial for balance. The water was waist high at it's deepest point, but it really depends on the weather at the time. Lots of cool rock formations and vegetation around each corner in the narrows. The staff was amazing, bus drivers where great, and the ladies at the visitor center where helpful. Parking was a nightmere though, but it wasn't the fault of the park itself. At the time I went it was packed. Would certainly recommend you visit this place, just make sure you visit when it has been dry for the last few days with no rain in the forecast, which reduces the risk of flash flooding and too strong currents in the narrows. Have fun!

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!

Beautiful trails on this side of Zion. Nice easy access right off the 15 freeway. Not too crowded…read moreand pretty shady most of the way. There's lots to look at and climb. This could easily be an all day hike if you stop to explore the surroundings and climb the rocks around the trail. Very fun and beautiful!

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.

Not sure what the big hype is here. This is a man made reservoir surrounded by lots of red rocks…read moreand sand. I have driven by plenty of times but never stopped. They do have a beach and offer boating rentals, fishing, swimming and off roading. It seems to be a popular place for some people, but I think I can pass on hanging out here. I prefer a genuine lake created by nature.

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!

I took my dogs on this trail for a hike and they were happy and tired! HAha. Amazing rock…read moreformations and views! It's only 1hr and 45 mins drive from Las Vegas. Just wanted a different scenery out of Vegas. They also have a garden area. It is worth a drive! No entrance fee. Free parking and they have plenty different areas to park.

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

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!

This is an amazing slot canyon hike and is very popular so requires a permit. The permit is only…read more$15 but they only sell 200 a day so some planning is required to visit this location. Not a long trail, only about 4 miles round-trip with very little elevation gain, but Very beautiful mountains and rocks and the slot Canyon is just fantastic!! If you're in the area or passing by, I highly recommend checking it out, an amazing small piece of the Utah's vast scenery...

So good! Thank you for an easy experience! everyone was…read morefriendly and the gear and instruction was on point. A+

My friend and I had the best experience at Guru getting our equipment to do The Narrows. Everyone…read morewas so friendly and helpful. We especially would like to compliment Megan and Jeral. Such good attitudes. The dry suit and boots were comfortable and stayed dry. Thank you for helping to make our experience at The Narrows alittle easier. Sharon Corzine Colleen Tyler

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.