I Explored Utah’s Most Scenic Slot Canyon, Here’s What I Would Do Differently

If you’re looking for a hike that combines narrow slot canyons, refreshing waterfalls, and creek crossings, this trail near Kanarraville, Utah, might just be the perfect adventure: Karnarra Falls.

I recently spent some time exploring it and learned a few important lessons—from the need to book permits well in advance to figuring out the best time to start—that I want to share so you can get the most out of your visit. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for one of Utah’s most scenic hikes.

What is Kanarra Falls?

Kanarra Falls is a slot canyon hike near the town of Kanarraville, Utah. It’s often called one of the most picturesque trails in the state—and for good reason.

As you make your way through the narrow red rock canyon, you’ll pass multiple waterfalls, scramble up boulders and logs, and wade through cool creek water. The combination of twisting sandstone walls, flowing water, and lush patches of greenery makes it feel like something out of a movie. It’s a scenic adventure that’s both refreshing and fun, especially on a hot summer day.

The main waterfall at Kanarra Falls, which had always been the indisputable “money shot,” now has a 20-foot metal staircase bolted in next to it. I have to be honest—it’s kind of an eyesore. When it was first installed, the shiny metal stood out like a sore thumb, but it has darkened over time and blends in a bit better now. Still, compared to the old log ladder that used to be wedged in place, this new staircase feels like a bit of a buzzkill. That old ladder added a sense of adventure—now it feels a bit more like a park feature.

The good news is that the trail doesn’t stop there. Just above the main falls is another waterfall you can scramble past to keep going. You’ll need to be comfortable climbing up logs and rocks but it’s not too bad.

As you continue deeper into the canyon, you’ll come across a few more falls—each a little more secluded and scenic than the last.

Eventually, you’ll hit what I like to call the “final boss” waterfall. This is the natural turnaround point, and honestly, it’s my favorite part of the whole hike. The water seemed to be colder the closer we got here and navigating the second slot canyon is a little more challenging but again, if you’re in anything close to decent shape, you should be fine.

The trail to Kanarra Falls is about 4 miles round trip, with roughly 650 feet of elevation gain. It’s rated as moderately strenuous—and I get why.

Anytime you’re hiking through a riverbed, things get a little more challenging. There’s some route finding involved, a few obstacles to navigate, and a bit of light scrambling past the main waterfall if you decide to keep going. Past that point, the scrambling gets a little more involved, but it’s still totally manageable for most people.

Personally, as an avid hiker, I found the trail pretty easy. It’s not that long, the scrambling isn’t too technical, and while there are definitely some slippery spots where you need to be cautious, nothing felt overwhelming. It’s a fun, refreshing hike with just enough adventure to keep things interesting for an experienced hiker.

What I’d do differently

While I really enjoyed my time at Kanarra Falls, there were a few lessons I picked up along the way that I think are worth sharing. Hopefully, these tips will help you have the best experience possible:

Get a permit as early as possible

You are required to get a permit to hike Kanarra Falls—and honestly, this was one of the biggest lessons I learned.

We had a whole month to spend in Southern Utah, so I figured I’d just grab a permit once we got settled in Utah. Big mistake. When I finally checked the calendar to book online, I was surprised (and a little panicked) to see that almost every single day was fully booked—weekdays included. The only slot left was the day before we were set to leave. I knew weekends would fill up, but I didn’t expect the entire month to be gone.

So here’s my advice: plan ahead. If Kanarra Falls is high on your list, book your permit well in advance—especially if you’re visiting during summer.

That said, even though we ended up doing the hike in late July (which falls during monsoon season), the weather was perfect. I wasn’t thrilled about having to go that late, but monsoon season in Southern Utah isn’t nearly as intense as it is in Southern Arizona. Flash floods are still a possibility, but the odds of clear skies are better. In our case, we had an absolutely beautiful day.

Go Later in the morning

The biggest thing I would’ve done differently is start the hike a little later in the morning.

We began about 10 minutes after sunrise, and while that gave us an incredibly peaceful experience—just the two of us and maybe one or two other hikers on the trail—it also meant the lighting inside the slot canyon was really dim. We did catch some of that magical canyon glow, but only near the very beginning of the slot on our way back out.

Next time, I’ll probably aim to start about an hour and a half after sunrise. That way, there’s a better chance of catching that soft light filtering down into the canyon walls around the waterfalls. Sure, it’ll be hotter, but honestly, with the cool creek running through the trail and the natural shade from the canyon, the heat isn’t a huge concern—especially since it’s a relatively short hike.

What is a concern with a later start is the crowd. I know it’ll be much busier. But if I can be patient and take my time, I think the lighting could make a real difference—especially for photography.

Take my DSLR camera

iPhones (and other smart phones) have come a long way when it comes to photo and video quality—you can definitely get some great shots with just your phone. But I’ll be honest: a lot of my photos on this hike didn’t turn out quite as stunning as I hoped.

The lighting inside the slot canyon is tricky. As I mentioned earlier, it was still pretty dim when we were hiking, and that made it hard to capture the detail on a cell phone camera. I felt like I missed out on some really beautiful shots because of that.

That said, the trail isn’t so tough that you can’t bring along a tripod and a DSLR if you want to. It’s totally manageable. If you’re really into photography—or just want to make the most of the scenery—I’d say it’s worth the extra effort to bring better gear and time your hike for stronger light in the canyon.

What I Did Right

Wore my regular hiking boots

One thing I think I got right was my choice of footwear. I wore my regular waterproof hiking boots with my usual setup: liner socks and wool socks. These boots are totally fine getting wet. Yeah, your feet start to squish around a bit, and they get soggy—but the trail isn’t super long, so it’s manageable. I never felt uncomfortable enough to wish I’d worn something different.

I saw a lot of people wearing sandals or open-toe hiking shoes, and honestly, I don’t love that idea. I know some people manage just fine in those, but for me, closed-toe boots felt way more secure, especially with all the rock scrambling and slippery sections.

You also don’t need to rent special water or canyoneering shoes like you would for The Narrows in Zion. Regular hiking boots or trail shoes with good grip will do the trick—just make sure you’re okay with them getting wet.

One thing to keep in mind: even in summer, the water is surprisingly cold. The deeper we went, the colder it got—my feet actually started to go a little numb near the end. If you’re doing this hike earlier in the season when snowmelt is still feeding the stream, I’d highly recommend bringing thick neoprene socks for extra warmth.

Brought trekking poles

I brought both of my trekking poles, and even though I never used them during the hike, I still liked having them with me. If the water levels were a bit higher, they’d probably be necessary to help keep your balance. But when I went, the water was mostly just 6 to 12 inches deep, so I never felt like I needed them.

Final word

Kanarra Falls is one of those rare hikes that manages to feel both adventurous and accessible, with plenty of natural beauty around every bend. If you plan ahead, bring the right gear, and pick a good time to start, you’ll be set up for a fantastic day exploring this unique slot canyon. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, working on your photography, or just soaking in the peaceful surroundings, Kanarra Falls is well worth the effort. So grab your boots, get that permit early, and get ready for a refreshing escape into one of Utah’s most scenic hidden gems.