Bryce Canyon National Park with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | May 11, 2021 | Desert, National Parks, Southern Utah, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park with Kids

Adventure to Bryce Canyon National Park with kids! This awe inspiring park with its red and white hoodoos and green pines will create memories that last a lifetime. From hiking to exploring the western themed shops at Old Bryce Town there is something everyone will enjoy on your trip to Bryce Canyon National Park with kids.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Dirt, rocks, forest, exposed trails, hoodoos, waterfall, stream
Time Needed: A few hours to a few days
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking Distance: Varies depending on trail

COST

$35 per vehicle for a 7 day pass

Free if you have a 4th grader with Every Kid Outdoors program

AMENITIES

Food and Lodging in Bryce City.
These three hotels are the closest to Bryce Canyon National Park and offer great access to activities and restaurants:

Ruby’s Inn

Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

Bryce View Lodge
Campgrounds within Bryce Canyon National Park:

North Campground: 99 sites including tent and RV, first-come first-served

Sunset Campground: 100 sites including tent and RV, reserve on a 6 month rolling basis. Book 6 months ahead of time in order to get a site.
Bathrooms and water available at the Visitor’s Center.

THINGS TO BRING

Food for camping or snacks for day use
Water
Sunscreen
Camping gear if camping
Good hiking shoes
Weather appropriate outdoor attire

DETAILS

“There is so much to do at Bryce Canyon National Park with kids! We visited for a couple days in July and loved it!

What is great about Bryce Canyon is that it is a little cooler than the other 4 National Parks in Utah because its elevation is around 9,000 ft. This makes it a great park to visit in the summer. Although, it was still warm enough in July that we tried to hike in the morning or evening and hit the pool in the afternoon.

See below for ideas and details on things to do with your kids including unique hiking, scenic drives, rodeo, bike paths, horse back riding, ATV trails and more.

What is a Hoodoo?

Bryce Canyon National Park is not an actual canyon. It is a collection of “natural amphitheaters” filled with red and white Hoodoos. Hoodoos the tall irregular rock features you see in the pictures.

Bryce Canyon National Park has the largest collection of Hoodoos in the world. The Hoodoos create a backdrop of beauty that is one of a kind. No where else in the world can you see these types of views.

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

Hiking

There are many hiking options within Bryce Canyon National Park from very easy to very hard. We were able to do several hikes with an 11, 10, 7 and 2 year old listed below.

There are longer trails within the park that we didn’t have time to do. Get more hike ideas here.

Wall Street & Queens Garden Loop: 3.2 miles, 640 feet elevation gain, loop trail. Probably the most iconic Bryce Canyon hike. If you only have time for one hike this is the one to do. Do this hike counterclockwise taking Wall Street first. The Wall Street area is so much better hiking the switch-backs down instead of up.

Wall Street at Bryce Canyon National Park

Switchbacks down Wall Street

Navajo Loop Trail (Thor’s Hammer): 1.5 miles, 500 feet elevation gain, loop trail. This loop also includes Wall Street but is a shorter loop without Queens Garden. You will see Thor’s hammer on this loop. I recommend hiking the Wall Street portion first.

Thor’s Hammer

Mossy Cave: 1 mile, 100 feet elevation gain, out and back trail. Mossy Cave is located off of Highway 12 outside the main park. This is short, sweet and fun. It features a small overhang covered in moss and a waterfall. We went in the evening when the trail was not crowded so we were able to play near the waterfall for awhile.

Bridge over Sulphur Creek at Capitol Reef National Park

Bristlecone Loop Trail: 1 mile, 100 feet feet elevation gain, loop trail. Bristlecone hike is located at Rainbow Point. The trail loops through the forest and offers beautiful views of the southern areas of the park.

Bristlecone Trail

Sunset to Sunrise Point: 1 mile, 80 feet elevation gain, out and back trail. This is a heavily trafficked trail between the two most popular view points of the park. Beautiful views, but try to go early or in the evening to miss the crowds. If you do the Wall Street to Queens Garden loop you will cover this hike.

Sunset to Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park

Camping

Camping within Bryce Canyon National Park allows quick and easy access to some of the most beautiful scenery within the park. There are two campgrounds within Bryce Canyon National Park.

North Campground

Located just east of the Visitor’s Center near the park entrance. No water, electrical or sewer hookups available. There are 99 sites and are all first-come, first-served. Get there early if you want a site in the summer or on holidays. Have a plan B just in case you don’t get a site.

Sunset Campground

Located near Sunset Point. No water, electrical or sewer hookups available. There are 100 sites available that you reserve through Reservations.gov on a six month rolling basis. Reserve six months ahead of time if visiting May through September.

Scenic Drive

Follow UT-63 for 18 miles to travel the length of Bryce Canyon National Pare. This drive is a must for anyone visiting the park. There are many scenic viewpoints along the way.

There is a shuttle system that travels the length of the scenic drive. You can get on the shuttle at Ruby’s Inn outside the park and travel to many points of interest, including the most southern area at Rainbow Point. There is a shuttle at every stop about every 15 minutes. This is a great way to see the park on busy days when it is hard to find parking.

Rodeo

Ruby’s Inn hosts the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo nightly Wed through Saturday from Memorial day to August. Great way to get into the Country Western spirit.

Horse Back Riding

Canyon Trail Rides are available within Bryce Canyon National Park.

Ruby’s Horseback Adventures offer scenic rides outside the park in areas that are similar to Bryce Canyon such as red canyon.

ATV/UTV Riding

ATV/UTV Riding isn’t allowed within the park, but the surrounding area has miles of trails to explore. Check out these trails. If you don’t own your own you can rent. Follow link for off road tours and rentals.

Visitor’s Center

We love going through National Park visitor’s centers for learning opportunities and to get Junior Ranger books. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it.

Junior Ranger Program at Bryce Canyon National Park

Old Bryce Town

Old Bryce Town is a western themed shopping area that is a lot of fun. There is ice-cream, baked goods a rock shop and more. We had fun strolling around here and shopping for rocks.

Biking

There is an 18 mile shared use path from Red Canyon outside the park to Inspiration Point within Bryce Canyon. The most popular route on this path is a 5 mile stretch from the shuttle station to Inspiration Point. If you didn’t bring your own bike you can rent one here.

Star Gazing

Bryce Canyon National Park has an incredible night sky where you can easily see the Milky Way. The Park has an awesome astronomy program and offers over 100 programs each year! We didn’t know about this program when we visited but we had family members who attended an astronomy program a few weeks after we were there. They said it was their favorite part of Bryce Canyon! Sad we missed out.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Unique and beautiful scenery
Diverse hiking opportunities: short, long, flat, steep.
Other fun activities within Bryce City
Close to other outdoor adventures such as Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Kodachrome Basin State Park and Zion National Park
Higher elevation so not as hot as other southern Utah locations in the summer

CONS

Popular trails and viewpoints can become crowded in peak season

DIRECTIONS

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Central Southern Utah south of Highway 12 on UT-63. Follow the map below or enter Bryce Canyon National Park into your GPS device/phone.

MAPS

MORE INFO

National Park Service

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Red Canyon (20 mins)

Kodachrome Basin State Park (35 mins)

Willis Creek Slot Canyon (45 mins)

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park (1 hour)

Zion National Park (1 hour 20 min)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

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by Outdoor Fam Fun | May 10, 2021 | Desert, Featured Posts, National Parks, Slot Canyons, Southern Utah, Utah

Willis Creek Slot Canyon with Kids

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy EASY Moderate HARD Very Hard (Easy to Hard depending on how far you hike)

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 1 to 5 miles, out-and-back
Elevation Gain: Mostly flat
Terrain: Creek hiking, dirt, sand, mud, shaded
Time Needed: 1 to 4 hours depending on how far/fast you hike
When to Go: Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall (Do not hike if there is a chance of rain due to flash flood potential)

COST

Free

AMENITIES

No water or bathrooms at trailhead
Closest amenities in Cannonville, 30 minutes away, including restaruants, hotels and gas stations
Lodging and food also available in Bryce, 45 minutes away
Camping 30 minutes away at Kodachrome Basin State Park

THINGS TO BRING

Hiking shoes or sandals that can get wet
Water
Snacks/Lunch
Vehicle that can handle driving on dirt/sandy roads (disclaimer – we drove this with a minivan and did okay, however when we do this hike again we will bring our truck. There are areas that were a little rough and a high clearance vehicle would do much better) A 4WD isn’t required, but recommended. Check recent road conditions on the All Trails reviews of Willis Creek.

DETAILS – Willis Creek Slot Canyon with Kids

Willis Creek is a great family slot canyon because it is flat, does not require additional equipment and the slot begins within a quarter mile of the trailhead. It is great for all ages and abilities. You can hike a just a short distance and have an amazing slot canyon experience or go longer if you want more.

It is an out-and-back hike, so go how far you want and then turn around. The canyon never gets less than three feet wide so it is great for those who want to experience a slot canyon but might be a little claustrophobic.

Willis Creek Slot Canyon was our first slot canyon adventure as a family. We were in absolute awe the entire hike and from then on we were hooked on slot canyons. We hiked with an 11, 10, 7 and 2 year old without any difficulty. The 2 year old hiked a good portion because he was loving walking in the water.

My socks never got wet on this hike. I easily stepped over of Willis Creek that were slightly deeper. The water I walked through never was deep enough to get into my shoes. Of course the kids were loving life splashing and walking in the water

Slot Canyon Safety

It is very important to check weather conditions before attempting to hike any slot canyon. Do not hike into a slot canyon if there is a chance for rain. Flash flooding can happen creating a dangerous situation. Before hiking any narrow canyon we check the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/slc/flashflood for Flash Flood Potential. We only attempt to hike if flash floods are not expected.

Willis Creek Slot Canyon TRAILHEAD

The Willis Creek Slot Canyon trailhead is located off BLM500/Skutumpah road outside the town of Cannonville. It is within Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and is near Bryce Canyon National Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park.

BLM500/Skutumpah is a dirt road and is impassable when wet and muddy. I do recommend a high clearance/AWD or 4×4 vehicle because of steeper grades and maneuvering needed on rough terrain. We went in our mini-van and it was a questionable drive in some areas, but we did make it. Check recent road conditions on the reviews on All Trails.

The views on the drive are incredible!

Skutumpah Road overlooking Grand Staircase Escalante

The trail begins on the east side of the parking lot across the the dirt road. After walking only a short distance you will drop down to the creek and find yourself immersed in this stunning slot canyon. You will follow the creek bed the entire hike.

The Hike

After walking only a short distance you will drop down to the creek and find yourself immersed in this stunning slot canyon. You will follow the creek bed the entire hike.

Within the first half mile you come to a small waterfall and a canyon. You can get around this by going around either direction but the right side is a bit easier to maneuver.

As you continue, there are breaks in the slot. Keep moving forward and you will find another area of slots. When the slots open up there are beautiful canyon walls and forest/desert scenery.

Each area of the canyon has different texture, color and rock design in the walls. We spent our time exploring each new area.

You can choose to turn around and any point and head back to the parking lot. Just remember to turn around before you get too tired. You have to hike the same distance back to the trailhead parking lot.

When you hit a rock wall T in the trail this is the official end of the Willis Creek hike – This is where Willis Creek meets Sheep Creek. See map under directions below.

Panorama of the turn around point of the Willis Creek Slot Canyon Hike

PROS & CONS

PROS

Free
Beautiful slot canyon scenery
Not a technically difficult or super narrow slot canyon
Quick access to slot canyon from the trailhead
Fun for all ages and abilities: Not a hard hike – can make it short or long
Nearby other amazing adventures: Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

CONS

No water or bathrooms at trailhead
Might need 4×4 to access

DIRECTIONS

Willis Creek Slot Canyon is located in the on the west side of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument near Bryce Canyon. From Highway 12 in Cannnonville, you turn south on Kodachrome Road/Cottonwood Canyon Road for about 3 miles. You will then take a slight right onto BLM500/Skutumpah Rd.

There are several dirt roads off BLM500/Skutumpah Rd. I recommend printing off or taking a screen shot of a map to the trailhead from Cannonville before driving. Reception is very spotty and it is easy to get off track.

After 2.8 miles you will reach a T in the road where you will continue right onto BLM500/Skutumpah Rd and follow another 3.3 miles. There will be a parking lot on the west side of the road. The trailhead is on the east side of the parking lot across the road.

MAPS

MORE INFO

All Trails

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Bull Valley Gorge Trail (5 mins)

Bryce Canyon National Park (40 mins)

Kodachrome Basin State Park (30 mins)

Grosvenor Arch (50 mins)

Red Canyon (50 mins)

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park (1 hour)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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Capitol Reef National Park with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | May 3, 2021 | Desert, Featured Posts, Hiking, National Parks, Southern Utah, Utah

Capitol Reef National Park with Kids

Explore Capitol Reef National Park with kids and discover an oasis in the middle of red-rock and desert in central Utah. Your kids will love picking fruit, hiking to arches and through canyons, playing in streams, viewing petroglyphs, eating fresh pie from the Gifford House, junior ranger activities and more. Whether you are old or young Capitol Reef is an adventure for the entire family.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard
(Activities range from very easy to hard depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Dirt, sand, streams, rivers, rock, exposed trails, shaded trails
Time Needed: A few hours to a few days
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking Distance: 1.5 miles to 6 miles, depending on the trail

COST

$20 per vehicle for a 7 day pass

Free if you have a 4th grader with Every Kid Outdoors program

AMENITIES

Bathrooms at Visitors Center and Fruita Campground
Camping and water available at Fruita Campground within Capitol Reef National Park
Lodging in Torrey, Utah about 10 minutes from park entrance

THINGS TO BRING

Food for camping or snacks for day use
Water
Sunscreen
Camping gear if camping
Good hiking shoes
Weather appropriate outdoor attire
Water shoes/sandals if planning on playing/hiking in streams

DETAILS

Capitol Reef is a lesser known National Park within Utah, but don’t let that detour you from visiting with your kids. This park is an absolute gem and I often refer people here instead of the busier parks in Utah.

Capitol Reef National Park with Kids is a great park choice because of the variety of activities. See below for ideas for Things to Do during your visit.

We spent a weekend at Capitol Reef National Park with kids and then ended up going back the next weekend to get a hike in we didn’t have time for the week before. We stayed at the Fruita Campground and loved being close to the main hikes, junior ranger programs, orchards and Gifford house. Capitol Reef also hosts my favorite all time family hike – Sulphur Creek.

Fruita is the main hub of Capital Reef National Park. The area was habited by Fremont Native Americans between 300 and 1300 BC. Latter Day Saint Settlers moved to the area in the late 1800s and started a small farming community that became self sufficient. The orchards, land and historic buildings are now all part of the National Park program and is enjoyed by people visiting from all over the world.

We spent our time in the Fruita area but there are two other more remote areas of the park: the Waterpocket District in the southern areas of the park and Cathedral Valley in the north. We hope to explore these areas of the park soon.

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

Fruit Picking

My kids loved picking fruit from the Fruita Orchards! There are over 2,000 fruit trees including apples, cherries, peaches, pears apricots that are available for public picking. Call (435) 425-3791 to find out if there is fruit ripe when you are visiting or check the Park’s Facebook page.

Baked Goods at The Gifford House

The Gifford house was originally built in 1908 and housed a few different farming families before it become unoccupied. It now serves as a historical building, gift shop and a great place to purchase fresh baked goods like pies and cinnamon roles. Get there early in the day. They often run out of pie by the end of the day.

Wade in Sulphur Creek or Fremont River

Need to cool off after hiking in Capitol Reef National Park? Jump in one of the rivers of streams in the park. We had so much fun wading and swimming here. It was a great way to spend an afternoon after a morning hike.

A great wading location is in Sulphur creek between the Ripple Rock Nature Center and the Gifford House. Access Sulphur Creek through the large grassy area with picnic tables. You can also hike/wade Sulphur Creek from the back side of visitors center.

Camping

Fruita Campground is the only developed campground within the park and has 71 sites that include tent, RV and trailer spots. It truly is an oasis in the desert with green grass and large mature trees providing great shade in the summer.

The campground is also surrounded by tall red rock and fruit orchards. It has flush toilets and well kept facilities. The campground is also near the visitors center, Gifford House, hiking opportunities, river access, ranger programs and more. I definitely recommend Fruita Campground to anyone visiting Capitol Reef.

Fruita Campground is open to reservations at www.recreation.gov on a 6 month rolling basis from March to October and is first come first in the winter months. Book early if you want to snag a spot at this beautiful campground.

Primitive camping is also available at the Cathedral Valley Campground and Cedar Mesa Campground. Pit toilets are available but there is no water. 4×4 vehicle required. These are good places to camp if you are exploring the more remote areas of the park.

Fruita Campground

Petroglyph Viewing

Right off of Utah State Route 24 there are large walls of Petroglyphs. These wall drawings were created by the Fremont Native Americans who lived in the area from 300 to 1300 BC. There are permanent binoculars for viewing or bring your own. Make sure to check out both boardwalks!

Petroglyph Panel at Capitol Reef National Park

Wild-life Viewing

Keep your eyes peeled for deer, lizards, yellow bellied marmots, bats the rare big horn sheep and more. While staying at the Fruita Campground we saw deer every evening.

Mule Deer at Fruita Campground

Ranger Programs

There are three daily Ranger Programs May to October. If you stay at Fruita Campground in the summer there are daily Ranger Programs located at the campground amphitheater.

We attended an evening program about bighorn sheep and fell in love with them — We bought a stuffed animal bighorn which we affectionally call Ramy. Ramy comes with us on our road trip adventures now. The kids were determined to see a real-life bighorn sheep at Capitol Reef. Our seven year old was adamant she saw one traversing a hill — I think she actually did. She was our best animal spotter in Yellowstone.

Amphitheatre at Fruita Campground

Junior Ranger Program

We love getting Junior Ranger books from National Park visitor centers. The Junior Ranger program keeps the kids busy while we drive and helps them learn about each park and how to preserve it. At Capitol Reef there is a Junior Ranger Geology Badge class at the Ripple Rock Nature Center. We enjoyed learning about the geology of Capitol Reef and the kids got a cool badge at the end.

Hiking

Capitol Reef is home to many amazing hikes! All the hikes we did were in the Fruita area. We hope to go back soon and check out the more remote areas of the park. The hikes we did are listed below. Follow this link for other hiking options in the park.

Sulphur Creek: 1.5 miles – 6 miles (you choose), out and back or one way

One of my top 3 favorite hikes we have done as a family (and we have done a lot of hiking). I have an entire blog post and youtube video dedicated to this incredible hike. The full 6 miles requires a little preparation so make sure to check out my Sulphur Creek blog post if interested. This hike follows Sulphur Creek and has a few water falls and pool areas. SO MUCH FUN!

Capitol Gorge: 2 miles, 80 feet elevation gain, out-and-back trail.

This hike takes your through a red rock canyon and then up to “the tanks.” These pockets in the red rock hold water and wildlife at times throughout the year. The tanks were dry when we were there in August, but it was still a fun hike. The canyon walls keep you shaded most of the way and there are fun areas in the red rock the explore.

The Tanks

Hickman Bridge: 1.8 miles, 400 feet elevation gain, out-and-back with a loop at the arch.

Great hike to a large arch. Jump in the river at the end to cool off.

Hickman Bridge

Cassidy Arch: 3.4 miles, 700 ft elvation gain, out-and-back hike.

Hike to one of the few arches you can actually walk on! Incredible! This hike has some steep drop-offs so might not be good for kids who wander.

Star Gazing

Capitol Reef is a designated International Night Sky Park. This means on a clear, moonless night your kids may see more stars than they ever have before. Our friends brought a telescope and we were able to see some stars and planets up close. You might be able to catch a ranger led Star Talk program at the Gifford House. Check the visitors center for details.

Historical Buildings

Visit the Fruita Schoolhouse, Gifford Barn or Gifford house. We enjoyed peering in the one-room Fruita Schoolhouse and imagining what school was like in the early 1900s. The school is set up like it would have been 100 years ago.

Fruita Schoolhouse

Scenic Drive

Take 8 mile Scenic Dr. from Fruita to see some of the geologic wonders of Capitol Reef National Park. This road is paved and RVs and trailers welcome. The two dirt roads, Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge are worth the detour on the way. These areas have picturesque high red rock. RVs and trailers may not be able to make it on these two dirt roads.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Not as busy as other Utah National Parks
Variety of activities available (fruit picking, ranger programs, historical buildings, water hikes, wading etc)
Easy to hard hiking options
Wildlife viewing
Water available to play in

CONS

Hot in the summer (hike early/late – include a water hike or wading in the afternoon)

DIRECTIONS

Captiol Reef National Park is located in south central Utah off of Utah State Route 24. It is about 15 minutes east of the town Torrey.

MAPS

MORE INFO

National Park Service

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Fish Lake National Forest (1 hour)

Goblin Valley State Park (1 hour 15 min)

Lower Calf Creek Falls (1 hour 15 min)

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park (1 hour 45 min)

Arches National Park (2 hours 15 min)

Bryce Canyon National Park (2 hours 15 min)

Canyonlands National Park (2 hours 30 min)

Peek-a-boo & Spooky Slot Canyons (2 hour 30 min)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 30, 2021 | Hiking, National Parks, Southern Utah, Utah, Water

Sulphur Creek with Kids: Capitol Reef National Park

Hike Sulphur Creek with kids for an epic adventure in Capitol Reef National Park. This unique hike through a desert canyon will be one you never forget as you traverse redrock, wade through water, slide down small waterfalls and jump in natural pools. This guide will help you prepare and plan your hike through Sulphur Creek with kids.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy EASY Moderate HARD Very Hard (Easy or Hard depending on which way you hike and for how long)

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 1.5 (easy) to 5.8 (hard) miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet elevation loss on 5.8 mile hike, slight gain on 1.5 mile hike
Terrain: Water (creek, pools, waterfalls), sand, rocks, exposed trail in areas, canyon
Time Needed: 2 to 9 hours (depending on how far you go and how much you play on the way)
When to Go: Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall

COST

Free

AMENITIES

Bathrooms available at Capitol Reef Visitor’s Center
No water for public at Visitor’s Center, plan accordingly
If hiking full 5.8 miles, there is no water or bathrooms at trailhead
Lodging and food available in Torrey, 10 minutes away
Camping available at Fruita Campground within Capitol Reef

THINGS TO BRING

Sturdy hiking shoes or sandals that can get wet
Hiking clothes you can get wet in
Plenty of water, 1 – 2L per person
Snacks and/or lunch
Waterproof bag to carry supplies in
Sunscreen
Small first aid kit
Lifejackets/Floaties for kids who can’t swim
Map of Sulphur Creek Hike

DETAILS

Sulphur creek is one of our family’s all time favorite hikes. The kids loved hiking through the creek and playing in the natural pools and waterfalls.

We took our time and spent a solid 9 hours on this beautiful 5.8 mile hike. Our GPS’s tracked it closer to 7 or 8. It won’t take most people this long, especially if you choose the shorter route option. Sulphur creek can be hiked in two ways: an out-and-back shorter hike from the visitors center or a longer 5.8 mile one-way hike from the top. Details are below to help decide what works best for you.

Narrow Canyon Safety

Sulphur Creek Hike is a considered a narrow canyon. It is very important to check weather conditions before attempting to hike any narrow canyon or slot canyon. Flash flooding can happen creating a dangerous situation. Before hiking any narrow canyon we check the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/slc/flashflood for Flash Flood Potential. We only attempt to hike if flash floods are not expected.

You can also check in with the rangers at the Visitor’s Center to check for flash flood warnings.

Shorter Hike: 1.5+ Miles

If you want a shorter hike but still want to enjoy the scenery of Sulphur creek, I suggest starting from the backside of the Capital Reef National Park Visitor’s Center and hiking upstream from the bottom up.

The sandy trail will lead you past an old stone kiln used by farmers in Fruita and then to Sulphur Creek. You can then walk in the creek upward or take the trail to the side. The narrow tall walls that surround the creek provide beautiful scenery and some shade.

After 0.7 miles of hiking you will come to a natural pool surrounded by red rock. This is a fun place to swim and cool off. There is a natural water slide and places to rock jump.

The first mile has beautiful views of the desert and then descends down some slick rock. Follow the trail markers.

From the natural pool, you can turn around and head back to the visitor’s center to finish your hike. Another option is to continue upward following the creek. This is not the recommended way to hike the creek. It can be difficult to get up some of the slickrock in the pool areas hiking this direction. However, having now hiked the full 5.8 as a family, I know we could have made it starting from the visitor’s center and continuing onward to each of the 3 waterfalls. However, I would say we are a quite a bit more adventurous than most families

Longer Hike: 6 Miles

For the full Sulfur Creek hike experience it is recommended to hike downstream from the top to bottom as a one way trip. Before making this adventure check with the ranger station for flash flooding risk and water depth. There is an area between the first and second waterfall that may require swimming depending on water depth. The water levels vary throughout the year due to upstream water usage.

If you have multiple vehicles in your party you can have someone drop you off at the trailhead which is 3.3 miles from the visitor’s center. You can also leave a car at the visitor’s center and another car at the trailhead, which is what we did. I have also heard of people planting a bike at the Visitor’s Center and then riding up the 3 miles to get to their vehicle at the trailhead after the hike.

The trailhead is just a paved pullout located on the south side of Highway 24, 3.3 miles west of the Visitor’s Center near chimney rock.

From the trailhead follow a sandy path for 0.1 miles to a dry wash. You will be hiking in the dry wash for 1.7 miles until you reach Sulfur Creek. There are some small trails on the inside of the dry wash that you can follow to cut off some distance. This area is the least exciting part of the hike, luckily it is done in the beginning when the kids legs were fresh.

Once we reached the creek the kids spent the majority of the time walking and playing in the water. There is beautiful scenery with areas enclosed with tall narrow cliffs.

After coming to the creek, you will continue another 1.5 miles to the first waterfall. There is so much to look at and play in along the way. There is a layer of earth exposed through erosion that contains countless rocks that looked like geodes.

First Waterfall

The First Waterfall is 3.2 miles from the trailhead off of Highway 24. When you reach the first waterfall you will need to scramble down some red rock about 12 feet. There are plenty of hand and foot holes along the way to assist you down. Have one adult at the top and one adult at the bottom to help the kids.

The first waterfall has a small pool you can play in that is mostly shaded.

First Waterfall

Between the first and second waterfall there is a long pool between narrow red rock walls. This pool was close to 5 feet deep. My kids that are good swimmers swam through it. We brought floaties for my seven year and three year old. I knew there would be pools and I wasn’t sure how deep the water would be. Our three year old ended up staying in the hiking backpack while my husband was able to walk through.

Second Waterfall

The second waterfall is only 750 feet from the first. It requires some more scrambling in between some rocks to get down to it. The younger kids needed a little help getting down but did really well.

The second waterfall has a small shallow pool to play in.

Second Waterfall

Third Waterfall

The third and last waterfall is 1.7 miles from the second. This feels like a lot longer, luckily the views continue to be beautiful and there are fun pockets of water to play in and mini waterfalls for the kids to slide down. This area was probably my most favorite part of the trail.

The third waterfall is by far the most fun. You can actually slide down the rock as a natural water-slide and swim in the pool area. This is the area you would go to if you start from the visitors center for the shorter hike.

Third Waterfall

There are three ways to get past this point in the hike. You can hike to the left and descend the slickrock and swim through the pool, go down the water-slide and then swim through the pool, or climb down to the right avoiding the swim. We tried all three options. If you are hiking with little kids, I recommend an adult climb down the slick-rock to the right and then another adult hand kids down or at least assist kids down.

We had so much fun in this area sliding down the natural water-slide and jumping into the pool.

From the third waterfall, you have only 0.7 mile to go until you reach the visitors center. Continue following Sulphur Creek until you see a sign directing to a sandy trail to the Capitol Reef Visitor’s Center. This will lead you to an old rock kiln and then to the backside of the visitors center. This last stretch has beautiful vistas of Capitol Reef.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Free
Water fun for the kids while hiking, including creek, pools and waterfalls
Epic adventure
Great hike for the summer heat
Fun for all ages

CONS

No water at trailhead
First 1.8 of hike is completely exposed if starting from the top and doing the full 5.8 miles
Need transport back to the top if doing full 5.8 miles
Do not hike if there is any chance of rain due to flash flooding
No water at trailhead

DIRECTIONS

If hiking the shorter length, you will start from the backside of the Capitol Reef Visitor’s Center. If hiking the full 5.8 miles from the top you will drive 3.3 west of the Visitors Center on Highway 24. There is a small pull-out on the south side of the road that you will park in. Make sure to have a ride back to your car so you don’t have to hike another 3.3 miles on the highway when you are done.

MAPS

Trailhead: Shorter Hike from Bottom Up, 1.5+ Miles

Trailhead: Longer Hike From Top Down, 6 Miles

MORE INFO

National Parks Service

National Parks Service Sulphur Creek Map

All Trails

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Petroglyphs inside Capitol Reef National Park (3 minutes)

Other hikes within Capitol Reef National Park (3 minutes to 1 hour)

Gifford House (3 minutes)

Fish Lake National Forest (1 hour)

Goblin Valley State Park (1 hour 15 min)

Lower Calf Creek Falls (1 hour 15 min)

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park (1 hour 45 min)

Arches National Park (2 hours 15 min)

Bryce Canyon National Park (2 hours 15 min)

Canyonlands National Park (2 hours 30 min)

Peek-a-boo & Spooky Slot Canyons (2 hour 30 min)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

Peak a boo and Spooky Slot Canyons with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 30, 2021 | Desert, Slot Canyons, Southern Utah, Utah

Peak a boo and Spooky Slot Canyons with Kids

Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons in Grand Staircase Escalante Monument, Utah are an out-of-this-world adventure that your kids will always remember. You will feel like you are on a different planet as you traverse the rock formations of Peek-A-Boo and skim through the narrow walls of Spooky. This is a slot canyon adventure your family will never forget.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy MODERATE HARD Very Hard (Moderate to Hard depending on how far you hike)

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 3.5 – 5.5 miles depending on the parking lot
Elevation Gain: 700 ft
Terrain: Desert, rocks, sand, exposed trail, slot canyons
Time Needed: 2.5 to 5 hours
When to Go: Spring, Summer (morning or evening), Fall

COST

Free

AMENITIES

Vault bathrooms at trailhead, but NO water
Restaurants, gas and lodging available in Escalante, 60 minutes away
Dispersed camping available on BLM land

THINGS TO BRING

Plenty of water, 1 to 2 liters per person
Snacks/Lunch
Good hiking shoes
Download all trails map
Small hiking backpack, a large backpack will not fit through the slots
Sunscreen
Vehicle that can handle driving on bumpy dirt road

DETAILS

Peek-A-Boo and Spooky are my kids favorite hikes so far. Such a fun adventure! We hiked with an 11, 10, 7 and 2 year old without any problems. Our 2 year old hiked 90% of the slots on his own, barefoot (his shoes wouldn’t stay on!). You don’t need to bring a rope or special climbing equipment.

This adventure is not for everyone. If you are overweight or have a larger frame, some of the slots in Spooky may be too tight for you. It is only about 10 inches wide in some areas. Spooky is also not a good slot canyon if you are claustrophobic.

Peek-A-Boo on the other hand is wider and should not be a problem for most people. You can do Peek-A-Boo and then turn back the way you came if you are not able to do Spooky.

Slot Canyon Safety

It is very important to check weather conditions before attempting to hike any slot canyon. Flash flooding can happen creating a dangerous situation in slots. Before hiking any narrow canyons we check the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/slc/flashflood for flash flood potential. We only attempt to hike if flash floods are not expected.

You can also check with the local BLM office on the likelihood of a flash flood. The closest BLM office to Peek-a-boo and Spooky is in Escalante:

Escalante Interagency Center

Address: 755 W. Main, Escalante, UT 84726
Phone: (435) 826-5499

The Drive

Peek-A-Boo and Spooky slot canyons are located within Grand Staircase Escalante Monument. You access these slot canyons via Hole in the Rock Road outside of the town of Escalante.

Hole in the Rock Road is very bumpy and impassable if there is rain. A 4×4 is recommended, but not required. We have a truck and it was a bumpy ride, but doable. I saw a couple of cars that were making the drive. Drive slow and make sure to have a spare tire just in case. Follow signs for Dry Fork Trailhead.

The Trailhead

There are two different trailheads, both located off of BLM 252. We didn’t know this at time of hiking and ended up at the trailhead that makes the hike longer, closer to 5.5 miles. Both trailheads are accessed from from Hole in the Rock Road, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) road 200. There are bathrooms at the Dry Fork Trailhead we parked at but no water. Pack plenty of water beforehand. The second trailhead is located a bit further up BLM 252 and cuts at least 1.5 miles off the hike from what I can tell from google maps.

The hike is an out-and-back combined with a loop. The first and last miles of the hike are the same trail just opposite directions and are completely exposed in the desert. We ended the hike the first week of June around 1 pm. This was hot! This last mile of the hike was not enjoyable.

Despite the desert heat of the last mile we still loved this hike. I recommend this hike in the spring and fall. The slots are nice and cool, but the beginning and end along with the trail between Peek-A-Boo and Spooky slots are completely exposed. This exposed section of the hike is shortened if you hike from the closer trail head. See my Maps section below.

The first mile has beautiful views of the desert and then descends down some slick rock. Follow the trail markers.

FOnce you level out again you will come to a ravine and then an opening with a sign.

From this sign, Dry Fork Canyon will be to your left, Peek-A-Boo will be ahead slightly to your right, and Spooky will be to your right about 0.6 miles.

Peek-A-Boo and Spooky form a loop. You can choose which direction you want to hike. I recommend doing the loop clockwise starting with Peek-A-Boo. By hiking clockwise first, the narrow spooky slot will be mostly downhill.

Peek-a-boo

Peek-a-boo will be your first slot if you hike in the clockwise direction. The entrance to peek-a-boo requires a short scramble. I climbed the Peek-A-Boo entrance first and then helped the kids up as needed from the top while my husband helped at the bottom.

Entrance into Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon from Clockwise Direction

As you enter Peek-A-Boo you will feel like you are on a different planet – so many amazing rock formations. We loved exploring the red rock and climbing over and under the sandstone. Around each corner was something new and fun.

Peek-A-Boo ends by ascending upward slightly to open desert. Follow the trail markers (stacked rocks) for about a half mile through the sand.

You will then descend down a sandy path to the entrance of Spooky.

Spooky

Spooky starts after your hike on the open desert path. The red rock starts wide and then gets more narrow as you go further into the slot. Spooky is more narrow than Peek-a-boo. Some places are only 10 inches wide. Do not attempt if you are overweight or claustrophobic. We stopped for lunch in an open area at the beginning.

In Spooky you will come to some large boulders which look impassable.

However, as you descend you will find a rope you can use to slowly lower yourself down to continue on the trail. On All Trails reviews I found that there is sometimes a hold up of people in this area because it takes a little bit of time to get through. Be aware of this if you are headed to Peek-a-boo and Spooky on a holiday weekend or spring break.

I would recommend at least 2 adults if hiking with kids to help with this area. I helped the kids as they used the rope to lower themselves. I passed our 2 year old down to my husband.

This kids loved adventuring through Spooky’s narrow walls. I had to turn sideways to fit through some of the slots. We brought a child hiking backpack carrier which was too wide when we needed to fit through sideways. I ended up just holding it out in front of me when I needed to walk sideways.

Getting Back

After Spooky you will take a left and head the 0.6 miles in Dry Fork back to the sign, finishing the slot canyon loop. You then hike out of the ravine the way you came. Make sure you have water left for this exposed last mile. If you parked at the closer trailhead, this section will be a lot shorter and more enjoyable.

Exit to Spooky Slot Canyon if Hiking Counterclockwise

Dry Fork Narrows

We were too tired to hike Dry Fork Narrows by the time were finished Spooky. I hiked just a little of it by myself. Dry Fork Narrows are a good option if you don’t like the tight squeezes in Spooky. It is a flat and wider trail.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Free
Super fun slot canyons
Beautiful and unique scenery
Fun for all ages
Many other amazing outdoor adventures within 2 hours

CONS

No water at trailhead
Accessed via bumpy dirt road
Exposed trail at beginning and end
Spooky skinny and not appropriate for people who are larger in size

DIRECTIONS

Peek-a-boo and Spooky Slot Canyons are located within Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, about 33 miles south west of the Town of Escalante Utah. It is about an hour drive from Escalante due to road conditions. Heading west on Highway 12 from Escalante take Hole in the Rock Road for 26 miles.

Hole in the Rock Road is bumpy and sandy. We went 30 to 40 MPH on this road in a truck with 4 wheel drive. We saw a few cars and smaller SUVs drive this road. You may just need to take it slower. Do not attempt to drive on this road if it is muddy. After 26 bumpy miles on Hole in the Rock Road, turn left onto BLM road 252 and follow this to one of the two trailheads.

The trailhead is officially called Dry Fork Trailhead. There are signs directing you. There is also an overflow parking area not far off of the Hole in the Rock Road as you drive to the trailheads. Follow my maps below. Try to park at the lot closest to the trailhead pin. This will make your hike through the desert shorter.

The trail is marked with trail-markers, however I read reviews of a few people getting confused between Spooky and Peek-A-Boo slots. It might be a good idea to download the All Trails map for this hike onto your phone before attempting.

MAPS

MORE INFO

National Weather Service

The Hiking Project

All Trails

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Devils Garden (30 mins)

Twenty Mile Dinosaur Trackway (40 mins)

Petrified Forest State Park (1 hour)

Lower Calf Creek Falls (1 hour 15 mins)

Zebra Slot Canyon (1 hour 30 mins)

Anasazi State Park (1 hour 30 minutes)

Kodachrome Basin State Park (1 hour 45 mins)

Hole in the Rock Road (3 mins to 1 hour)

Bryce Canyon National Park (2 hours)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

Petrified Forest State Park with Kids: Escalante, Utah

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 28, 2021 | Desert, Hiking, Southern Utah, Utah, Water

Petrified Forest State Park with Kids: Escalante, Utah

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park with Kids is a must-see stop when exploring Grand Staircase Escalante Monument in Utah with your family. Walk through geological history as you explore colorful, 150 million year old petrified wood on the Petrified Forest Nature Trail or escape the southern Utah heat in the cool waters of Wide Hollow Reservoir.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard (Ranges from Very Easy to Moderate depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Hiking Distance: 0.1 to 3 miles
Hiking Elevation Gain: Flat to steep, depending on the hike
Terrain: Sand, rocks, petrified wood, reservoir
Time Needed: An hour to few days
When to Go: spring, summer, fall

COST

$6 Day use fee

$20 – $28/Night if camping

AMENITIES

Flush toilets
Showers
Camping
Water
Reservoir for swimming/boating/kayaking/fishing
Picnic tables
Paddle boards/kayaks for rent
Town of Escalante minutes away with gas stations and small grocery stores.

THINGS TO BRING

Camping gear if camping
Water/sand toys
Paddle boards/kayaks if you own them
Life jackets
Good hiking shoes/gear
Dogs allowed

DETAILS

Visiting Petrified Forest State Park with kids is a great way to learn about geology and have some fun at the same time. It is also a perfect base camp for visiting Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. You can stop here for a few hours to explore the petrified wood or cool off in the reservoir or stay several days. We stayed three nights and wished we had a few more days to spend.

The town of Escalante is located just a few miles from Petrified Forest State Park. Within the town of Escalante there are visitor’s centers and historical sites as well as access to gas stations and small grocery stores. It was nice to be near some civilization, we were able to grab some eggs for breakfast we had forgotten and slushies to help us cool off.

Petrified wood at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Petrified Forest State Park is definitely somewhere we will stay again. We loved that we were near the many outdoor adventures of Grand Staircase Escalante Monument. There are endless outdoor adventures in this 1 million acre protected area. We were able to explore the Spooky and Peak-a-boo slot canyons within the monument during our stay. These slot canyons were absolutely incredible and such a surreal experience.

Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (1 hour away)

Things to Do

Petrified Wood Viewing

Petrified wood can be found in a viewing area near the nature trail trailhead. An entire tree is displayed as well as several pieces. This area is great for any age and is ADA accessible. There is also a large petrified tree near the main bathrooms. You can also hike the Nature Trail and the Trail of Sleeping Rainbows to see more.

Water Recreation

Wide Hollow Reservoir is located within Petrified Forest and is a refreshing place to escape the southern Utah heat. It is nestled along the layers of red and white rock providing a one of a kind scenic backdrop.

The beach area of the reservoir is located across the reservoir from the entrance and the campground. We drove to the beach from the campground because it is probably about a half mile walk.

We had so much fun playing in the sand, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. We own paddle boards and kayaks, but there are also rentals if you don’t have your own at Float Werks Rental located just outside the park. The views while paddle boarding and kayaking were absolutely stunning. I definitely recommend doing this if you have time.

There is a dock and boat launch located right next to the camping area near the entrance of the park. We had fun dock jumping for the first time. There were several boaters while we were there water skiing.

Hiking

Petrified Forest Nature Trail is a 2 mile trail that leads to several deposits of petrified wood. The trailhead is located next the main parking lot just after the park entrance. This trail is a steep upward climb for the first quarter mile.

It levels out for a loop on a plateau where you can view a few deposits of petrified wood and then descends a quarter mile on the same trail back to the beginning. There are points of interest numbered and marked along the way. We enjoyed following along with a handout from the trailhead to learn about each point of interest.

Off the Nature Trail there is an additional ¾ mile loop called Trail of Sleeping Rainbows. This trail descends into a steep ravine and then back up to connect into the Petrified Forest Trail. The ravine area has the best and most petrified wood deposits in the park. Definitely worth the steep decline and ascent.

Camping

There is a small 20 site campground located within Petrified Forest State Park. We stayed three nights and had plenty to do within the park as well as in the surrounding Escalante National Monument. This is a place we will stay in again. We loved the beautiful red rock backdrop and lake scenery.

Most of the camping spots have shade provided by a nearby tree or a built in shade structure. We stayed in campsite number W108. The scenery was beautiful at this site but the tent area wasn’t big enough for our tent so we had to set up our tent on part of the parking spot. The restrooms were well kept and warm showers were available.

The campground at Petrified Forest State Park books on a 4 month rolling basis. I recommend planning ahead and booking 4 months in advance if you are able. The campground fills up quickly in the late spring and early summer.

Grand Staircase Escalante Monument

There are endless adventures in this more than one million acre national monument. While staying at the Petrified Forest State Park we explored the Peak-a-boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. These were absolutely incredible. There are dinosaur tracks, waterfalls, and other hikes and slot canyons nearby.

Hisotrical Sites

There are several historical sites and points of interest within the city of Esclante including the Escalante Heritage Center and the Escalante Interagency Vistor’s Center.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Water activities nearby to help escape summer heat
Central location to explore Grand Staircase Escalante Monument
Shade structures available
Water rentals available
Beautiful scenery
Petrified wood viewing

CONS

Hot in summer for hiking – start early morning or go in evening
Campground is small and fills quickly

DIRECTIONS

Utah’s Petrified Forest State Park is located off of scenic highway 12 just a couple miles northwest of the town of Esclante, UT. Put Petrified Forest State Park, UT in your GPS device to get to the right location.