If the voice of adventure is calling your name, it just might be time for a trip to Utah's Spring Creek Canyon.
Spring Creek Canyon is nestled in a region best known for its incredible hiking trails. A Bureau of Land Management property, Spring Creek Canyon sits just outside the small, charming town of Kanarraville,Utah. Though the region is frequented year-round by avid hikers, Spring Creek Canyon remains a relatively secluded hiking spot, making it the ideal locale for families looking to reconnect with nature in a tranquil setting.
Spring Creek Canyon is comprised largely of sandstone and rises nearly 1,000 feet in height, making it an almost perfect place for capturing rare and beautiful photos. Dogs may join their owners on hikes at Spring Creek Canyon. However, for their safety, it is best that all dogs remain leashed.
While hiking is permitted year-round at Spring Creek Canyon, it is not recommended that families plan a trek during bouts of inclement weather. Rainy conditions often lead to localized flooding which can be very dangerous for hikers.
Spring Creek Canyon maintains an excellent selection of hiking trails with many trailheads located just off the central hiking route. It is recommended that hiking be restricted to cooler parts of the day during the summer as temperatures can be too hot for safe navigation of the trails. Care should also be taken to avoid the rattlesnakes and mountain lions that frequent the area.
Though camping is not permitted on the grounds, there are several area campgrounds that offer accommodations suited to both RV and tent camping. Spring Creek Canyon is located near two cities which feature many different interesting attractions for families to visit: Cedar City andSt. George.
For a wonderful vacation that will leave you longing to return again and again, you won't want to miss a trip to Spring Creek Canyon. It's the perfect place to do some hiking while on your next RV holiday.
Spring Creek Canyon can be accessed outside Hurricane Cliffs just outside Kanarraville. When approaching the town from the south, travelers will discover a dirt path that is marked by a sign which directs towards the canyon. Continue along this road, following each of its curves to reach a V in the midst of the cliffs. From here, travelers will need to continue along an extremely rugged road uphill, crossing several small bodies of water along the way. At the end of the path, travelers will need to park their vehicles and continue the remainder of the way on foot.
The dirt roads are extremely rustic and can be hard on vehicles. Four-wheel-drive equipped cars, trucks, and SUVs are recommended. Since flooding often occurs in the region during bouts of rain, travel to this beloved hiking locale is not a good idea during inclement weather.
This area is frequented by both rattlesnakes and mountain lions. Proceed with caution.
Since access to the canyon must be achieved on foot, all vehicles should be parked within 30 feet of the dirt road where vehicle travel is no longer possible.
Point Supreme Campground is open for RV and tent camping between June 19th and September 12th each year. This popular camping facility is located on the same grounds as Cedar Breaks National Monument. The campsites sit at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Reservations are required.
Among the amenities found on the grounds are bathrooms with hot water and flush toilets. Showers are available for campers to use, but an access code must be obtained from the campground staff. Access to drinking water is provided.
Each campsite is equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. Firewood may be purchased for public use. There are no power hookups available at this popular campground.
A campground with many activities for families to enjoy, the most popular attractions at Point Supreme Campground include wildlife viewing, hiking, photography, stargazing, picnicking, and birdwatching.
Dogs may join their owners but must remain leashed.
Duck Creek Campground sits just beside Duck Creek Pond and Duck Creek, both popular fishing locales. This camping facility is surrounded by immense tree cover, providing lots of shade and privacy for campers to enjoy. The campground is easy to find, nestled within Dixie National Forest.
Found on the premises are 86 campsites that feature picnic tables and fire pits. There are also seven double sites and four group sites. Reservations are required for all RV and tent stays on the premises.
Duck Creek Campground has a section of the property reserved for ATV parking.
Drinking water is provided on the grounds from Memorial Day through Labor Day yearly. Also found on the property are flush and pit toilets. Trash receptacles are situated in several locations on the premises.
Dogs may join their owners at their campsite but must remain leashed at all times.
There is a maximum stay of 14 days.
The hiking trails at Spring Creek Canyon are paradise for the avid hiker. The main trail found here is nearly five miles in length and is an out-and-back path of moderate difficulty.
Along the route families will be treated to the sight of many different varieties of wildlife. This is one trip where bringing along a camera is an absolute must.
The trail at Spring Creek Canyon is well-suited to a number of different activities including hiking, trail running, and the viewing of wildlife. Spring Creek Canyon Trail is at its most beautiful from April through November, but access to the grounds is provided year-round.
Dogs are welcome to hike with their families but must remain on a leash.
Among the topographical features seen along the route include a stream and several forks in the road which lead to unique trails all their own.
The trailhead is located just outside Cedar City.
Snow Canyon State Park finds its home near the small town of St. George, Utah. Characterized by its red rock formations, this beautiful recreation area is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike year-round.
Though the park contains the word "snow" in its name, the region is not known to see much of snow at all, enjoying moderate weather year-round. The park's name was derived from two prominent Utah citizens named Lorenzo and Erastus Snow.
Among the most beloved attractions at Snow Canyon State Park include over 16 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, cycling, and horseback riding. Camping is also permitted here on a year-round basis.
Dawn and dusk are popular times for viewing wildlife in the park with such creatures as coyotes, kit foxes, roadrunners, and quail stepping out from the shadows in search of their next meal. Also seen on occasion in the park are desert tortoises, Gila monsters, and peregrine falcons.
There is no public transportation available to Spring Creek Canyon.
Red Cliffs Campground is open year-round for families to enjoy. A Bureau of Land Management property, this camping facility offers 11 campsites for tent camping only year-round. Each campsite is obtained on a first-come, first-served basis.
This campground is best known for its incredibly scenic landscape. Near to the grounds are many hiking trails. Along these routes, families can enjoy such activities as rock climbing and rappeling.
Plenty of parking is provided on the grounds.
It is important to note that Red Cliffs Campground offers rustic-style camping conditions only, and RVs and trailers are not permitted in the campsites. However, there is a large parking lot where vehicles can be parked throughout the day.
Dogs may join their owners here but must remain on a leash at all times.
Though camping is allowed year-round here, visitors recommend stays in spring and fall as summer temperatures can be scorching hot.
To reach the campground, families must travel through two small tunnels, meaning vehicles taller than an average SUV cannot pass through them.
Campers should bring water with them for bathing, cooking, and drinking.
Just outside Zion National Park is the Virgin River, a body of water that cuts through two states: Utah and Arizona. Virgin River is extremely important to the continuance of life and the sustaining of several ecosystems.
The property surrounding Virgin River is dotted with rich Joshua Tree growth and meadows of aspen. The grounds enjoy an incremental incline in elevation, making it easy to traverse on foot.
There are over 40 different species of animals indigenous to the state that make this region their home. Also found here are 12 animals and six fish that feature prominently on the United States' endangered species list.
An area that sees many types of birds throughout the year, Virgin River is an excellent place for viewing such unusual species as the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, phainopepla, vermilion flycatcher, and Wilson’s warbler.
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area sits within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, a region with a total size of 60,000 acres. An area of diverse desert systems, the property is extremely picturesque here and features many different varieties of wildlife, including a plethora of endangered animals. Found just outside the town of St. George, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area connects the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau.
The property is an eclectic mix of vegetation and wildlife which reflects each of these locales.
The conservation area was designed specifically to provide a hospice for the desert tortoise, an animal in danger of extinction. Other animals whose survival is in peril also make this area their home, including reptiles and birds.
Hiking is an extremely popular activity here year-round. Horseback riding is also permitted on the trails.
Dispersed camping is quite common at Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.
A new park to this region, Sand Hollow State Park beckons visitors from far and wide. There are over 20,000 acres of beautiful landscape for families to explore here at their leisure.
This popular recreational area is located outside the small town of Hurricane, Utah and was founded in 2003. What makes this park unique is its brilliantly hued red sand.
Sand Hollow State Park is home to many stunning beaches as well as a large network of trails. Watersports are also popular activities here including water skiing, boating, and swimming, in season.
For fishermen looking for their next great catch, Sand Hollow State Park will not disappoint. The waters found here teem with many varieties of fish including bass, catfish, and crappie.
Dispersed camping is permitted here year-round for families to enjoy.
For those who enjoy taking photos while away on vacation, Spring Creek Canyon will not disappoint. With incredible views of the sandstone cliff faces, from the depths of the canyon to the crystal clear streams, and a vast array of wildlife, families will not want for worthy subject matter to train their camera lens on.
To get the best shots, families will need to be prepared to do some hiking. Good shoes and lots of bottled water are a must for expeditions of this nature.
For families that are particularly lucky, they may have the opportunity to capture some shots of the endangered desert tortoise or even a peregrine falcon.
While out trying to snag the perfect shot, keep an eye for mountain lions as the area is heavily populated with them year-round.
