Hike To The Candy Cliffs In Utah To See Vibrant Colors
By Catherine Armstrong|Published November 17, 2020
×
Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
If you’ve spent any time in the Beehive State, you know that it’s all about the rock formations here. The deep, rich colors of the various types of sandstone, and the oddly-shaped spires, cliffs, and rock mounds make our vast landscapes truly stunning.
Utah’s national parks are all great places to soak in some vibrant beauty, but there’s a lesser-known spot near St. George where you’ll find a little more peace and quiet.
Located just north of St. George, the Red Cliff Desert Reserve encompasses 62,000 acres of some of Utah's most scenic landscape. One of the favorite features here is the Candy Cliffs, and you can take a hike to see them.
The reserve was set aside to protect the Mojave Desert Tortoise, a federally-threatened species, but it's also important to protect everything here at the reserve. Please practice the principles of Leave No Trace during your visit!
The trail is considered moderately difficult, and it's 5.3 miles out and back. Make sure to bring plenty of water with you, and bring a camera along, too - this place is so beautiful that you'll want to capture every view.
You might think that a desert reserve will be nothing but cactus and dirt...but it's actually filled with thriving plants and wildlife. After you make your way through the Pine Valley...
...you'll emerge to this more desolate landscape - the Yant Flat. It's a huge expanse of colorful rock, and you'll understand why people call the formations here the "candy cliffs."
This sandstone scenery looks like it was dripped and drizzled onto the earth's surface. Imagine the colorful swirls in salt water taffy as its flavor and color are mixed in, and you'll have an idea of what this rock looks like.
...in other spots it's twisty, swirly, and ridged. It all looks almost good enough to eat, and while that's not recommended, it is an amazing place to explore.
Getting to the Candy Cliffs can be a difficult journey. It's on the edge of the reserve, and you'll need to navigate a dirt road to get to the trailhead. Check the weather before heading out.
Have you ever hiked to the Candy Cliffs? We’d love to read about your adventure in the comments! Learn more about the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve on its website, and check out its Facebook page for the latest updates.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
