Sulphur Creek with Kids: Capitol Reef National Park

Sulphur Creek with Kids: Capitol Reef National Park

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.

Capitol Reef Visitors Center
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.
Sulphur Creek Hike
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.
Sulphur Creek Third Waterfall Pool

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.

Entrance to Peek-a-boo slot canyon

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.
Entrance to Spooky Slot Canyon

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.
Sulphur Creek First Waterfall and Pool
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.
Sulphur Creek Second Waterfall
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. 

Sulpur Creek Third Waterfall
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.
Sulphur Creek Rock Kiln

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

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.

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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Hiking the Narrows with Kids: Zion National Park, Utah

Hiking the Narrows with kids may seem intimidating but it is an amazing adventure that can be tailored to fit almost any family and skill level. The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah is world famous for its river scenery between tall red rock walls. It is a must-see when visiting southern Utah and Zions National Park.  And yes, The Narrows are just as amazing as the pictures you see on Instagram. 

KID RATINGS

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

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 2 to 10 miles, out-and-back
Elevation Gain: Flat to 300 ft
Terrain: Water hiking, paved trail for first mile, rocks, shade, 
Time Needed: 1 hour to all day, depending on how far you hike
When to Go: Late spring, summer, early fall 

COST

$35 for seven day Zion National Park Pass. Check current entrance fee on Zion National Park page. 

Free if you have a 4th grader: Get your Every Kid Outdoors Pass

AMENITIES

  • Bathrooms and water available at trailhead

  • Restaurants at base of the park in Springdale, Utah

  • Camping within the park near the Narrows at South and Watchman Campground

  • Hotels, Airbnb’s and bed & breakfasts in Springdale and 

Note on Lodging and Campgrounds:  Campgrounds and hotels fill quickly around Zion National Park. I recommend booking your stay 6 months in advance. Other cities where lodging is available within one hour of Zion National Park: Hurricane, LaVerkin, Toquerville, St. George, Washington, Orderville, Glendale and Kanab.  

 

THINGS TO BRING

  • Sturdy shoes that can get wet

  • Clothing that can get wet

  • Snacks and/or lunch

  • Water

  • Waterproof bag to carry valuable items, if desired
  • Waterproof phone case, if desired
  • Walking stick if desired for stability in water, if desired

DETAILS

Our hike with kids in The Narrows at Zion National Park was an unplanned adventure. I say this only to build your confidence that hiking The Narrows with kids can be done. If we did this unplanned, you can certainly hike The Narrows with your kids with a little planning.

Earlier in the day we had checked out the visitor’s center, hiked the Archeology Trail and gone to the museum. We decided to take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava which is the trailhead of the Narrows just to see what it looked like. A portion of the narrows can be viewed along a one mile paved trail via the Riverside Walk or you can venture further in by getting a little (or a lot) wet in the Virgin River.

Riverside Walk

The two mile round trip Riverside Walk is paved, ADA accessible and has educational signs alongside the trail. It provides beautiful views of the Virgin River and surrounding red rock walls. The Riverside Walk alone is worth it. We were in immediate awe when we first arrived, so we decided to walk along the Riverside Walk to continue enjoying the scenery.

Riverside Walk, Zion National Park

Hiking The Narrows with Kids

As we came to the Virgin River at the end of the Riverside Walk, we considered our options–turn around and go back to our campsite or check out one of the most famous hikes in the world–we opted for the second choice.  

So, yes with a 9, 8, 5 and 9 month old we hiked The Narrows in our tennis shoes and a few snacks. The kids loved walking in the clear river. It re-energized our tired legs. 

 

I recommend hiking the narrows in sturdy water shoes or hiking shoes/tennis shoes that you can get wet. We all just hiked in our tennis shoes that we were already in from hiking earlier. Some people rent gear like water proof socks/and or shoes and walking sticks, but I do not think it is necessary to make this a good family hike. Those supplies might be more beneficial if making this a long all day hike. Like I said before this was a total unplanned hike for us and we did not have any difficulty.

Crossing the virgin river in the narrows

Our 9 month old was in a baby hiking carrier and I held my 5 year old’s hand. The older two kids did well hiking without assistance. The water wasn’t flowing fast so I wasn’t ever worried about anyone getting washed away in the river. Most of the time the water was just high enough for wading. There were some deeper pockets here and there but the water never got past my lower thigh. Water speed and depth will vary season to season and year to year. 

The hike up the river takes a lot longer than the hike downward because you are going against the current. We hiked a lot along the rock walls because it provided a little stability for us. Some people were hiking with walking sticks due to all the uneven surfaces in the water. 

Zion National Park will shut down the narrows if the river is too high or fast or if there is a flash flood warning. However, if you ever feel uncomfortable with the water level or speed of the river you can always turn around. There are areas along the way to get out of the river to rest and dry off a bit. You can check the current conditions of the Virgin River.

Around each bend of the river there would be a new beautiful scene. Each area was unique but equally incredible. The pictures you see online of the Narrows are really just as amazing in person.

We walked in the Virgin River for just over a mile before turning around making our round trip between 4 and 5 miles. You can hike up the Narrows starting from the Temple of Sinawava for up you nearly 5 miles (10 miles round-trip) until you hit Big Springs. To hike past Big Springs, you will need to obtain a permit months in advance.

The Narrows, Zion National Park

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a permit to hike The Narrows?

No. You do not need a permit to hike up to 10 miles from the bottom trailhead at the Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs. This is plenty of miles for kids. If you would like to hike past Big Springs or take the 16 mile hike from the top down, you do need a permit. My guess is that most families with kids won’t need a permit.  

Do I need specialized equipment to hike The Narrows?

No. You do not have to have specialized equipment to hike The Narrows. However, it can be helpful if you are hiking several miles up The Narrows. We did not hike with any specialized equipment because it was an unplanned hike for us. 

When we hike The Narrows again, we will bring our waterproof backpack and waterproof phone case. We won’t get the specialized equipment from the local outfitter companies. 

Waterproof socks, shoes, and walking sticks can be rented from several places in Springdale. Here are a few. 

Zion Narrows Outfitting

Zion Adventures

Zion Outfitter

Do I need to ride the shuttle to hike The Narrows?

Most likely yes. Between mid February and late November, you will need to ride the shuttle from the visitors center to reach Temple of Sinawava, which is the starting point for The Narrows hike. I don’t recommend hiking The Narrows with kids in the winter time due to cold temperatures.

You may also need to ride the Springdale shuttle just to get to the Visitor’s Center depending on where you are able to find a parking lot. 

On weekends and holidays and other peak times there can be long shuttle waits (sometimes a couple hours). Plan accordingly. Avoid trying to catch the shuttle from the Visitor’s Center between 8am and noon. Get up early or hike in the afternoon. 

Check out the National Park Service Shuttle page for shuttle schedules

Is there toxic bacteria in the Virgin River?

Sometimes yes. Zion National Park monitors Cyanobacteria in the Virgin river and other streams within the park. Even if there is a Cyanobacteria bloom during your visit, most of the time it is only toxic if ingested. Check the National Park Service Current Conditions site to see if if this is an issue before you visit.  

PROS & CONS

PROS

  • World famous scenery

  • Cool in the summer months because of the shade and water

  • Can adjust to your family’s wants – short or long

CONS

  • Zion National Park is a heavily visited park – need shuttle tickets and book lodging well in advance. 
  • Rocks can get slippery, easy to fall into the water

  • Not recommended in winter with kids because of the cool water temperatures

DIRECTIONS

Zion National Park is located in southeastern Utah. The Narrows hike begins 8 miles from the park entrance along Zion Canyon Scenic Dr. During the spring, summer and fall you will need to take the park shuttle at the base of Zion National Park to access the Narrows.

During the winter months you can drive right to the trailhead in your own vehicle, however I do not recommend getting in the water at this time of year with kids due to the temperature of the water. During winter-time stay on the paved Riverwalk Trail.

 

MAPS 

The official Narrows hike begins at the end of the Riverside Walk. Start your Narrows hike at the Riverside Walk Trailhead, after 1 mile you will reach the Virgin River.

MORE INFO

 

Zion National Park official site 

The Narrows official page by ZNP

Fresh of the Grid: How to Hike the Narrows with Gear you Already Own

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Other hikes within Zion National Park (minutes away)

Sand Hollow State Park (1 hour)

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (1 hour 10 min)

Snow Canyon State Park (1 hour 20 min)

Bryce Canyon National Park (1 hour 20 min)

North Rim of the Grand Canyon (2 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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How to Hike Delicate Arch with Kids

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KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:     Very Easy    Easy    Moderate    HARD    Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 3.1 miles round trip
Elevation Stats: Trailhead: around 4000 ft above sea level, Elevation gain: 680 ft
Terrain: Sand and slickrock, steep areas, some drop-offs, exposed trail
Time Needed: 1.5 to 3 hours
When to Go: Spring, Fall, Winter (weather permitting). Before 9 am or after 3pm during peak season (spring and fall) and on weekends. Park closes entrance when it reaches capacity. Check if park is at capacity before you go on the Arches National Park page. 

COST

$30 for seven day Arches National Park Pass. Check current entrance prices on Arches National Park page. 

Free if you have a 4th grader: Get your Every Kid Outdoors Pass

AMENITIES

  • Vault bathrooms at trail head, but NO water
  • Water and restrooms available at park entrance visitors center
  • Restaurants located in Moab, just 5 miles south of the park entrance
  • Campgrounds in Arches National Park or in the Moab area. 
  • Hotels in Moab, UT

Note on Hotels and Campgrounds: Moab campgrounds and hotels fill quickly, especially in spring and fall. I recommend booking your stay 6 months in advance.

 

THINGS TO BRING

  • Sunscreen
  • Water (1 to 2L per person)
  • Snacks
  • Hiking shoes

DETAILS

This world-famous, majestic sandstone arch is 46 feet high, 32 feet wide and is the largest free standing arch within Arches National Park. It is worth the three mile hike with kids to see. Delicate Arch was on my 4th-grade daughter’s bucket list. She learned about it in school and begged to visit since.

We visited Arches National Park over Memorial Day weekend. This is a very busy weekend, but we were still glad we went. Be prepared for crowds and a 30 to 60 minute wait to get into the Park if going on a holiday or peak season weekend in spring or fall. Arches will turn away people if it reaches capacity.  If you are visiting during these times, I recommend entering Arches by 9am or after 3pm so you are not turned away and minimize the wait time to enter. 

Trailhead

Grab a map at the entrance to the park or follow my map in the MAPS section to get to the trailhead. The trailhead is located at the Wolf Ranch Parking lot which is 13 miles from the park entrance.  Finding a parking spot can be difficult if visiting at a peak time. Try to hike in the morning, later afternoon or evening. The trailhead is located on the east side of the parking lot near the bathrooms.

The Delicate Arch hike begins with a flat sandy path that then leads to an upward climb on hardened sandstone slickrock. Before the slickrock begins there is a historical cabin and petroglyphs. After walking 0.2 miles from the trailhead you will see signs for the Petroglyph Interpretive Trail. Follow this trail for petroglyph viewing. It will loop around and hook back into the main Delicate Arch Trail. 

The Hike

There are usually a large amount of people hiking Delicate Arch so don’t worry about getting lost. Just follow the masses up the slickrock. The slickrock area contains most of your elevation gain. We hiked with our kids and cousins with ages ranging from 1 to 10. Kids 3 and under were in hiking carriers. The one 4 year old did really well over all and just needed a piggy back ride for about a half mile on the slick rock. Make sure to take snack and water breaks with your kids.

The trail is completely exposed and many people who hike this aren’t use to the high elevation and elevation gain. Delicate arch sits around 4600 feet above sea level. 

There are some drop-offs as you get closer to the Arch. When there are drop-offs on any trail, I have my kids keep one hand on the wall at all times to keep them far away from the edge. My husband and I also split up during hikes, one in the front and one in the back, so that the kids are in-between both of us at all times.

Delicate Arch

Once you come to the Delicate Arch you can view the Arch from a distance or get up close by walking along the top of the “bowl” formation. There is quite a bit of wind at the top as you can tell from some of the pictures with all our hair in our faces.

The “bowl” is a large, circular drop directly in front of the Arch. This is something you don’t want to fall into so keep your kids near the top. You can stand under the arch if you want however, there is usually a line of people trying to take a picture underneath.

After you are finished at the arch, you simply turn around and re-trace your steps back to the trailhead. The way back is easy because you are going down the same 600 foot elevation change that you just climbed up.

Hiking Delicate Arch at Night

My husband and I actually left the kids with grandma that same night and snuck away to see the arch again with no moon and a sky full of bright stars. We were able to sit directly under the arch for as long as we wanted without having to quickly move for someone else to get a picture. One of the most surreal hikes I have been on. The pictures below don’t do this experience any justice.

If you would like to Hike Delicate Arch at night, I recommend hiking it earlier in the day so you get a feel for where you are going. I was glad we did the hike just a few hours before so that we knew where to go in the dark. My husband and I hiked solo without kids. If you choose to bring your kids to Delicate Arch at night, I would probably only bring older kids and teens. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

  • World famous arch 
  • Close to countless other amazing hikes, scenery and outdoor adventures
  • Difficult, but not too difficult of a hike for kids 
  • Petroglyph viewing near trailhead

CONS

  • Can become crowded at the top of the hike around Delicate Arch
  • Hot in summer (100 degree weather) and there isn’t any shade
  • Some steep drop offs around near and around Delicate Arch
  • Park reaches capacity frequently and you may need to come back at a later time to enter Arches National Park

DIRECTIONS

Delicate Arch hike is located 13 miles inside Arches National Park. The entrance to Arches National Park is located just 5 miles north of Moab, UT on Highway 191. Once in the park, follow the main road to the second fork, turn right at this turn. There is plenty of signage on the road to direct you to the Delicate Arch hike. The trailhead is located on the east side of the Wolfe Ranch/Delicate Arch parking lot. You can also follow my map below.

MAPS

 

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Arches National Park Hikes
Canyonlands National Park (30 minutes from park entrance, 1 hour from trailhead)
Dead Horse Point State Park (35 minutes from park entrance, 1 hour from trailhead)

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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