St. George, Utah – Yant Flat Candy Cliffs Hike

on October 11, 2024

Introduction:

What? :

The Yant Flat hike will take you to unique area on the edge of the red rock cliffs where many years of erosion by water dissolving the rock creating beautiful cone and other rock formation curved in the colorful Navajo sandstone.

The view of colorful rocky area is rewording.

This 5.5-mile out and back hike with about overall 800 ft elevation gain. Although not so long trail it will take you about 3-4 hours to complete, depending on how much time you are exploring the beautiful area and if you are walking all the way to the far end of the unmarked trail.

A highly recommended hiking here.

Where? :

This hike is located north of St. George, in the heart of Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.

In order to get to the trailhead, you need to drive into the rim area above St. George using good unpaved road.

You can enter this dirt road from two entrances in it two ends, the north entrance (near the town of Leeds on highway I-15) and the south entrance (near St. Gorge).

The forest dirt road is in good and well-maintained conditions and when it is dry without any snow/ice any high clearance car can drive over it, just go slow. A high WAD / 4x4 vehicle is preferable but not mandatory.

When it is rainy or there is snow on the road it is not recommended for driving !

During and few days after rain and the unpaved dirt road turn to mud and create conditions where you could get stuck, extraction your car here can be very expensive. You are far from any road and not sure you will have cell reception so take this into consideration when heading into the road.

North road entrance:

From St. Gorge drive north on highway I-15 and take exit 22. Here you need to follow the Main St. in Brose and Leeds following parallel the highway. At Silver Reef Rd turn left (west), pass below the highway, and keep driving up to the direction of the mountains.

If you are coming from the north on I-15 you need to take exit 23 and turn right.

From the highway the road pass through a residence section and soon after it turn into well maintained dirt road, Oak Grv Dr.

Drive up the road into the mountains.

After about 1.6 miles you will see the V shape junction, this will be the first turn, keep left of the V junction. Danish Ranch Rd (road 031) is keep climbing (after a short drive there is a small parking on your left with a nice view to the south.

The road will pass a ranch valley, keep driving on the main road, you will pass few trailheads and a river wash and after 4.2 miles from the ranch you will reach to the Yant Flat trailhead small parking on your left.

This will be for 10.4 miles away from the highway I-15 starting point.

South road entrance:

From St. Gorge E. Red Hill Pkwy head north on Cottonwood Springs Road, this section is paved road. After about 2 miles the paved end and the dirt road starts, this will be forest road 031.

It is easy to follow the main dirt road, do not be confused to take any side road.

The road climb gradually higher and soon you will get into a forest area, after some drive the road start to descend and passing few dry riverbeds. Soon after you will reach to the Yant Flat trailhead small parking on your right.

15.4 miles from the start of Cottonwood Springs Road near highway I-15.

Google Map Link

Nearby Locations Blogs:

When? :

The trail is open year-round.

Summer months are hot, and temperatures can easily reach mid-day above 100f.

I do not recommend doing this hike when it is too hot !

In winter the road can be un-drivable because of mud, ice, or snow so check road conditions before heading here.

Afternoon can be cold so bring extra cloth if you are staying here for sunset.

Even if you can get here with your car when there is snow covering the ground it is less recommended time to visit because you will not see the beautiful colors of the sandstone rock.

I found visiting here is most enjoyable as a sunset hike, when the colors of both Candy Cliffs and Yellow Top really come to life and in a hot day the temperatures are better.

Due note 1: The Trail is expose to the sun and does not have shade; it is not recommended for mid-day hot summer months.

Due note 2: The route in the sandy area is relatively easy to follow, when it get into the rocky section it may be more challenging to follow, look for cairns when you are walking in the rocky sections.

Due note 3: There is no cell service at the trailhead, download map in advance.

Due note 4: Although this hike is not long and can be done also by kids, on a hot summer day the sandy section can be challenging so take this into consideration.

Due note 5: The hike is located on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, No Permit Required and no fee.

Due note 6: To the best of my understanding dogs are allowed on this trail.

Due note 7: No Restroom or any other facilities available at the trailhead.

Due note 8: The best time to visit here is late afternoon, just before sunset.

Due note 9: Although this is not a very “famous” destination it is well known destination for locals. When I visit here during weekend, late in the afternoon I was the only one over there.

Due note 10: There are some hiking options to walk over the ridgeline, but this is involved with walking over exposed rocks over high cliffs and are not so much recommended. Follow the marked trail, enjoy the view and nature and be safe.

My Thoughts:

This is probably one of the most rewording hikes near St. George Utah.

The incredibly colored Navajo sandstone formations especially if you are coming here near sunset.

The Hike:

I was the only one at the parking lot when I start my hike, and I did not see anyone all this Friday afternoon.

From the parking lot the trail is clearly marked by sighs.

At the first section of the hike the trail takes you across a flat area cover with low juniper trees forest, the trail in this section is mainly sandy.

The final section before you get to the cliffs turns out to be sandy, here you will reach the end of the rocky flat and you will see the deep river wash down below you, this will be about 1.2 miles from the trailhead.

From here you can see to the south the St. Gorge area. Although the view is impressive this is not the real hike destination.

From this point the trail is heading left (southwest) and follow the ridgeline for another quarter of a mile, passing through deep send dunes section. Try to follow the trail, usually can be detected in the deep send. You will be able to find the right direction as on your left there are cliffs so you can’t really get lost, and this is a short section.

You will reach the edge of the dunes, and you will get the view of the entire area below you, a large and exposed sandstone rock formations with one of the most incredible colors of sandstone I had ever seen!

The swirls stripes of orange, red, brown and white sandstone makes it apparent why this area was named ‘Candy Cliffs’.

From here you do not have a clear one trail to follow and it mainly exploring this area and progressing in the general direction to the east.

Go end explore the different formations and color designs in the Navajo Sandstone.

The trail is heading west in the of the lower section where there is a creek draining the rocky area.

When heading east on the lower section of the rocky section you will see on your left above you three beehive rock formations, pass all three and find the creek heading right. Had down and follow the dry creek (no clear trail hear) for about quarter of a mile and you will reach to another overlook point.

Here the exposed rock start descending sharply down to an overwhelming view of colors and stripes.

Although this section is relatively steep you can walk down and climb up to the left to another viewing point. Walk carefully, the shoos grip on the sandstone is proving an amazing hold you your foot so you can overcome even steep grades.

After spending here about 2 hours, exploring the area, looking for interesting color and rock combinations and taking many pictures, the sun was setting down and it started to get dark. I decided this was my time to head back to the parking lot.

As short climb from the sandstone area to the dune section and then to the clear trail.

When I reach my car, it was completely dark.

Additional Pictures:

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