Red Reef Trail Hike in Utah: Exploring Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

Red Reef Trail Hike in Utah: Exploring Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

The Red Reef Trail hike, also known as the Red Cliffs Nature Trail, is the most popular walk in the Red Cliffs Recreation Area in Utah. The area is often overlooked, due to the proximity of nearby National Parks such as Zion or Bryce Canyon. In fact, we happily stumbled across this gem when looking for last-minute campsites within driving distance from Zion. But after waking up in the morning and seeing our surroundings, we had to check out the trail!

This walk makes a fantastic, family-friendly alternative to other hikes in the region, without compromising on interesting rock formations or your sense of adventure. With deep red canyons, desert wilderness and an exciting scramble over the Moki Steps, this hike has something for everyone! In this post, I will cover everything you need to know for hiking the Red Reef Trail to help you plan an incredible visit!

About Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

The Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (NCA) sits in BLM land, meaning it’s not part of a National Park!

The NCA was established in 2009 to protect and conserve natural public lands. As a result, this 46,000-acre area holds a diverse range of ecological landscapes including the Red Mountain Wilderness and Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness. The Red Reef Trail actually goes through the Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, making it a great trail for spotting flora and fauna!

The rocks around Red Cliffs NCA are predominantly Navajo sandstone. This Jurassic-age rock has been eroded by water and wind over many years, creating the canyons and rounded rock formations you will see on trail and in the area. The rock has also been especially important in piecing together the area’s interesting past since dinosaur footprints and fossils have been found nearby!

About Red Reef Trail Hike

Walk type: Out and back
Distance: 3.5km
Maximum Elevation: 1035m (3396 feet)
Minimum Elevation: 981m (3219 feet)
Walk time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (includes brief climb)
Highlights: Stunning red rock and fun climbing segments
Permit Required: No
Park Entrance Fee: $5 per vehicle (self-pay station) or $15 for the campsite which includes access to the trail. Free with National Park Pass.

Where is Red Reef Trail Hike?

The Red Reef Trail hike is located near Leeds in southern Utah. The exact coordinates are 37.224541, -113.406384.

The best way to get to the Red Reef trailhead is by road. Whichever direction you are coming from, you will need the Interstate 15 (I-15).

From the north:

• Take exit 23 from I-15 (S) in Leeds.
• Follow N Main St and continue onto Old Hwy 91.
• Turn right onto W Red Cliffs Campground Rd which will lead you under a bridge.
• Follow the campground road which will take you through a narrow tunnel, until you reach the Red Cliffs Campground.
• The trailhead is located in the northwest corner of the campground (between sites 2 and 3).

From the south:

• Take exit 16 from I-15 (N) and head toward Hurricane.
• Turn left onto 6300 W/Old Hwy 91 and follow Old Hwy 91 for 4.1 miles
• Turn left onto W Red Cliffs Campground Road and then follow the signs for Red Cliffs Campground.
• The trailhead is located in the northwest corner of the campground (between sites 2 and 3).

From here there is a car park with approximately 25 spaces.

Red Reef Trail Route

The Red Reef Trail hike is 1.75km long (3.5km total). It leaves from the trailhead by the Red Cliffs Campground and leads northwest towards the Cottonwood Forest Wildness. The route has minimal elevation, intermittent shade, and roughly follows the stream through the valley.

Check out the full Red Reef Trail map below:

Besides the most popular route, there are several other trails you can do that start from the same area. These include the rather technical and challenging Red Reef and Quail Creek Canyon Loop; as well as a few easier options: Red Reef East, Silver Reef Loop or the Anasazi Trail.

The Red Reef Trail strikes a good balance of scenery and difficulty, and is hence the most popular.

Red Reef Trail Hike: What to Expect

Starting the Red Reef Trail Hike

As you arrive at the entrance to the campground, you will pass the pay station where you can pay your $5 entry fee (or $15 if you intend to camp).

From the road, you should be able to see the trailhead between pitches 2 and 3 in the northwest section of the campground.

The beginning of the hike is moderately flat, following a dirt track away from the campsite. This section is a wider expanse with large red rocks on either side meaning there is minimal shade. It’s noticeable the conservation work that is being done in the area as many plants have been re-planted and are protected to avoid trampling.

The path is relatively clear throughout, with rope and signposts near the beginning. The path broadly follows the line of the stream, however, it may dry up during the warmer months of summer.

Hiking the canyon

At around the 1km mark, you will enter the canyon section. The path transitions away from the dirt trail, and you begin to follow the natural landscape and walk on the sandstone rock. This section is much more shaded as you can shelter between the rocks.

Shortly after, you will reach the ‘highlight’ of the Red Reef Trail hike – the iconic Moki steps. These alternating hand and toe steps carved into the sandstone are accompanied by a rope for support to help you get around. This section isn’t particularly dangerous, however it can be a bit daunting as it requires balance and precise foot placement to get around.

Once you reach the top of this section, the canyon widens.

As you continue straight, the canyon naturally bends around to the right and the water gets deeper. The trail continues slightly further but many people decide to turn back at this point. Wading/swimming through the water or a steeper scramble for views that don’t get significantly better often isn’t worth it.

If you want to continue onwards, there is an unkept path on the left-hand side. This path joins the loop for the Red Reef and Quial Creek loop, so be careful if you do this as this hike is much more technical than the Red Reef Trail.

On turning back, you retrace your steps down the canyon and into the flatlands before making your way back to the campground to reminisce on an awesome hike!

Tips for the Red Reef Trail Hike

• Check the weather in advance: Quail Creek is prone to flash floods, meaning that hiking the Red Reef Trail during sudden torrential downpours can be dangerous.
• Download offline maps: Signal isn’t great here, so download the hiking route in advance so you don’t get lost.
• Pack light: You don’t need much for this hike. Make the most of it by packing only the essentials.
• Get there early (or use the campsite): Due to limited car parking spaces, you should try to do the hike early in the day. If parking is already full, you can use White Reef Trailhead parking as overflow.
• Stay on the trail: BLM is restoring the area by planting native plants and rehabilitating the area, so avoid trampling and stick to designated trails.

FAQs

When is the best time to hike the Red Reef Trail?

You can hike the Red Reef Trail at any time of year, but I recommend avoiding the summer months (June-August) due to the heat. Similarly, you can hike the Red Reef Trail at any time of day, however, I you should arrive early in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds.

What to pack for the Red Reef Trail?

As with any hike, you should wear comfortable hiking clothes that are appropriate for the weather. This often means a T-shirt, hiking shorts/trousers, walking socks as well as a warmer layer or waterproof if it’s cold or wet. If it’s sunny, a hat will provide good sun protection.

The Red Reef Trail is not a strenuous hike, so I recommend walking shoes rather than hiking boots. These will give you enough grip on slippery rocks and also dry quicker if you get wet. They are also more nimble in the footholds for the Moki steps.

Beyond the clothes you’re wearing, you will need to pack water, and may want to consider sun cream and a camera. I also recommend a dry bag for extra peace of mind when climbing over water.

Are dogs allowed at Red Reef Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Red Reef Trail. However, they must be on a lead. Dogs are not permitted on other trails such as the circular loop.

Are there toilets at the Red Reef Trail?

There are vault toilets at the campground by the trailhead, but none on the trail.

Can you fly a drone at the Red Reef Trail?

No, drones are not permitted here. There is a sign at the start of the trail.

Camping at Red Cliffs Campground

If you plan to get an early start on the Red Reef Trail hike, or are simply looking for somewhere to camp nearby, the Red Cliffs Campground is a solid option.

During our road trip through the southwest, the Red Cliffs Campground was one of our favourites. The ground was softer than the likes of other sites (though still hard), and we had a large table and fire pit. There are only a handful of pitches for tents and RVs, meaning they’re spread apart and you have more privacy.

One added bonus is that the $15 camping fee also includes entrance to the Red Reef Trail, which makes it a cheap night stay.

The only negative (as with most campsites) is that if anyone arrives late in the evening or early in the morning with their headlights on, you may get lit up! With hikers arriving in the morning to do the Red Reef Trail, this is something to consider. Though it didn’t bother us, particularly as this campsite provided more privacy than most!

You can book online here.

More hikes nearby

Utah is home to many incredible hikes, here are some of the best options nearby:

Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

• Babylon Arch Trail
• Dino Cliffs Trail
• Owen’s Loop Trail

Zion National Park:

• Angels Landing (or Scouts Lookout if you don’t have a permit)
• Canyon Overlook
• Kayenta Trail

Before you go

Thank you for reading my travel guide the Red Reef Trail hike in Utah. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.

If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.

Happy hiking!