Amazing Family Friendly Hike - Red Cliffs, Utah

Yellow Knolls Trail

The Yellow Knolls Trail is an easy-to-moderate hike located in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve near St. George, Utah. It's a great choice for hikers of all levels, and families with younger children. Our 5 year old was able to do the trail with no problems. At roughly 4 miles, it took us just under 2 hours to complete. That includes a few little breaks to take a few photos and to have a quick snack.

Here's a quick guide to help you plan your hike:

Trail length: 3.8 miles out-and-back
Elevation gain: 440 feet
Difficulty: Easy-to-Moderate
Time to complete: 1.5-2 hours
Best time to hike: September to May to avoid summer heat.
Things to bring: Hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, water, snacks.
Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.

The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, with a mix of sandy washes and a few short rock scrambles. The first part of the hike meanders through desert shrubland. After that, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the surrounding sandstone formations on the right, contrasted by dark lava rocks on the left. At one point the distance between these contrasting features is about 20 feet. As you continue your hike, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, including Checkerboard Mesa and the Pine Valley Mountains. The turn-around point is at the High Point trail junction. We noticed a lot of broken glass in this area. Be careful with young children and dogs. Also, be on the lookout for the elusive Mojave Desert Tortoises. We didn’t see any on our trip, but hopefully, we’ll see them on our next trip to Yellow Knolls.

Keep in mind, that there is no shade on the trail, so be sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water.

If you're looking for an easy/moderate hike that is family-friendly with stunning scenery, the Yellow Knolls Trail is a great option.

Check it out and get your Adventure on!