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Remember how I told you a while ago that we found a fun little hiking trail when we visited Sand Hollow over Spring Break? Yeah, I’m finally getting around to telling you about it. I’m sorry, that’s just how life has been around here the past few months. Please forgive me for my sporadic posts, trucking is a crazy beast and I have been a bit of a miserable cow. It must be said, but only I can say it.
There was an afternoon at Sand Hollow that I was itching to go hiking. It’s a funny thing what comes to mind when my husband and I go on vacation. He thinks four wheelers and speed, I think of taking it slow and using my own two feet. We couldn’t be more different, but we love each other just the same. I had heard about a fun hike for kids on the Leeds side of Saint George, and since it wasn’t very far from where we were camping we decided to go check it out.
The hike is called the Red Reef Trail.
Ladies and gentlemen, it did not disappoint!
This is such a family friendly hike.
We found this hollow tree near the beginning of the trail and my kids were mesmerized! I’m pretty sure they could have played in it for an hour if we’d have let them.
They quickly got distracted by the fun rock formations.
There are tons of places to let the kids climb and play. We weren’t in a hurry or planning to tackle the whole trail, so we let the kids wander and explore to their hearts content.
It was a kid lead hike and we went at their pace.
There were the most amazing, gnarly OLD cottonwood trees and lots of incredible plants to discover around every corner.
I may or may not have taken more photos of plants than of children. My bad.
We were there at the perfect time to see all the blooming prickly pear and it made my heart so happy!
The fun thing about this trail is it runs right along Quail Creek.
There are little pools all over the trail that you can wade through or swim in. Utah had a pretty dry winter, so the pools weren’t as big as what they probably are on good water years but they were still fun. There are tons of overflows, and I imagine that this little canyon is rocking during a rain storm!
Because we had a tired grandma in flip flops and a mother carrying her new tiny baby, we stopped at the rope bridge and turned around.
I am aching to go back and continue further up the trail! It looked so fun and was calling my name, but we all have to make compromises, right? If anything, it gives me an excuse to go back.
On the way back this rad Cholla jumped out at me and demanded to be photographed.
How could I say no?
I mean really, how gorgeous is that!
If you are a small family, then you should totally camp in one of the cute little campsites at the base of the trail. The campsites had picnic tables, a shared outhouse, and the creek to play in.
I might just have to take the kids there on a little mama/kid adventure next spring so we can tackle the rest of the trail!
If you go:
- Pack Water, Snacks, and Sunscreen
- Bring a Camera- duh, cholla and flowering prickly pear, people!
- Go in the spring or fall for cooler temperatures
- Plan on some cash to pay to get into the Reserve… I think it was $5.00
- Don’t let Grandma wear flip flops
Can I add wear a swim suit?? We had no idea you could swim, there is even a rock slide. We were wishing we would have worn swim suits and water shoes!
Yes! Swim suit and water shoes!
The pictures are amazing! I love the beauty of Utah. We have not explored Southern Utah at all yet. Halfway through your post I was mentally packing before I realized that we have obligations here this weekend. I might take my girls down there this fall when it’s cooler.
Utah is gorgeous, isn’t it? There might not be a ton of water down there this fall, but even if most of the pools are dried up it would still be a fun hike. There is so much to see!