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Hiking GuidesSouthern UtahUtah

Yant Flat to Candy Cliffs Hiking Guide

Rewarding views after a short hike across sand. October 2019

Contents

Overview

Candy Cliffs are a unique and spectacular series of rock formations near St. George, Utah. They are situated just within the boundaries of Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, in the Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness.

The hike starts at a small parking area off the unpaved Danish Ranch Road (FR 031). It then follows Anna’s View Point Trail across Yant Flat and down to Candy Cliffs.

Sunset at this destination is an incredible sight to witness. The stark rock landscape lights up and becomes colorful as it shows off brilliant hues of red, orange, white, and gray. Into the bargain, are unusual geometric patterns that include swirls and checkerboards.

Yant Flat Candy Cliffs Sunset
Candy Cliffs just after sunset. April 2018

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 3 miles out and back
  • Hike Time: 1-2 hours
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 250 feet
  • Fee: Free
  • Dogs: Yes
  • Difficulty: Easy

Description

There is a superabundance of strange and interesting geological phenomena close to St. George, Utah. To name a few, there is the Lava Flow in Snow Canyon, Checkerboard Mesa in Zion, The Wave in Coyote Buttes, White Pocket in Vermillion Cliffs, and Antelope Canyon at Lake Powell.

A lesser known gem is Candy Cliffs. Locals often refer to it as Yant Flat, but on a map, Yant Flat is just the sandy plateau you hike across to get to the main attraction. If you find a desert rat and show them photos of this place, they will guess that you went to Coyote Buttes or somewhere similar.

Unlike the aforementioned attractions, Candy Cliffs is still relatively unknown. You probably won’t have the place to yourself, but you won’t be elbow-to-elbow with other tourists.

If you go, make sure to be respectful of other people’s space. This is a special enough place that some may find it spiritual. When speaking, try to keep it at a whisper. It is astonishing how far voices carry when they reverberate off the rocks here.

Most will find the hike to Candy Cliffs to be undemanding, but when the road is wet it can be muddy, slippery and requires 4WD. Otherwise, it is well-maintained and passable with 2WD.

Looking southwest from Candy Cliffs at sunset. October 2019
Looking southwest from Candy Cliffs at sunset. October 2019

Location

The fastest route to Candy Cliffs from St. George is to follow I-15 northbound and take exit 22 in Leeds. Head north on Main Street for 1.5 miles, then take a left onto Silver Reef Road. Continue straight for about a mile, then take a right onto Danish Ranch Road (FR 031). Continue on this road for 8.5 miles.

Get Directions

Map

Download GPX File

Gear to Bring

Don’t show up underprepared for this one. You’ll be trudging through deep sand and will encounter lots of sun exposure. Bring a hat, hiking shoes or sandals that provide good traction and trekking poles to help with stability.

Kim’s Picks

Max’s Picks

Tips

  • Water: Carry 2-3 liters of water. There is limited shade on the trail and zero at Candy Cliffs.
  • Best Time to Travel: April through October. Danish Ranch Road (FR 031) becomes impassable when there is snow.
  • Safety: Watch for rattlesnakes.

Resources

Links

Photos

Much of the rock at Candy Cliffs looks similar to Checkerboard Mesa in Zion. April 2018
Much of the rock at Candy Cliffs looks similar to Checkerboard Mesa in Zion. April 2018
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs - Manzanita
A gnarled manzanita bush at Candy Cliffs. April 2018
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs - Prickly Pear
Prickly pear cactus at Candy Cliffs. April 2018
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs - Checkered
Checkerboard patterns on the slick rock. April 2018
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs - Pool
Desert plants next to a pool of water. April 2018
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs - Arrow
Arrow at Candy Cliffs. April 2018
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs - Patterns
Interesting formations at Candy Cliffs. April 2018
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs - Sunset
Candy Cliffs at sunset. April 2018
Utah agave and the Candy Cliffs. October 2019
Utah agave and the Candy Cliffs. October 2019

More Great Hikes Near St. George


Want to hike Utah’s best trails? Check out our other Utah Hiking Guides.

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