The Full Sulphur Creek Trail at Capitol Reef with Kids!

A couple of years ago we took our kids to Capitol Reef. We had a lot of fun eating ice-cream and pie and hiking trails such as The Grand Wash and The Tanks. However, there was one trail- or should I say route- that we didn't get to hike. Sulphur Creek! 

That's right, we took our kids ages 12, 9, 6, and 3 on the entire 5.8 mile route through the Sulphur Creek slot canyon. And it was epic!

Now THIS is a water hike!

First off, we are adventurous hikers. My kids have done multiple long hikes that have required quite a bit of scrambling. So, taking them into a slot canyon that entailed navigating down 3 waterfalls and walking (or wading) miles in a creek, was something we were confident they could do. 

The three oldest walked the entire way and we were able to complete the route- which turned out to be longer than 6 miles with all the crossing of  the creek we did- in just over 4 hours. (Plus, an hour of waiting while Dad hiked the 3.3 miles back to the car.) I'm sure my kids would have loved to stay and play longer, but we set off on our adventure with only about 6 hours of light remaining and we didn't want Dad hiking the road in the dark.

Hiking the slot canyon was a great time to talk about the power of water and how it can shape the landscape around us. We respect the power of water, especially in places like slot canyons. Before we entered, we checked https://www.weather.gov/slc/flashflood for any signs of flood danger. Even if it's not raining were the slot canyon is, it's important to know what is happening far upstream as well. Do not enter a slot canyon if there is ANY risk of flooding.  And remember, water raging through a slot canyon can change the area dramatically. If you hiked a slot canyon once, it may not be the same the next time to adventure in. Use caution when entering. Once again, you can check the flood risk for Utah National Parks here: https://www.weather.gov/slc/flashflood

What to bring

Food and Water- Anytime you go hiking it's important to have plenty of water, snacks, and electrolytes. And remember, rocks radiate heat. If it's hot for you, it's even hotter for those closer to the ground such as kids and pets, keep them hydrated.

Sun Protection- sunscreen, sunglasses, sun shirts, sun hats, etc.  Protect yourself, this is a high altitude desert hike.

Hiking sandals or water shoes- Most of the hike is in a creek. Your feet will be wet. Make sure you have good sturdy shoes that won't fall off- no flip flops! There are places where sticky mud will try to suck the shoes off your feet.

Waterproof backpacks- you will get wet. If your don't have waterproof bags, secure all food and electronics in a way they won't get wet such a double Ziplock bags.

Life Jackets for little kids or anyone not confident in deep water. As a precaution, once we arrived at the creek, our 3 youngest all wore life jackets. While most of the hike was in shallow water, a few pools got quite deep. About waist high on a 6 foot person. While these spots were short sections, that we carried our youngest through, it gave our 9 year old the confidence to forge into the deep water.

Lastly, bring your sense of adventure. It's going to be a hike unlike any other.

This is a one way hike best done from top to bottom. If you happen to have a second vehicle, park it at the visitor center, where the hike ends, and shuttle everyone up the road 3.3 miles to the trailhead. If, like us, you only have 1 vehicle, just plan on at least one driver hiking back up the steep road to the car. I have heard of others stowing a bike or scooter at the end if you're comfortable leaving it at the visitors center. The visitor's center is also a good place to use the bathroom one more time before setting off into the wilderness.

As mentioned, the hike starts 3.3 miles west of the visitor's center just past Chimney Rock trailhead. You will walk along a trail for about a tenth a mile before dropping down into a dry river bed. You will follow the dry river bed to Sulphur Creek. There are a few short cut trails along the way if you find them- they are only marked as "trail" coming form the other direction. If you happened to miss them, keep following the dry river bed, you'll get there. (It's about 1.8 miles from the trailhead to Sulphur Creek.)

Found "The Lion King" rock

Does require scrambling

Eventually, you come to the creek. There is a sign with arrows directing you to go left, down the stream.

J found this cool rock in a rock.

"A" named these rocks the Wall of Caves

J noticed the dry dirt was cracking. She joked the earth got sunburnt and now it was peeling. 

The creek stays in the open for quite awhile

The kids loves playing on in the shade of this tree.

Eventually the trail narrows and the walls grow higher.  You have officially entered the slot canyon. The first waterfall is around 1.5 miles from the time you enter Sulphur Creek. Stay to the right to navigate down the falls.  Dad went first to help the kids down.

From the top

From the over side looking upstream

Once down, it won't be long before you come to a narrow water filled stretch of creek.  Currently, there is a log jammed in there that you will have to go under. At the time we hiked the route, this was the deepest part of the trail.

Looking upstream

It's not long before you come to the second falls. (Only 750 feet from the first falls)

We went along this sketchy ledge before realizing you probably could have gone around the boulder further right.

Other way if you go further right.

After the falls, the path narrows and gets a little deeper.

Here, I opted to climb on the ledge and walk on dry ground
before needing to slide back into the creek.

A opted to swim, even though he could have waded.

Our littlest adventurer demanded Dad put her down
 so she could wade in the water, too.

It's about 1.7 miles to the next waterfall.  Here it's deep enough, you can use the falls as a water slide. Since we were mostly dry by this point, we decided to just scramble down the ledge, once again on the right side.

Top of falls before the 5 foot one

Looking upstream

We crossed the creek a few more times before coming across the old lime kiln. Then is was a short walk back to the visitor center. The visitor center closes in the summer at 4:30, so if your hoping to use a restroom when you get off the trail, plan accordingly. Alternatively, there is an outhouse back at the Chimney Rock trailhead just down the road. (These are important things to know when you have four kids.😉)

After a good hike, we drove to our AirBnB to get cleaned up and rest before our next adventure. It was beautiful and a great way to end our stay in Capitol Reef.