The other day we ran off on a spontaneous adventure to get out of town. While trying to decide between the Grand Canyon or something closer, we ended up settling to hike and camp in Water Canyon. It didn’t end up feeling like we settled, it was amazing. Just up the mountain from Hildale, UT or Colorado City, AZ as many people know of it. the canyon becomes an oasis!
Hildale is only about 45 minute drive from St. George, so it’s really only just a tad away. The area is the south part of the Caanann Wilderness, that is part of the open area of Zion National Park. You can take dogs hiking and enjoy the park without the large crowds and busloads of tourists. I really enjoyed hiking in Water Canyon because it offered something unique to the areas outside of Zion. Water Canyon is comparable to small sections of the world famous hike in Zion, The Subway, A permit only hike in Zion National Park which I also highly recommend.
Hildale does not have a lot if any camping areas, so think ahead if you really do want to camp. We were able to find an area across the river just south of the pond that I was able to take my Subaru off roading through the river to. It was a quite fun the campsite that offers a table and great trees to put hammocks up in as well as a small area for a tent.
Waking up early the next morning we set out of the canyon for about a 6 to 8 hour hike all the way up to the White Domes. Make it a goal to make it there if you can they are a beautiful feature up on top of the Caanann Wilderness area that offer views of Zion in all directions. You can see Zion National Park’s main canyon from afar and experience a great hike.
Be sure to take care of the trail as you work your way up the west side of the canyon if you veer off trail too much you can find yourself on some very very exposed cliffs with sandy trail exposures. Be sure to check out water Canyon it’s definitely a hike I will be back to quite soon.
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