Eastern Red Cliffs and Babylon

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve | Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office

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The eastern reaches of Red Cliffs Desert Reserve include multiple sections of the reserve: White Reef, Babylon and the Hurricane Cinder Knolls. Each of these zones holds its own flavor of desert textures, vistas, colors and experiences. As is often true of the red rock desert, there’s a lot going on that you have to slow down to see and feel. Dramatic rock formations are the first thing you tend to notice, but as you cover miles of trail, you gain an appreciation for the resilient desert grasses, hardy wildflowers, fresh-scented sagebrush, intrepid lizards, and ambling little streams.

Trail Guide

Difficulty: Varying from very easy to very strenuous

Distance & elevation gain: Most are moderate, with options to up the difficulty considerably

Trail type: A mix of out-and-back and loop trails, as well as trails that branch off and link with others

Multi-use: Hiking, equestrian, trail running

Dogs: Dogs permitted on leash — please carry extra water for them and be sensitive to their inability to sweat in the summer heat

Fees: No fees in Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, but there is a $5 day-use fee in the Red Cliffs Recreation Area (a small section in the northeast corner of the reserve). America the Beautiful passes are also accepted.

Seasonality: Aim for cooler spring or fall days, or rise and shine early in the summer

Bathroom: A few major trailheads and campgrounds have bathrooms, but not all, so observe backcountry etiquette when you’re out on the trail.

Eastern Red Cliffs Trails

Eastern Red Cliffs Hiking Trails

Red Reef Trail

Difficulty: Moderate (strenuous in spots)
Distance: 5.7 miles (one-way)
GPS Coordinates: 37.2239511, -113.4068897

If you do one thing in the eastern end of Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, consider the Red Reef Trail, which begins on the west side of the Red Cliffs Campground. This is no tame nature walk; in full, it’s about a 6-mile ramble (one-way) into a twisting rock canyon with pools of flowing water you can stomp through and swim in. The first half mile is considered moderate, leading to a leisurely desert waterfall. Many people stop here to play in the swimming hole. For visitors looking to continue their hike, the trail becomes increasingly more strenuous, beginning with a scramble over an 8-foot sandstone wall with assistance from an anchored rope. The route is most often used in the mild spring and fall seasons. The trail follows the Quail Creek drainage which has the potential for flash flooding during heavy rain; visitors should always check the forecast before entering a canyon.

Anasazi Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: Half mile (one-way)
GPS Coordinates: 37.2239469, -113.4043148

Located opposite the Red Reef Trailhead of the east side of Red Cliffs Campground, the Anasazi trail is an easy, half mile (one-way) dirt trail. The route leads to the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site, an interpreted heritage site, that includes several prehistoric Anasazi pit houses and other archeological finds with interpretive displays.

Babylon Arch Trail

Difficulty: Easy (moderate in spots)
Distance: 1 mile (one-way)
GPS Coordinates: 37.2054108, -113.3372646

Sand Cove trailhead is a great jumping off point to many great hikes in the Babylon area, including the iconic Babylon Arch. The Babylon area has a certain wild edge to it: the trails are exposed to the sun’s full potency all day, and even the access road to the trailheads is nothing to sneeze at, requiring four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive to access most points. If you’re up for the undertaking, this fascinating scene is well worth exploring. If you happen to be traveling with your family or are a less experienced hiker, then the Babylon Arch Trail is where you should head in this area. Traversing one-mile (one-way), this family friendly hike goes through a fascinating rock arch on its way to the Virgin River.

Hiking Tips

Wherever you go within the wondrous Red Cliffs Reserve, keep in mind that safety is no joke in the desert. Simply running out of water or getting lost on a hot day can get truly dangerous quickly. Be sure to:

Always carry far more water than you expect to need.
Monitor the weather forecast.
Keep a close eye on how pets and children are doing.
Carry a map you know how to read.
Give local wildlife a wide berth.

Pro Tip

Get a refresher while looking out over local geology at the River Rock Roasting Company, perched over the Virgin River gorge.

Find It

Nearest Destination

Harrisburg, Leeds, Hurricane

Where to Park

Day-use parking in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is extremely limited. Visitors should plan to arrive early, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Originally written by Roots Rated for Utah Office of Tourism.