Capitol Reef is a land of many wonders. We have already looked at hikes that wind through a gorge and lead to a natural bridge. But our very favorite hike in Capitol Reef leads to beautiful little waterfall. This is the family friendly version of the Sulfur Creek hike.

How to Get to Sulfur Creek

You will find Sulfur Creek listed as a difficult, 5.5 mile journey that requires swimming through a river and scaling down waterfalls. This is all true if you start from the Chimney Rock trailhead and want to complete the entire hike. However if that is a bit outside your or your children’s skill level we have another out and back option for you.

The complete trail terminates at the visitor center, but if you start from the visitor center you can make what is about a 2 mile roundtrip to the last of the waterfalls and back to the visitor center.

Finding the trail from this end can be a little difficult since it is not marked. If you face the visitor center you can find a small dirt path on the far right side of the building. This path will lead you around the building and down to Sulfur Creek. Once you reach the river you want to head upstream (to your left). The trail is the river so walk in the water or along the bank.

What You will See at Sulfur Creek

This is an absolutely gorgeous hike. You will be enveloped by colors as you make your way up the river. Hiking in the water is fun and will keep you cool. Depending on the time of year the water level can vary and some parts can get deep. You can bypass these portions on the bank.

Because most of the hike is through water and ends at a waterfall with a small (when we were there anyway) swimming hole many children wear swimming suits to do the hike in, but make sure that you are also wearing river sandals or water shoes as you are mostly walking on wet rocks.

When we went we were following some fairly sketchy directions and we kept wondering if we had missed the waterfall. Do not worry, you will not miss the waterfall. To get past the waterfall you would have to climb up it. When you arrive at the waterfall it will be very clear that you are there.

We did see some people climb past the waterfall and continue on, but since we were hiking with Lucy we did not attempt this. Once you are done playing in the waterfall you can turn around and make your way back to the visitor center.

Sum Up

This was by far our favorite hike at Capitol Reef. It is cool because of the river water and flat almost all the way to the waterfall. Make sure that you use the restroom at the visitor center and bring plenty of water with you.

As always remember that hikes in canyons are susceptible to flash flooding. Please check the weather or with a ranger before setting out on this hike. If there is rain predicted do not attempt to hike Sulfur Creek.