Yant Flat Candy Cliffs
Discover Yant Flat's Candy Cliffs, a hidden Utah gem with swirling sandstone formations. An accessible hike offering stunning, colorful landscapes wit...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Magical light on cliffs
Yant Flat Candy Cliffs
Best Time
Magical light on cliffs
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Yant Flat's Candy Cliffs, a hidden Utah gem with swirling sandstone formations. An accessible hike offering stunning, colorful landscapes without the crowds.
"One of the coolest hikes around!!! Great petrified sand dunes, awesome views."
🚗 Choose Your Ride Wisely
AWD/high-clearance vehicle recommended for the road. Leeds entrance is safer. :car:
💧 Hydration is Key
Bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to explore beyond the main trail. :droplet:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Candy Cliffs
Yant Flat
Swirling, colorful sandstone formations resembling petrified cotton candy. A photographer's dream!
Anna Viewpoint Trail
Access point to Candy Cliffs
A relatively easy trail leading to the main attraction, with some sandy patches and a short steep descent.
Above the Clouds
Higher elevations of Yant Flat
Experience magical moments with clouds rolling in below, creating an ethereal landscape.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Road Conditions & Access
Timing is Everything
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Choose Your Ride Wisely
AWD/high-clearance vehicle recommended for the road. Leeds entrance is safer. :car:
💧 Hydration is Key
Bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to explore beyond the main trail. :droplet:
🧭 Navigate with Care
Trails can be confusing; note your path or use a GPS. :compass:
📸 Golden Hour Magic
Visit at sunrise or sunset for the best light and fewer people.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Choose Your Ride Wisely
AWD/high-clearance vehicle recommended for the road. Leeds entrance is safer. :car:
💧 Hydration is Key
Bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to explore beyond the main trail. :droplet:
🧭 Navigate with Care
Trails can be confusing; note your path or use a GPS. :compass:
📸 Golden Hour Magic
Visit at sunrise or sunset for the best light and fewer people.
🐾 Pet-Friendly Exploration
Dogs are welcome on the trail, but be mindful of the sand. :dog:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Yant Flat's stunning, unique Candy Cliffs, often calling it a hidden gem with fewer crowds than similar famous spots. The hike is generally considered easy and accessible, making it great for families and photographers. However, the rough road access is a common concern, with many recommending specific vehicle types and caution. +2
"Excellent hike and not too hard to get to from town. If you have time to drive up a rugged dirt road from St George, you will pass several other great hikes. Make sure to have plenty of water as you can end up hiking over 5 miles if you like to wander and explore like me. Otherwise, it is about 1.3 miles one way."
Alec rimmasch
"DO NOT DRIVE IN FROM ST GEORGE GO IN FROM LEEDS. The road from St George is a little bit treacherous and you need a minimum of an all-wheel drive with high clearance. The road washboard cats are so close together that you can hydroplane and I was in a four-wheel drive. There are areas but there's only room for one car and it's going around hairpin turns with no visibility and a drop off on the side. On the way home I saw a Jeep in front of us and I asked if everything was okay and he said he broke a couple straps on his suspension and had to hobble it home. The trail itself is very deep dirt and all uphill to the first area of rocks and the first views. You could easily get lost on all the paths and all the rocks so take note where you're going. It is quite beautiful we got there just before sunset."
Jaden T
"One of the coolest hikes around!!! I was a big fan! Great petrified sand dunes, awesome views. The hike is pretty moderate, the deep sand near the top may make the summit a little more difficult for those with knee problems! Bring water!!!"
Ethan Baum
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The road can be challenging. Many recommend entering from Leeds for a less treacherous drive than the St. George route. An AWD or high-clearance vehicle is advised due to washboard sections and potential for deep sand. If you're in a sedan, proceed with extreme caution and at a slower pace.
Yes, Yant Flat is a great addition to a Zion National Park trip, located about 9 miles from I-15 and a convenient day trip from Las Vegas.
GPS can be helpful, but be aware that trails can be confusing once you're there. It's wise to note your path or use a reliable navigation app.
The road is often described as a rugged dirt road with significant washboard sections. Some sections have hairpin turns with drop-offs. It can be particularly challenging after rain.
Yes, there is a parking area at the trailhead. It's a wide trail that appears to have been an old jeep or 4-wheeler path.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yant Flat is a free site, offering an awesome, accessible natural wonder without any admission cost.
Yant Flat is an outdoor natural area and is generally accessible during daylight hours. There are no official operating hours posted.
No, tickets are not required for Yant Flat as it is a natural, open-access area.
Yes, the hike is generally considered short and not strenuous, making it suitable for children and dogs.
While Yant Flat is known for its beauty, information on dispersed camping is limited. It's best to check local regulations or consider nearby designated campgrounds.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The main hike from the parking area to the Candy Cliffs is about 1 mile one way, taking around 20 minutes. +1 However, you can easily extend this to over 5 miles if you enjoy exploring the surrounding areas.
The trail features deep sand in some sections, which can be challenging. The Candy Cliffs themselves are made of petrified sandstone with swirling patterns.
Yant Flat is considered a hidden gem and often has few visitors, especially on weekdays or early mornings. You might find yourself as the only one there on a Sunday afternoon in April.
Comfortable hiking shoes are recommended, especially for navigating the sandy patches and potential steep descents. Layers are always a good idea for desert climates. :athletic_shoe:
Absolutely! Yant Flat is incredibly photogenic, with its unique colorful sandstone formations. The 'golden hours' around sunrise and sunset offer the best lighting.
📸 📸 Photography Tips
The 'golden hours' just after sunrise and before sunset provide the most dramatic and beautiful lighting for capturing the colors of the Candy Cliffs.
You can capture stunning close-ups of the swirling sandstone patterns, wide shots of the colorful landscape, and even aerial views if you have a drone.
The main Candy Cliffs area is the primary draw. Exploring the surrounding petrified sand dunes and rock formations can also yield unique photographic opportunities.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive landscape, while a macro lens can highlight the intricate details of the sandstone. Don't forget a polarizing filter to enhance colors and reduce glare. :camerawithflash:
Drone usage is often permitted in open areas like Yant Flat, but it's always wise to check local regulations and airspace restrictions before flying.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚗 Road Trip Enthusiasts
The unique landscape offers a different kind of beauty compared to the more famous national parks, providing a refreshing change of scenery. Be prepared for the drive, as the road conditions can be a significant factor in your journey. 📸 Photographers & Content Creators
+1 Many creators have captured stunning visuals here, often comparing it to more famous, crowded locations. +2 Consider bringing a drone for breathtaking aerial shots, but always check local regulations first. The relatively low visitor numbers make it easier to get unobstructed shots. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Roads to Yant Flat
Once you arrive at the trailhead, the path to the Candy Cliffs is typically a wide, well-trodden trail that appears to have been an old jeep or 4-wheeler track.
The Allure of the Candy Cliffs
+1The experience of walking among these formations is often described as magical.
Visitors can spend hours exploring the different nooks and crannies, discovering unique textures and shapes. The relatively short hike to the main area means it's accessible for many, including families with children and even dogs. Photography at Yant Flat
+1 For the best results, aim to visit during the golden hours – shortly after sunrise or before sunset. During these times, the low-angled sunlight illuminates the sandstone, bringing out its rich hues and creating dramatic shadows. +1Beyond the main cliffs, the surrounding petrified sand dunes and desert flora offer additional photographic interest.
Don't forget a polarizing filter to enhance the colors and cut down on glare, especially during the midday sun. While drone footage can offer spectacular aerial perspectives of the unique landscape, always ensure you are aware of and comply with any local drone regulations. 
Social
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