Sand Caves, Southern Utah

A couple of weeks ago, we read about a hike we thought would be fun to explore for ourselves - the Sand Caves. The Sand Caves are basically what it sounds like - Caves carved into sandstone rock high above UT hwy 89.

There are a couple of ways to get there, depending on where you are coming from. They are located about 9 miles south of the Mt Carmel Junction on Hwy 89, and about .4 of a mile south of Moqui Cave, on the east side of the highway. We took the route through Colorado City and across the Cane Beds to get there and then went through Zion National Park to get back (see map below).

There is a small parking area, or rather turnout, off on the west side of the highway. The unmarked trail starts directly across from the parking area. Before you start, if you look up at the sandstone cliffs across the highway and slightly to the south, you can see the caves.

The trail splits off in many different directions. Don't head directly towards the caves because it would be a very difficult, treacherous, steep climb up the sandstone cliff to get there. Instead, head to the cliff band north of the caves and traverse in a southward direction over the uneven slick rock to the caves. Be careful though. When sand or dirt is on the slick rock, it can make you lose your footing in a hurry!

The caves go back quite a ways and are very fun to explore. They also offer great views of the area below. On our way back we got caught in a lightning storm with flash flood inducing rain while on the slick rock which made it extremely dangerous and challenging to make it back to our car.

The hike is only slightly under a mile round trip but is a moderately strenuous due to the uneven footing on the sandstone cliffs.  Here are some pictures of our adventure:

This is a map of how to get to Mt. Carmel Junction from Hurricane, Utah. The Sand Caves are about 9 mile south of the junction on hwy 89.

This is the small parking area on the west side of hwy 89 after the rainstorm that hit us as we were coming back. 

From the parking area, looking south-east toward the Sand Caves. You can barely make out the caves just above and to the right of the yellow street sign.

Once you cross the highway, this is what the trail looks like. In the many places the trail splits, make sure to stay to the left (away from the Sand Caves) and follow the north-most trail to the base of the sandstone cliffs for an easier way to the caves.

For the most part the trail is sandy until you reach the slick rock.

Here's a look at the spot where we left the sandy trail and started hiking on the slick rock.

Liz starts the uphill trek...

The Sand Caves are off in the distance. This pictures makes the trek to them look a bit more treacherous than it is. Although it is difficult, my 6 year old made it with us with minimal help. 

Here's a look at the caves just before you enter.

Judi had lots of fun exploring the caves.

And then the rains came, making the trek down incredibly difficult.

We had to pick our way carefully so our hike wouldn't become a slip-n-slide.

You can see the water running down the slick rock in this picture! What an adventure!