Water Canyon Trail

Water Canyon Trail is a 6.8-mile out-and-back trail on Dixie National Forest land near Henrieville, in the country between Bryce Canyon and Grand Staircase-Escalante. It's a genuinely challenging hike: sandy footing early on gives way to brambles and berry bushes, then a stretch of boulder scrambling with a real incline before reaching a waterfall at the end that hikers consistently say is worth the effort.

Good to know

• Dogs are allowed but must stay leashed, standard for this Forest Service-managed trail
• April through November is the most popular window; expect birding and camping opportunities along the route
• The scrambling sections mean sturdy footwear and some route-finding are more useful here than on a groomed park trail