Hidden Haven Falls

The Trail
This moderate 0.75 mile (one-way) trail has a 250 ft. elevation change. It leads to a shady and secluded waterfall that drops from the Benson Creek slot canyon. Prior to 2018, this trail was fairly easy, but due to the Brian Head Fire, this area has changed a great deal. It is more difficult to reach the falls now than it once was before flooding greatly changed the area and the trail.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail starts at a wooded area and crosses over a bridge. Signs up now warn that this area is an active flooding zone in which waters can rise quickly, so be aware of potential flooding danger before you proceed.

Trailhead - note that this sign has not always been there
and may or may not remain over time

Sign at the parking area

 

Bridge prior to 2018 fires

 

Bridge as of time of this post - note the warning sign

Sego Lily

Beware that there are some other trails that turn off from the main trail along the way. The first seems to head north and is marked by a blue flag on the topographical map. The next turn-offs occur right next to each other. The first shown in gray seems to head up the mountain, but I am not exactly sure where. The second goes out to an amphitheater and is shown by the red trail on the maps above. The area by these trails is a bit more open and sports a wooden bench.

Turn-off trail for amphitheater

Amphitheater

The trail is rougher than it used to be even at this point. There are places with fallen trees to climb over. The next bridge used to go over Benson Creek, but the creek path changed with the flooding, so it now just goes over an empty creek bed.

Bridge going over stream bed where Benson Creek used to flow

The last turn-off (shown in purple) is nearby the area with benches. This trail circles around up the mountain and back down through the slot canyon. If you wish to go repelling down the Benson Creek slot canyon, this is the way to go.

Turn-off for repelling down Benson Creek Slot Canyon-
here someone has cordoned it off with rocks.

Picnic Area

Cliff to the south of the waterfall

At this point, the trail used to meet up with the water again and once again crosses the stream.

Pre-flood picture near where trail crossed stream

However, now the trail comes to a shallow ravine that must be descended. From here, hikers must follow the creek up between two cliffs while climbing over and around fallen trees and large boulders. The temperatures continue to drop the further up the canyon you go.

Climb down the ledge and follow the creek up to
the waterfall

Boulders lodged in the canyon to climb over

If you go in the late fall as we did last, the stream turns to ice in places and leaves interesting designs in its wake.

The final approach to the falls was slightly more tricky due to the crumbly dirt slide to the left and the large boulders blocking the way immediately in front of us.

Final approach to the falls. There is a crumbly
dirt/rock/gravel hill to the left that can be climbed
or you can weave your way around the boulders

Descent down crumbly gravel/dirt hill

Finally, the trail reaches the waterfall. The water flow can vary. During dry years it can be no more than a trickle, but the waterfall is larger during years that the area receives more water. We found it partially encased in ice during the late fall.

Falls at a trickle in 2014

View of waterfall and canyon in 2014

The waterfall in November 2019

This trail is open to dogs. There are no restrooms available at the trailhead.

Directions
This trail is located in Iron County, Utah up Parowan Canyon. To get there from the north on I-15, take Exit 78 and head south on Main Street in Parowan. Continue to UT-143/Canyon Rd. and turn left onto it. Continue for about 5.9 miles and you will come to a good sized gravel pull out on your left. There is a large sign here that reads "Parowan Canyon Wildlife Management Area," but there are not always other markings. More recently, a homemade sign has been posted indicating the trail as pictured above, but it may or may not be there.

If you are coming from the south, take Exit 75 and head east on UT-143. Turn right onto UT-143/Canyon Rd. and continue for 5.3 miles up the canyon until you arrive at the area explain above. GPS Coordinates: N37 46.329 W112 50.417