Name: Deer Creek Trail
Rating: 5.0

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Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Easy to get to only if you're coming from a raft. This is spectacularly fun for older kids who could, with a lot of care, explore parts of the slot canyon. To say nothing of the waterfall!

Climbing and/or rappelling in the creek narrows, with or without the use of ropes or other technical equipment, is prohibited. This restriction extends within the creek beginning at the southeast end of the rock ledges, known as the Patio to the base of Deer Creek Falls. The trail from the river to the campsites and points up-canyon remains open. This restriction is necessary for the protection of significant cultural resources.

Description

This description starts from the Thunder River trail, at the upper end of Deer Creek Trail: Go west at the trail junction in Surprise Valley for Deer Creek Trail. The trail becomes rocky, loose and somewhat exposed as it descends into the arm of Deer Creek. Deer Spring is a wonderful respite, enjoy the water, and celebrate that camp is only 20 minutes away. Below camp, Deer Creek slides over a promenade known as The Patio before gracefully plunging into the famous Narrows. Carved from the hard, resistant Tapeats Formation, the Narrows are, in a word, enchanting. Entering the narrows below the patio is off limits, but a higher trail on their west side leads to the Colorado River, affording the opportunity to experience one of Grand Canyons most spectacular waterfalls.

Flora & Fauna

Like a gift, booming streams of crystalline water emerge from mysterious caves to transform the harsh desert of the inner canyon into absurdly beautiful green oasis replete with the music of water falling into cool pools.