Cross East Virgin River over 20 times

Barracks Trail 2.5

White Cliffs from southern portion of trail

Barracks Trail goes from near Coral Pink Sand Dunes to Mt Carmel Junction, crossing the East Virgin River over 20 times. The northern portion is a fun trail through a beautiful canyon. The southern part is a sandy road through the trees that has a LOT of washboarding caused by ATV use.

There is a USGS gauging station downstream of the trail. The river was flowing at 50 cfs when these photos were taken. You might want to check the flow before you go to make sure it is safe.

There is a GPS - gpx track file at the bottom of the page.

Great scenery

The southern 14 miles of this 20 mile trail is mostly sandy with a few minor ledges. Much of the time is in the trees with a few great views of White Cliffs (see banner photo).

Sandy road

Minor ledge

Sand Hill is just on the south side of the river, as the trail rises up out of the canyon. It is easiest if you are running the trail from south to north because you are going downhill. It cannot be bypassed.

Looking up Sand Hill

Looking down Sand Hill

The fun part of this trail is back and forth across East Virgin River. There are many trees because of the water.

A couple of the crossings are a little steep, depending on what the river did last time it was high and how many people have broken down the bank since that time. This is the reason for the 2.5 rating. It could have been rated 2.0 the day we did it.

A tunnel of trees

Narrow climb out of river

Scenery all along the canyon is beautiful

Side canyon along the river

Cliffs on the road out to the north

There is an interesting tunnel close to the north end of the trail. The natural wash was filled in for the highway and this tunnel was bored so the wash could drain into the river. It is fun to walk through. Access is easier from the left side.

Tunnel viewed from road

Walking through tunnel

We would enjoy this trail more by simply starting at the north end on US 89, going back and forth across the river as far as Sand Hill then turning around and going back out to US 89. This would avoid the washboard road through the trees. Most people will want to experience the entire trail, at least the first time they do it.

Updated 2017.

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