Yant Flat and the Candy Cliffs: Sunrise, Stone, and Solitude

Tucked into the rolling sandstone wilderness north of St. George, Utah, lies a hidden gem that feels more like a dreamscape than a real place. Yant Flat—better known by its nickname, the Candy Cliffs—is a sprawling labyrinth of striped sandstone domes, swirls, and slickrock playgrounds carved by time and weather. Unlike the heavily trafficked trails of nearby Zion National Park, With scenery comparable to The Wave and White Pocket, Yant Flat is free to explore! No permit or 4x4 is required.

When the first light of day hits its painted formations, the cliffs glow with a magic that feels almost otherworldly. For photographers, adventurers, and anyone who simply wants to watch the desert breathe awake at sunrise, this spot is hard to beat.

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The Hike: A Modest Walk with a Big Payoff

The hike to Yant Flat is only about 1.5 miles each way, making it accessible for most visitors. The trail itself is moderate, with a gentle climb through sandy soil and juniper scrub before reaching the slickrock plateau. While not strenuous, the sandy sections can sap energy in the midday sun, and the loose footing requires attention. Still, for such a short distance, the reward is immense.

At the end of the trail, the forest suddenly gives way to an ocean of stone. Vast sandstone domes roll out toward the horizon, painted in stripes of orange, red, pink, and cream. The scale of it is breathtaking—like standing on the edge of a geological canvas unfurled just for you.

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Sunrise: When the Candy Cliffs Glow

While Yant Flat is beautiful any time of day, sunrise brings it to life. Before the sun crests the eastern ridges, the formations rest in deep shadow, their contours softened by predawn coolness. Then the light arrives, slow and deliberate, painting the cliffs gold. The striations in the sandstone catch the glow in layers—white bands warming to peach, crimson streaks blazing into fire.

The low angle of morning light sharpens every curve and groove. Shadows stretch long across the domes, adding texture and drama. For a brief window, the colors are at their richest and most saturated, and the land feels alive. By midday, when the sun is high and harsh, much of that magic flattens. But at sunrise, the Candy Cliffs are electric.

Standing there as the desert wakes, you hear almost nothing but wind and the faint calls of ravens. The stillness amplifies the spectacle. It feels less like sightseeing and more like witnessing a private performance between earth and sky.

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Photography Opportunities: A Natural Studio

For photographers, Yant Flat is a dream. The sandstone domes offer endless angles, leading lines, and compositions. Wide-angle shots capture the sweeping curves of striped rock that seem to flow like frozen waves. Telephoto lenses isolate patterns, emphasizing the intricate details of erosion. Drone photography—where permitted—can reveal the candy-striped terrain from above, showing the cliffs as a patchwork of swirls and domes.

The key is timing. At sunrise and sunset, the cliffs radiate warm tones, but morning offers the added benefit of solitude. Because Yant Flat remains relatively unknown, especially compared to nearby Zion, it’s possible to have the place entirely to yourself in the early hours. That quiet allows photographers to slow down, experiment, and chase the light without distraction.

Clouds also play a role. A sky streaked with cirrus can amplify the drama, while a clear morning emphasizes the glowing contrast between rock and blue desert sky. Even overcast conditions can be striking, muting the color but deepening the sense of texture.

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The Freedom to Explore

One of the joys of Yant Flat is that it’s not a “one-path” destination. Once you reach the slickrock, you’re free to wander. There are no rails, no paved lookouts, no strict trails to follow. Instead, you can scramble up domes, peer into hidden alcoves, or simply sit and watch the colors shift. The landscape encourages exploration, and each turn reveals something new—a natural amphitheater here, a delicate ripple of stone there, a sweeping view of Zion’s cliffs in the distance.

This freedom makes the area both thrilling and humbling. It feels like a place still in motion, shaped by wind and water over millennia. And because crowds do not yet overrun it, it retains a sense of discovery.

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Why Yant Flat Feels Different

What makes Yant Flat special is not just its beauty, but its balance of accessibility and seclusion. It’s close enough to reach with a modest drive and hike, yet far enough from paved highways and tour buses that it feels undiscovered. It combines the sculpted grandeur of places like Zion or Bryce with the freedom of wandering open slickrock country.

At sunrise, the cliffs remind you how alive stone can look when touched by light. For photographers, the compositions are limitless. For campers, the solitude is refreshing. For anyone, the experience is unforgettable.

Reaching Yant Flat is an adventure in itself. The trailhead is accessed by Forest Service Road 031, a dirt road that stretches between  Leeds, Utah. Though the road is usually passable for passenger vehicles in dry conditions, it can become rutted, rocky, or impassable after rain. The journey winds upward through juniper and pinyon, with glimpses of Pine Valley Mountain and the cliffs of the Pine Valley Wilderness. Unlike the busy highways leading into national parks, this approach feels like you are slowly peeling back layers of civilization and stepping into a wilder, older landscape. 
 

Distance from Leads, UT: 10.2 miles
 
Distance from St George, UT: 15.4 miles

GPS for parking: 37.23495, -113.47698

GPS for best slickrock areas:
37.21797, -113.46897
37.22531, -113.47836

HIKE DETAILS 

Rated easy, the trail is mostly flat, but about a half mile of deep sand near the end makes it a bit tiring. Some route finding is required.

TOTAL DISTANCE
3 miles out-and-back to the farthest slickrock.

ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS
320 ft

EST. TIME REQUIRED
3-4 hours

BEST TIME TO GO
Any. Hot in summer. The best light for photos is at sunrise.

FAMILY FRIENDLY
Yes

PET FRIENDLY
Yes. May be off-leash. Please pick up after your pet or bury any waste!

CAMPING
For those who want to linger longer, dispersed camping is available for free on the forest service lands near Yant Flat. There are no established campgrounds or amenities, but that’s part of the appeal. You can set up a tent or park a camper on pullouts along Forest Service Road 031, surrounded by juniper and open desert views. At night, the sky opens wide, unspoiled by city light. The Milky Way arches overhead, coyotes call in the distance, and the cliffs rest in moonlight.

Camping nearby makes it easy to roll out of bed before dawn and hike to the cliffs for sunrise. Instead of a rushed drive from St. George or Cedar City, you wake already immersed in the landscape. With a hot drink in hand, you can walk the sandy trail in the cool pre-dawn and arrive just in time for the first light show.