Red Ledges — Attraction in Four Corners States

Red Ledges is a great adventure! It is probably not one for little ones unless you had someone with you that knew all the super safe paths, but a great adventure for teens and up. I would have given it 5 stars except for the fact that this trail is not well defined with Cairns or on Google maps, or All Trails. There is no support once you get up there to help you out, and you can end up in spot that are there for repelling and not hiking that might not be super easy to back out of. Even considering that though I gave it 4 stars for the beauty and coolness of the hike.

I started up the left side trail and just tried to stay on major trails. It didn't get stressful until the top and then it was a little tricky to get up that last section. At the top there are trails in so many directions. Not sure where many of them go, just the trail I ended up on :). It was so safe and mellow with gorgeous view that I was real happy with this trail..until I got to the east side of Red Ledges. Now this trail is not on Google maps, or All Trails so there is no help knowing what trail is right and what trail is wrong. That is stressful for me hiking when I am on high cliffs. I felt like I was on a safe good trail that was leading me to a safe passageway down. That is what my gut told me, but then I ended up on a ledge and the major trails went off to spots where rock climbers do a lot of climbing and repelling. I got nervous that this safe happy trail was leading me into a scary situation that I might not be able to get back out of. Of course, best thing to do is head back the way you came, so that is what I did and sighed a big sigh of relief when I was safely down. Now Google maps has Red Ledges on the map, but there was also a spot called Diamond Fork Arch that popped up and I knew it was close. I opened up my Google maps (which I had already downloaded the area) and typed in Diamond Fork Arch. It said you are 1 minute away. I had no idea I was so close to I had it walk me to the arch. It was serious just on the east side of Red Ledges. I headed up this trail, and at the top I was shocked to find that my safe path I was enjoying early did indeed merge up to a safe way down...right where I was. There was a little ledge, but I was surprised I missed it. I was happy to have figured that out for next time, but I could not see any signs of the arch. I pulled up google maps, and somehow I had walked right by it. I headed back down again paying more attention to my google map and realizing I am not looking for a huge landmark. It did not take me long to find it. It was tucked into the West side on the cliffs and was beautiful. I was like....now I get why this canyon is called Diamond Fork. It is after this...

This is a fun place to spend a few hours. The roads are paved the entire way and there is a parking lot. Strollers are pointless here so don't bother packing one, bring a wearable baby carrier instead. There is no garbage can so you'll have to pack everything out. There is a permanent porta potty style bathroom up there. Sunscreen and water are a must to bring as there's no drinking fountain.

There is a picnic table, but it's not in the shade during the morning/afternoon.There was a shady spot that we ate lunch at, but for sure bring blankets to sit on.

We took little kids raging in ages 9mo-6yrs and they had fun exploring and walking around near the large "arch" looking formation. We felt comfortable enough to let the kids play on their own here.

There are 3 areas/trails that are easy to access. However there is one area that is next to a 20ft ledge (you have to hike up a more steep path so it's not easily accessed by kids). We didn't feel comfortable with our kids up there so we turned around.

Overall it's worth checking out and I'd plan around 1-1.5hrs with...

It’s a pretty cool arch to visit if you’re in the area although it’s a little bit of a drive from the main road. While you’re here if you’re looking for The sun or the moon it’s carved in the rock there’s not much info about it so I attach some pictures with a red arrow. If you look from the parking area straight into the canyon off to the right hand side there’s a black mark on the sand stone from where the waterfalls. If you like towards that black mark and then find a route up even though they can be a little sketchy you will then find at the bottom of the waterfall the sun. Some people reported there being a rope of some type although as of December 2020 there is no longer a rope anywhere to be found there’s a few little sketchy places you can climb up and get to the top...