Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Yellow Knolls

The Yellow Knolls trail is most often accessed via the Yellow Knolls trailhead (elevation 3940 feet). The mostly single track, well marked, sandy trail is about 2.7 miles in length with a cumulative elevation gain of about 440 feet and a total elevation change up and down of about 620 feet, one way. This is a relatively easy trail suitable for hikers and equestrians but too sandy in some sections for many bikers.

From the Yellow Knolls trailhead the trail descends toward the wash to the trail’s lowest elevation of about 3810 feet. It then slowly ascends through a picturesque, valley with beautiful sandstone formations including expansive checkerboard faces much like those found in Zion National Park. The trail ends at the junction with the High Point Trail which connects to the Black Gulch trailhead on the south or continues to a dead end in higher country to the north. Highlights include red and white slickrock formations and spectacular floral displays in the springtime. Common desert wildlife in this area include tortoises, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, mule deer, raptors, and an occasional Great Basin rattler, among other desert species. The trail may also be travelled starting from the Black Gulch trailhead following the 2-track, High Point trail for about 0.5 mile to the Yellow Knolls sign and taking the single-track trail to the south to the Yellow Knolls trailhead. Hikers or riders may then use the Cottonwood Road to return to the Black Gulch trailhead, a distance of about 1½ miles.