Yant Flat
Scenic landmarks
The Candy Cliffs — banded orange, pink and cream sandstone domes on a plateau above Leeds, reached by a rough forest road into the Dixie National Forest.
The Candy Cliffs
Yant Flat is a plateau in the Dixie National Forest above Leeds, and its nickname does the describing: a sprawl of striped Navajo sandstone domes and swirls in orange, pink, cream and red. It sits between the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness, and the edge of the plateau drops away south into Red Cliffs.
The walk
The route to the Candy Cliffs and Yellow Top runs about 5.3 miles round trip. It opens with easy walking through pine and juniper before the forest gives way to open slickrock, which is where the color starts. There is no defined trail once you are on the rock — wander, and keep track of where you came out.
The road
Access is from I-15 exit 22 at Leeds, along Silver Reef Road, which becomes Forest Road 031 and climbs as rough dirt. In dry conditions most vehicles manage it; after rain, high clearance is advisable. This is the usual failure point for visitors, so allow for a slow drive.
Timing
Early and late light is what makes the banding photograph well; the same rock looks flat at midday. The elevation keeps it far cooler than St. George in summer, and snow can linger up here in winter.
Related on the site: the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and hikes beyond Snow Canyon.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Yant Flat called the Candy Cliffs?
For the banding. The Navajo sandstone here is striped in orange, pink, cream and red, and the swirled layers look like confectionery from a distance.
Do I need a four-wheel drive to reach Yant Flat?
Not usually. The forest road is rough dirt but is passable by most vehicles in dry conditions. After rain, high clearance is recommended.