Mill Creek Trail

Alex Cabrero
Jun 8
5 min read

Red sandstone canyon with a small waterfall feeding a calm pool under blue sky. — *The small waterfall at the end of the Mill Creek Trail*

(Moab) When most people think of a hike in Moab, they picture red rock, slickrock, and desert. They usually don’t picture walking through a creek. That’s what makes the Mill Creek Trail such a pleasant surprise.

Shallow stream in a red-rock canyon with stepping stones, dry grasses, and cliffs under a calm desert landscape. — *One of several creeks to cross*

I hiked this trail with Aspen and I don’t think she could have barked up a better day if she tried. It had water, dogs, people, shade, more dogs, and a waterfall at the end? It was basically her dream adventure hike.

Black dog with pink collar walks a sandy desert trail between red rock cliffs under a blue sky. — *Aspen leading the way*

The trailhead parking lot fills up quick during the busy season. There’s a sign saying if it’s full, to come back later. I have seen cars parked creatively, and I have seen parking tickets on those cars.

Mill Creek Canyon Trailhead sign beside a desert road between rocky hills under a bright blue sky with the moon. — *The entrance sign just before the parking lot*

Right near the trailhead, down a little embankment, there’s a decent chance you’ll see people sitting in the water, splashing around, and escaping the desert heat. I remember smiling because it looked more like a lazy afternoon at the river than the beginning of a Moab hike.

Small waterfall flows through a red-rock canyon pool, with golden sunlight on rugged sandstone and sparse desert brush. — *Before you reach the dam, you'll see great places to swim and sit in the water*

A lot of people will often stop here to swim instead of hiking the length of the trail. I've even hung out here for a few hours on a hot summer day. There's even a little sandy beach further downstream. If you continue the hike, you'll find that it is easy and family friendly. Follow the sign to "waterfalls" and when you get to the dam, which you can't miss, follow the arrow up a small rock ledge to a metal gate type thing. From here, the trail is easy to follow.

The Mill Creek trail goes through a canyon, crossing the water multiple times along the way. Depending on the water level, your feet might stay dry for a while.

Black dog wades in a shallow creek through a sunlit red-rock canyon with green shrubs and cliffs. — *Aspen in the water, most people try to stay to the right to keep dry*

The first section you come to where your balance will be tested is in the photo above. Most people stay to the right to try and keep dry. Dogs like to take the water path. Either way, it's a fun introduction to the many water crossings ahead.

Shallow creek with logs and rocks in a red canyon; a small trail sign marks the bank. — *Rocks, sticks, and logs to help you stay dry*

Some hikers have stacked rocks and placed logs across parts of the creek to make the crossings easier. Aspen didn’t need them. Watching her splash and run with the biggest smile on her face was pure joy. Her recall is excellent, so I let her explore on her own until we see people. I call her back and leash her, though most people also smile when they see her.

Eventually, though, there’s a trail sign that basically tells you the truth:

“Your feet will get wet here.”

At least they’re honest.

Narrow dirt trail beside a sandstone cliff in a dry canyon, with leafless trees and a small signpost, quiet winter mood — *A section of the rock was cut out for the trail*

The canyon itself is beautiful. You will see the red dirt, red rock cliffs, and desert scenery that make Moab famous, but here the harshness of the environment is softened by the trickling sound of water. It’s not something you usually find in abundance around Moab.

Red sandstone canyon with a shallow stream, leafless trees, and a pale moon under a blue sky, quiet and rugged. — *Another water crossing*

There are shady sections beneath cottonwoods along the way. You’ll also find petroglyphs and evidence of ancient dwellings tucked into the canyon walls. They’re easy to miss if you’re only focused on reaching the waterfall, but they’re worth slowing down for.

Speaking of the waterfall… it’s definitely why most people do this trail. The waterfall itself isn’t massive, but it pours into a pool surrounded by red rock and sandy banks that create a natural gathering spot. Even though it’s small, it’s still bigger than the pool of water at the end of the Moonflower Canyon Trail, another popular Moab hike.

Small waterfall cascading between red sandstone canyon walls into a calm pool, with rippled water and rugged rock textures. — *The waterfalls*

People bring lunches, blankets, portable speakers, and spend hours hanging out near the water. When I visited in January, I practically had the place to myself. But when I returned in June with Aspen, it felt like the entire town of Moab had shown up! There had to be close to 100 people there.

Small waterfall pouring into a calm pool in a red sandstone canyon, with rippling reflections and a dry, rocky foreground. — *My visit to the waterfall in January*

People in swimsuits and dogs wade and gather in a red-rock canyon pool beneath a bright blue sky. — *My visit to the waterfall in June*

It was fun watching people jump off a small cliff into the water. Reminded me of my younger days. If I didn’t have Aspen with me, I might’ve joined them to prove I still had it :)

Small waterfall cascades between red canyon rocks into a calm dark pool under a rugged desert overhang. — *It was deep enough near the waterfalls for people to jump in*

It’s important to let you know the area around the waterfall also isn’t very big, and with that many people, kids, and dogs, it’s probably not the place to go if you’re looking for solitude. But if you’re looking for a simple adventure, a place to cool off, happy people and wet dogs, with a hike that’s great for families, it’s easy to see why this trail is so popular. And if your dog loves water as much as Aspen does, don’t be surprised if they think this is pawsitively the best hike in Utah.

Hikers and dogs at a rocky waterfall pool, with people wading in water under red cliffs on a sunny day. — *Aspen, as always, saying hi to everyone*

You also don’t have to hike all the way to the waterfall to cool off. If you have young kids and you’re not sure they would enjoy the hike, you can get into the little creek right near the trailhead. There are several places to access the water and even little spots to set up your chair and just enjoy.

Small waterfalls cascade through red rock canyon under a bright blue sky, with sparse desert shrubs and a faint moon overhead. — *The waterfalls by the parking lot trailhead*

What I like most about Mill Creek Trail is that it feels different from almost every other hike in Moab. You still get the red rock scenery, canyon walls, and that unmistakable “Moab” feeling like you do with, say, the Jeep Arch Trail. But you also get water, shade, a waterfall hike in Moab, and a chance to get out of the desert heat while still staying outside. And when it comes to Moab, outside is always better.

Smiling gray-haired man in plaid shirt takes a selfie by a small waterfall in a rocky canyon. — *Water on a desert hike isn't something you often get in the Moab area*

LOCATION: Trailhead 1415 Powerhouse Lane AllTrails Information

Trail sign with arrows stands beside a sandy desert creek in a red-rock canyon with bare trees. — *Trail marker*

Narrow red dirt trail hugs a pink sandstone cliff in a quiet desert canyon with bare trees and scrub. — *A dry section of the trail along a rock cliff*

Trail sign against red rock wall reads Respect Protect and Leave Vandalism in the Past, urging visitors to tread lightly. — *Sign reminding not to vandalize the rock art*

Desert trail winding through red sandstone cliffs under a clear blue sky, with the moon visible above sparse brush. — *Almost a full moon in the daylight*

Dry creekside landscape with a large tree trunk, rocks, bare branches, and golden grasses in a quiet, arid setting. — *The stream is a constant along this trail*

Sunlit red sandstone cliffs under a deep blue sky, with the moon peeking between mesas in a quiet desert scene. — *Peek a boo*

Red Mill Creek trail sign with MAIN TRAIL arrow in a desert landscape of orange hills and blue sky. — *There is a small trail that branches off the main trail and comes back to it*

Stone restroom building with two doors in a desert canyon, red cliffs and blue sky behind it. — *Bathrooms at the trailhead*

Desert utility building painted with wildlife murals and a quote, set against red rock cliffs under a clear blue sky. — *I'm not sure if this is a pumphouse at the dam, but the art on it is cool*

Two SUVs parked on a gravel mountain overlook beside red cliffs under a clear blue sky. — *Empty parking lot in January, this was full in June*

Mill Creek Trail

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