Entering the Belly of the Dragon in Mt. Carmel, Utah
The second stop during our road trip to Capitol Reef National Park was a fascinating tunnel known as the Belly of the Dragon, situated in the Mt. Carmel, Utah.
So Why is this cave called the Belly of the Dragon?
The tunnel was originally carved out many years ago to effectively divert rainwater flowing under Highway 89 and prevent potential flooding in the surrounding areas.
Where is the Belly of the Dragon?
It’s conveniently located between Orderville and Kanab, and it's approximately 20 miles away from the East Entrance to Zion National Park. It’s also just 12 minutes north of the mesmerizing Sand Caves in Kanab, which we had explored as our very first destination for this road trip. Check out our post on Sand Caves here.
What does the Belly of the Dragon look like?
The tunnel's rib-like pattern was intricately carved into the soft sandstone by the water from the upper canyons over the years. Some say that exploring this remarkable tunnel feels like walking inside the majestic ribcage of a great dragon.
What is the trail like?
The trailhead is conveniently accessible by car, making it easy for adventurers to reach. The round trip hike encompasses approximately 0.5 miles, offering a relatively short yet enjoyable experience. It's important to note that the trail can be uneven and muddy in certain areas, so proper footwear is advisable. Additionally, there is a 5-foot descent at the start, which requires careful navigation over some concrete structures for a safe passage. I discovered, after completing this trip, that if you continue to hike further for about 4 miles or so, there is a neat slot canyon waiting for you at the end as well.
What should I be careful about?
Don't enter when it's raining, as the water is draining through here and, as you can imagine, the conditions can be quite hazardous for anyone who attempts to navigate through it. Since the tunnel is actually pretty short, you wouldn’t need to carry much gear at all, but do make sure that you at least have a reliable headlamp and a sturdy pair of hiking shoes on, because you will have to do some mini climbing and descending on the rocky and sandy floors throughout the hike.
Entrance of the Belly of the Dragon
View out towards the entrance from inside
View of the Belly of the Dragon’s exit
On our way back to the entrance of the Belly of the Dragon
Dispersed camping in the Twin Hollows Campground near the Belly of the Dragon
After visiting two awesome caves/tunnels near Kanab, Utah, we decided to camp in the Twin Hollows Campground, which is an area with many dispersed campsites right down the dirt road from the Belly of the Dragon. You can enjoy the great views and quite atmosphere provided by the nearby river and the canyons here. After driving around for a while soaking in the beauty of this area, we managed to find a decent spot; not by the river though since they were already all occupied. By the time we had our camp setup, it was getting dark, so we had a quick dinner over a nice camp fire and called it a night.
In the next post, I’ll be covering our first experiences of Capitol Reef National Park so please check back in soon.
Thanks for reading!
Also check out our other adventures in Utah!