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Southwest Parks
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon
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& Favorite SW Sites

The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Zion National Park, Utah!

Stay in Mount Carmel Junction, the heart of the parks, and visit the treasures of the Southwest.

Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles

In these pages you will find insiders information on Zion National Park lodging, adventures and hikes. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information on Zion's hidden treasures.

Making summer memories in the Utah National Parks and National Monuments.

Utah!

Zion National Park Map

Directions to Zion National Park
From Salt Lake City: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to Zion's east entrance.
From Arizona: Travel 89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to the east park entrance.
From Las Vegas: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane. Make a right on U-9 at the second traffic light in LaVerkin. Continue on U-9 to the south entrance of the park. U-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.

Oversized Vehicle Information
Zion Canyon Shuttle Information

Hiking in the Southwest National Parks

Hiking Zion National Park
Hiking Bryce Canyon National Park
Hiking North Rim Grand Canyon
Hiking Toroweap

Hiking in the Southwest National Monuments

Hiking Cedar Breaks
Hiking GSENM

Hiking Southwest National Forests

Hiking Dixie National Forest
Hiking Red Canyon

Hiking Southern Utah State Parks

Hiking Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Best Trails in Zion National Park

A list of the best trails is only an opinion, so take this into consideration. Also note that some trails on this list may be difficult for the average hiker.

Classic trails - Trails that every first-time visitor to Zion National Park should see are listed in our Southwestern vacation guide.

Parunuweap - This hike through the East Fork of the Virgin River is my personal favorite, but this trek is only for experienced hikers and those with strong route finding skills. Be warned that you will probably not see another soul during this entire hike.

Zion Narrows - This well traveled route through the North Fork of the Virgin River is as incredible as the East Fork and much easer to visit. Almost anyone can do at least a portion of the Zion Narrows by hiking the Riverside Walk Trail and dropping into the river. Short exploration is permitted from there without a permit. For a full dose of the Zion Narrows, obtain a permit and head to East Zion to begin the trail. The full Narrows hike is a rushed one day trip or a relaxed two day backpack.

Angels Landing - This busy trail is one you will not want to miss. Begin the trail in Zion Canyon and hike up the West Rim Trail to find the half mile Angels Landing Trail that traverses a narrow fin above Zion Canyon. If you want more, return from the half mile fin from Angels Landing and continue up the West Rim Trail. This makes a nice two day backpack.

East Rim - This beaten path can be done as a long 10 mile day hike or it can include Echo Canyon, Deertrap Mountain, Cable Mountain or Observation Point and Hidden Canyon. The East Rim can be done as a one-way trail with no backtracking.

Observation Point - The Observation Point and the East Rim Trails share a good section of the path with each other. The Observation Point Trail is a busy one that begins in Zion Canyon.  The less traveled East Rim Trail begins at the east side of the park and ends in Zion Canyon.

Best Easy Trails in Zion National Park

Weeping Rock - This short hike packs a lot of scenery into a short walk.  This is probably the most traveled trail in the park.

Lower Emerald Pool - Make sure to take the Lower Emerald Pools Trail and not bypass it by going up the trail to the Middle Emerald Pool. The middle pool and upper pool can be accessed once at the Lower Emerald Pool. This trail is probably traveled more than any other trail in the park other than the Weeping Rock Trail.

Riverside Walk - This nice paved trail allows you to get your feet wet in the Zion Narrows and to get a sneak peak of one of the best trails in the USA and the best trail in the National Park System!  This trail is in the top three most traveled trails in Zion.

Canyon Overlook - This fun hike begins at the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel and climbs to an impressive view of the Zion Switchbacks and lower Zion Canyon. The beauty is that it is a high altitude view (due to the higher elevation on the east side of the park) without the work of hiking to the top of Observation Point or Angels Landing.

Best Easy Remote Trails in Zion

Two Pines Arch - A short hike to an arch in Zion that few visitors ever get to see.

Many Pools - If it's been raining and the potholes are filled with water it makes this route all the better.

Shelf Canyon - This is a great little slot canyon located on the east side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

Pine Creek Waterfall - A short hike with a bit of scrambling takes hikers to a refreshing pool and beautiful waterfall.

Hidden Gardens - A fun little slot down in Clear Creek.

Clear Creek - This section of  Clear Creek is near the tunnel so you hear a lot of road noise, but it's still a beautiful and easier part of the park to explore.

Gifford Canyon - This hike is a little longer, but it's away from the crowds and after getting into the wash it's a nice stroll.

Best View Points in Zion National Park

Progeny Peak - This route lies in the center of Zion's slick rock circle. It goes past a charming arch, Two Pines Arch, and then up to Progeny Peak. The view is magnificent from the mountain. This is an unmaintained route rather than a trail is is off the beaten path.

Lady Mountain - This unmaintained route cannot be beat, but there needs to be at least one rock climber in the group. The 360° view is a showstopper!

Observation Point - This well traveled trail begins at the Weeping Rock parking lot in Zion Canyon and leads to one of the best views of Zion Canyon.

Angels Landing - The Angels Landing Trail is one of the most outstanding trails in the US and other than the Zion Narrows it is the best in the National Park System.  The trail begins at the Grotto parking lot in Zion Canyon and ends at a spectacular view of Zion canyon.

Canyon Overlook - This beauty of a trail begins on the east side of the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel and boasts a great view of lower Zion Canyon.

Deertrap Mountain - This trail begins at the first turn-off from the east entrance of the park and ends high atop a mesa with a grand view of Zion Canyon below.

Cable Mountain - The trail begins at the first turn-off from the east entrance of the park and leads to a wonderful view of Zion Canyon.

If you have done the classic Zion Park hikes listed above, be sure to check out the routes on the east side of the park.

The areas listed on this page are all a short distance from each other and each spectacular in their own way. If you are planning a trip to the Southern Utah area, it would be a shame to miss any of the Southwest attractions in this incredible corner of the earth! See our itinerary section for suggestions on how to see the most scenic wonders of the west in one to seven days.

Web Southwest Parks

Zion National Park

Zion National Park - UTAH!

Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life. -- John Muir   Photo: Pine Creek Waterfall © Photography by Tanya

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