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Backpacking in Southern Utah

Backpacking opportunities abound in Southern Utah. Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument dish up an abundance of backcountry trails.

Zion National park Backpacking - One of the most spectacular backpacks anywhere is the two day route through the Zion Narrows. Also high on the list of incredible backpacking trips is Zion's East Rim. At the top of the East Rim, spurs to Deertrap Mountain and Cable Mountain spice up the trip with impressive viewpoints. Zion's West Rim includes magnificent Angels Landing. Few trails anywhere can compare with the thrill of walking along a narrow fin of sandstone, eye level with some of the world’s tallest monoliths.

Backpacking in Zion's Kolob - Favorites include Kolob Arch, a trail to one of the longest freestanding arches in the world and hiking the Right Fork of North Creek to photogenic Double Falls. Zion's main backpacking trails are the very top, if not the best trails in the entire state. Chinle, Scoggins and Coalpits Trails, on the far southern section of Zion, are good winter backpacks.

Directions to Zion National Park From the North: 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 Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to the east park entrance. From the South: 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.			Bo Beck in Telephone Canyon
	Zion National Park Lodging Lodging and services are available in East Zion. The main road through Zion, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (SR-9) is open year-round, and is not a route the Zion Canyon Shuttle takes. Zion Canyon is deep inside the park. Towering 3000' walls form a slot canyon, forged by the violent rush of torrent water over millions of years. From late March to late October access through the six mile stretch of road is via the Zion Canyon Shuttle, the rest of the year the canyon is accessed in private vehicles.

North Rim Grand Canyon Backpacking - The Ken Patrick Trail is a 10 mile hike that does not go below the rim. This trail runs through the forest along the rim from Point Imperial and can be combined with the Uncle Jim Trail for a nice backpack. The North Kaibab Trail is a 14.2 mile, one way, strenuous hike. This is the only maintained North Rim trail leading to the Colorado River. Camping at Cottonwood Campground, then visiting Ribbon Falls the next day, is an enjoyable backpack. The Rim-to-Rim Trail, down the North Kaibab Trail to the river and up Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim is a popular destination backpack. Some of the more remote backpacks include Thunder River and South Canyon.

Tuweep - (Toroweap Point) The drive to Tuweep and camping at the rim is remote and divine. Lava Falls is usually a one day adventure, but only for the most advanced hikers. There are a couple of easy strolls that do not drop into the canyon at Toroweap Point.

Bryce Canyon Backpacking - The 23 mile round-trip, Under the Rim Trail, in Bryce Canyon is a moderately strenuous and remote backpack. The backpack begins at Bryce Point and goes through the forested areas, below the rim, to Rainbow Point.

Cedar Breaks Backpacking
Rattlesnake Creek Trail - The Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area includes a 10 mile, 6 hour day hike, but with so much to see and explore the hike is often stretched out to a 2 or 3 day backpack exploring the vast area below the rim of Cedar Breaks. The hike is one way and a car shuttle is required.

GSENM Backpacking - The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is not lacking in backpacking adventures. Bull Valley Gorge is a long hike through a deep gorge. Combine this slot canyon with Sheep Creek and Willis Creek and it becomes a magnificent two day adventure.The trailhead is found along the Skutumpah Road.

Backpacking in Southern Utah

History of the Thunderbird