East Zion Lodge
Vacation House
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Business Retreat
Conference Room

Southwest Parks
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon
Grand Canyon
Grand Staircase
Cedar Breaks
Dixie National Forest
Red Canyon
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Slot Canyons
Paria Canyon
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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

Basic etiquette for Zion's Canyons

Urinate in flowing water only. Keep standing water clean since it does not drain! Throw nothing into the water.

Bring a trash sack with you. Pack out what you bring in. That include toilet paper. Do not leave human waste in the canyons and never leave it near a water source. The Zion backcountry desk will gladly provide you with a receptacle to carry it out. If you must leave waste, use a cat-hole 8 inches deep and at least 200' from any water, campsite or trail.

Stay in the watercourse when possible and prevent land erosion. Avoid building cairns and other markers.

Let faster parties pass, and visit canyons in small groups.

Never feed wild animals, pick them up or chase them.

Leave no trace that you passed through a canyon.

"Take only pictures, leave only footprints, carve only memories."

... and try to keep those footprints in the watercourse.

Suggested Gear: Experienced Zion hikers and canyoneers like the Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.

Zion National Park Canyoneering

ACA Canyon Rating System
American Canyon Association

NOTE: Ratings refer to descents in normal conditions, during what is considered the normal season for the canyon. Adverse conditions, such as higher than normal water volume or colder temperatures, will increase the difficulty of the descent.

Technical

1 Canyon Hiking - Non-technical hiking where no rope is required. There might be some scrambling requiring the use of hands.

2 Basic Canyoneering - Rope recommended for belays, rappels and possible lowering packs and possible emergency use. Basic canyon scrambling, easy vertical or near vertical climbing and downclimbing requiring frequent use of hands.

3 Intermediate Canyoneering - Exposed technical climbing. Downclimbing could be difficult and dangerous where most people rappel instead. Rope required for single-pitch rappels and belays. Anchors are usually existing. Retreat up canyon will require ascending fixed ropes. Basic pothole escaping.

4 Advanced Canyoneering - Includes difficult and exposed climbing, downclimbing, multi-pitch rappels, complex rope work, anchor problems, advanced problem solving.

Normal Water Volume and Current

A - Normally the canyon is dry or holds little water.

B - Normally the canyon holds water but the current is light or there are still pools. There might be a trickle on the falls, water deep enough that needs to be waded or swam. Wetsuit or drysuit may be required depending on temperatures.

C - Normally the canyon contains water with strong current and even waterfalls. Swimming deep pools required. Wetsuit or drysuit may be required depending on temperatures.

Time Required

I Requires only a couple of hours.

II Requires a half day.

III Requires most of a day.

IV Dawn to dark and longer if problem arise. Bring a head lamp and plan for possible bivy.

V Expected to take an average 1.5 days.

VI Expected to take two or more days.

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Zion National Park

Zion National Park - UTAH!

Turn off your lights; in the silence of your darkened home you can hear thousands of rivers whispering their thanks. -- Clear Creek   Photo: Pine Creek Waterfall © Photography by Tanya

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