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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

This sloped mountainside is the route to the top of South Ariel Peak.

GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum

Parking For South Ariel Peak
37°13.476 N
112°54.180 W

South Ariel Peak Summit
37°13.633 N
112°54.402 W

Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and www.zionnational-park.com author Tanya Milligan.

To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more information please visit the Zion National Park Forum

Suggested Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced Zion hikers and canyoneers like the La Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.

South Ariel Peak

The east side of Zion National Park does not have massive, vertical sandstone walls like Zion Canyon, but it is stunning in its own way. Once you begin to explore the east side of the park you will become addicted to it. Because of the east sides less vertical nature it becomes a mecca of off the beaten path exploration. The pyramid shaped domes of white Navajo sandstone beckon those with a sense of adventure. Don't be foolish though as those seemingly easy to scale mounds of solidified sandstone present many obstacles and can be very deceiving. Be prepared by having solid scrambling skills, proper equipment including sticky rubber soled shoes like sportiva's and be ready to back off if the going just gets too tough.

Photo Album: South Ariel Peak Pictures
Trail Maps: South Ariel Peak Map
Distance: 1 mile round-trip
Average Time: 2 hours
Equipment: Stick rubber hiking shoes, 50' of rope.
Difficulty: Strenuous hiking, river hiking. Technical . Down climbing skills are needed.
Permits: Required Check the weather report before hiking this trail. Do not hike if it looks like rain
Trailhead: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway on the east side of the park.
Trailend: Same as trailhead.
Trail access: Zion Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round. Cold river temperatures and heavy current can deter most hikers in the winter months.
Total Elevation: 700'
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Classic Zion Park Hike: No
Best Season: Year-round as long as the rock is dry.
Hazards: Call the Zion Canyon Visitors Center for weather conditions prior to the hike: (435) 772-3256. Hiking in slot canyons presents a very real danger from flash flooding. Do not hike this trail if it is raining. Remember a storm far off can trigger a flash flood.

Trailhead - South Ariel Peak is located just north and west of the popular canyoneering route Keyhole Canyon and offers a relatively easy scramble to a summit with impressive views in all directions. Parking for the route is just 1.9 miles east of the small tunnel on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway or 2.1 miles west of the east entrance into Zion National Park. This parking area only accommodates four or five vehicles and is located at the mouth of Keyhole Canyon. As a side note, it you look to the north, up-canyon, you should be able to see Jug Handle Arch on the right side of a large peninsula. Now look at the rock peak just above the highway and on the left side of the slot canyon. This is South Ariel Peak.

The Peak - The route is fairly apparent as it makes a bee-line to the caprock summit. Along the way there will be several steep sections to negotiate. A rope belay will come in handy for those less sure of their footing. Close to the summit ridge, right of the actual summit, is a bowl of slickrock and the steepest section. The footing becomes a bit tenuous, but by seeking the "layered" ridges it is still considered 4th class scrambling. Once on top of the "knife-edge" ridge and veering left, the last obstacle will present itself. The fragile rock layering of the sandstone might require a spot from your companion to pull you up and over the cap and onto the summit. Once atop views unfold that few have seen. South is a hoodoo specked ridge overlooking Parunuweap; southwest is the Watchman and Bridge Mountain. West is the fingers of the East Rim. North is Aires Butte and the East Rim. East is Checkerboard Mesa towering above the valley below. Keyhole Canyon becomes just a sliver and makes one wonder what may lay in its depths. Be sure to keep a keen eye for bighorn sheep as this area has been a popular one for them to congregate in recent years.

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Anywhere is walking distance, if you've got the time. - Stephen Wright Photo: Pine Creek Waterfall © Photography by Tanya

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