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
Plan your Zion National Park Vacation with our Utah Maps and
Information
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.
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.
Tanya at the top of Aries Butte. The views on top include vistas to the south, west and east that are unique and well worth the 3-4 hours needed to complete the climb.
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 Equipment: Bring a sturdy pair of shoes to hike in Zion. The La Sportiva Exum Ridge shoes have a quality sticky rubber for climbing the slickrock in Zion.
Aires Butte
This easy climb up one of the dome buttes on the east side of Zion National Park will provide an awesome time to anyone that possesses some intermediate climbing skills. There is no need for the massive racks of gear needed for many of the trade-routes in Zion Canyon. The views on top of Aires Butte include vistas to the south, west and east that are unique and well worth the 3-5 hours needed to complete the climb.
Aires Butte at a Glance
Photo Album: Aires Butte Photos
Topo Map: Aires Butte Map
Climb:
5.7 Grade II, 4-pitches Average Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Equipment: 2- 60-meter ropes, climbing shoes, helmet, harness, belay device, personal anchor system and 4 quick draws. Also a small pack with food, water and space for hiking shoes.
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate for climbers Permits: Permits not required. Trailhead: Wooden Fence, east of the small Zion Tunnel. Trailend: Same as at the trailhead. Trail Access: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is open year-round. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Climb: No Best Season: When the rock is dry.
See our vacation planning section for classic Zion National Park trails or glance at our favorite Zion National Park trails list or choose from a complete Zion National Park hiking guide.
Aires Butte Climb Two- 60-meter ropes, climbing shoes, helmet, harness, belay device, personal anchor system and 4 quickdraws, make-up the climbing gear necessary to accomplish this climb. Be sure to carry a small pack with food, water and space for hiking shoes.
Begin the climb by parking at the Petroglyphs Canyon parking area on the east side of Zion National Park. Petroglyph Canyon parking area has a wooden fence alongside the parking area and is approximately 2.6 miles west of the east entrance booth of Zion National Park. If driving from the west, the Petroglyphs Canyon parking area is approximately 1.4 miles past the small tunnel as driving east.
Walk to the north side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Highway 9) and scramble up the slickrock on the east side of Petroglyph Canyon and pick the easiest route north. It may be easiest to drop down into the canyon itself and travel up canyon for about .25 mile and then bear east up the large slickrock bowl toward the shoulder between Aires Butte on the left and the smaller slickrock dome on the right. This scramble is hard 3rd class scrambling and gains 450' of elevation. Once at the saddle, look to the left at the grove of trees and bushes on the southeast base of Aires Butte. Work up the right side of the small drainage and around the back to the southeast side of the butte. Continue contouring on the slab, but watch for a "piton" about 25'-30' up the slope. Once the first piton is located, the climb begins.
Climbing - All 4 pitches have 3 or 4 bolts or pitons for protection spaced roughly 10-20 meters apart and each pitch has a 2 bolt and or piton belay station. . The climbing is mostly easy friction with some good stances. When climbing the fourth pitch, the belay station is around the corner to the left and about 60' below the actual summit. It is easy to scramble from the belay station to the summit and register on top. The top sports views in all directions and is an easy hike-around. On the descent watch rope management to avoid dragging rocks down on top of yourself. The last rappel from the top of the first pitch can be a real rope grabber so keep ropes separated and straight.
The walk back down can be accomplished by going down the slickrock, east toward Keyhole Slot Canyon, but there is one sketchy move above Keyhole (West side) to get back to the road. This climb shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours and is well worth the effort put forth!
