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 canyoneering. Be sure to pack your helmet along with your other gear when doing the canyons in Zion National Park.
Zion Backcountry Permits
There are a couple of ways to obtain Zion backcountry permits.
1. A limited number of walk-in permits are available for all backcountry areas. 50-75% of the total number of backcountry permits will be available as reservations. The remainder will be available as walk-in permits. Any Backcountry camp or day-use canyon not reserved by lottery or calendar, are available as a walk-in permit. Walk-in permits are only available the day before or the day of a trip.
During weekends and holidays, from April through the middle of October each year, permits may be difficult to obtain for; Subway (Left Fork of North Creek) Mystery Canyon, Virgin River Narrows and West Rim. During that time you may have greatest success in obtaining a walk-in permit if you arrive at the Zion Canyon Backcountry window or desk the day before your intended trip.
Visitors need to sign up every three years for the express system. This program allows those that use the Zion slot canyons and backcountry often a way to obtain a permit on-line. To participate in the program go to the backcountry desk and complete their program. NPS Information | Express Permits
The Lottery procedure
Due to the popularity of "The Subway" and Mystery Canyon a lottery has been setup to dole out permits for these two slot canyons. NPS Information | Lottery
Reservations
Reservations can be revoked in the event of adverse environmental conditions such as flash flood dangers. A permit will still need to be picked up in person at the Backcountry office the day of or the day before the hike. If your party is a member of the express permit program the permit can be picked up on-line the day of or day before the hike. NPS Information | Reservations
Once in a while you find a place on earth that becomes your very own. A place undefined. Waiting for you to bring your color, your self. A place untouched, unspoiled, undeveloped. Raw, honest, and haunting. No one, nothing is telling you how to feel or who to be. Let the mountains have you for a day...
