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.
Cockeye Falls is a fun route that explores Zion's slickrock country.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Trailhead:
37°13.30450N
112°55.4260W
Brown Petroglyphs:
37°12 9810N
112°55.4480W
Hidden Garden Entrance:
37°12.9160N
112°55.3760W
Begin Ascent:
37°12.9244N
112°55.3265W
Saddle at Ridge Summit:
37°12.2496N
112°55.0852W
Hoodoo in Bowl:
37°12.0570N
112°55.1550W
Hidden Dragon:
37 12.1020N
112 55.3140W
Descent from Ridge into
Cockeye Falls Wash:
37 12.8105N
112 54.9787W
Cockeye Falls:
37 12.9660N
112 54.9560W
GPS coordinates are only references and may or may not be accurate. Do not rely on GPS coordinates as the sole method of navigation. Always have an accurate, detailed map at hand and have the proper map reading and navigation skills before setting out on any hike. Many of the hikes listed in this guide travel into canyons where a GPS has limited capabilities. Always check your position with a detailed map before dropping into a canyon.
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.
Cockeye Falls
Don't be afraid to lace up your boots and hit the trails when it's chilly outside. Learn to embrace cool temperatures and warm up to hiking during every season. Unfortunately winter is when many people close their doors, crank up their heaters and hibernate until they feel the warmth of spring, but this is a magical time that holds a special beauty that you cannot find during spring, summer or fall. Get out and get some sun, admire the contrast of snow and brilliant blue skies, find icicles tucked away in shady alcoves, enjoy views that are usually obscured by dense vegetation, but most of all see the beauty of Zion when it has been transformed into a winter wonderland. Although mornings can be brisk, you could actually find yourself throwing off your jacket and rolling up your sleeves in the afternoon.
An ideal winter route begins just off the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway on the east side of Zion, where weathered earth claims the land, showcasing acres of white domes streaked with crimson hues and dotted with whimsical shaped hoodoos and evergreen trees. This route traverses slickrock on the way to a remote viewpoint overlooking Parunuweap Canyon, then descends into a surprisingly beautiful drainage that culminates at the twisting, polished flute referred to by locals as Cockeye Falls. During much of the year the pour off is dry, but in the winter you might discover a partially frozen cascade as it works its way into the wash. After heavy rain it's delightful to see water gaining momentum as it zigzags down fluted channels of porous sandstone dropping into Clear Creek.
At a Glance Photo Album: Cockeye Falls Pictures Trail Map: Cockeye Falls Maps
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 4.5 miles round trip. Average Time: 6 hours Difficulty: Steep slickrock scrambling and route finding. Equipment: Carry at least 3 quarts of water per person, extra clothing, emergency supplies, energy foods, map and compass. Footwear should have a sticky rubber sole for scrambling on slickrock. Sun Exposure: Full sun. Trail Usage: Low Permits: Required Check the weather report before attempting this canyon. Do not go if it looks like rain or if there is ice on the slickrock. Call the Zion Canyon Visitors Center for weather conditions prior to the hike: 435.772.3256. Hiking in slot canyons presents a danger from flash flooding. Do not hike this trail if it is raining. Remember a storm far off can trigger a flash flood. There is a moderate to high flash flood danger for this route. Trail Conditions: Trailhead: South end of the little tunnel. Trailend: Same as the trailhead. Trail Access: Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round. If there is water in Clear Creek the trail may not be accessible. Best season: Spring and Fall (winter if conditions are dry).
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Starting Elevation: 5275'
Highest Elevation: 6200'
Elevation: +/- 925' Off the Beaten Path: Yes
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. Do not get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Trailhead - Park at the west end of the small tunnel, which is 1.5 miles east of the longer Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Follow the steep worn path, south and down into the drainage below. Travel the generally dry wash for 150 yards until it intersects with Clear Creek.
Clear Creek - After a rainstorm the creek can be a raging torrent of rushing water and you will not be able to continue. If the creek is fairly dry then head upstream through the sandy and cobblestone streambed. From the trailhead it is .35 miles to the entrance of Hidden Garden. The somewhat apparent opening to this short slot canyon is on the right and is partially blocked by a large ponderosa tree. Continue past this landmark and up the creek 200 yards, looking for a less prominent drainage which will also be on the right. Follow this cleft a short distance before working your way up and onto the slickrock on the left.
Before you go: Never scramble on slickrock without the proper footwear and skills required to keep you safe. Remember, you are responsible for your own safety.
Slickrock Ascent - Climb .7 miles up the slickrock slab. The ascent is steep, but manageable. By scanning before proceeding, you should be able to find weaknesses to follow. Moki-marbles are common along the 900 foot, vertical ascent where sparsely scattered pine trees and sculpted bowls create a road map as the path steers toward the right side of the nearing sandstone butte. If you look on a topographical map, the peak will be listed as 6460' which identifies the reference point you will need to find. Views to the north and west expose ridges, valleys, slot canyons and towering summits. You should be able to locate both the East and West Temples, East Rim, Deertrap Mountain, Bridge Mountain and Progeny Peak (6275').
The Saddle - As travel continues to the right side (west) of Peak 6460' the slickrock slabs yield to a flat valley of low brush, grass and cacti. Deer and sheep wandering south toward the expanses of Parunuweap have worn trails through the vegetation cutting a path for easier travel through the thickets. From the point where you left the creek, it is one-mile to the saddle on the western flank of peak 6460'. Impressive views open to the south exposing the plateaus on the north and south sides of Parunuweap Canyon.
Hidden Dragon - From the saddle, bear slightly southwest and down into the slickrock bowl. Descend toward a white dome that is just a few hundred feet away. Once there look above and to the northwest 200 yards and you should be able to locate the rock that locals have dubbed Hidden Dragon.
Exit - Retrace the route you came in on until you reach the saddle. From this point, skirt around the base of peak 6460' in a generally north direction until you get to an obvious north-south running ridge. Stay on top of the ridge as it steers toward Clear Creek where it will twist north-easterly after a half-mile. The ridge becomes narrower and begins to fall off steeply on both the left and right as well as straight ahead. By carefully picking a route off the right side of the ridge and switchbacking you will be able to reach the floor of the canyon.
Cockeye Falls - Follow the canyon floor as it descends north toward the highway and the creek. Along the path there will be some dry falls to negotiate. It's easiest to bypass them on the right (east side) but you will have to do some careful down-climbing on the steep slickrock. Once past the obstacles, the wash makes a quick turn to the left where you will see the highway and creek below. Cockeye Falls, which can actually be seen from the road, winds through sculpted sandstone and touches down into Clear Creek. Be careful not to walk too far down the falls as the grade becomes very steep.
Clear Creek - If you h ead down hill in a northeasterly direction the grade becomes manageable so that you can descend the slickrock and enter the creek. Once down, it is an enjoyable .75 mile stroll through the sometimes open and sometimes slotted riverbed back to your vehicle.
