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.
The jagged spires in the Vermillion Cliffs above Rockville
are the target for this moderately difficult winter trail.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Eagle Crags Trailhead:
37°08.8530N
113°01.8640W
Hikers Gate:
37°08.5420N
113°01.4210W
Eagle Crags Trailend:
37°07.6270W
113°00.3880W
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.
Eagle Crags
The "Eagle Crags" are the erie spires nested in the Vermillion Cliffs just south of Zion National Park in the Greater Zion wilderness. Most of the trail is an enjoyable stroll through a juniper forest with views of Canaan Mountain, Lower Parunuweap Canyon and Zion's world famous landmarks in the distance. Toward the top of the path elevation gain increases. Choose to stop at the foot of the crags or continue up the switchbacks, around and to the back of the structure.
Eagle Crags at a Glance
Photo Album: Eagle Crags Pictures
Trail Maps: Eagle
Crags Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 4.8 miles round trip Average Hiking Time: 4 hours Equipment: Wear appropriate clothing for the weather
and be sure to take emergency supplies. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.
Be sure to carry at least 2 - 3 quarts of water for each person. Difficulty: Moderate. An easier trail until the final
sections of the trail gain elevation. Permits:
Not required. This trail is outside of Zion National Park on BLM land. Trail Conditions: A wide sandy path strewn with rocks.
The trail is in full sun and on the arid, hot side of Zion National Park. This
is not an ideal hike in the heat of summer. The trail is often used by horseback
riders. This is a good path for trail runners. Equip your 4WD with a spare tire and jack.
The trailhead is in a remote area. Bring extra water. Trailhead: Rockville - South of the south entrance
to Zion National Park. Trailend: Same as the trailhead Trail Access: It's best to use a high clearance 4WD. The road can be Impassable if wet. Starting Elevation: 4380' Highest Elevation: 5200' Elevation Gain: 900' Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Hike: No - This is a BLM Trail. Best Season: This is a good winter hike. The best time
to do this hike is in the spring, fall and winter. Summer months will be hot,
however an early morning start can be cooler.
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.
Eagle Crags
This moderately strenuous trail winds up through the junipers and pinions to the base of jagged sandstone spires known as Eagle Crags. The trail is located south and east of the quaint town of Rockville. Eagle Crags are a rock outcropping of the Vermillion Cliffs that border the lower mountain to the south. The trailhead is near the radio tower south of Rockville. A high clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended. The road may be impassible during rain or snow. In the town of Rockville look for the turn off to Bridge Road. It goes south, across an old bridge, over the Virgin River. Set your trip meter and follow this road across the bridge. Shortly, the road turns hard right, but to reach the trailhead, follow the dirt road straight ahead and do not turn right. The road will climb a steep grade as it traverses up to the head of a large bowl. At 1.25 miles a three way intersection is encountered. Continue straight through this intersection. Pass the homes on the right on the way to another intersection. Drive left at this intersection. It passes over the wash and the road now climbs up the hillside and to the northeast. At 1.9 miles there is a small pullout on the right. A narrow ATV - 4WD road doubles back at this pullout. This is the parking lot for the Eagle Crags Trail. Just on the southeast edge of the parking area is the faint trailhead. The BLM posts a trailhead sign which is vandalized and missing at times. So don't count on the sign being there.
Eagle Crags Beta The trail bears to the southeast for the first half mile as it slowly traverses
and drops into the wash below and then a gradual ascent up the opposite side
of the wash. As the trail continues its gradual climb to the southeast, views
to the west show the massive "Lacolith" Pine Valley Mountain and the main canyon
of Zion to the north. Eagle Crags continue to grow as the base is approached.
At .6 mile a hikers gate is passed and the trail continues to follow a ridge.
At about one-mile into the hike the trail veers slightly easterly. 1.6 miles into
the hike, views of Parunuweap Basin appear to the northeast and a large private
reservoir is spotted below to the east in the South Creek drainage. Soon the
trail becomes steeper as it switchbacks up and to the south as the eastern tip
of the Eagle Crags are approached. At 2.4 miles, after some steep hiking to the
top of a ridge, views to the south show the slickrock cliffs that rim Lower Mountain.
Further south, the slickrock plateaus of Canaan Mountain lure the adventurous.
However, just beyond this ridge the trail becomes faint and travel is difficult.
The Eagle Crags Trail description ends at this point. The faint trail that lies
ahead is the "Old Cattle Trail" once used with access to Lower Mountain, Canaan
Mountain and the old Sawmill on top. For the backpacker this faint trail provides
access to Canaan Mountain. Route-finding skills are necessary for this long trek.
Views from the trails end include Zion National Park to the north, Parunuweap
drainage to the northeast, including the historic Shunesburg settlement. Many
peaks extend to the skyline. These include Shunesburg Mountain, De Mille Peak
as well as the slickrock plateau, Canaan Mountain. Far below to the east, is
the South Creek drainage, with an expansive private reservoir.
