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.
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 beauty of Zion National Park reaches beyond the park's boundary where eerie crags nest in the lofty tops of the Vermillion Cliffs. The Eagle Crags Trail begins at the end of a dirt road where the tiny town of Rockville gives way to BLM land and towers of misshapen rock. Ever present are the juniper forests that spread through the parched environment. Thirsty trees horde scarce moisture all the while soaking up the abundant sunshine along the 5 mile, round-trip route that runs along a wide sandy path winding through a labyrinth of desert vegetation. The best time to hike this is in the spring, fall or even the winter. Summer can be brutal, unless you do it early or late in the day. A gentle ascent dominates most of the way; however, a few sections near the end are steep. Sturdy hiking shoes or boots will help prevent slipping and injury along the more difficult portions of the trek.
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
A high clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended, but even with one the road may be impassible when wet. Make your way to Rockville, which is located on the south side of Zion, just past Springdale, where this route begins. Once in town, turn south on Bridge Road, set your trip-meter and drive south across the old bridge spanning the Virgin River. It's only a short distance before the paved road makes a hard right turn, but to reach your destination go straight on the dirt road rather than turning right. You will climb a steep grade before traversing up to the head of a large bowl. At 1.25 miles there is a three-way intersection where you need to drive straight instead of turning. Drive past the dwellings on both the right and left as you begin the short, rocky uphill climb to yet another junction. Avoid the private drive to the right, turning left at the intersection and pass over the wash climbing up the hillside and bearing northeast. At 1.9 miles there is a small pullout on the right and a narrow ATV path doubling back to it. This is where you will leave your vehicle. On the southeast edge of the parking area should be the BLM trailhead sign, however, it is often vandalized and missing, so don't count on it always being there.
Eagle Crags Trail - The route bears to the southeast for the first half-mile as it slowly traverses and descends into the wash below. Where there is then a gradual ascent up the opposite side of the drainage. You begin a gradual climb to the southeast, exposing views of the massive "lacolith" Pine Valley Mountain to the west and the main canyon of Zion to the north. The outcrop of sandstone known as Eagle Crags appears to grow in elevation as each step draws you closer to the base of the towering, magnificent pinnacles.
You will pass through a hikers gate as the trail follows a ridge to the south and a mile farther the path heads in an easterly direction. You will see wonderful views of the Parunuweap basin unfold to the northeast, and a large private reservoir can be seen below to the east in the South Creek drainage. Hiking becomes harder here as elevation increases and you switchback up and toward the eastern tip of the crags.
After some huffing and puffing, you will make it to the top of a ridge and the end of the 2.5 mile route. The views to the south show the slickrock cliffs that rim Lower Mountain. Beyond the ridge, the beaten path becomes faint and difficult to follow. This is where most people will stop and turn around. Past this point is the "Old Cattle Trail" which had been used by cowboys to move cattle to Lower Mountain, Canaan Mountain and the old Sawmill on top. For the backpacker this route is the end of one of the two authors favorite trails, which begins in Hildale, traveling through Water Canyon, up Canaan Mountain and exiting here.
The Eagle Crags themselves are a ridge of the Vermillion Cliffs extending north of Lower Mountain sitting on the plateau of Canaan Mountain. There is ample space and a level area at the end of this trail to settle back for a nice picnic so you can relax and prepare for the downhill hike back to your vehicle. If you are lucky you might even see a climber scaling the sheer stone making their way to the top of the crag along the climbing route known as Mrs. Butterworth.
While resting, see if you can spot the historic Shunesburg settlement in the distance and the slickrock plateau of Canaan Mountain. You will also be able to see various peaks extending to the skyline including: Shunesburg Mountain, Johnson Mountain, De Mille Peak and Zion's Watchman, Mount Kinesava and West Temple.
