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.
Observation Point is a beautiful view point but it's usually accessed via the East Rim Trail or the Observation Point Trail.
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.
East Mesa
This trail is used mainly by canyoneers headed to Mystery Canyon. The trail leads from the North Fork Road to Observation Point. This is an easy alternative to hiking up the East Rim or up the Observation Point Trail.
At a Glance Trail Maps: Mystery Canyon Topo Map
Day Hike : Yes Difficulty: Moderate Permits: Not required. Trailhead: East Mesa Trail Trail Access: East Mesa 4WD trail may be impassible if wet. Off the Beaten Path: Yes. Classic Zion Hike: No. Best season: Mid-June to mid-September when the roads are free of snow.
East Mesa
East Mesa Trailhead - From the east gate of Zion National Park drive 2.4 miles and turn at the junction of the North Fork Road and SR-9. Drive 5.2 miles up the road to the Ponderosa Ranch. Turn left at the Ponderosa Ranch under the black arch. Travel .7 miles then turn right at the intersection on the Twin Knolls Road. At 1.45 miles turn right at the intersection. Follow the well traveled dirt road which will eventually become a high clearance or 4WD road at approximately 2.4 miles. The Observation Point sign is at 2.6 miles. Stay right as the road begins to descend a rocky hill then levels out. At 2.85 miles there is a "Y" intersection. Turn left and drive .1 mile to the gate at the East Mesa Trailhead. Park here.
Pass through the hikers gate and into Zion National Park. Begin hiking the East Mesa Trail, which is an old road (was once a jeep road) with easy, slightly uphill traveling. The trail meanders through manzanitas, gamble oak, wild roses, ponderosa, pinon, mountain daises and Indian paintbrush (bring bug repellant). After about a mile of hiking, the road narrows to a narrow hiking path. Juniper trees appear and the trail begins to level off. The East Mesa Trail gets slightly steeper and yields a view (to your right side) of the head of Mystery Canyon. Continue straight to Obsevation Point.
