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.
Zion Photo: Hiking up the slick rock towards Zion's East Temple. This hike begins at Canyon Overlook, goes over the saddle and ends at Upper Pine Creek.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Parking:
37°12.804 N
112°56.420 W
Canyon Overlook:
37°12.787 N
112°56.748 W
East Saddle:
37°13.068 N
112°56.680 W
Head Of Shelf Canyon:
37°13.272 N
112°56.437 W
Descend into Pine Creek:
37°13.398 N
112°56.323 W
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.
East Temple Hike
Zion National Park is a land of enormous stone spectacles seen from many different perspectives throughout the park. The East Temple, named by John Wesley Powell, is best seen from the east side of Zion, along the spiraling Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. The massive East Temple towers 7110' and rises 2000' from the road. Our East Temple Saddle Route will take you to a spectacular vantage point on the eastern slopes of the East Temple where imposing slickrock prevails. The route begins by following the popular Canyon Overlook Trail to its end, and then climbs steeply toward the north into seldom traveled terrain. This steep, but rewarding hike progresses along a stairway of red and white sandstone, skirting the flank of the East Temple, leading to a hidden play land in the upper east canyon, before finally dropping into the depths of Upper Pine Creek.
East Temple Hike at a Glance
Photo Album: East Temple Pictures
Trail Maps: East Temple Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 2.25 miles Average Hiking Time: 4 hours Equipment: Sticky rubber shoes, plenty of water, sun protection and the USGS 7.5' Springdale east map. Difficulty:
This is a strenuous route where slickrock scrambling is required. Wear proper footwear and do not go unless you are comfortable hiking on steep rock. Trailhead:
Canyon Overlook Trail, near the east end of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Trailend:
Upper Pine Creek, where Pine Creek flows from the north and passes under the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
(No shuttle required) Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Hike: No Elevation Gain: 1100' Best Season: Year-round. If it has rained recently and the sandstone is damp, patches of moss and lichen will be extremely slippery. Do not attempt this hike if snow or ice is present on northern slopes
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. Don't get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Canyon Overlook Trail
Park at the small lot located on the east side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and locate the Canyon Overlook trailhead across the road. The trail ascends a well-beaten path, winding west above Pine Creek for a half-mile and ending at an overlook above the Great Arch.
East Temple Route
Look north from this point and note the white hoodoos on the east (right) side of the East Temple. The hoodoos provide a landmark to hike toward. Keep in mind, the elevation gain of 1100' takes place in a fairly short distance, so sticky rubber hiking shoes are required. Now is the time to tighten up your laces and begin bearing north, following the path of least resistance. Do not attempt to travel directly toward the hoodoos, but instead zigzag, locating ledge systems, and as always avoid steep and dangerous areas. Cairns, if present, can provide a path to follow, nevertheless pick the easiest route between the rock markers. At the saddle the views of the West Temple, Bridge Mountain, Progeny Peak and Deertrap Mountain are outstanding.
Exit into Upper Pine Creek
This route is a loop, so you will not be turning around at this point to head back to the Canyon Overlook Trail. The backside of the saddle exposes a large bowl of trees and slickrock. The easiest path into the bowl is to traverse and descend the ledges, until arriving in a wash that flows east. The total descent to the wash, from the saddle, is 550'. Follow the wash .3 mile to the east, until it abruptly spills into a deep slot canyon below. You are now standing on the edge of a long drop-off and peering into the depths of Shelf Canyon. Turn left (north) and walk along the edge of this small canyon for 100 yards. After arriving at the head of Shelf Canyon carefully contour around its head and gain the slickrock ridge on the opposite side. Follow the ridge back down Shelf Canyon's eastern side until it is possible to descend left (northeast) to the easier terrain below. Try to remain at a constant elevation as you walk north in the direction of the head of Upper Pine Creek. Be aware of the cliffband on the right, which is the east wall of Upper Pine Creek. Examine the wall for the vertically streaked, water stained pour-off. Pick the easiest route down the steep slickrock as it drops down into Upper Pine Creek, about 100 yards upstream of the stain. From here it's a leisurely quarter-mile stroll back to the road, and your vehicle is just another 100 yards or so down the road.
Wilderness and the life dependent on it are fragile entities. They can be destroyed in a matter of years, if not days. Legislative protection is the surest way to maintain a wilderness reserve on our hungry and crowded planet. When wilderness is protected, watershed is protected. Biological diversity is protected. Game is protected. The proper functioning of a natural system is protected. Our quality of life is protected ."
- Rep. Wayne Owens
