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.
Gifford Canyon is a storybook like walk through a hidden canyon on the east side of Zion National park.
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.
Gifford Canyon
The hike through Gifford Canyon is a nice stroll through a sandy wash. If there is water running it is especially charming. This hike gets you away from the crowds and into a secluded and beautiful area of Zion National Park.
Gifford Canyon at a Glance
Photo Album: Gifford Canyon Pictures
Trail Map: Gifford Canyon Map
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 3 miles round trip Average Hiking Time: 2 hours Difficulty: This is considered a moderate hike because it is off trail, but the exertion is easy and there is little elevation change along this path. Permits: Not required. Trailhead: Canyon Overlook parking lot Trailend: Same as trailhead. Trail Conditions: This is not a trail, but a route through Gifford Canyon. Most of the path is rock and sand. Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round and the route begins just off the highway. Off the Beaten Path: Yes, but the trailhead area can get hectic. Classic Zion Hike: No Best Season: March to October, but can be hiked year-round if weather cooperates. Elevation: 5500' Hazards: Flash Flood danger Restrooms: Yes, at the Canyon Overlook parking area
Park in the lot located immediately east of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Locate the restroom that is sitting at the back of the parking lot and look for the trail of use, seen to the backside of the restrooms. Climb down the steep sandy path and enter the Pine Creek slot. Do not get too mesmerized by the slot canyon going to the right (Pine Creek) and to the left (Clear Creek) since these are separate hikes. Hike upstream for about 75'. This is not a trail and it is not an obvious direction to travel. Look for a 15' wall of slickrock. You can scramble up the rock or look for the beaten path on the backside of the rock.
On top of this wall the path is a narrow dirt path of use that is crowded by rock and vegetation. It winds around the mountain to an area where the path widens. To the right is a dead-end with a beautiful view of the mountain where the Canyon Overlook Trail is located. The other direction is Gifford Canyon.
Soon the path will lead past a broken stone bridge and then to another minor slickrock climb. The next mile is a sandy path with a few stones here and there and vegetation along the sides. Evidence of flash flooding is found in many places along the path. Vegetation includes some hanging gardens, ferns, pines, scarlet gila, manzanita, cottonwoods and bright yellow primrose. Towering cliffs crowd close to the walking path. At the end of the canyon there is a circle of cliffs preventing further exploration without climbing up the sandstone. To the left is an uneven blind arch and to the right is a water polished carved slab of rock.
Gifford Canyon options
The strenuous and technical trail to Bridge Mountain climbs up the slickrock about halfway through Gifford Canyon. Clear Creek is to the left before climbing up the 15' slab at the start of the hike. The technical slot, Pine Creek is to the right.
Best Trail features
Access without getting on the Zion Canyon shuttle and a path leading to quiet solitude away from the crowds.
Note
Check the weather report before hiking this canyon. There is a danger of flash floods.
For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life - the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.
