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.
Hidden Canyon
Hidden Canyon is approached through a charming dry stream-bed. Be sure to watch for the 20' natural arch and the green wall. Sheer sandstone walls, hundreds of feet high close in to form the canyon. Look for little sandstone caves. The view of Big Bend, Angels Landing, Cathedral Mountain and the Organ on the return is impressive. If there is enough rainfall and runoff a little waterfall might be present at the canyon entrance.
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. Get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Hidden Canyon at a Glance
Photo Album: Hidden Canyon Pictures
Trail Map: Hidden Canyon Map
Day Hike: Yes Trail Distance: 2.2 miles/3.54 km round trip to the canyon entrance. Another .5 miles to the arch (on the right) and then it is possible to continue about .6 more miles through the canyon. Average Hiking Time: 3-4 hours depending on how far into the canyon you climb past progressively difficult obstacles. Be careful to only go as far as you know is safe. Few should ever venture past the freestanding arch. Difficulty: Strenuous, but its a well maintained trail. Sun Exposure: Full sun in most places after early morning. Hot for hiking in the mid-days of summer. Once into the canyon it is shady. Permits: Not required. Trail Conditions: Switchbacking, narrow paved trail with long drop-offs. Narrow cliff-side trail with chains. Trailhead: Weeping Rock parking lot. Trailend: Same as trailhead Trail Access: Best season: March to October. There is often parking at the trailhead at Canyon Junction. Option two if the lot is full: From early April to late October park at the Zion Canyon Visitors Center and ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle. The rest of the year you can drive into Zion Canyon. The trail is closed at times in the winter. Elevation Gain: 1000'/305m ascent Restrooms: Yes, at the trailhead. Water Availability: Bring enough water for the hike. Although short, this hike is steep and in full sun, do not go without water.
Hidden Canyon Trail
This very steep 2.2 mile roundtrip hike begins at the same trailhead as the Weeping Rock and East Rim trail. It passes by some pools of water trapped in the rock and ends in what is considered to be a hanging canyon. The canyon is a side ravine between Cable Mountain and the north wall of the Great White Throne. The trail is also called "the great white crack." The paved path hugs the side of the cliff and although most of the trail is wide, there are long drop offs throughout the hike. Be prepared for a steep uphill climb (850') and a steep downhill return. Midway on the Hidden Canyon Trail the antique cable draw of Cable Mountain can be seen, as well as an intoxicating view of Zion Canyon.
Switchbacks
Before reaching the canyon entrance there is a shimmy around a large rock buttress as the trail switchbacks around man made rock retaining walls. From one turn a white mountain peeks over the nearby rock, then at the end of the next switchback the Pipe Organ and surrounding mountain at Big Bend come into full view. There is a sign here directing hikers to stay to the left. The trail will go down hill now as granaries and the Virgin River are in view far blow. Moss and lichens covers the large rock to the left in the cool crevice as the trail goes uphill once again. Many sections along the switchbacks are narrow paths with long cliff-side drop offs. Chains are anchored along the worst of it.
Water filled Pot holes
The sandstone pools at the end of this hike are a favorite spot of the Canyon Tree Frogs. Look for the tiny grey creatures near the water and listen for their loud trilling. Past the pools is a sign stating that this is the end of the Hidden Canyon Trail.
Bouldering and the Freestanding Arch
A short path that requires bouldering does continue for another half mile past the trail end. A small free standing arch is located near the canyon back of the canyon. Few will be able to go past the arch. The arch is easily overlooked. Directly across from the arch is a flat wall adorned in moss. Past this point the trail become technical. The climb will lead out of the canyon to the upper east plateau. The second freestanding arch in Hidden Canyon is near the top where only a few canyoneers have tread.
Caution: The switchbacks section leading to the canyon is not safe for young kids. The water smoothed sandstone can be treacherous for the young. Be cautious near the slippery sandstone areas with steep drop-offs. This trail is not for those afraid of heights.
Trail History: W. H. W. Evans climbed the Great White Throne on June 27, 1927, but fell on the climb down. The rescue team found him barely alive. Hidden Canyon was discovered during the rescue. The East Rim Trail leading to Hidden Canyon was built in 1928. The trail was made by blasting away the rock.
Optional Side Hikes: The trail will split, going one way to Hidden Canyon and the other to the East Rim and Observation Point. Observation Point is an 8 mile round trip trail that is probably the most strenuous classic hike in the park. The East Rim Trail is better hiked in the opposite direction, ending where the hidden canyon trail begins. If hiked this direction then Hidden Canyon is a nice side trip. Middle Echo Canyon is also a nice side trip from Hidden Canyon.
