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.
The east side of Zion National Park is as a treasure trove of hidden trails and wonders. The HIdden Gardens Trail is a fun hike leading into a slot canyon filled with boulders, handing gardens, vegetation and the slickrock of the east side of the park.
Parking at small tunnel
37°13.30450N
112°55.4260W
Brown Petroglyphs:
37°12.9810N
112°55.4480W
Hidden Garden Entrance:
37°12.9160N 112°55.3760W
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.
Hidden Gardens
This is an enjoyable trail that is off the beaten path. Children should delight in this one. They can play in the sand near the alcove by the entrance to Hidden Gardens and they have room to roam in Clear Creek. The hike is easy with very little elevation change and most of it is in the shade. It's a great hike to do in the heat of the day when it's too hot to be on other trails. There is some boulder hopping and small climbs that add to the fun of the hike.
Hidden Gardens at a Glance
Photo Album: Hidden Gardens Pictures Map: Zion Backcountry Map Day Hike: Yes Distance: 2 miles round trip Average Hiking Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Moderate since the path is a route rather than a trail, but the exertion is mild. Sun Exposure: Hidden Gardens is shady. Clear Creek, leading to the canyon is fairly shady, but can be sunny during parts of the day. Permits: Not required. Trail Conditions: Clear Creek is a sandy wash with large river rocks along the usually dry stream bed. In the winter Clear Creek usually has water flowing through it. Water might be present other times of the year, such as after a heavy rain. Hidden Gardens slot canyon has a sandy bottom as well, but the slot is much more narrow and there are boulders to navigate around or over in a few places.
Trailhead: The small, south pullout at the end of the little tunnel. Trailend: Same as trailhead. Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is open year-round. If water is flowing in Clear Creek the trail is not easily accessible. This can occur after heavy rains or in the winter. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Hike: No Hazards: Moderate flash flood danger
Restrooms: None
Best Season: March to October
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. Do not get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Hidden Gardens
Park at the pullout, just south of the small tunnel, and follow the path of use down either side of the road. The path to the ditch down the road is easier on the right side of the road, but then you will have to walk through the man made tunnel under the road to the drainage area. Follow this drainage ditch to the dry Clear Creek river bed.
Clear Creek will go both right and left. Take the left path upstream. The wash is sandy with river rocks scattered along the path. The sandstone along the sides of the trail get more interesting as the path approaches Hidden Gardens. After about a half mile there is a large alcove on the right side of the sandstone wall. At times this area is filled with water and other times it's dry. Around the next turn is the entrance to Hidden Gardens. The sandstone wall past the entrance has beautiful striations and tends to grab attention and the entrance to the Hidden Gardens is missed.
Look carefully in this area on the right side of the sandstone wall. The opening is large, about 8' wide. To the right of the opening is a towering pine tree, but only the trunk of the tree is usually seen when you are close to it. There is a smaller tree directly in front of the slot canyon entrance.
Once inside the Hidden Gardens slot, it is about a half mile to the end of it. At the start of the slot there are some ferns and interesting crossbedding, similar to that on Checkerboard Mesa. Some of the boulders look difficult to climb but there is usually a path of use that goes up and around the climbs. There are a few places where water accumulates and a couple of hanging gardens that have taken advantage of the seepage. The slot ends in a pile of rocks that is possible to climb, but there is little past this area.
When heading back to your vehicle, make sure you do not pass the little drainage area you need to find to exit. The view of the towering slickrock is beautiful on the return hike to the trailend. Go under the man-made tunnel and climb up to the road.
Optional Side Hikes
The Clear Creek area is a great place to hike and explore. There are several nooks and crannies of interest that do not have specific destinations.
Dunes like arcs and sickles, scythe blades and waning moons. Virgin dunes untracked by machines, untouched by human feet. Dunes firm and solid after rain, ribbed with ripple marks from the wind. Dunes surrounding ephemeral pool of water that glitter golden as tigers eye in the light of dawn ... Sand and beauty. Sand and death. Sand and renewal.
