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.
Access the Lower Right Fork Trailhead by driving north on the
Kolob Reservoir Road for 6.9 miles from the junction in the Town of Virgin.
Trail Mileage
Total Distance from Parking Lot to Barrier Falls: 5.82 miles
.7 miles from Parking Lot to the bottom of Bluff and North Creek
2 Miles to Trail Canyon
5.5 miles to Double Falls
5.8 Miles to Barrier Falls
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Parking At Right Fork Trailhead
37°16.247 N
113°06.185 W
Right Fork Trailhead Entry
and Exit at North Creek
37°16.056 N
113°05.720 W
Trail Canyon Intersection
37°16.464 N
113°04.507 W
Double Falls
37°16.872 N
113°01.438 W
Barrier Falls
37°16.996 N
113°01.222 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.
Suggested
Gear: Rope, webbing, harness and rappelling device. A sturdy pair
of shoes are recommend for canyoneering in Zion . Quality
shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced Zion hikers and
canyoneers like the Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great for hiking, bouldering
and canyoneering.
Right Fork of North Creek
Double Falls - Barrier Falls
The mention of Zion National Park conjures up images of vertical sandstone walls enclosing a magnificent desertscape dusted with a scattering of trails leading to water within the arid land of the park. One of those trails is the Right Fork of North Creek where wide welcoming walls enfold the meandering stream; and cattails, moss and ferns provide nutrients for abundant wildlife thriving in the riparian habitat. Cliff Swallows and Canyon Tree Frogs harmonize in melody and cascades of cool water spill over slabs of layered sandstone. The destination is a pair of delicate waterfalls tucked deep in the canyon. Hikers can make their way behind picturesque Double Falls and gaze through streaming sheets of water to the calm pool below. Visitors who partake in the challenging and exhilarating trek will find a magical beauty in this quiet corner of Zion.
Double Falls at a Glance
Photo Album: Right Fork North Creek
Pictures
Trail Maps: Right Fork North Creek Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 11.6 miles Average Hiking Time: 11 hours Equipment: Neoprene socks, sticky sole shoes, dry clothing, hat, 3 liters of water per person and/or a water filter, energy food, map, compass and emergency bivouac gear. Difficulty:
Boulder hopping, steep slickrock scrambles, wet slippery stream crossings and bushwhacking will all be required. Be careful to avoid the poison ivy along the creek. Route finding skills are required. Permits:
A permit is not required for this route but do call the Zion Canyon Visitor Center for weather conditions prior to the hike: 435- 772-3256. Hiking in slot canyons presents a real danger from flash flooding. Do not hike this trail if it is raining. Remember a storm far off can trigger a flash flood.
Check the weather report
before hiking this trail.
Trailhead:
Lower Right Fork Trailhead located off the Kolob Terrace Road. This route can also begin at the Grapevine Trailhead. Trailend: Same as the trailhead. Trail Access: Kolob Terrace Road. The road is often
closed in the winter. Cold river temperatures and heavy current can deter most
hikers in the winter months. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Park Hike: No Best Season: Summer or fall. Cold river temperatures and heavy current can deter most hikers in the winter months. Spring run-off in both the Left Fork and Right Fork often results in swollen stream flow and may make stream crossings difficult or impossible.
Barrier Falls, Double Falls in the Right Fork of North Creek via Lower Right Fork Trailhead
Remember slot canyons can change dramatically in a short time due to flash
floods and water levels in this canyon change. These directions are only a general
reference. Be prepared for variations in the canyon.
Driving Instructions from Virgin: Set your odometer and turn onto the signed Kolob Reservoir Road. Drive for 6.9 miles to the Lower Right Fork parking lot.
Hiking: Begin the route by traveling through junipers and cacti for the first quarter of a mile until you arrive at a basalt bluff overlooking North Creek. The trail becomes steep the next quarter of a mile as it winds through the basalt cliff band, requiring some short down climbs. Soon the terrain eases, leading to the bottom and arriving at North Creek. Once at North Creek, head upstream for roughly 200 yards, passing a waterfall carved through a slickrock slab. Upstream the Right Fork of North Creek confluences with the Left Fork. Cross the stream to the east side, then stay on the beaten path as it criss-crosses the gently flowing stream many times during the trek east toward Barrier Falls. Stay in the watercourse when possible or on the well beaten paths to minimize impact to the fragile environment.
After about 2.5 miles of hiking, you will pass Trail Canyon on your right. There are some wonderful cascades about a third of a mile past Trail Canyon. At 3.75 miles the first 5' waterfall slices through the slickrock and creates a beautiful pool. Just beyond 4.25 miles the canyon narrows forming pools and waterfalls. Lush hanging gardens, cattail and horsetail adorn a short section of narrows. Double Falls is found a mile past the narrows. This is a wonderful place to stop and shoot pictures, absorb the desert oasis and regenerate for the last .35 miles of up climbing, bouldering, and bushwhacking to finally arrive at the end, Barrier Falls. Although not as photogenic as Double Falls, the trip wouldn't be complete without a glimpse of the "barrier". To get to Barrier Falls, head up the steep embankment on the right side, navigating the 4' rock ledge, then traverse upstream above and on the right side of Double Falls.
On top of Double Falls the route becomes more difficult. Scramble up the slabs in the stream to eventually come to another waterfall which can be bypassed on the left side. Barrier Falls is now just a short distance through the boulders and up the ledge on the left. The mileage at this point is 5.8 miles. You will know you are at Barrier Falls when you can go no farther. Don't attempt to scale up this steep slippery rock. A fall here could result in serious injury. Exit at least 5 hours before the sun goes down, retracing your path.
