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
beautiful Pine Creek Waterfall is located just .25 miles off the Zion-Mt. Carmel
Hwy (SR 9).
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.
Pine Creek Waterfall
Pine Creek is a wonderful place to go and escape the crowds and heat in Zion Canyon. This little known gem takes a little effort to get to, but once there, take your shoes off, wiggle your toes in the water and enjoy the day. Along the short, quarter-mile hike there is some boulder hopping that may be difficult for some.
Pine Creek Waterfall at a Glance
Photo Album: Pine
Creek pictures
Trail Map: Pine
Creek Trail Map
Day Hike: Yes. Distance: .25 miles Average Hiking Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Moderate, but short involving some boulder hopping. Permits:
Not required. Trail Conditions: The path is through the Pine Creek stream
and along the sides of the water, over boulders and through sand. There is a little bit of boulder hopping, slippery rocks to navigate and areas of unsure footing. Trailhead: Pine Creek Bridge - South side of the Zion-Mt.
Carmel Tunnel, near Canyon Junction Trailend: Same as starting point Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is open year-round. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Hike: No Best Season: May-September when the water is warm. Water Availability: It's easier to bring your own,
but the hike is along a creek. Restrooms: East side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel,
the Zion Human History Museum and the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Trailhead
From the east side of Zion National
Park, pass through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Drive down the steep, winding switchbacks to
the bottom of the hill where the road levels out. There is a small turnout on the right side of the road
to park at. This area is called the Pine Creek Bridge. Canyon Junction, the spur to Zion Canyon
is .25 miles from this area. If you see this junction you have
gone too far.
There is an obvious path of use
from the parking area to the creek. Make your way along the creek to the waterfall.
There are dirt paths along most of the obstacles, but be prepared to climb and
scale rock.
This is a beautiful area of Zion National Park where few venture. Dried streaks on
the sandstone walls show where water levels have reached at different times. Pine Creek
is a flash food area and should not be entered if it looks like it will rain
or is raining up canyon. There is flash flood debris along the sides of the creek as a
reminder. Check the weather conditions
before entering this area. The Zion Canyon Visitors Center has the current weather
conditions posted and has flash flood warning information.
The Waterfall :Waterfalls are
not abundant in Zion making this one a treasure. This beautiful area is easily
accessed compared to similar places in the park. Swimming in
the pool of water is permissible. There is a sandy area around the water surrounded by
large boulders that makes a nice place to take shoes off and wade in the water.
Tiny canyon tree frogs are found throughout the Pine Creek area. Take care not
to step on these tiny creatures or their tadpoles.
Best Features
Access without getting on the
Zion Canyon Shuttle. Along this trail there are beautiful views of the Beehives,
West Temple, Mount Spry, Streaked Wall, East Temple and the Great Arch. There are various
hoodoos on the mountain tops visible along the trail.
Trail Options: Hiking past the Pine Creek Waterfall
is an option. There is a trail to the right of the falls that goes to the top
and then the Pine
Creek route can be followed past the falls or begin higher in the creek and end at the waterfall.
Please take care of this beautiful area. Break down any creations
made in the sand and take all trash with you.
Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look
at the stars ... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence
is joyful. Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are
not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become
rich and they will never have any bank balance. Look at the flowers - for no
reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are.
-- Osho
