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Zion And Surrounding Area Guide

https://www.where2goguides.com/g/wendy-and-justin/zion

Activities / Places

#1.Anasazi Valley trail

want to go rock art hiking / walking
Petroglyphs on boulders at the Santa Clara River Reserve

Notes

    • From the trailhead, take the 1.2 Tempi'po'op trail; a number of social trails are visible below the rim. Pick an easy one and look among the lava boulders to look for petroglyphs (source: Photographing the Southwest vol 1 p. 28)

#2.Snow Canyon State Park

campground park hiking / walking

Notes

    • There is a small visitor's centers and a campground that looked ok for RVs (but there are other, nicer campgrounds in the area).
    • There is a paved bike trail through the park that looks like it would be fun to do on an ebike.
    • Recommended hiking trails:
      • Jenny's Canyon (short slot; it was ok)
      • Hidden Pinyon Trail to the overlook (this had good views from the overlook)
      • Petrified Dunes trail (1 mile; haven't done yet)
      • Lava Flow Overlook area (bring flashlight to explore the lava tubes; after Lava Cave 3 trail goes to pretty white/red sandstone; haven't done yet) 
      • Scout Cave (haven't done yet)
      • Met someone who said if you drive up N through the park to I15 and go N there is a trailhead (he thought it was called Red Cliffs, but I think he meant White Rocks) that goes up to a white ridge with amazing views
    • Best viewed middle of the afternoon on, but not too late or in shadow; in September there is a Datura bloom (source: Photographing the Southwest Vol 1 p. 24)

#3.Red Reef trail

trailhead hiking / walking
Short, scenic hike that is popular (parking fills fast); dino prints nearby

Notes

    • Part of Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
    • 1.5 mile rt easy, scenic hike with arches and pictographs that becomes a wet slot after the moki steps (after that, can be ankle to neck deep; class 2-3 hiking; may want rope/webbing; up to 5 miles 1 way)
    • Very popular so parking fills fast on weekends and spring/fall - arrive EARLY; if all designated day-use parking is full, visitors may use the White Reef Trailhead as an overflow lot (per BLM)
    • Also dino footprints nearby trail head (see Gaia)
    • $5 for day use or America the Beautiful pass
    • Directions to Trailhead. Take Interstate 15 north to Exit 22. At the end of the off-ramp, turn right onto Old Highway 91. Travel south 2 miles and turn right. Continue under two freeway tunnels (tunnels restrict vehicle size to less than 12 feet in height and width) and follow the paved road for 1.3 miles into the campground.

#4.Candy Cliffs (Anna's Viewpoint) trail at Yant Flat

trailhead hiking / walking
Provides access to the scenic Candy Cliffs area

Notes

    • ~4-5 miles; longer if want (navigate through a bunch of trails to a distinct, worn trail)
    • Highlight was Yellow Top (follow Gaia trail, which curves to the left after arriving at the slick rock and goes down into a drainage; see greatamericanhikes description)
    • Can visit near sunset for good photos (but beware the drive back)
    • Access:
      • Accessible with a high clearance vehicle; road was decent when we went (don't go in rain; slow/bumpy; may have to ford small streams but we didn't; steep cliff edge to navigate without guard rails but it was fine if you are comfortable with this)
      • From St. George, take I-15 North to Leeds, Utah. Take Silver Reef Road (which becomes N Oak Grove Dr) to Danish Ranch Road. Google will take you to Yant Flats Trailhead / Anna’s Viewpoint Trail. No signs mark parking; you pass Yankee Doodle Canyon just before the trailhead
      • Tip: Call the Pine Valley Forest Ranger for info on road conditions before heading out - 435-783-4338

#5.Zion: The Subway trail (bottom up or top down exit trailhead)

trailhead hiking / walking
Semi-technical wet slot canyon requiring a permit

Notes

  • We have been waiting 11 years to do this - so glad we finally got the chance! It was well worth it.
    • Park here, at the Left Fork trailhead. If going top-down, get a shuttle to the start of the hike at the Wildcat Canyon trailhead (7 miles up the road)
    • Requires a permit
    • Book shuttles and rent gear from outfitters in Springdale (we booked a shuttle and rented wet suits, a back pack, helmets, and boots from Zion Adventures)
    • 8-10 miles
    • Solid, enjoyable adventure; the hardest part was initial route finding into the canyon (so bring a good trail description and an app like Gaia or All Trails)
    • The canyon is always changing, so ask about recent conditions before you go since many trail descriptions are out of date (for example, there is now a log jam at the bowling ball so you can't duck under it any more and need to go over it; when we were there, there was a webbing hand line someone had left behind - but you can't count on that)
    • The hike out is a bit slippery in the beginning and a full on slog by the end (often hot) - I would have given this 4 stars if it wasn't for the hike out

#6.Zion: Angel's Landing trail

trailhead hiking / walking

Notes

    • 5.2 miles rt, 1500 elevation; 2-3 hrs
    • Pick up the trail from the Grottos shuttle stop
    • Requires a permit
    • This hike exceeded our expectations; it really was super fun but you have to be comfortable with heights

#7.Zion: Narrows trail

trailhead hiking / walking

Notes

    • Starts at Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop
    • 6 miles rt to Orderville canyon; 10 miles rt to Big Spring (4-8 hours)
    • Does not require a permit for out and back day hike; does require a permit for the through hike
    • Can rent water shoes, hiking stick, water overalls at outfitters in town

#8.Zion: Observation Point via Echo Canyon hike (from Weeping Rock trailhead)

want to go trailhead hiking / walking

Notes

    • 8 miles rt, 5 hours
    • Leaves from Weeping Rock shuttle stop (NOTE: all trails in Weeping Rock are currently closed due to rock fall; can also pick up this trail from a different trailhead - but this is the trail to do if/when it reopens)
    • Goes through Echo canyon (semi-slot)
    • Outstanding views that rival Angel's Landing

#9.Zion: Cable mountain trail (from Stave Spring trailhead)

want to go trailhead hiking / walking

Notes

    • Hike up to Cable Mountain from the Stave Spring trail; about 8 miles rt (from Weeping Rock trail head in Zion valley it is 16 miles)
    • Good views from Cable Mountain
    • Trailhead reachable by most vehicles (avoid when wet)

#10.Zion: Canyon Overlook trail

want to go trailhead hiking / walking
Short trail on Zion scenic drive that leads to an overlook

Notes

  • We saw this driving by; would like to go. There is a bathroom at the trailhead.

#11.Zion: Scenic drive through Mt. Carmel Tunnel

scenic drive
Rt 9 from Springdale winds through the park to the East Entrance Ranger Station

#12.Quail Creek Campground

campground
State park campground convenient to St. George and Zion.

Notes

  • A good campground, but certainly not one of our favorites in Utah.
    -- From visit on September 21, 2024

#13.Red Cliffs Campground

campground hiking / walking
Small, secluded BLM campground near dinosaur footprints and Red Reef trailhead.

Notes

  • Red Cliffs is a beautiful campground, but many spots don't have good flat spots for tents. It also has a nice day use area with shady picnic tables. 
  • We didn't stay (wish we had!), but walked through the campground.
    -- From visit on September 22, 2024