Print options

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

park campground 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 and some easy scrambling)
      • Petrified Dunes trail (1 mile; was lots of fun to climb up to the top of the petrified dunes, great views as well)
      • Lava Flow Overlook area (bring flashlight to explore the lava tubes; after Lava Cave 3 trail goes to pretty white/red sandstone) 
      • Sandstone amphitheater (you can get to it from the White Rocks trail, or by parking at the White Rocks trail head; from the amphitheater, scramble up to the top of the white sandstone using the cracks for a fantastic view of the whole valley)
      • Scout Cave (haven't done yet)
      • Johnson Canyon (haven't done; open seasonally, has an arch)
    • 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

#14.Zion: Many Pools Trailhead

want to go trailhead hiking / walking
Hike to explore some interesting potholes

#15.Grafton Ghost Town

want to go historic site

#16.Sand Cove Trailhead (Babylon Arch, Dino Footprints)

want to go trailhead geologic feature hiking / walking

Notes

  • "This popular 1.5 mile trail can be accessed from the Sand Cove trailhead parking area just off the Babylon Road, 3 miles south of its intersection with Main Street in Leeds and 1½ miles from the Reserve’s north boundary.  From the stepover at the parking area, hike the Flicker trail for 0.2 miles and follow the jeep road to the right another 0.4 miles to the primitive Sand Cove camp area.  High clearance vehicles with 4WD capability can be driven right to the camp area on the jeep road coming out of the trailhead and parked at an appropriate location in the Cove.  A trail sign marks the beginning of the Arch trail which winds through a rocky drainage with delightful red rock formations and a few sandy sections.  About 1 mile down the trail, visitors will find a small but beautiful stand-alone arch that is a popular photo site.  Another half mile will take visitors down to the Virgin River where the trail ends.  A short, steep slope with deep sand immediately north of the arch can be challenging to some hikers returning to the parking area, especially in hot, dry summer months. An unsigned, alternate return route exists about 20 yards east of the arch that allows a more gradual climb through partly sandy soils to get back up to the  main trail back to the start.  Otherwise, the Arch trail is only moderately difficult in places and is suitable for most families.  Total up and down elevation change from end to end is about 420 feet.  No strollers, of course.  The trail lies across lands administered by the BLM in the Red Cliffs NCA."
    -- http://www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com/arch
  • Also in the area - Babylon Dinosaur tracks, Painted Arch

#17.Chuckwalla Trail Head to Scout Cave

want to go trailhead geologic feature hiking / walking

Notes

    • 7 mile rt
    • "The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is a fantastic recreational area located right in St. George, Utah. This is a great place for some safe desert activity that you can experience without feeling like you have to be somewhere remote. Here you can mountain bike, hike, rock climb, ride horses or take the dogs on a walk. The views from above the city are really great, and you can see down into Snow Canyon State Park and even overlook old lava fields. Within the small network of trails in the reserve is the 7-mile round-trip hike to Scout Cave using the Chuckwalla Trail. Starting out on the Chuckwalla Trail from the parking lot, you'll immediately encounter a large area designated for rock climbing. After a short while you'll reach a fork in the trail; take the North Crossing Trail, which is clearly marked. Soon you'll pass the Turtle Wall Trail, which has some terrific sandstone formations. When you reach Paradise RIm Trail you will encounter the views of the town below and begin to walk along the canyon edge. Stay on the canyon rim heading north and you will see a marker for the Scout Cave Trail. The coolest feature on this trail is definitely Scout Cave and the section of the trail leading up to it. The route descends a bit into a ravine where the features become more surreal and unique. The cave itself is tall and not terribly deep, but the view from inside looking out is quite impressive, especially considering the easy access and proximity to town. There are some back country campsites available in the reserve, and these are marked on the informational sign at the trailhead."
    -- https://www.onxmaps.com/hiking/l906990mp6ew/chuckwalla-trail-to-scout-cave

#18.Glitter Mountain

want to go geologic feature rockhounding
Gypsum collecting location

Notes

  • "Glitter Mountain, also known as the Old Gypsum Crystal Mine, is a popular spot near St. George, Utah, known for its sparkling gypsum crystals. It's an old mining site where gypsum was extracted, and now visitors can explore and collect some of the naturally occurring crystals.

    Guidelines for Visiting
    •  Digging and mining tools are prohibited. This includes hammers, picks, shovels, machinery, etc.
    •  For your safety, do not go near or in the mine’s pit.
    •  Please help keep the site free of trash.
    •  For your safety and the safety of others, do not shoot near the mine.

    Note: There are no facilities at the site. You are also not supposed to use tools (hammers, shovels, etc.) for excavation. On our visit, we found those weren't necessary, though some people were using them. Please respect the site rules to keep it open for future visitors. We visited on a Sunday afternoon, and the place was quite busy with kids and adults a like enjoying the hunt for the perfect crystal specimen.

    They ask for a fee for rocks taken, payable (in 2025) via Venmo. Please support the owner of the claim by paying for rocks you take home."
    -- https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/zion/glitter-mountain