loor. A river
tumbles easily beneath cottonwoods and
wooded trails wind about the canyon and
up its walls to small pools and springs.
Whether you hike its miles of trails or
simply drive its easy drives you can not
help but be moved by Zion's beauty.
Zion is located in the southwest corner of
Utah east of I-15. It is roughly 300 miles
south of Salt Lake City and 160 miles
northeast of Las Vegas. Its easy
accessibility and remarkable beauty have made Zion Utah's most popular national park with nearly 3 million
annual visitors.

Topics covered for Zion National Park are listed below.

Orientation & Highlights
Activities
Adventure Trips
Biking
Fishing
Golfing
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Off Road - ATV/Jeep
Sightseeing
Scenic Drives
Scenic Flights
Sightseeing Tours


Practical Travel Info
Camping - RV Parks
Dining
Lodging
Publications
Transportation
Weather
Helpful Numbers & Addresses
Nearby Destinations
Appendix
Southwestern Utah Map
Zion Area Map
Zion Canyon Map




Orientation and Highlights
Zion is comprised of two areas.
Zion
Canyon
in the southeast portion of the
park (light brown area on map) holds the
most spectacular scenery and is by far the
most visited area of the park. A short paved
road runs along the bottom of the canyon
past scenic views and numerous
trailheads.
The Kolob
comprises the rest of the park.
A short scenic drive off of I-15 brings you to
some good overlooks and a few trails, but
most of this area is comprised of remote backcountry more suited for backpacking trips.
Zion Canyon


A 6-1/2 mile long scenic drive runs along the Virgin River on the floor of Zion Canyon. Accessible by
shuttle bus
or bike, it is the premier drive in the park and provides sensational views of the canyon
walls that tower 2000 feet overhead. Along the way are numerous hiking trails, picnic areas and the
Zion Lodge.
The main scenic drive is a spur road off the Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic
Byway (Hwy 9). Hwy 9 enters the park from the south through the
town of Springdale and climbs east up and out of Zion Canyon in a
wonderfully steep ascent on switchbacks and through long tunnels to
the eastern edge of the park. (See
Other Things to Know for special
tunnel rules.) This 13 mile scenic drive takes you past some striking
scenery, including Checkerboard Mesa.
You'll need a day to explore the Zion Canyon area, though more time
spent will not go unrewarded. Early morning and late afternoon have
the best light (and fewest people). You should definitely plan on
taking a few of the
many great hikes
in this area.
Important:
The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is accessible by Shuttle
Bus ONLY from early April through the end of October. Select
Shuttle
Info
for details. The Kolob


The backcountry of the Kolob lies to the north and west of Zion Canyon. Though it is quite attractive,
it is a much less visited area of the park. It consists of the Kolob Canyon area and the Kolob high
country. Select
Hiking
for details about hiking in this area.
Kolob Canyon is located in the northwestern corner of the
park just off I-15. Twisting Kolob Canyon Road climbs
1000 feet in just 5 miles to a pleasant picnic area and
great lookout over the finger canyons of the Kolob. Along
the way are some nice pull-offs and access to a few trails
(described below). A visitor center is at the entrance.
The Kolob high country makes up the middle section of
Zion. Kolob Terrace Road runs north from the town of
Virgin through this area to Lava Point. At Lava Point is a
great panorama taking in the Cedar Breaks area, the Pink
Cliffs, the Zion Canyon Narrows and the towering
monoliths of Zion Canyon.
Other Things to Know


Tunnel Restrictions

On Hwy 9 east of the main Zion Canyon Scenic Route is a long narrow tunnel through which RV's
taller than 11' 4" or longer than 40 feet (or 50 feet with a trailer) need an escort. A $10 escort fee,
good for two trips through over a 7-day period, can be purchased at either park entrance on Hwy
9. In summer, rangers are stationed at the tunnel to take you through from 8 to 8. At other times
an escort must be arranged in advance at the east entrance to the park or at the visitor center
(801-772-3256).

Parking Restrictions

RV's longer than 21 feet may not enter the Weeping Rock parking area nor park at the Temple of
Sinawava parking lot. There is a special drop off area for passengers in such vehicles at the
Temple of Sinawava. RV's can park in the park at the Zion Lodge parking lot. The Zion Lodge
operates an open air shuttle bus from the lodge to the Temple of Sinawava for a small fee.
Adventure Trips
Featured Listings
Gooseberry Mesa - 3 or 4 Day Bike
Biking
Ride southwestern Utah's newest slickrock and singletrack trails!
For more info:
www.go-utah.com/rim-tours-gooseberry-mesa-3-4-days
Bryce to Zion - 4 & 6 Day Biking - Rim Tours
Biking
Travel the spectacular canyon country between two of Utah's most stunning National Parks.
For more info:
www.go-utah.com/Rim-Tours-Bryce-Zion-4-6Day
Other Listings

Bryce to Zion - Western Spirit Cycling
Biking

Bryce-Zion-Grand Canyon
Hiking, Biking

Bryce-Zion-Grand Canyon
Hiking, Biking

Bryce-Zion-Grand Canyon Rambler
Hiking

Hike Utah
Hiking

Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Escalante
Hiking

Utah / Arizona: Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon
Hiking

Utah Canyon Lands
Rafting, Kayaking,
Fishing, Hiking,
Horseback Riding

Utah Hiking: Zion & Bryce Canyon
Hiking

Utah Hiking: Zion & Bryce Canyon
Hiking

Utah-Arizona: Great Canyon Parks
Hiking
Biking Guides and Outfitters
Featured Listings


Timberline Adventures

Southern Utah
303-368-4418
Western bicycling and hiking adventure vacations for those who are passionate about
bicycling and hiking!
Timberline's program for 2002 offers several exciting adventure activities. In addition to our
extensive selection of on-road and off-road cycling programs, we'll again offer a growing number of
complementary hiking adventures along with combined biking and hiking experiences.
Celebrating our 20th anniversary season, Timberline's program includes visits to 34 national parks
and monuments, including Bryce, Zion, Cedar Breaks, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, The
Grand Staircase and Grand Canyon.
For more info:
www.go-utah.com/Timberline-Adventures


Rim Mountain Bike Tours

Southern Utah
800-626-7335
Share in the adventure of a Rim Tours Mountain Bike Tour! Join one of our moderate Full-Day or
Half-Day rides. Guided Tours are also available on intermediate to advanced trails including The
Slickrock Trail, Porcupine Rim, Flat Pass, Blue Buffalo and more!
Since 1985 we have earned our reputation by offering the very best professionally guided mountain
bike trips and multi-sport adventures to Utah's Canyon country, Colorado's Rocky Mountains and
Arizona's Grand Canyon. Our tours showcase the most beautiful and pristine backcountry locations
in the Western United States and our experienced staff will ensure that your time spent with us is a
vacation to remember. We have pioneered backcountry biking tours with your safety and
enjoyment our highest priority. Our backcountry ethic assures minimal impact from our travels so
others may return time and again to unspoiled wilderness. A Rim Tours experience is like no other
and we invite you to give us a call to see why.
For more info:
www.go-utah.com/Rim-Tours

Springdale Cycles

Southwestern Utah
800-776-2099
Springdale Cycles is nestled in Zion Canyon in Springdale, Utah. Our goal is help you have a
healthy and enlightening visit to the land we're happy to call home. Southwest Utah is home to
some of the best cycling in the world. Lush alpine plateaus, colorful canyons, and slickrock mesas
are home to many epic trails. From our full service bike shop we offer guided tours for beginner
through advanced, rentals, outfitting, and information. Before your ride stop in next door at The
Mean Bean Coffee Shop for the best cup of coffee in town.
For the ultimate bike tour have your group join us on a multi-day trip. We stay in secluded
backcountry camps, quaint lodges, and visit relaxing hot springs. You'll like food as much as the
riding. We cook up fresh, hearty breakfast's and lunch's and fire up tasty creations in the Dutch
oven at night. When lodging we stop in at our favorite restaurants. And all you have to do is ride.
Just passing through? Then join us for the day or rent a bike for one of the many great local rides.
For more info:
www.go-utah.com/Springdale-Cycles
Other Listings

Zion's Ponderosa Resort
800-293-5444
Zion Canyon Area

Backcountry Limited
800-575-1540
Bryce / Zion Area

Backroads
800-462-2848
Southwestern Utah

Bicycle Adventures
800-443-6060
Bryce & Zion Areas

Cycle America
800-245-3263
Southwestern Utah

Experience Plus! Specialty Tours
Southwestern Utah

Kaibab Adventure Outfitters & Moab Cyclery
800-451-1133
Southern Utah

Sacred Bear Adventures
888-842-3274
Wasatch Mountains &
Southern Utah

Thunder Mountain Cycle Tours
800-776-2099
Southwestern Utah

Zion ATV & Bike Tours
800-293-5444
Zion National Park Area
Biking Trails
No off-road biking is permitted within Zion so your options are limited to the main scenic drive through Zion
Canyon and Hwy 9 east of Zion Canyon. (Bicyclists using Hwy 9 in east of Zion Canyon must walk through
the 1 mile long Zion -Mt Carmel Tunnel.)
Listed below are some trails to consider outside the park.

Gooseberry Mesa Trail Network
Just outside the southwestern enterance of Zion National Park
Gooseberry Mesa is a tabletop mesa just west of Zion National Park. The Gooseberry Mesa slickrock
singletrack is a new add