Zion National Park is a renowned hotspot for canyoneering, featuring world-famous canyons like the Zion Narrows and the Subway, as well as countless hidden and inaccessible canyons. It offers a vast range of hiking options, from simple family strolls to lengthier tough day walks through parched desert areas, stunningly gorgeous vistas, lush greenery, and tight slot canyons, all in a variety of terrain. While Zion is modest compared to other national parks, it offers a variety of 2- to 3-day backpacking adventures. All of the hikes highlight the region's stunning Slickrock sandstone structures.
Famous Canyoneering Trails In Zion
Greater Zion is a canyon-filled landscape. Many people like hiking through the vast canyons, but for some, there is a greater reward. When tourists reach the smaller slot canyons, they discover a new universe full of incredible sights and sounds. Greater Zion has some of the most distinctive canyoneering courses.
The Top-Down Subway Trail
The conventional way to trek the Left Fork of North Creek is through the Subway top-down approach via Russell Gulch. This "walk" has it everything, from the majestic splendor of Russell Gulch in the morning to the incredibly beautiful Subway part to the fun tiny rappels and swimming. The main drawback is the difficulties of detecting cars and managing the multi-step procedure of acquiring a backcountry permit to complete this trip.
- Distance: Around 9.5 miles
- Duration: 6-10 hours
- Difficulty: Hard, semi-technical canyoneering course with several obstructions in a rainy canyon.
- Permit: Required
- Best time: From late spring to the fall. Many impediments might become dangerous during spring runoff in late March and April. Descents during the off-season are not encouraged for the general populace.
Orderville Canyon
Orderville Canyon is the lesser-known younger sister of the popular Zion Narrows, and it's a terrific semi-technical day trip for both beginners and expert hikers. It's enigmatic, gloomy, rainy, and breathtakingly gorgeous. This hike is demanding and challenging from the perspective of a hiker. From the perspective of a canyoneer, this is a rather simple canyon with only two semi-technical obstacles. This hike is a wonderful introduction to canyoneering if you've ever done rock climbing or rappelling.
- Distance: Around 11 miles
- Duration: 7-11 hours
- Difficulty: Hard, semi-technical canyoneering course with several obstructions in a rainy canyon.
- Permit: Required
- Best time: Summer and autumn are preferred. Descents are not allowed while the Zion Narrows is closed for the spring runoff, which occurs between April and June each year.
- Note: To descend this canyon, overcoming various obstacles in a damp canyon setting, as well as two short rappels, are required. This trail is not for inexperienced hikers.
Keyhole Canyon
Keyhole Canyon is a beautiful tiny subterranean slot canyon. It hardly shows up on a topo map, yet it is a gorgeous canyon that offers some otherworldly slot canyon beauty. Keyhole Canyon is a fantastic place to start canyoneering since it offers a variety of technical obstacles as well as beautiful scenery, and it's short enough that even the most miserable people can get out quickly.
- Distance: Around 0.7 miles
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Difficulty: Reasonably difficult.
- Permit: Required
- Best time: For the common people, late spring through fall
Pine Creek
Pine Creek is one of Zion National Park's most famous challenging canyoneering trails and exemplifies the splendor of "subterranean" slot canyons. Pine Creek is a Zion classic, with beautiful scenery, fascinating rappels, enjoyable swims, and reasonable accessibility. This course, however, is not recommended for hikers with no technical canyoneering knowledge.
- Distance: Around 1.5 miles
- Duration: 3-6 hours
- Difficulty: Fairly difficult.
- Permit: Required
- Best time: For the common people, late spring through fall
Mystery Canyon
Mystery Canyon is just that - a deep and gorgeous hanging canyon that flows into the larger Zion Narrows, making a sharp 90-degree curve in the process. This "hike" is one of Zion National Park's pinnacle canyoneering expeditions, with a steep and unnerving entrance, countless rappels in beautiful deep sculpted narrows, and two big-wall rappels near the end that draw your attention.
- Distance: Around 5 miles
- Duration: 6-9 hours
- Difficulty: Fairly difficult.
- Permit: Required
- Best time: Spring through fall, also depends on the amount of water in the Zion Narrows.
What To Bring
To go canyoneering in Zion National Park, hikers will need a comprehensive list of supplies. While certain materials are desirable to have, there are a few that are required. The equipment required is determined by the type of canyoneering intended.
- Proper Footwear
- Extra stuff in a backpack
- Plenty of water
- Navigational Instruments
- A dry bag to keep important stuff safe
- A first-aid kit
- Ropes, as well as a rope bag
- Harness
- Headlamp and helmet
- Equipment for rappelling
- Clothes that wick away moisture
- Permit to participate in a variety of technical expeditions
Where To Stay
Springdale Town
In Zion National Park, Springdale is the most inhabited town. The Zion National Park South Entrance Ranger Station is within a 3-minute drive from the middle of Springdale town. Some of the lodging options in Springdale are:
Flanigan’s Inn
- Pricing: Average 150
- Facilities: Free WiFi, Free Parking, Swimming Pool, Bar
- Location: 428 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, UT 84767, United States
- Three Stars
Springdale Suites by Marriott Springdale
- Pricing: Average 250
- Facilities: Free WiFi, Free Parking, Swimming Pool, Pets Allowed
- Location: 1141 Canyon Springs Drive, Springdale, UT 84767, United States
- Five Stars
Camping in Zion National Park
There are two large campsites in Zion National Park. One near the southern gateway at Springdale and another in the vicinity to the primary Visitor Center.
South Campground
- 117 Campsites
- Charges: Individual Sites- $20/night
- Group Sites- $50/night
Watchman Campground
- 176 Campsites
- Charges range from $20 - 30 per night.
Note: For the majority of the year, both campgrounds require reservations. Competition for places is high, so prepare ahead or risk being turned away.
Hikers of all abilities will find canyoneering options in Zion National Park, ranging from small family strolls to difficult hikes to isolated vistas. All the excursions are well worth it, with breathtaking views all around!