National Parks

The entire trail extending from Fairyland to Bryce Point has several steep elevation changes. Distance is 5.5 miles one way. The Rim Trail offers hikers the opportunity to see Bryce, encompassing the main amphitheater, from “on top.”

Considered an easy to moderate hike with gentle grades and minimal elevation change. The least difficult descent into the canyon. Distance is about two miles round trip. Plan for about one to two hours. See Queen Victoria at the end of a short spur trail.

Considered a moderate hike with steep grades with “down and back” elevation change. Distance is about 1.3 miles round trip. Plan for about one to two hours. See Wall Street, Two Bridges and Thor’s Hammer on this short but steep trail. (Clockwise direction recommended)

Considered a strenuous hike with steep grades with multiple elevation changes. Distance is about 8.2 miles round trip. Plan for about four to five hours. See the China Wall, Tower Bridge and tall hoodoos on this picturesque, less crowded trail.

Considered a strenuous hike with steep grades and multiple elevation changes. Distance is about 5.5 miles. Plan for about three to four hours. Steep but spectacular hike through the heart of Bryce Amphitheater. See the Wall of Window.

Bike more than 200 miles of “one of the best, most unique and most unusual mountain bike vacations resorts,” as noted by Mountain Bike Action.

Savor the stunning vistas and views of this incredible park by stopping at numerous viewpoints along the 37-mile drive through.

Pristine air gives stargazers a whole new sensation of connecting with the galaxy. Here you’ll find some of the starriest nights anywhere.

Come wintertime, the red rock hoodoos are dappled with brilliantly white snow to create a color sensation unequaled anywhere. Get up-close and personal to the hoodoos by Nordic skiing or snowshoeing.

Evening programs sponsored by the camp rangers will enhance your feelings of wonder and awe.

Visitor Center

Open all year from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours in the summer. While at the Visitor Center, see the award-winning film “Shadows of Time”, playing on the hour and half hour throughout the day.

*The Visitor Center is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Fees/Season

Bryce Canyon is open all year with the peak season being May – October. Entrance fees into the park are $35, good for seven days.

* Interagency Annual Passes & Interagency Lifetime Passes are honored at all National Parks, National Monuments, & Federal Recreation Sites.

Elevation

6,900 to 9,100 feet.

Distance from Cedar City

79 Miles East on Hwy U-89

Camping

North Campground is open all year. Most sites are on a first come, first served basis. Some sites are available for advance reservations at www.recreation.gov.

Back-country Camping

Allowed on a limited basis and only at designated campsites. A $5 backcountry permit is required and are issued at the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. until two hours before sunset.

Bryce Canyon Shuttle

The optional Bryce Canyon Shuttle operates daily from `May through September. The shuttle is free with your park entrance fee and stops at the visitor center plus all the viewpoints in the park main amphitheater. Shuttle schedule available at entrance station.

More Info

Bryce Canyon National Park Service
(435) 834-5322 or
www.nps.gov/brca

A short walk on a paved trail leads to a spectacular view of the canyon. Distance is 0.5 miles/0.8 km round trip; 30 minutes approximate round trip. The trail begins at the log shelter in the parking area by the visitor center or at the corner of the back porch behind the lodge. Obtain self guiding nature trail pamphlets from a box along the trail.

Trail follows the canyon rim from Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Rim Campground. Distance is 3 miles/4.8 km round trip; 1.5 hours approximate round trip.

Distance and hiking times vary. This is the only maintained trail into the canyon from the North Rim. Distances and locations for North Kaibab trail and information about canyon hiking are listed in the North Rim Grand Canyon Guide & Map. Under no circumstances should you attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day. Even a short hike to Coconino Overlook (1.5 miles / 2.4 km round-trip) or Supai Tunnel (4 miles / 6.5 km round-trip) can give you an appreciation for the canyon’s rich, natural beauty and immense size. A hike to Roaring Springs and back is extremely strenuous and takes a full day (7–8 hours) — begin your hike before 7 a.m. Roaring Springs lies 3,050 feet / 930 m below the canyon rim and is 9.4 miles / 15 km round-trip. A day hike beyond Roaring Springs is not recommended. Many years of experience have shown that hikers who proceed beyond this point during the hottest parts of the day have a much greater probability of suffering from heat-related illness, injury, or death. Round trip to the Colorado River is 28 miles/45 km and the trail descends almost 6,000 feet/1,800 m.

An easy walk on a flat, paved trail providing views of the canyon, Angels Window, and the Colorado River. Distance is 0.6 miles/1.0 km round-trip; 30 minutes approximate round-trip. Markers along the trail interpret the area’s natural history. Trail begins at the southeast side of the Cape Royal parking area.

This trail is a short, secluded woodland loop with spectacular views. Distance is 0.2 miles/0.3 km roundtrip; 20 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time. Offers benches for relaxed enjoyment of the canyon.

One-hour rides along the rim and half-day rim or inner canyon trips are usually available each day. Register at the Canyon Trail Rides desk in the lobby of the Grand Canyon Lodge. Open daily 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., call (435) 679-8665 or visit www.canyonrides.com.

Colorado River Trips: Commercial whitewater raft trips through the canyon last from 1 day or 3 – 18 days and require reservations well in advance. Ask at the visitor center for a Trip Planner with a list of river trip concessioners or visit: www.nps.gov/grca.

Smooth Water Raft Trips: Colorado River Discovery provides half-day trips on the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lee’s Ferry. (888) 522-6644 or www.raftthecanyon.com.

Discover the Grand Canyon with the rangers who know it inside and out.

Schedules for these activities are available at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and in the park newspaper.

Junior Ranger Badge: If you are working to earn a Junior Ranger Badge you must attend one ranger-led activity in order to fulfill your requirements. You may attend any ranger program to finish your books.

Day camps are FREE five-and-a-half-hour-long programs for youth ages 7 – 12 years. Kids, led by a Park Ranger, will walk and ride the bus, play games and do activities to discover more about the Grand Canyon’s plants, animals, rocks and people. Kids will earn a Junior Ranger badge at the conclusion of the day camp. Inquire inside the Park headquarters, found by Parking Lot A, for information and to fill out a release form for your child.

Visitor Center

The North Rim is open every day from mid May to mid October. The South Rim is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

*Interagency Annual Passes & Interagency Lifetime Passes are honored at all National Parks, National Monuments, & Federal Recreation Sites.

Fess/Season

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is generally open May 15th through October 15th.

A 7-day pass into the park is $30 which includes entrance into both the North Rim and the South Rim. No refunds are given due to inclement weather.

Elevation

The South Rim of Grand Canyon averages 7400 feet/2255 m above sea level. The North Rim is over 8297 feet/2528 m above sea level.

Distance from Cedar City

North Rim is 160 Miles  approximately 3 hours and the South Rim is 279 Miles approximately 5 hours

Camping

North Rim Campground Operated by the National Park Service, campsites are $18 – $25. No hook-ups, but a dump station is available. Stays limited to 7 days per season.  Check campground for last-minute availability.  The campground may remain open after October 15 with limited services, weather permitting.

For reservations call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov

Winter Access

The road from Jacob Lake to the North Rim (Hwy 67) is subject to closure due to snow with little or no notice after mid-October. Call ahead to check road closures.

More Info

Grand Canyon North Rim
(928) 638-7888
www.nps.gov/grca

A nice hike to a brilliant desert waterfall. Distance is 3 miles one way. Approximately 1.5 hours to hike. The trail head is found next to Calf Creek Recreation Area. Pick up a trail guide at the trailhead and participate in an informative self-guided tour. From the town of Escalante, drive east on SR U-12 for 15 miles.

Located approximately a half mile down-canyon from Peek-A-Boo, just past a large sand dune. The mouth of Spooky is wide but it quickly funnels into a tight slot. Many people make a loop hike by going up Peek-A-Boo and down Spooky. Spooky is the narrowest slot normal-sized adults can get through. In many spots you have to squeeze through sideways; this is not recommended for larger people. From the town of Escalante drive east on Scenic Byway Hwy-12 a short ways to the Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Drive south on Hole-in-the-Rock Road for about 26 miles to the signed turnoff for the Dry Fork Trailhead. Keep left and follow that road to the trailhead parking area.

Located off of the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, about 12 miles from Hwy U-12. This hike is available all year and is a short 0.5 mile round trip on a sandy trail. Expect to take approximately 30 minutes to an hour. As with any hike, make sure you take plenty of water. There are two arches in the Devil’s Garden: Metate Arch and Mano Arch, Metate is more scenic of the two. This is a great short hike which children will love as well.

Including the primitive loop trail, this is the longest of the maintained trails in Grand Staircase-Escalante. Distance is 7.2 miles round trip including all spur trails.

Approximately 4 to 5 hours round trip. Considered a moderate hike accessible year round; difficult with snow.

*Inquire at any of the Monument visitor centers for road/trail conditions.

Grosvenor Arch is a unique sandstone double arch teetering atop stony stilts. The site is well maintained and has an outhouse restroom and cement benches. There is a concrete sidewalk that goes almost to the base of the arch, which is handicap accessible. Take state route 12 south of Cannonville for approximately 9 miles. This is a paved road to the Kodachrome State Park turnoff. Continue on Cottonwood Canyon Road, a graded dirt road, for another 10 miles to the Grosvenor Arch parking lot.

The easiest way to see the Monument is by vehicle. Highways 12 and 89 run along the north, south, and west boundaries and offer outstanding views. High clearance vehicles are recommended for most dirt roads and many require 4-wheel drive. Conditions can change quickly after storms. Check at a visitor center before driving on unpaved roads.

One way to see and enjoy the vast backcountry of the Monument and adjacent Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is to spend several days hiking. Most routes are unmarked and traverse a wide variety of canyon and slickrock terrain. Visitor center staff can help you choose routes that fit your time and ability. Stop at a visitor center for route descriptions, maps, locations of water sources, weather forecasts, and current road conditions before starting out. A free backcountry permit is required. Map and compass skills are recommended.

Bicycles are only permitted on designated dirt roads. Visitor center staff can help you choose rides to fit your time and ability.

Off-highway vehicles are permitted within the Monument on designated roads. Cross-country travel is prohibited and OHVs are not permitted on hiking trails. Check at a visitor center for maps and information before riding.

Visitor Center

Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
755 West Main Street
Escalante, UT 84726
(435) 826-5499

Kanab Visitor Center
745 East Hwy 89
Kanab, UT 84741
(435) 644-1300 or (435) 644-1301

Cannonville Visitor Center (seasonal)
10 Center Street
Cannonville, UT 84718
(435) 826-5640

Fees/Season

Most areas within the Grand Staircase are free use except a Day Use Fee of $5.00 per vehicle for the Calf Creek Recreation Area. Also entrance to The Wave is by permit only and can be entered at the Kanab Visitor Center.

Elevation

3,000 to almost 10,000 feet.

Distance from Cedar City

82 Miles east, off Hwy U-89 in Kanab

Camping

There are numerous public and private campgrounds in the area. Dispersed car camping is permitted in some areas within the Monument. A backcountry permit is required. Check at a visitor center for camping options. Campers must follow the Leave No Trace principles. Campfires are not allowed in the canyons.

Permits

Free backcountry permits are required for ALL overnight stays (backpacking, car camping, horse packing, and kayaking). Obtain a permit at any visitor center or self-register at many of the trailhead register boxes.

Cell Phones

Cell phones do not work in many areas in and around the Monument so always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

More Info

Grand Staircase Escalante
National Monument Headquarters
(435) 644-1200

www.ut.blm.gov/monument

Trailhead is located at the Kolob Canyons Picnic Area. Distance is about one mile round trip. Plan for about a half hour. Trail follows the ridge top to a small peak. Offers views of the Timber Creek, the Kolob Terrace and the Pine Valley Mountains.

Trailhead is located approximately two miles from the visitors center along the Kolob Canyons Road. Distance is about five miles round trip. Plan for about three to four hours. Moderate in difficulty. The trail follows the middle fork of Taylor Creek past two old homestead cabins to the Double Arch Alcove.

Trailhead is located approximately three-and-half miles from the visitors center at Lee’s Pass. Distance is 14.4 miles round trip. Plan on this being an all-day hike. The hike is considered to be strenuous and is not recommended during the months of July and August since the summer temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. The hike starts at Lee’s Pass and follows the LaVerkin Creek into the Kolob wilderness to the world’s largest free-standing arch.

La Verkin Creek, Willis Creek and Hop Valley trails offer excellent backpacking opportunities and connection to wilderness trails into some of the Zion main canyons. Permits are required for wilderness camping and are issued at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center. Check for campfire regulations and restrictions. Always tell someone where you are going and your anticipated return.

*Campfires are never permitted in the Kolob Canyons; small gas powered stoves are allowed for cooking.

Kolob is wildly popular for afternoon picnics, especially at the Canyon Overlook with its incredible panoramic view of the finger canyons. Keep your camera ready because the light in the afternoons and near twilight can be the best time to photograph Kolob.

*Campfires are never permitted in the Kolob Canyons; small gas powered stoves are allowed for cooking.

Kolob is one of the few national parks that can be experienced from the comfort of your own vehicle (but why would you want to limit yourself?). The short scenic drive is only 10 miles round trip. There are several interpretive roadside exhibits at various pullouts along the scenic drive.

During the summer months, park rangers offer several ranger-led activities, including guided hikes and nature walks. Check at the visitor center for a schedule. Most ranger activities are included in your entrance fee.

Visitor Center

The Kolob Canyon Visitor Center is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours in the summer. Rangers are available to answer questions and issue back country permits.

*The Visitor Center is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Fees/Season

Kolob Canyons-Zion National Park is open all year. A 7-day pass into the park is $35 which includes entrance into the Zion Main Canyon. The Zion National Park entrance fee is honored here.

Elevation

5,500 ft to 7,000 ft.

Distance from Cedar City

17 Miles south, exit #40 off I-15

Camping

Overnight camping facilities are not available inside the park. Tenting and RV sites are available in the nearby towns of Kanarraville and Cedar City. Wilderness/Backcountry camping requires a permit.

More Info

Kolob Canyons/Zion National Park Visitor Center

(435) 586-9548
www.nps.gov/zion

#ZionPledge

Approximately 5 miles south of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center on U.S. Hwy 89, just south of highway marker 545, turn west on the dirt road which ascends the small hill. Drive a short distance west on the dirt road and park at the base of the hill. Climb up and down the sandy hill. Distance is 1.5 mile round trip.

Just a short distance from Page on Hwy 98, turn onto the Antelope Point road. Though lacking in developed trails, Antelope Point offers opportunity for exploration. Take a walkabout through slick rock formations west of the parking near the launch ramp. Perhaps you will discover a perfect spot to enjoy the lake and take a swim. Distance varies.

Explore the Paria Rimrocks on this moderate 1.5 mile round-trip hike leading to hoodoos and balanced rocks. Drive north on Hwy 89 from the Glen Canyon Dam. Turn into the dirt parking area on the right just past Utah mile marker 19. Slip through the hikers’ gate, sign the register, and head up the wash. When you think you are at the end, guess again; scramble up the trail obstacle and find your way to the hoodoo garden. Maps are available at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Big Water. Driving time is 30 minutes. Dirt trail — some scrambling required over trail obstacles. 1.5 miles round trip. Moderate.

Grosvenor Arch is a unique sandstone double arch teetering atop stony stilts. The site is well maintained and has an outhouse restroom and cement benches. There is a concrete sidewalk that goes almost to the base of the arch which is handicap accessible. Take state route 12 south of Cannonville for approximately 9 miles. This is a paved road to the Kodachrome State Park turnoff. Continue on Cottonwood Canyon Road, a graded dirt road, for another 10 miles to the Grosvenor Arch parking lot.

Although in dry weather the scenic drives are easily accessible to passenger cars, wet weather may make the road impassable even for 4WD vehicles. Check with rangers or local officials for weather and road conditions. Recreational vehicles are not recommended.

One way to see and enjoy the vast backcountry of the Monument and adjacent Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is to spend several days hiking. Most routes are unmarked and traverse a wide variety of canyon and slickrock terrain. Visitor center staff can help you choose routes that fit your time and ability. Stop at a visitor center for route descriptions, maps, locations of water sources, weather forecasts, and current road conditions before starting out. A free backcountry permit is required. Map and compass skills are recommended.

Bicycles are only permitted on designated dirt roads. Visitor center staff can help you choose rides to fit your time and ability.

Off-highway vehicles are permitted within the Monument on designated roads. Cross-country travel is prohibited and OHVs are not permitted on hiking trails. Check at a visitor center for maps and information before riding.

Visitor Centers

Carl Hayden Visitor Center

Page, AZ, Summer hours 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (call for days); Winter hours (Nov – Feb) daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Rest of the year daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. (928) 608-6404. Tour of the Dam (928) 608-6072

Bullfrog Visitor Center

Bullfrog, UT, Open intermittently beginning in May. Call ahead for exact times. (435) 684-7423

Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center

Near Lees Ferry Open daily mid-April  to mid-October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends only, early April and November, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(928) 355-2319

Hall’s Crossing

(435) 684-7400

Fees/Season 

The Glen Canyon Recreational Area is open year-round and entrance is only $15 for one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers and is good for seven days.

* Interagency Annual Passes & Interagency Lifetime Passes are honored at all National Parks, National Monuments, & Federal Recreation Sites.

Elevation

3,652 feet

Distance from Cedar City

151.77 Miles east on Hwy U-89

Camping

With one of the largest shorelines there are several primitive camping no fee options available as well as several developed camping areas. For a list of campsites visit www.nps.gov/glca

Additional Services

Hotel rooms inside Glen Canyon Recreation Area on the lake are available at Wahweap and Bullfrog. To make lodging reservations at Wahweap or Bullfrog (800) 528-6154. There are also numerous motels in Page, Arizona.

More Info

Canyon National Recreation Area Park Headquarters

(928) 608-6208
www.nps.gov/glca

Distance is 5.4 miles. Allow approximately 4 hours. Not for anyone fearful of heights or young children. Last section is a route along a steep, narrow ridge to the summit.

Lower Pool Trail distance is 1.2 miles. Allow approximately 1 hour. Minor drop-offs. Paved trail leads to the Lower Emerald Pool and waterfalls. Connects to the Middle Emerald Pools Trail. Easy.

Middle Pools Trail distance is 2 miles. Allow approximately 2 hours. Long drop-offs. An unpaved climb to the Middle Emerald Pools. Loose sand and rocks on stone are slippery.

Moderate Upper Pool Trail distance is 1 mile. Allow approximately 1 hour. Minor drop-offs. A sandy and rocky trail that climbs to the Upper Emerald Pool at the base of a cliff. Moderate.

This is the ONLY trail that leashed pets may be walked on. Paved trail follows the Virgin River from the South Campground to Canyon Junction. Distance is 3.5 miles. Allow approximately 2 hours. Easy.

Short, but steep. Distance is 0.4 miles. Allow approximately 0.5 hours. Minor drop-offs. Paved trail ends at a rock alcove with dripping springs. Trailside exhibits. Easy.

From April through October, the six-mile upper Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible by National Park Service Shuttle. Private vehicles are not permitted in the canyon during this time. All other park roads including the Zion/Mt. Carmel Route U-9 connecting Springdale to US Hwy 89 are open to private vehicles all year. The park shuttle is free with the entrance fee and operates from early morning until late evening. Shuttles are wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed on the shuttle.

The horseback riding season is generally the second week in March to early November. Join wrangler-led 1-hour and half-day trip horse rides following the Virgin River to the Court of the Patriarchs. Longer rides to the Sandbench Trail, gradually ascending 500 feet, give spectacular views of the southern end of Zion National Park. For more information and same-day reservations, contact Canyon Trail Rides (435) 679-8665.

Visitor Center

Open everyday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Spring, Fall and Winter hours are shortened.

*The Visitor Center is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Fees/Season

Zion National Park is open all year, with the peak season being April-October. A 7-day pass into the park is $35 which includes entrance into Kolob Canyons and all of Zion National Park including the Main Canyon.

* Interagency Annual Passes & Interagency Lifetime Passes are honored at all National Parks, National Monuments, & Federal Recreation Sites.

Elevation

3,600 to 8,700 feet.

Distance from Cedar City

69 Miles south off Hwy U-9

Camping

South Campground is open March to November. Advance Reservations Only, available at www.recreation.gov.

Watchman Campground is open all year. Most sites are on a first come, first served basis. A few sites are available by advance reservation at www.recreation.gov.

Zion Canyon Shuttle 

April through October, the six mile upper Zion Canyon is only accessible by National Park Service Shuttle. Private vehicles are not permitted in the canyon during this time. All other park roads including the Zion/Mt Carmel Route U-9 connecting Springdale to US Hwy 89 are open to private vehicles all year. The park shuttle is free with the park entrance fee and operates from early morning until late evening, making visitation in the canyon convenient and accessible. Shuttles are specially equipped for wheelchairs. Pets are not allowed on the shuttle.

Large Vehicle Restrictions for  Zion Tunnel

Vehicles sized 7’10” in width or 11’4” in height and/or larger are required to schedule access through the Zion/Mt Carmel tunnel. Pay fee at either park entrance before proceeding through tunnel or call (435) 772-3256. Prohibited vehicles include anything over 13’1” tall, semi-trucks, vehicles over 40’ long, and bicycles.

More Info

Zion National Park Service
(435) 772-3256
www.nps.gov/zion