Zion Basecamp Tour

• Shuttle to trailhead: 1.5-hour drive from St. George, Utah
• Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 610 feet

On this Utah hiking adventure we start the first day with pick up in St George and shuttle to Snow Canyon State Park. Like a mini Zion, Snow Canyon (named after the man, not the precipitation) is in the same Navajo Sandstone layer as Zion, and cuts impressive walls from the lava-covered country above the rim through the slickrock country below. We will have a break for breakfast in the lower canyon, and continue along to the rim to start our hike from the bleached white rock cap through the red rocks and down to the base of the canyon. Along the way we’ll visit (and perhaps explore) young lava tubes and get a great introduction to canyon country. We’ll eat lunch on the trail. Our vehicle is shuttled to the bottom of the canyon; from there, it’s a 1 hr drive to Zion, while we’ll setup camp and cook dinner.

Please note: in the event of high water, the Virgin River Narrows hike will be rerouted to a different trail in Zion. The Park is full of unforgettable hiking and scenery, so it’s easy to find an excellent substitute. To learn how seasonal river flows can affect your hike of the Virgin River Narrows, please review this article.

• Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 60 feet

Our second day’s hike is arguably the most iconographic in Zion — the Virgin River Narrows. Our hike starts with a stroll down the paved River Trail. Buttressed by water on our left and a 3,000-foot cliff face on the right, the River Trail gives us an up-close appreciation for the powerful hydrological forces that carved this incredible canyon.

After a mile of walking along hanging gardens and under the dappled shade of majestic cottonwoods, the sidewalk ends. Wearing seasonally appropriate water gear, we’ll enter the river. Hiking in moving water can be a new and exciting experience for many. We’ll take time to get our “stream legs” before walking another 1.5 miles upriver to our turnaround point at Orderville Canyon.

Before descending back downstream, we’ll be certain to get a few more photos of the Narrows’ majestic beauty and, of course, stop-off for a relaxing shoreline lunch before returning to the trailhead.

Please note: in the event of high water, the Virgin River Narrows hike will be rerouted to a different trail in Zion. The Park is full of unforgettable hiking and scenery, so it’s easy to find an excellent substitute. To learn how seasonal river flows can affect your hike of the Virgin River Narrows, please review this article.

• Hiking Mileage: 8-11 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1200-1700 feet
• Shuttle to St. George

This final morning, we’ll eat breakfast, breakdown camp, and embark on an exciting exploration of Zion Canyon. Beginning our day’s hike near the Park Visitors Center, we’ll enjoy the start of the morning in relative solitude with a lesser-traveled hike through the lower canyon.

After a quick break, we’ll board the Zion shuttle bus and travel up-canyon to our next trailhead. Here, we’ll hike up to Scout Lookout where we’ll relish in stimulating views of the surrounding canyon system. From our vantage point above the canyon floor, we’ll traverse along the canyon walls on well maintained trails to the Emerald Pools complex where we’ll marvel at the majestic pools before descending to the lawn of the historic Zion Lodge for a late lunch and a quick respite.

Our bellies content and our spirits filled, we’ll head back to St. George, where we’ll say our goodbyes and start scheming about our next adventure!