Waterfalls in Paradise - Exploring Zion's Backcountry

There are many beautiful waterfalls in Zion National Park, but most visitors never see them because many are in rugged backcountry areas away from Zion Canyon. For the past several year's I've been hiking to and photographing the waterfalls, an interesting hobby that has taken me into beautiful areas far from established roads and trails.

We're now entering my favorite season to hike and explore Zion. The next few weeks will be ideal because crowds are down and temperatures are mild. Days will be warm but not brutally hot. Nights will be pleasantly cool. It is still warm enough to hike in the water, in The Narrows for example, and we are coming into the best season to do dry hikes where you are exposed to the sun. Zion is paradise during the fall.

Last Saturday I added to my collection by hiking the Right Fork of North Creek, where I photographed two spectacular waterfalls. We hiked all day in solitude, not seeing other humans until near the end of the day as we hiked out. We gladly made the long, strenuous hike to enjoy the park's beauty and serenity without distraction.

Zion's backcountry is beautiful but also harsh and demanding. Some of the world's great technical canyoneering routes are found here, in canyons where you have to use ropes and specialized gear to rappel down waterfalls, swim through potholes and scramble over boulders. Whenever you go into the Zion backcountry you need reliable information to make sure you have the equipment and skills necessary for your intended route. You will find yourself in serious danger if you get into a technical canyon and you don't have the necessary knowledge or gear.

The rangers in the visitors' centers are great resources for information about backcountry areas. Guidebooks and maps can also provide valuable details.

Group tours bring people to many of the park's most popular spots, but guides cannot take people through technical canyons in Zion's backcountry. However, guides can take visitors on adventure hikes outside the park over routes that compare with the best found anywhere. Some companies teach canyoneering skills and provide equipment you can use to explore Zion's backcountry on your own.

Red Mountain Resort & Spa is perhaps the most successful and progressive company taking people on adventures in the Zion area. Red Mountain is located in St George and it provides just the right mix of luxury and challenging adventure. It is famous for its deluxe accommodations, health and fitness activities and adventure treks.

Red Mountain's backyard extends out to scenic Snow Canyon Utah State Park. The company offers walking, jogging, hiking, swimming, biking and golf packages that take people to the best spots throughout the Zion/St George area.

So, where are my favorite waterfalls? There are so many in Zion, it's hard to choose. Ok, I'll divulge secrets. My favorites are on North Creek, in the Kolob Terrace section of the park. Hike through The Subway and you'll climb down a half dozen scenic waterfalls. The area just above and below the famous Subway feature is incredible beautiful.

Double Falls, on the Right Fork of North Creek, is gorgeous. If you continue a ways past Double Falls you can also see beautiful Barrier Falls. That canyon is not technical, but it is a long, hard out-and-back hike.

Kanarra Creek, just outside park boundaries, is a favorite spot with two great waterfalls that are easy to reach.

In Zion Canyon, a beautiful and little-know waterfall is easily accessible on lower Pine Creek. Just park at the bridge at the bottom of the Hwy 9 switchbacks, below the tunnel, and then hike up the stream.

If you hike far into The Narrows you'll see the Mystery Canyon waterfall. You may see canyoneers rappelling down its face after completing the popular technical slot above.

Hike a bit farther into The Narrows and you'll come to the mouth of Orderville Gulch. Hike into Orderville and you'll soon come to a scenic waterfall.

I've written about many of these hikes. To see descriptions, go to our main Zion hiking page and click on the various links.

How many waterfalls are there in Zion Park? That depends on how you define a waterfall. Is Weeping Rock a waterfall? If water falls over a three-foot ledge, is it a waterfall? I vote yes on both. If you accept that definition, there are hundreds of waterfalls in the park. I haven't photographed all of them, but I'm working on it.

- Dave Webb

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