Zion's East Side
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Zion's East Side
Slot canyons, hidden trails, fossilized dunes, domes, valleys, statues of sandstone, creeks and fun rock rimmed swimming holes fill the east side of Zion National Park. Most of the names given in Zion were done before the tunnel was built, and pioneers could not get to the east side, thus little is named there. The vertically and horizontally striated, Checkerboard Mesa is one of the few exceptions. Rock freezes and thaws, gradually causing the visible furrows. This crossbedding can be seen in other areas of the park, such as Hidden Gardens and the East Rim Trail. A route, taken by adventurous hikers and climbers, leads up to the top of Checkerboard Mesa where the view of the slickrock is amazing. Checkerboard Arch can be seen by taking a route to the backside of the mountain. The arch is not actually on Checkerboard,
but instead runs along both sides of the mountain.
Zion National Park Lodging
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Plan your trip with our "Canyon Country"
Vacation Itinerary
Little known hikes and backpacks, as well as famous trails dot the landscape on the east side of Zion National Park. Gems on the east side of the park include: Many Pools, Two Pines Arch, Jug Handle Arch, Shelf Canyon, Checkerboard Arch, Hidden Gardens, Hidden Arch, Progeny Peak, Two Pines Arch, Clear Creek, Gifford Canyon, Spry Canyon, East Temple, Mountain of the Sun, Cockeye Falls, Orderville Canyon and perhaps the most magnificent hike in the national park system, Zion Narrows. Zion Narrows begins on the east side of the park and meanders through a magnificent slot canyon to the Temple of Sinewava in Zion Canyon. Also on the east side of the park is Parunuweap Canyon, which is similar to Zion Narrows, but the hike is in a remote and wild section of Zion before wandering into BLM land. Many Pools is an enjoyable hike in the spring and fall and after it has rained in the summer. The pools spill over with water after the rain and add to the charm. Two Pines Arch, Hidden Arch, Checkerboard Arch and Jug Handle Arch routes are fun adventures to some of Zion's rare freestanding arches. Hidden Gardens and Shelf Canyon are wonderful slot canyons that almost anyone can enjoy.
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East Side of Zion
Clear Creek - Although the skies of the Southwest are usually blue and free of rain clouds, the occasional thunderstorms bring magnificent waterfalls to the east side of Zion National Park. Although this creek is usually dry, it can rain so hard that the rain is only slightly absorbed, the rest runs off the sandstone and into Clear Creek and other drainage areas.
Pine Creek Waterfall - The trailhead is between the south side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel and Canyon Junction. From Canyon Junction drive a half-mile and park on the bridge. This is not a marked trailhead but you will see the well treaded path down the hill. Follow the creek upstream to a charming waterfall.
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Zion National Park Vacation: Canyon Country
Private vehicles can travel Highway 9, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, through the east side of the park year-round. Oversized Vehicle Information
From April until October the only access to the Scenic Drive is via shuttle. From October until April private vehicles can travel the Scenic Drive.
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 Nature Notes
Long ago, ancient storms roared, carving and molding the rock on the east side of Zion. This slickrock is often referred to as petrified sand dunes, forming structures that look like dunes of sand frozen in time. Checkerboard Mesa is host to some of the most unusual patterns anywhere. The unique crossbedding is a web of vertical grooves that were formed by the freeze and thaw cycle. The horizontal layers were layers of sand that were laid down by wind millions of years ago.
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