Secret Petroglyphs Canyon Zion National Park
There are multiple petroglyph sites in Zion National Park, and these ones just happen to be within a few steps from the road! The beginning of the trail has a couple of...
Trail Facts
Overview
There are multiple petroglyph sites in Zion National Park, and these ones just happen to be within a few steps from the road! The beginning of the trail has a couple of different possible routes to follow, so take the one that suits your skill level. Your goal should be to head down to the sandy wash at the bottom of the hill. From there you will head up the wash, under the culvert under the road and into the canyon ahead. After walking in the wash for a few minutes, follow the trail to the left and check out the petroglyph sites (wooden fences sit in front of the sites to protect them). Please be respectful of these sites and help make them available for future generations! Remember that touching the rocks causes accelerated deterioration, so please do not touch. Enjoy the cool weather in the canyon and then head back to your vehicle!
Know Before You Go
Trail Map
Map of the route “Secret Petroglyphs Canyon Zion National Park”: 1,004 m, 170 m of climbing and 176 m of descent, elevation between 1,633 m and 1,672 m, time 00:51:51. It is a loop that starts and ends at 37.22465, -112.90915 (latitude, longitude).
Getting There
From St. George: 55 Miles (1 hour 15 minutes driving)
Directions to Trailhead. From St George, head north on I-15 for about 18 miles and take exit 27 to Toquerville. Turn right on UT-17 and follow it for 6 miles. Turn left onto UT-9 and follow it for approximately 20 miles until you come to the park entrance. This hike is not accessible by shuttle, so do not attempt to park in shuttle parking lot. Continue driving up Hwy 9 for another 8.6 miles. You will pass through the long tunnel, and then through the shorter tunnel on the east side of Zion Wilderness. 1.3 miles outside the second tunnel you will see parking on the right next to a wooden fence (the only wooden fence on the east side). This is the trailhead. Park and begin your adventure! (Note: there is room for about 5-6 cars to park, so please be courteous when parking as to allow others to park as well.)
Trailhead GPS: 37.221873, -112.914796
Trail Report
Information Coming
What a great hike; I was fun to go a little off trail to the east where there was another slot canyon We were the only ones we saw on this trail. The many different rock formations on this simple hike were amazing and petroglyphs made the adventure even better. I’ve been hiking around Southern Utah and was surprised there were petroglyphs in Zion
Is there space for a motor coach to park?
It depends on the time of day you hit it. There can be a build up of cars, so it just depends.
Short hike from the road with just amazing history. The petroglyphs were so interesting and our family spent quite a bit of time just wondering out loud about the stories being told from so long ago. Easy to find the parking area and get to the canyon floor. It was eerily quiet. You couldn’t hear any traffic, just the wind. Thank you for the great information on how to find it. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
Thanks so much, Tim!
Can you tell me the best driving directions from Springdale? Also, can I access Kolob canyon from that same road? Thanks!
From Springdale, head north on Hwy 9 toward Zion National Park for about 9 miles. Once you get to the ranger toll booth, it is 8.2 miles up the road. Continue to follow Hwy 9, and do not turn off to go up Zion Canyon Rd. Go up the switchbacks and you will pass through the long tunnel, and then through the shorter tunnel on the east side of Zion Wilderness. 1.3 miles outside the second tunnel you will see parking on the right next to a wooden fence (the only wooden fence on the east side). This is the trailhead. Park and begin your adventure!
Kolob Canyons is not accessible from this road. Here is a link to the directions from Springdale to Kolob Canyons https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Springdale,+UT/Kolob+Canyons+Visitor+Center,+East+Kolob+Canyon+Road,+New+Harmony,+UT/@37.3072458,-113.2918958,42389m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ca8d360b511ef1:0xd9b264a5aeb7087a!2m2!1d-112.9985515!2d37.1888713!1m5!1m1!1s0x80cac365ee7f9e2f:0x767921dda6f5265b!2m2!1d-113.2253932!2d37.453424. Good luck and have a great time!
Thanks so much, Tim!
Is there a GPS address to enter into Google maps?
37.221873, -112.914796