Zion Wilderness Area

Zion Wilderness Area spans over 124,000 acres of federally protected backcountry in Utah, managed by the National Park Service as a primitive, non-motorized landscape. The wilderness offers a remote setting for those seeking solitude and untracked terrain away from developed facilities and roads.

Hiking and backpacking are the primary ways to experience the area. All travel is on foot; no motorized vehicles, bicycles, or mechanized equipment are permitted. Visitors must practice Leave No Trace principles—packing out all waste, camping only in designated areas where allowed, and minimizing impact on the landscape.

Access requires self-reliance and route-finding skills, as this is true backcountry without maintained trail infrastructure in many zones. The best season is typically spring through early fall, though weather and water availability vary by elevation and location. Plan ahead: permits, regulations, and current conditions should be verified with the National Park Service before you go.