Zion Wilderness

Congress designated Zion Wilderness as part of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009. There are 124,406 acres in Zion Wilderness divided into three sections by existing roads. In the northwest is the Kolob Canyons region. On the northwest side of that the Kolob Fingers Road Scenic Byway is tunneled into the wilderness area for about 5 miles. The Kolob Canyons section is separated from the central portion of Zion Wilderness by the Kolob Reservoir Road, a route that cuts directly across the heart of Zion National Park.

The central portion of Zion Wilderness is the largest portion and is separated from the southeast section of the wilderness by Utah Route 9 (also known as the Zion Park Scenic Byway). The central portion also has about 7 miles of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive tunneled into the heart of the wilderness along the North Fork of the Virgin River.

As the map below indicates, Zion Wilderness is bordered in several places by different Bureau of Land Management wilderness areas. There are hiking and horseback riding trails all through Zion Wilderness. Camping is allowed but only in designated sites and the wilderness is a busy area in the spring, summer and fall. Some sites can be reserved but most are walk-up only (meaning: first come, first served). You don't need a permit for day hiking but you do if you're staying overnight.