Zion Wilderness
Located in Washington, Iron, and Kane Counties in Southwestern Utah, the Zion Wilderness encompasses some of the most scenic canyon country in the United States. The Wilderness is part of Zion National Park and is characterized by high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep sandstone canyons and striking rock towers and mesas. The area is a showcase of geology. Geologic processes have played an important role in shaping Zion. The arid climate and sparse vegetation allow the exposure of large expanses of bare rock and reveal the park’s geologic history. Everything in Zion takes life from the Virgin River's scarce desert waters. Water flows and solid rock melts into cliffs and towers.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | National Park Service |
| State | Utah |
| Size | 124,406 acres |
| Designated | 2009, by Congress |
| Center point | 37.30° N, 113.03° W |
| Night sky | Very dark ground, a faint glow at most (Black Marble reading 24) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 4 federal campgrounds within ten miles sit inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMiners Peak Rx
15 mi from the center point
- PrescribedBumblebee South Rx
17 mi from the center point
- PrescribedNorth Fork Rx
19 mi from the center point
- PrescribedHarmony Ranch Community Rx
21 mi from the center point
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- under 0.1 miCable Mountain Draw Works ↗Springdale, UT
- under 0.1 miCanyon Overlook Trail ↗Springdale, UT
- under 0.1 miCrawford Irrigation Canal ↗Springdale, UT
- under 0.1 miEast Rim Trail ↗Springdale, UT
- under 0.1 miGateway to the Narrows Trail ↗Springdale, UT
- under 0.1 miGrotto Camping Ground North Comfort Station ↗Springdale, UT
- under 0.1 miGrotto Camping Ground South Comfort Station ↗Springdale, UT
- under 0.1 miHidden Canyon Trail ↗Springdale, UT
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Utah
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Zion Wilderness?
124,406 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Zion Wilderness?
The National Park Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Zion Wilderness in?
Utah.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Zion Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 2009.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Zion Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Zion Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 37.304° N, 113.034° W. Zion National Park is adjacent. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Zion Wilderness right now?
4 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Miners Peak Rx at 15 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national parks are near Zion Wilderness?
Zion National Park (adjacent), Cedar Breaks National Monument (19 mi) and Pipe Spring National Monument (21 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Zion Wilderness?
The National Register has 52 listings within 15 miles, including Cable Mountain Draw Works and Canyon Overlook Trail.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.