Desert Lowlands hikes can be particularly hot during the summer, which is why hikers choose to hike this section during winter. The Southwest Springdale and North, or Route-9, is a very dry and hot section of ZNP. It is considered to be isolated by many hikers, though they drive to and from the main canyon, they ignore this part of the canyon completely.

The lower altitude of the desert is pleasant and has subtle views only during the winter months, but numerous washes are worth of exploring in this isolated section of the ZNP.  South of Rockville and beyond ZNP in the BLM land, trails to the Canaan Mountain and Eagle Crags offer outstanding backpacking and isolated hiking experiences.

Rated as a moderately strenuous backpacking or a day hike, hikers experience several hiking possibilities in the desert section of ZNP. One of the official trails is the Chinle Trail. The trail starts at “Anasazi Plateau” (a residential area), which then leads to the northwest Rockville Bench and then into the National Park itself.  The trail is approximately 7 miles, crossing over several washes of the region and a petrified forest. The washes include Huber Wash, Coalpits Wash and Scoggins Wash. Remember, the trail gets extremely hot during the summer months. This trail offers several opportunities to hikers to get away from their routine experiences.

Considered as a fairly strenuous trail, Crater Hill can also be an alternative start to explore the desert section of the Zion National Park through a collaring Dalton Wash Road towards the west of Coalpits Wash.  Crater Hill trailhead begins at Western Park border to the north Carter Hill and it provides easy access to the Upper Coalpits Wash.  This section gets very hot and due to it’s barren landscape, and may look unappeased, especially during the summer months.

Towards the South Springdale, you may have observed the jagged rock structures of the Eagle Crags intimidating in the distance.  It is located in the BLM land of south Rockville. It is considered as an easy half-day trail that loomed and rounded the east Vermillion Cliffs ending at the striking Eagle Crags structures.  The surroundings offer great views all along the north Zion Canyon to the east Parunuweap canyon.

This strenuous trail is located on BLM land at the Arizona borders in south Zion National Park; it is accessible from the isolated town of Hildale. Water Canyon is a gorgeous little sanctuary located in the middle of the desert.  Similar to the Subway, Water Canyon is a narrow canyon with a quick trail that leads to the Westside of the water canyon to follow the mountains above.  Once you’ve crossed the canyon and proceeded to the Canaan Mountains your expectations will be met with an amazing hiking experience.

The La Verkin Overlook trail, rated as a fairly strenuous trail, is approximately a 19 mile trail. The trail starts at the West part ZNP, using Route-9 to go through the adjacent towns of La Verkin and Hurricane and climb down the Hurricane Cliffs structures to the east.  It is an older, short, trail on BLM terrain leading to the cliff edges offering spectacular views down into an inspiring section of canyon by the Virgin River that flows in the below the towns.  The La Verkin Overlook is not a popular hike among hikers; most choose the trial to explore the surroundings.

The above mentioned trails are the best of the Desert Lowland trails in the Zion Desserts. The best time to visit these trails is during the winter season. It is advisable not to visit these sections in summer months as the summer is extremely hot, and it’s not easy to hike on hot summer days.  Most of these trails are exciting but few of them are not target hikes and may be boring for certain age groups. Before you start your trip make sure to gather all information about each trial and choose the right one for your hiking trip.