Here are some of the most useful resources I have found for learning more about hiking, backpacking, and canyoneering routes in Zion:
- Hiking Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks
2nd Edition (A Falcon Guide), Erik Molvar & Tamara Martin (2005), Globe Pequot Press. A great book with descriptions and maps of all of the standard hikes in Zion as well as many interesting backcountry routes. If you want to buy only one Zion hiking book, this is the one. (It doesn't cover any routes that require technical climbing or rappelling gear.)
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map
for Zion National Park. A map speaks almost as many words as a good photograph. Get yourself a copy to help find your way. Versions since 2005 also show a fair amount of the BLM land bordering the park. USGS topo maps are also useful when doing off-trail hiking as they give you much more detail.
- Exploring the Backcountry of Zion National Park: Off-Trail Routes
Thomas Brereton and James Dunaway (1996), Zion Natural History Association. A great little book that includes good information for several of the more difficult backcountry/backpacking routes, including the Right Fork of North Creek, Bridge Mountain, and lower Kolob Canyon. Note: Pre-1996 editions included info on the Barracks, the Beartrap Canyon Loop and Camp Creek; this info is now sadly missing. (Land access issues are sure to have influenced the removal.)
- Ron Kay's Guide to Zion National Park
Ron Kay (2002), Self-Published. One of the more recent homegrown publications from somebody who knows and loves Zion. Includes the official trails and off-trail hiking routes, including many interesting cracks in the East Canyon as well as a glossary of terms. Very cool! The only low point: Many descriptions are somewhat vague (especially the technical routes) and many of the included maps are too blurry to be of much use.
- Tom's Utah Canyoneering Guide website.
Emperor Tom Jones has a great site with a lot of detailed information and route maps for many technical canyoneering routes in Zion. Support his site by buying gear from his Canyoneering USA online store.
- Zion: Canyoneering
Tom Jones (2006), Canyoneering USA. Tom's eagerly-awaited canyoneering book featuring write-ups of many standard Zion canyoneering routes and a handful of relatively unknown canyons like Coral Hollow, Spearhead Canyon, Oak Creek, and Boundary Canyon. A great read for anybody who loves exploring Zion.
- Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau and
Technical Slot Canyon Guide to the Colorado Plateau.
Michael Kelsey (1999, 2003). Kelsey's quirky guidebooks have info on many of the backcountry and canyoneering routes in Zion and include unique hand-drawn diagrams and maps. Downsides: A few destructive techniques are mentioned, including bolting and using a geological pick to chip handholds in rock formations. The hand-drawn maps relay the "feel" of a canyon but should not be solely depended upon for navigation -- get yourself a real topo to supplement this information.
- Tanya and Bo's Zion Hiking website.
A good site with many hiking and canyoneering descriptions for Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks, and the surrounding areas. Includes a lot of photos.
- Shane's Climb-Utah website.
Shane Burrows, leader of the Dark Side, has a good site with info for many hiking and technical canyoneering routes around Utah. The only downside is that marny of the more interesting route descriptions are for annual "circle of friends" members only.
- The National Park Service's Zion Website.
The official NPS website for Zion doesn't actually have too much useful information on hikes, but it does have updated policies on backcountry reservations, permits/lotteries, fees, and other red tape that you have to wade through to do any technical canyoneering or backpacking routes.
- Zion Backcountry Desk Rangers
I hesitate to list backcountry desk rangers as a good resource because I and many people I know have had bad experiences -- from unfriendly attitudes to downright misinformation. Nonetheless, there really are knowledgeable rangers who can help you with route information and current conditions. Don't ever let one unhelpful or mistaken person discourage you!
