REFERENCE GUIDE

Zion Traverse

Lee Pass → Hop Valley → West Rim → The Grotto. 36.4-mile reference route with a sample itinerary, season guidance, water and logistics to review.

Reference distance
36.4 mi
Sample itinerary
1 day
Planning season
Spring & fall

Content updated · Reference sources reviewed

Route overview

Lee Pass → Hop Valley → West Rim → The Grotto

Cross the western park from Kolob country to Zion Canyon. This variant finishes at The Grotto rather than continuing across the East Rim.

Utah · USA. Reference route distance: 36.4 miles. Sample itinerary: 1 day with 10.5 assumed moving hours.

NPS-based bundled route. Stop mileages come from that geometry. The 10½-hour moving budget and breaks are editable example assumptions.

Sources, dates and assumptions

Reference sources reviewed: 2026-09-24. Guidance reviewed: 2026-10-05.

Saved route provenance reviewed: 2026-09-24. Existing NPS-derived example route. Terrain: SRTM 90 m via Open Topo Data. Not current access clearance.

Reference review dates describe the catalog sources. An edited copy needs its own route review. Dates do not establish current access.

This reference summary includes no trip-date weather. Check the dated forecast separately.

Moving hours, breaks, daylight times, water rates and alternatives are planning inputs. Calculated arrivals are estimates.

The app has not verified current fire, smoke, closures, trail access, permits, water availability or transport.

Preparation and refill confirmations are owner reports for this itinerary, not independent verification.

Owner approval saves the chosen plan or change. It does not verify terrain, current access, conditions or readiness.

When to plan this route

Planning season: Spring & fall.

Cooler shoulder seasons avoid the strongest canyon heat. The high West Rim can still hold spring snow; check the whole traverse, not just Zion Canyon.

Seasonal guidance does not establish current trail access. Confirm conditions for your dates with the linked source.

Stops and proposed itinerary

Stop mileages and sample schedules are planning references. Verify approximate locations against your chosen track. Camps and water candidates are unconfirmed.

  • Lee Pass trailhead · 0.0 mi. Start with the group together and water packed.
  • Hop Valley · 13.1 mi · water to verify. Check access and water arrangements here before relying on a refill.
  • West Rim trailhead · 22.0 mi · water to verify. Regroup before the final descent. Arrange any road support in advance.
  • The Grotto · 36.4 mi. Meet your pickup or confirm the canyon shuttle connection.

Terrain skills, exposure and practical exits

Review uneven trail footing, navigation at junctions and the long descent.

Review heat, wind and fall consequences on the chosen trail sections.

Study Hop Valley and West Rim access; a road connection needs arranged pickup.

Editorial planning prompts from the reference itinerary and linked guidance; not a technical grade or current access check. Guidance reviewed 2026-10-05.

Respect this place

Review shuttle and trail access rules; check water and waste arrangements for the western park.

Check current rules with the route’s land manager.

  • Follow local access rules and closures; check tribal boundaries and permissions.
  • Pass courteously, announce your presence and follow posted yielding rules. Give uphill users room; ask stock riders where to move.
  • Use established trails and durable surfaces; avoid shortcuts and widening trails. Follow local wet-trail restrictions.
  • Pack out litter, small packaging and food scraps. Check local human-waste requirements; clean up after permitted pets.
  • Keep noise down, give wildlife space and protect water sources.

Water planning

Potential refill stops need confirmation for your date. The template does not mark any source as dependable.

Transport and logistics

Arrange transport between Lee Pass and The Grotto before starting; the trailheads are in different parts of the park.

Decisions and current conditions

At Hop Valley and West Rim, reassess time, water and the group. Road access is a planned pickup option only if transport is arranged.

Check Zion trail closures, spring reports, heat and shuttle operations. No live weather or access clearance is included.

Reference sources reviewed: 2026-09-24. This is dated planning context; consult the linked agencies for updates.

Packing to review

The starter list needs adapting to your route, season and group. Check the interactive guide for item-level reasoning and provenance.

  • Water containers and treatment
  • Weather shell
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Headlamp
  • Spare battery
  • Phone with offline route
  • Paper map and compass
  • Food for the full trip
  • Satellite communicator
  • Warm layer

Sources and further reading