Right Fork (from the bottom), Zion National Park

Double Falls, along the Right Fork

LOGISTICS
Rating	Moderately strenuous hike
Preferred Season	Spring, summer, fall
Length	5.3 rugged miles (8.5 km) each way
Time Commitment	8 to 12 hours, or overnight
Altitude Gain	1000 feet (300 m)
Shade	Most of the hike is in the full sun.
Access	Starts and finishes at Right Fork Trailhead, on the Kolob Terrace Road
Permit Required?	Only if you are backpacking in and staying overnight
Emergency	Zion Wilderness Desk: 435-772-0170 Zion EMERGENCY: 435-772-3322
EQUIPMENT
Essentials	Sturdy hiking shoes, ample water and food for a full-day hike
Drinking Water	Water is available to purify, as the trail follows the creek. Bring at least two liter bottle anyway, and start with them full.
DIFFICULTIES
Flash Flood Risk	Low - There are no sections of sustained narrows.  Crossing North Creek to get back to the car could be impossible in flood conditions.

 

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS

Spring - Expect higher and colder water flowing during spring runoff, when crossings may be deeper. Neoprene socks are nice if getting feet wet (likely).

Summer - HOT! Leave early to avoid the heat and be aware the hike out is in full sun. The first couple miles from the trailhead are especially exposed, with very little shade.

Fall - the BEST time to hike this route, with great fall photography along the creek bed.

Winter - Possible snowpack and ice along the waterfalls. Use caution and check current conditions at the Zion Wilderness Desk.

Backpackers hike through the burned-out section of the trail.Getting There

From Springdale, drive south and west 14 miles to the town of Virgin.  At the top of the first hill, turn right onto the Kolob Terrace Road (KTR) road. The paved KTR road winds through a neighborhood, cruises through the pastures along North Creek, then climbs a dramatic ridge in making its way to Kolob Terrace.

Six and a half miles from Virgin, the road enters the park and three trailheads are soon encountered; Right Fork is the first one you'll reach, on the right. Park at the Right Fork Trailhead, 7.0 miles from the town of Virgin. The trailhead is not shown on many maps, but is close to the Bench Mark labeled BM 4501. Driving time from Springdale is 25 - 30 minutes.

It's easy to beat the heat under the waterfalls of Right Fork.The Hike

From the Trailhead, follow the trail southeast through the blackened Pinon-Juniper ghost forest to the rim of the canyon. The map does not show the steepness of the rim. Carefully descend the trail through lava cliffs and down to the stream. Make a careful mental note of where the trail cuts back up to the rim, as it can be hard to find at the end of the day, and getting back to the rim without the trail is dangerous. Turn left (upstream, northeast) at the stream and proceed upcanyon ¼ mile (400 m). The stream forks – take the right fork east into the wide canyon.

Rugged hiking in the streambed for several hours leads to the best part of the canyon. As the canyon narrows, a double-waterfall jetting into a pool is found. This is Double Falls. A trail on the right cuts around the falls, and allows access to the next waterfall, then to the falls above that one – Barrier Falls. Getting past Barrier Falls requires technical rock climbing on bad rock and is not recommended.

Return the way you came.

PDF Canyon Guide A printable canyon description and map you can take with you.

Zion: Canyoneering Have all Zion's classic canyons in one convenient book.

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Zion: Kolob Terrace Area Map	Detailed Route Maps Click on any map to browse a larger view, then right-click to save and print.
The Subway Area Driving Map	Kolob Terrace: Right Fork - Middle

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Deluxe Maps Deluxe maps are available in two formats: • 1 Mb files in the Map Download Center, designed for printing on 11" x 17" paper  • Canyoneering Maps for Purchase in the Canyoneering USA Store. Printed maps are 13" x 19", nicely presented on 24 lb. white paper.

Zion: Kolob, Boundary and Oak