STATISTICS AT-A-GLANCE

• HIKE NAME: Petroglyph Pools

• DISTANCE: 1.2 miles RT including the slot or 0.6 miles RT to Petroglyphs and back

• ELEVATION GAIN: 180 feet

• RESTROOMS: No

• DOG FRIENDLY: No

• PERMIT: No

• FEE: Yes, $35 National Park Entrance Fee OR covered under your America the Beautiful Pass // Fee information HERE

• VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: 2wd, parking off the pavement of the highway through Zion

• TRAILHEAD COORDINATES: 37.224850, -112.909256

• MAP PROVIDED IN WEBSITE: Yes, Gaia GPX - this is my personal trek and have marked the petroglyphs and all important trail markers to get you to the slot

This trail is such a hidden gem (ugh I hate saying hidden gem but it really is) and one not publicized heavily by the park due to the sensitive nature. Its not well defined or well-marked but these are the best kind of adventures if you ask me.

All links can be opened within the Gaia app to see exact coordinates

The beginning of the trail has a couple of different possible routes to follow, so take the one that suits your skill level. Your goal should be to head down to the sandy wash at the bottom of the hill. From there you will head up the wash, under the culvert under the road and into the canyon ahead. After walking in the wash for a few minutes, follow the trail to the left and check out the petroglyph sites (wooden fences sit in front of the sites to protect them). There are TWO separate petroglyph sites Site 1 and Site 2. Both of these will be on your left around 0.2 miles from the TH.

After you re-enter the wash from the petroglyphs, look for a trail that leads up and to your right. This is STEEP depending on the route you take. The side trail will be HERE and will take you up a steep slick rock slab — you’ll see a tree on the left — stick to that if you can.

After you find yourself up and over the first slab, you’ll see what they call the pools. Keep on going after this. You’ll see a wash and slot like canyon on your left you’ll be tempted to take — but that’s not the way. You'll see I made this mistake in my recording. Instead, you’ll take a right turn HERE and follow the social, sandy trail.

You will be tempted to stay low, but do not — stay high and to the right and you’ll see the Entrance to Slot.

When you reach the end of the trail, there is a slot canyon you can climb through for several hundred feet. Turn around and exit the same way you entered.