Trails & Hikes · Southwest Desert
Chinle Trail
A remote, one-way desert traverse through the park's low-elevation southwest corner near Rockville, threading pinyon pine and juniper with open views of the West Temple and Mount Kinesava. 11.7 miles one-way, no permit, and a stark, quiet contrast to Zion Canyon.
Overview
The Chinle Trail sits apart from the rest of Zion's hiking - a low-elevation stretch of desert in the park's southwest corner, near Rockville, well removed from Zion Canyon and its crowds. Where the main canyon trails climb sandstone walls toward the Virgin River, the Chinle Trail runs the other direction entirely: a long, mostly gentle traverse through open pinyon-juniper woodland with sweeping desert views rather than a single dramatic destination.
At 11.7 miles one-way with only about 600 feet of elevation gain, it is a long walk more than a hard one. The distance, not the grade, is what makes this a full-day undertaking. Along the way the trail opens up to views of the West Temple and Mount Kinesava, the same peaks that anchor the skyline above Zion Canyon, seen here from a quieter angle across the desert flats.
The Chinle Trail also connects to Coalpits Wash, another southwest desert route, which makes it possible to link the two into a longer outing for hikers comfortable with route planning and a car shuttle.
The Route
The Chinle Trail runs one-way through the southwest desert, and most hikers do not walk the whole 11.7 miles as an out-and-back - doubling that distance makes for a very long day. The more common approach is to walk in from the trailhead as far as your time and water allow, taking in the pinyon-juniper woodland and the desert views, then turn around and retrace your steps. Hikers who want the full traverse arrange a shuttle or a second car at the far end instead.
Because it connects to Coalpits Wash, some hikers use the Chinle Trail as one leg of a longer southwest desert route rather than a hike in isolation. Either way, this is open desert walking rather than a canyon trail - expect wide sky, low scrub and woodland, and a trail surface that varies with recent weather.
What to Bring
- More water than you think you need - this is a long desert traverse with little to no shade for much of its length, and there is no reliable water source along the way.
- Sun protection - a hat, sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing matter on a hike this exposed and this long.
- Sturdy footwear - the trail surface is natural desert ground that turns muddy when wet, so trail shoes or boots with good grip are worth having.
- A plan for the one-way distance - decide before you start whether you are doing an out-and-back to a turnaround point or the full one-way traverse with a shuttle waiting.
Best Time to Go
Spring is the best season for the Chinle Trail, when temperatures are milder and desert wildflowers bloom across the pinyon-juniper flats. Summer heat out here is extreme, and with so little shade along the route, a midsummer hike of any real distance is a serious undertaking best avoided or shifted to the earliest possible start.
Because the trailhead sits outside Zion Canyon and away from the Zion Canyon shuttle route, this is a drive-yourself trail regardless of season - factor that into your planning along with the weather.
Safety
- Extreme summer heat - little shade and long exposure make this a poor choice for the hottest part of the day in the hottest months; carry more water than you would for a shorter canyon hike.
- Mud after rain - the trail becomes very muddy when wet, which can slow your pace significantly and make footing unpredictable; consider waiting a day or two after rain before heading out.
- Long, remote distance - at 11.7 miles one-way, this is a full-day commitment in a lightly visited part of the park; tell someone your plan and turnaround point before you start.
- No shuttle, no water source - you are on your own for transportation and hydration along the entire route, so plan both carefully.
Hiking Essentials
A daypack, walking stick, water, and light - the essentials for a Zion day out. Best of Zion earns from qualifying Amazon purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Chinle Trail FAQs
How hot does the Chinle Trail get, and when should I avoid it?
This is low desert country, and the trail is described as extremely hot in summer. There is little shade along the way, so a midsummer hike here means hours of full sun over open desert terrain. The trail is best hiked in spring, when temperatures are milder and wildflowers are blooming across the pinyon-juniper flats - avoid the peak of summer if you can choose your season.
Is the Chinle Trail a loop, or does it come back to the start?
It is one-way, not a loop - 11.7 miles from one end to the other. If you hike the full distance you need a second vehicle or a shuttle waiting at the far end, since walking back the way you came doubles the mileage to well over 20 miles. Most day hikers instead treat it as an out-and-back, walking in as far as they like and turning around, which is the simpler way to sample the trail without arranging a shuttle.
Is the Chinle trailhead inside the park's fee area?
Check current entrance-fee boundaries and trailhead access details at the NPS Southwest Desert page before you go - we have not confirmed whether this specific trailhead falls inside the fee area.
What does the trail's mud warning mean in practice?
The trail is very muddy when wet. This is unpaved desert soil, and a recent rain can turn stretches of it into a sticky, slow-going mess rather than a puddle you simply step around. If it has rained recently, give the trail a day or two to dry before heading out - both for your own pace and to avoid churning up a soft trail surface.