Trails & Hikes · Southwest Desert
Coalpits Wash
An easy, well-defined wash hike in the park's southwest desert near Rockville, following the drainage 3.6 miles one-way to Coalpits Spring with the option to keep going into Scoggins Wash. No permit, little shade, and a quiet alternative to the busier canyon trails.
Overview
Coalpits Wash is an easy, well-defined wash hike in Zion's southwest desert, near Rockville and well away from the crowds of Zion Canyon. It follows a drainage 3.6 miles one-way to Coalpits Spring, with the option to keep walking into Scoggins Wash if you want more distance. It is one of the gentler outings in this part of the park - easy grade, easy footing, and a genuinely quiet trail.
The destination, Coalpits Spring, gives the hike a natural turnaround point, but the route does not really end there for hikers who want to keep going. Past the first junction there is no formal trail - you simply follow the wash as far as time, water, and interest allow, which makes this a flexible, go-your-own-distance hike rather than a fixed out-and-back to a single feature.
This trail also connects to the longer Chinle Trail, another southwest desert route, for hikers interested in linking the two.
The Route
From the trailhead, the route follows the Coalpits Wash drainage, a well-defined path up to the first junction. This stretch is straightforward walking along the wash bottom with an easy grade and no technical terrain to navigate. Most hikers treat the 3.6 miles to Coalpits Spring as the goal and turn around there for a roughly 7.2-mile round trip.
Past the first junction, there is no formal trail - the route becomes a matter of following the drainage itself, whether that means continuing toward Coalpits Spring or pushing on into Scoggins Wash beyond it. Because it is unmarked past that point, pay attention to where you are relative to the junction so retracing your steps is straightforward on the way back.
What to Bring
- Plenty of water - there is little shade along the wash, and you should not count on Coalpits Spring for a refill.
- Sun protection - a hat and sunscreen matter on an exposed desert hike, even one this short and easy.
- Comfortable walking shoes - the wash bottom is natural, sandy, and uneven in places, though the grade itself is gentle.
- A sense of your turnaround point - since the route past the first junction is unmarked, know before you go whether you're stopping at Coalpits Spring or continuing farther.
Best Time to Go
Spring is the best season here, both for milder temperatures and for the desert coming alive after winter. With little shade along the route, summer heat makes this a much less comfortable hike, and an early start matters more than it might for a shorter shaded trail elsewhere in the park.
Like the rest of the southwest desert trails, this trailhead sits outside Zion Canyon and off the Zion Canyon shuttle route, so plan to drive yourself in regardless of the season.
Safety
- Route-finding past the first junction - there is no formal trail beyond it, so you are navigating by following the drainage rather than a marked path; keep track of landmarks for the return trip.
- Flash flood risk - this is a wash, a natural drainage channel, and washes can flood quickly during or after storms even if the storm itself is miles away. Check the forecast and avoid the wash during unsettled weather.
- Little shade, real heat - carry more water than you think you'll need, especially if you plan to go beyond Coalpits Spring into Scoggins Wash.
- Do not rely on the spring - conditions at Coalpits Spring are not something we track, so treat any water there as unconfirmed rather than a resupply point.
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.
Coalpits Wash FAQs
Is there a marked trail the whole way to Coalpits Spring?
Only partway. The route is well-defined up to the first junction, but there is no formal trail past that point - beyond it, you simply follow the wash drainage as far as you want to go. It is easy walking underfoot since you are largely following an open streambed, but it does mean paying attention to the terrain rather than a marked path once you are past the junction.
How far should I hike on Coalpits Wash?
Coalpits Spring, 3.6 miles one-way, is the natural destination and a reasonable turnaround point for most hikers. Beyond that, the wash continues into Scoggins Wash if you want to go farther - there is no single "end" to the hike, so it works well as a go-as-far-as-you-like outing. Decide your turnaround based on time, water, and how the route-finding past the first junction is going.
Is there reliable water at Coalpits Spring?
We do not track current spring conditions and cannot say whether Coalpits Spring is flowing, reliable, or safe to drink on any given day - desert springs vary with season and recent weather. Check the NPS current conditions page before counting on it, and carry all the water you expect to need regardless.
When should I avoid the Coalpits Wash hike?
There is little shade along the route, so it is far more comfortable in spring than in the heat of summer. It is also worth skipping, or turning back from, during or after heavy rain - a wash is a drainage channel, and flash flood risk rises quickly in these conditions even when the immediate sky looks clear.