1. Cascade Falls Trailhead to Strawberry Ridge
2. Cascade Falls Trailhead to Te-ah Trailhead
3. Te-ah Trailhead to Webster Flat Road
1. Cascade Falls Trailhead to Strawberry Ridge
This section of the Virgin River Rim Trail is from Dry Valley (Cow Lake) to Strawberry Ridge (Strawberry Point). Along the trail enjoy a variety of evergreen trees including the earths oldest living thing - the Bristlecone pine tree and Cedar Breaks-like amphitheaters. This moderately difficult route is done as a one way hike with a shuttle setup. A section of the trail may be done as an out and back thus eliminating the need of a shuttle vehicle. The trail follows the Virgin River Rim in Dixie National Forest and affords views to the south of the expansive Zion National Park. The headwaters of the Virgin River are formed by Cascade Falls (Navajo Lake) and watershed of the southern slopes on this ridge. The trail generally travels in an west to easterly direction. At an average elevation of 8800', and traveling as high as 9200', the temperatures are a welcome reprieve in the summertime from the lower elevation hikes in the Southwest desert. As a one way hike, the distance is 8.25 miles, but some of the more interesting landmarks can be arrived at in about 3.5 miles, then by turning back to the trailhead, a total distance of 7 miles is covered and eliminates a car shuttle setup.
Virgin River Rim Trail at a Glance
Photo Album: Virgin River Rim Photos
Trail Maps: Virgin River Rim Map
Day Hike: Yes.
Distance: 8.25 Miles
Average Hiking Time: 6 hours
Equipment: The best map to purchase for this hike is the "Cedar Mountain/ Pine Valley Mountain" National Geographic-Trails Illustrated.
Difficulty: Moderate hiking, but the last section back to your vehicle is steep after hiking all day.
Trailhead: Cascade Falls Trailhead near Navajo Lake
Trailend: Strawberry Ridge
Trail Access: Dirt roads can be impassable if wet.
Elevation at Trailhead: 9000'
Elevation at Trailend: 9000'
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Best Season: Spring, Fall and Summer.
Map Dixie National Forest, Utah Book: Hiking Zion, Dixie National Forest and more.Shuttle Setup - First Car Trailend
To station a car shuttle at the trailend (Strawberry Ridge) travel 7.75 miles west on U-14 from the Highway 89 junction or 14.75 miles east from the junction of Highway 14 and Highway 148 (Road to Cedar Breaks). Arriving at Strawberry Creek (valley with homes to the south) turn to the south, traveling the dirt (very dusty) road for the next 8.5 miles to the Virgin River Rim Trail which is located on Strawberry Ridge. Park one vehicle at the trailend. To avoid hiking the last uphill section which could be considered strenuous after hiking all day, park at the first Virgin Rim Trail sign seen. However there is not much parking in this area.
Second Car - Trailhead - Travel back to Highway 14 and turn left (west) and travel 5 miles passing Duck Creek Village to a ranger station and visitor center on the left . Turn left and pass the ranger station and follow the dirt road 1.75 miles to the west edge of Dry Valley. Turn left on the gravel road and travel another 1.5 miles to the parking area and trailheads for Cascade Falls and the Virgin River Rim Trail.
2. Cascade Falls Trailhead to Te-ah Trailhead
This is the center section of the Virgin River Rim Trail system. The trail has nice views to the south into Zion National Park and an even into the Arizona Strip on a clear day. Not only are the views beautiful, but the fauna and flora during the 8 mile hike is never boring. This section of the trail generally stays on top of, or slightly below the ridge that separates Navajo Lake on the north side, from the many drainage's including Cascade Falls that flow in a southerly direction to form the Virgin River, carving its way into Zion Canyon to the south. Car shuttle setup will be required if done as a one way hike.
Favorite Hikes in and around Zion National ParkVirgin River Rim Trail at a Glance
Photo Album: Virgin River Rim Photos
Trail Maps: Virgin River Rim Map
Day Hike: Yes.
Distance: 8 Miles
Average Hiking Time: 6 Hours
Trail Use: Horses, bicycles, hikers
Equipment: The best map to purchase for this hike is the "Cedar Mountain/ Pine Valley Mountain" National Geographic-Trails Illustrated.
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous. This is the most difficult of the three sections of the long biking/backpacking trail.
Trailhead: Cascade Falls Trailhead.
Trailend: Te-ah Trailhead near Navajo Lake
Trail Access: Dirt roads can be impassable if wet.
Ascending: 1350'
Descending: 1000'
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Best Season: Early June to Late October.
Zion National Park Map Cow Lake-Cascade Falls Trailhead to Te-ah Campground-Navajo Lake
The trail description as written is from Cow Lake (Cascade Falls Trailhead) to Te-ah Campground Trailend, however in retrospect the hike would probably be more enjoyable starting at Te-ah Campground and finishing at Cascade Falls, culminating in a quick jaunt to Cascade Falls if energy and time permits.
Shuttle Setup - Car shuttle setup: Locate the dirt road to Navajo Lake by traveling 7.5 miles east on Highway 14 from the junction of Highway 14 and Highway 148 (The turnoff to Cedar Breaks) or travel 15 miles to the west on Highway 14 from the junction of Highway 14 and Highway 89. Turn to the south on the dirt road to Navajo Lake and travel 5.7 miles to the west end of Te-ah Campground. The road will be pavement as it passes the campground. Station the shuttle vehicle at a sharp left bend in the road (dirt road) and another dirt road that continues straight (Virgin River Rim Trail FS road).
Second Vehicle - Drive the second vehicle back the same direction toward Highway 14 for 5.3 miles and locate the dirt road that turns right to Dry Valley, Cow Lake and Cascade Falls. Follow this dirt road for 1 mile to another intersection and turn right to the Cascade Falls Trailhead. Travel 1.6 miles to the large parking area for Cascade Falls Trail and get set to begin the hike.
3. Te-ah Trailhead to Webster Flat Road
When the summer months bring temperatures to triple digits to the low deserts of Southern Utah, people look for different ways to beat the heat. If a stroll in a mountain meadow through wildflowers wets the appetite then this 7 mile hike will fit the bill! This is an enjoyable hike either done as an out and back or a one way hike with a shuttle. The path abounds with fir, spruce, aspens and a large array of wildflowers, and who knows, maybe an occasional deer or elk! With an average elevation of over 9000', the air temperatures remain pleasant even on the hottest summer days. Occasional breaks in the trees will enable the hiker to glimpse the expanses of Dixie National Forest and even sections of Zion National Park in the distance
Virgin River Rim Trail at a Glance
Photo Album: Virgin River Rim Photos
Trail Maps: Virgin River Rim Map
Day Hike: Yes.
Distance: 7 Miles
Average Hiking Time: 4 hours
Trail Use: Horses, bicycles, hikers
Equipment: The best map to purchase for this hike is the "Cedar Mountain/ Pine Valley Mountain" National Geographic-Trails Illustrated.
Difficulty: Moderate hiking with little elevation change.
Trailhead: Navajo Lake near Te-Ah Campground.
Trailend: Webster Flat Road.
Trail Access: Dirt roads can be impassable if wet.
Maximum Elevation: 9400'
Minimum Elevation: 9000'
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Best Season: Early June to Late October.
Zion National Park Map Trailend: Station one car at the trailend located .4 miles south of Highway 14 on the dirt Webster Flat Road. The Webster Flat Road is located 3.2 miles west of the intersection of Highway 14 and U-148. U-148 is the road to Cedar Breaks. Turn left (south) onto the Webster Flat Road. At .4 miles off U-14, at a left hand bend in the dirt road, notice a small brown sign with a "No OHV's allowed graphic" just off the road on the left. This is the trailend and there is a small area on the left, just past this sign, to station the shuttle vehicle on the side of the road.
Trailhead: Travel back to U-14 and turn right. Travel 3.2 miles back to the intersection of U- 14 and U-148. Set the odometer and continue 7.4 miles east on U-14 and turning right (south) off of Highway 14 onto the dirt road leading to Navajo Lake. Travel 5.7 miles to the southwest on the dirt road passing campgrounds on both the left and right side of the road. The beautiful mountain lake, Navajo Lake, is on the right the entire time. At the far end of the lake (southwest end) a dirt road turns right to the Navajo Lake Loop Hike and a restroom facility, however continue past this turn to get to the Te-ah Campground, which is on the right. Continue past the entrance of Te-ah on the right side for a short distance and soon the road will curve to the left with another dirt road bearing straight ahead. There is a small parking area on the right at the intersection of these two roads. This is the parking for the trailhead.
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