Water Sources in Zion

The desert can be an extreme and unforgiving environment. Carry enough water, at least one gallon per person per day, and drink it. Plan ahead and prepare - your safety is your responsibility. 

NPS Photo

Information on the flow of natural springs, based on the best available data, is available by contacting the Wilderness staff at: [e-mail]. Include this subject line in your email: Natural Springs Current Conditions.

Potable Drinking Water in Zion Canyon

Never drink untreated water. Fill up containers at potable water sources before beginning your trip. Clean drinking water can be found at the following locations:

• Zion Canyon Visitor Center
• Watchman Campground and South Campground
• Zion Human History Museum
• Zion Lodge
• The Grotto
• Temple of Sinawava

Rivers, Creeks, and Washes

Cyanobacteria of the genus Microcoleus, Tychonema, and Nostoc have been found in the North Fork of the Virgin River, North Creek, and La Verkin Creek. It produces the cyanotoxin called anatoxin-a, which impacts the nervous system.

• Do not drink from instream water; no known filtration methods are effective at reducing toxin levels for safe drinking. When present, standard recreational water filtration and disinfection techniques will not remove the toxins.
• There may be a risk of cyanotoxin exposure when recreating in water in Zion. In remote Wilderness areas, current cyanotoxin conditions may be unknown.
• Cyanotoxins may cause illness and/or death if ingested or absorbed through an opening in the skin. The risk of exposure increases during and immediately after any precipitation events.
• Always check the Current Conditions page for critical safety alerts.

Springs and Seeps

A spring is a place where water naturally flows out of the ground. Water flow magnitude at natural springs can vary throughout the park and may not always be reliable.

• Springs should be used as an emergency source for water, not as a primary source. Always bring enough potable water for your trip.
• Never drink untreated spring water. Treat water using boiling, filtration, and/or disinfection.
• Overnight camping is not permitted within ¼ mile of any spring.

Water Treatment

Water collected in the Zion Wilderness is not safe to drink without proper treatment. Except for boiling, few water treatment methods are 100% effective in removing all pathogens. Read the CDC Guide to Water Treatment for Backcountry & Travel Use to learn more about proper water treatment.

• Boiling is a pathogen reduction method which should kill all pathogens. For most elevations in Zion, water should be brought to a rolling boil for 3 minutes.
• Filtration can be used as a pathogen reduction method against most microorganisms. The manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.
• Disinfection can be used as a pathogen reduction method against microorganisms. However, many factors can impact the effectiveness of chemical disinfection. The length of time and concentration of disinfectant varies by manufacturer, and effectiveness of pathogen reduction depends on the product. 100% effectiveness might not be achieved.

If boiling water is not possible, a combination of filtration and chemical disinfection is the most effective treatment method for drinking water in the Zion Wilderness.

 

Water Availability in the Zion Wilderness

North Fork of the Virgin River (Narrows)

Big Spring is a reliable source for obtaining water. Like all other natural springs in the park, the water should always be properly treated.

Kolob Canyons

Beatty Spring usually flows year round. It is located between campsites 10 and 11, where the trail crosses La Verkin Creek.

An unnamed spring crosses the trail near campsite 7. This spring usually flows year round.

Hop Valley (No Reliable Sources)

Due to a private cattle ranch within the park, water may be contaminated and should NOT be obtained from Hop Valley.

Wildcat Canyon Trail

Wildcat Spring usually has a small flow year-round. The spring is located on the north side of Wildcat Canyon Trail, about 1.5 miles from the junction of Wildcat Canyon Trail and West Rim Trail.

Overnight camping is not permitted within ¼ mile of the spring.

West Rim Trail

Sawmill Springs is usually dry by early to mid summer. This is not a reliable water source. The spring(s) are located near campsite 9 on the West Rim Trail.

Potato Hollow Spring is usually dry by mid to late summer. This is not a reliable water source. This spring is located near campsite 8 on the West Rim Trail.

West Rim (Cabin) Spring usually has a small flow year-round. This spring is located near campsite 2 on the West Rim Trail.

East Rim

Stave Spring is usually dry by early summer. This is not a reliable water source. The spring is located near the junction of the East Rim Trail and Cable Mountain Trail.

Overnight camping is not permitted within ¼ mile of the spring.

Southwest Desert

Coalpits Wash Spring usually flows year round. The spring is located near campsite 5 in Coalpits Wash.