Views of the Virgin River in Zion and and a Virgin River Overlook

The Virgin River is the water system that is responsible for carving some of the main canyons in Zion National Park.    This river drainage contains some of the most dramatic landscapes in the America. Located in the southwest corner of Utah, the Virgin River provides valuable water resources and recreation opportunities for over 120,000 local residents.   The Virgin River and its contributors are divided into three main drainages:  the North Fork, the East Fork, and the Santa Clara River.

Viewers look down into the north fork of the Virgin River basin.

North Fork - Virgin River:  The North Fork of the Virgin River begins at Navajo Lake and Kolob Reservoir and receives contributions from many drainage areas  along the southwest Markagunt Plateau.   The North Fork enters Zion National Park, forming the famous Zion Narrows which is popular for hiking.    The East and North forks of the Virgin River come together outside of Zion National park, south of the town of Springdale. Once the North and East Forks of the Virgin meet the river continues on in a southwestern direction running through the towns of Rockville, Virgin, LaVerkin, and Hurricane.  Along its path towards St. George are Sand Hollow and Quail Creek Reservoirs.  These state parks are beautiful places for boating, fishing, and swimming.

Shadows show the course of the east fork of the Virgin River.

East Fork - Virgin River:   The headwaters of the East Fork originate in the southeast Markagunt Plateau near the junction of US Highway 89 and State Highway 14.  After flowing through the towns of Glendale, Orderville and Mt. Carmel Junction the river turns west entering Parunaweap Canyon and Zion National Park.  Within Parunaweap Canyon adventurous hikers and kayakers navigate “The Barracks” section, a remote narrow canyon which in places is less than 15 feet wide and 500 feet deep.

Santa Clara River Drainage:  The Santa Clara River originates in the Pine Valley Mountains, flows towards the town of Santa Clara, and on south to St. George, meeting up with the Virgin River next to I-15 at about mile marker five.  The Santa Clara River runs through Gunlock State Park and Reservoir a popular spot for fishing, camping, swimming and boating.  The river generally runs only a few inches deep, ideal for skim boarding.

Virgin River Gorge:   After the Santa Clara River joins the Virgin River the river then cuts through the rising Beaver Dam Mountains to create a spectacular Gorge reminiscent of the Grand Canyon with eroded, stepped cliffs and terraces of sandstone and limestone.  The Virgin River Gorge is a spectacular place to enjoy many different activities including camping, hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking.

In the river itself, the threatened Woundfin minnow and Virgin River Spinedace struggles to survive.   Desert bighorn sheep were historically present on the Arizona Strip. By the early 1900s desert bighorn were believed to be extirpated from the Virgin and Beaver Dam Mountains and Paria Canyon - Vermilion Cliffs areas. Small remnant populations were still extant in the Grand Wash Cliffs and Kanab Creek. Since the late 1970’s, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the BLM have been cooperatively working to re-introduce desert bighorn sheep to the Arizona Strip.  Visitors might also spot an antelope, a mountain lion, wild turkey, peregrine falcon, or desert tortoise.

About 20 miles south of St. George, along I-15, is Cedar Pocket Campground.  This recreation area with 75 camp and picnic sites is open year-round and is a gateway to one of the most remote areas of the United States.

Near the lower end of the gorge is some of the most challenging rock climbing in the United States.  Climbers worldwide come to climb the legendary limestone in this narrow gorge.  This area isn’t for the timid as routes average 5.12d.

Virgin River to Lake Mead: After leaving the Virgin River the river enters the Mojave Desert and flows past the towns of Beaver Dam and Littlefield, Arizona and then enters southern Nevada near the town of Mesquite.  The river empties into the Colorado River at Lake Mead, approximately 40 miles east of Las Vegas.