Dalton Trailhead

Dalton Trailhead is a high-clearance access point into Zion National Park's southwest desert section, reached via Dalton Wash Road west of Coalpits Wash. It's an alternate, quieter way into the same low-elevation desert country covered by the main Chinle Trail, which more commonly starts from a small parking area in Rockville's Anasazi Plateau neighborhood.

This corner of the park looks and feels different from Zion Canyon — flat, exposed, and well below the high plateau country. Much of the landscape here still bears the scars of the 2006 Kolob Fire, which burned through this part of the park's southwest desert and left the area especially desolate. There's no shade and no reliable water, so this stretch is best hiked in the cooler months, spring or fall, with plenty of water carried in.