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LaVerkin Creek, located in southwestern Utah, shares its southern border with Zion National Park. This area consists of steep canyon walls that drop into a creek drainage. This drainage is LaVerkin Creek, a “wild” river in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The northwest corner of the Wilderness contains the lower reach of Bear Canyon. Access to this wilderness is difficult as the area is surrounded by private property on its western, eastern, and northern borders, and is remotely located at the northern boundary of the National Park. Similar to Goose Creek, Bear Trap, and Taylor Creek Wildernesses, the habitat value of LaVerkin Creek Wilderness is greatly enhanced by its proximity to Zion National Park and the thousands of acres of remote, private wild lands surrounding it. The Wilderness sits at an elevation of 6,800 feet, but descends to nearly 6,000 feet in the canyon bottoms. Canyon wall created shade, access to water, and other factors create habitat suitable for a wide variety of plants and animals. Dense vegetation including pines, juniper, and scrub oak are abundant within the area. Common wildlife includes hawks, falcons, and eagles which soar above the canyons while ringtailed cats, mountain lion, and black bear hunt in the uplands and along the canyon bottoms.
LaVerkin Creek Wilderness receives between 16 and 18 inches of precipitation each year. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit with temperatures in excess of 90 at higher elevations and day and night temperatures differing by over 30 degrees. Winters are cold and often wet with temperatures ranging from highs of 50 to 60 degrees during the day to lows well below freezing at night. There are no maintained trails in the Wilderness.
Maps
Digital and paper maps are critical tools for wilderness visitors. Online maps can help you plan and prepare for your visit ahead of time. You can also carry digital maps with you on your GPS unit or other handheld GPS device. Having a paper map with you in the backcountry, as well as solid orienteering skills, however, ensures that you can still route-find in the event that your electronic device fails.
Online Maps
Printed Maps
Management & Regulations
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is generally prohibited in all wilderness areas.
This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters.
Wilderness-Specific Regulations
Learn more about
why regulations may be necessary in wilderness.
Applicable Wilderness Law(s)
Date: March 30, 2009
Acreage: 445 acres
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 - Public law 111-11 (3/30/2009) An act to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.
For more information (To download or see all affected Wilderness areas) visit our law library for 111-11 or special provisions for 111-11 or legislative history for 111-11 for this law.
Want to Volunteer for Wilderness?
Citizens who volunteer their time to steward our wilderness areas are an essential part of wilderness management. Contact the following groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities.