Double Falls
Washington County, Utah
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Washington County, Utah
- Access status
- Partial guide: long off-trail creek route on a social trail
- The walk
- About 4.3 miles from the Right/Left Fork confluence to Double Falls, per Road Trip Ryan; its whole route is about 10 to 11 miles round trip
- Ground & access
- Off-trail creek hiking on a braided social trail and in the stream bed, with many crossings and wet feet. Steep descent through lava cliffs to North Creek. Much of the route is in full sun, and there is a lot of poison ivy.
Double Falls is a double waterfall jetting into a pool in the Right Fork of North Creek in Zion National Park. From the Right Fork Trailhead, follow the trail southeast to the canyon rim and carefully descend through lava cliffs to North Creek. Note where the trail climbs back to the rim, because it is hard to find on the way out. Turn left (upstream) along North Creek to where the Right Fork comes in, and take the right fork east. Follow the social trail and the stream bed upstream for several hours, crossing the creek often. As the canyon narrows, you reach Double Falls. Barrier Falls is about a quarter mile farther and blocks hikers. Return the same way. There is no maintained trail in the Right Fork.
Plan your visit
Right Fork Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road, down to North Creek, then up the Right Fork of North Creek to Double Falls
Road Trip Ryan gives 0.25 miles from the trailhead to the mesa edge, about 0.6 miles up North Creek to the Right Fork, and about 4.3 miles from the confluence to Double Falls. It calls the hike a 10-mile round trip and maps 10.96 miles for the route to Barrier Falls and back. Canyoneering USA gives 1/4 mile up the stream to the fork.
Off-trail creek hiking on a braided social trail and in the stream bed, with many crossings and wet feet. Steep descent through lava cliffs to North Creek. Much of the route is in full sun, and there is a lot of poison ivy.
Where to start
Right Fork Trailhead on the right side of Kolob Terrace Road, about 7 miles north of the town of Virgin. From Virgin on UT 9, turn north onto Kolob Terrace Road.
Timing & water
Spring, summer or fall. Crossing North Creek on the way back could be impossible in flood conditions. Summer is very hot.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned. Canyoneering USA says a permit is needed only for backpacking and staying overnight.
Visitor informationMore waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Barrier FallsPartial guide: long off-trail creek route on a social trailWashington County, UT0.2 miNE
- R3 - Keyhole Falls - Bolted Rappel Anchor: 10 ft.Washington County, UT2.5 miNW
- R2 - Bolted Rappel Anchor: 6 ft.Washington County, UT2.5 miNW
- Archangel FallsPartial guide: off-trail wilderness route; permit requiredWashington County, UT2.6 miNW
- Menu FallsGuide: road walk from Big Bend to a viewing deckWashington County, UT4.4 miE
- Mystery Canyon FallsNational park trail and river route documented; flash flood risk131 ft (40 m) · Washington County, UT4.5 miE
Lower Pine Creek WaterfallPartial guide: unsigned social trail with boulder-hoppingWashington County, UT5.7 miSE- Toquerville FallsRough dirt road to BLM falls; short walk without four-wheel drive10 ft (3 m) · Washington County, UT12 miW
- 2nd Falls End of HikePermit hike up a creek and slot canyon past the first falls; ladder and scrambleIron County, UT19 miN