Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Canyoneering and Camping in Misery Canyon outside Zion National Park
I've had my eye on Misery Canyon for years now. Ever since my wife Tina and I backpacked Parunuweap Canyon, I had this one on the list. On a last minute decision over a holiday weekend, I finally decided to make it happen.
I'll get this out of the way. Misery is a technical canyon. It is not ideal to canyoneer solo. But there is inherent risk in everything, and I felt it was worth it. If you disagree, fine. It is smarter to go with at least one other person. If you DO decide to go solo, let people know where you are going and when you will be expected out. Carry a PLB. If you don't know what a PLB is, don't canyoneer solo.
Anyway, I arrived at Zion National Park around 8AM. On a Saturday. On a holiday weekend. The rangers were turning people around at the gate. The park was full. I had to explain my plan to both attendants and neither seemed to understand. I think I confused them to the point they just waved me through so they didn't have to talk to me anymore. But I was in. I took the 2nd to last parking spot at the pull out and was on my way.
You start the approach to Misery Canyon between Checkerboard Mesa and Crazy Quilt Mesa. There's a social trail with no signage, but there is really only one way to go at first. Soon enough, you meet up with a sandy climb up to a saddle that provides beautiful views of Zion National Park and the adjacent BLM land I was headed for.
After this saddle, its a trudge between sand and slick rock for a mile or so. You go into washes and climb out of washes. Social trails branch off everywhere, so make sure you know where you're going or you'll probably get lost.
My destination was actually the East Fork of Misery. It's a longer route and less popular than the West Fork of Misery (also known as Fat Man's Misery.) I chose the East Fork because I wanted more distance and heard that it had several beautiful sections of narrows. I heard right.
But I made the very poor decision to bring overnight gear on this trip. This essentially meant I was going into a technical slot canyon with a heavy backpack. This type of weight and bulk are not condusive to the obstacles of a technical canyon. Not even a beginner friendly one like the East Fork of Misery Canyon.
The canyon was more than happy to point out my mistake, and I struggled to make good headway. I probably would have given up at one point except for one vital concern; water. I could camp. I had the gear. But I didn't have enough water to camp and get ou the next day. It was shorter to finish the canyon and refill at the spring in the Barracks section of Parunuweap. So I continued on out of necessity.
I finally made it to the first rappel, maybe 7 or 8 miles into the journey. Knowing I was close to the river, I chugged my last bottle of water and rappeled down. At this point I linked up with the West Fork where I came across another group. We chatted for a bit and I continued down canyon while they ate lunch.
This section was absolutely gorgeous. The canyon started to have pools of water and got much deeper and darker. In one stunning room I was greated by not one, but two arches. This was just above where I had climbed up from below years ago, so I knew I was almost out. Now the water was running through the canyon, ending in a short slide into a deep pool.
Misery Canyon drops you directly into the Barracks section of Parunuweap. The Barracks look very similar to the much more famous Zion Narrows. With a couple distinct differences. One, due to their remote location, they are not nearly as popular. I came across a group of two hiking out, making a total of 5 people that I saw on this trip. Secondly, the Barracks are outside Zion National Park on BLM land, so no permits are required.
A short hike through the East Fork of the Virgin River and I made it to the Powell Plaque and the Misery exit. Finally, all that weight in my pack paid off and I was able to set up camp. I saw the group of three canyoneers on their way out, but otherwise the canyon was mine. I relaxed and tried to convince myself the hike out would be easier than the trip in.
All in all, it was brutal. I do not recommend bringing full camping gear through a techical canyon. I've always wanted to do it and now I have. I will not do it again. Next time, I'll just go light and do the entire route in a single day.
But like most experiences where you suffer greatly for scenery like this, it was worth it in the end.
Music
Dimma - Van Sandano
Thoughts in the Rain - Elm Lake
The Batoidea - Martin Landh
Malvas Polska - Sandra Marteleur
If you click on the links below - and especially if you buy from these links - I'll get compensation. So that would be cool. No, I'm not sponsored by them, but I love the products.
Filmed on:
GoPro Hero 9 Black:
amzn.to/3qAGJcv
Canyoneering and Camping in Misery Canyon outside Zion National Park
I've had my eye on Misery Canyon for years now. Ever since my wife Tina and I backpacked Parunuweap Canyon, I had this one on the list. On a last minute decision over a holiday weekend, I finally decided to make it happen.
I'll get this out of the way. Misery is a technical canyon. It is not ideal to canyoneer solo. But there is inherent risk in everything, and I felt it was worth it. If you disagree, fine. It is smarter to go with at least one other person. If you DO decide to go solo, let people know where you are going and when you will be expected out. Carry a PLB. If you don't know what a PLB is, don't canyoneer solo.
Anyway, I arrived at Zion National Park around 8AM. On a Saturday. On a holiday weekend. The rangers were turning people around at the gate. The park was full. I had to explain my plan to both attendants and neither seemed to understand. I think I confused them to the point they just waved me through so they didn't have to talk to me anymore. But I was in. I took the 2nd to last parking spot at the pull out and was on my way.
You start the approach to Misery Canyon between Checkerboard Mesa and Crazy Quilt Mesa. There's a social trail with no signage, but there is really only one way to go at first. Soon enough, you meet up with a sandy climb up to a saddle that provides beautiful views of Zion National Park and the adjacent BLM land I was headed for.
After this saddle, its a trudge between sand and slick rock for a mile or so. You go into washes and climb out of washes. Social trails branch off everywhere, so make sure you know where you're going or you'll probably get lost.
My destination was actually the East Fork of Misery. It's a longer route and less popular than the West Fork of Misery (also known as Fat Man's Misery.) I chose the East Fork because I wanted more distance and heard that it had several beautiful sections of narrows. I heard right.
But I made the very poor decision to bring overnight gear on this trip. This essentially meant I was going into a technical slot canyon with a heavy backpack. This type of weight and bulk are not condusive to the obstacles of a technical canyon. Not even a beginner friendly one like the East Fork of Misery Canyon.
The canyon was more than happy to point out my mistake, and I struggled to make good headway. I probably would have given up at one point except for one vital concern; water. I could camp. I had the gear. But I didn't have enough water to camp and get ou the next day. It was shorter to finish the canyon and refill at the spring in the Barracks section of Parunuweap. So I continued on out of necessity.
I finally made it to the first rappel, maybe 7 or 8 miles into the journey. Knowing I was close to the river, I chugged my last bottle of water and rappeled down. At this point I linked up with the West Fork where I came across another group. We chatted for a bit and I continued down canyon while they ate lunch.
This section was absolutely gorgeous. The canyon started to have pools of water and got much deeper and darker. In one stunning room I was greated by not one, but two arches. This was just above where I had climbed up from below years ago, so I knew I was almost out. Now the water was running through the canyon, ending in a short slide into a deep pool.
Misery Canyon drops you directly into the Barracks section of Parunuweap. The Barracks look very similar to the much more famous Zion Narrows. With a couple distinct differences. One, due to their remote location, they are not nearly as popular. I came across a group of two hiking out, making a total of 5 people that I saw on this trip. Secondly, the Barracks are outside Zion National Park on BLM land, so no permits are required.
A short hike through the East Fork of the Virgin River and I made it to the Powell Plaque and the Misery exit. Finally, all that weight in my pack paid off and I was able to set up camp. I saw the group of three canyoneers on their way out, but otherwise the canyon was mine. I relaxed and tried to convince myself the hike out would be easier than the trip in.
All in all, it was brutal. I do not recommend bringing full camping gear through a techical canyon. I've always wanted to do it and now I have. I will not do it again. Next time, I'll just go light and do the entire route in a single day.
But like most experiences where you suffer greatly for scenery like this, it was worth it in the end.
Music
Dimma - Van Sandano
Thoughts in the Rain - Elm Lake
The Batoidea - Martin Landh
Malvas Polska - Sandra Marteleur
If you click on the links below - and especially if you buy from these links - I'll get compensation. So that would be cool. No, I'm not sponsored by them, but I love the products.
Filmed on:
GoPro Hero 9 Black:
amzn.to/3qAGJcv
