Marmots at Deep Creek Wilderness

Deep Creek Wilderness is a 3,291-acre property on the northeastern side of Zion National Park. To the north is Deep Creek North Wilderness, separated only by a two-track road. Deep Creek Wilderness shares it's 3-mile southern boundary with Zion Wilderness and most folks access Deep Creek Wilderness by hiking up the routes along Deep Creek. Deep Creek is a perennial stream so in narrow spots, that could be quite the adventure. The 4.8 miles of Deep Creek that flow across the wilderness are now federally designated as a Wild & Scenic River. Two other streams on the property, tributaries of the North Fork of the Virgin River, are also designated Wild & Scenic Rivers.

Visitors to Deep Creek Wilderness might come across mule deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, jackrabbit, badger, marmot and kit fox in their journeys. You might also see bald eagles and other raptors, wild turkey, chukar partridge, screech owl and Mexican spotted owl. Elevations vary from 6,000' to about 6,500'. That means most of the property is in the Utah juniper, pinyon pine, mountain mahogany and sagebrush life zone, with maybe a few Ponderosa pines at the highest elevations.