Explore the Belly of the Dragon near Zion National Park

I’ve often seen these interesting photos of a really long cave just outside of Zion National Park. It’s known as the Belly of the Dragon. To me, it looks more like the colon of a dragon, but a name like that may dissuade people from checking it out. If you’re visiting Zion National Park or simply driving through southern Utah, you may want to make a stop at this hidden gem, at least long enough to stretch your legs.

Here are a few tips to help you find and know what to expect when you get to the Belly of the Dragon.

Getting to the Belly of the Dragon

Many people visit Zion National Park and enjoy the hikes in the main canyon. In fact, most people enter via Springdale on the lower west side of the national park. A few people, especially those heading to Bryce Canyon National Park after exploring Zion National Park will exit through the east side of the park to join up with Highway 89. The point where the east entrance to Zion meets Highway 89 is known as the Mount Caramel Junction.

Stretch your legs on the 1.8-mile round trip hike through the Belly of the Dragon near Zion National Park in Utah

The access point to the Belly of the Dragon is less than one mile south of this junction. There is no sign that says “Belly of the Dragon” to let you know when you need to pull off the road. That said, there is a sign for the Twin Hollows Canyon Campground. Take that dirt road off the west side of Highway 89 and follow it for roughly 1,000 feet. There is a small dirt parking area, and along the rock wall underneath the highway above is the entrance to the Belly of the Dragon.

The photo below offers a view of where you’ll park and where the cave entrance is in relation to the parking area.

Inside the Belly of the Dragon

From the parking area, you’ll need to walk less than 100 yards to the entrance. But before you get too far from your vehicle, make sure you have a flashlight with you. You can use the light on your phone if needed, but the cave is long enough that without a light source with you, you may trip on the uneven surface or unexpected rocks.

Don’t be surprised to learn that in order to get into the cave, you’ll need to do a little bouldering. It’s not major, but if you’ve got young kids, you’ll need to help them scale the short climb.

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Once inside the actual Belly of the Dragon, you’ll notice that more than a few people have left their mark in the rock. It’s sandstone, so they’ve taken the time to deface the structure by adding their initials. Please don’t leave your mark. It’s graffiti and it’s ugly.

The cave itself is less than 100 yards long. You can see light entering the cave from the other end. It doesn’t take too long to walk through, but don’t rush it. Enjoy the experience.

How did the cave form? It’s a manmade tunnel or drainage ditch. I don’t think much water flows through it nowadays, but if there’s a heavy rainstorm and you see water pouring out of the end of the cave entrance, you should probably NOT explore it.

Once You Come out the Other End

When you exit the other side, you may think… “that was it.” Yep. That was the Belly of the Dragon. But the hiking trail is 1.8 miles round trip to the end of the trail and back. As mentioned earlier, it’s a great way to stretch your legs or enjoy more of the beautiful landscapes Utah is known for.

Download the Utah Travel Guide: Mighty 5 Edition for tips and tricks to all five national parks in Utah.

Summers in Utah can be HOT. Don’t try taking this hike without any water, especially in June, July, August or September. In the winter, depending on snowfall, there may be ice along the trail or even in the Belly of the Dragon. Be careful and don’t do something that puts you or others at risk.

The Details:

Address: Less than one mile south from Mount Caramel Junction along Utah’s Highway 89.

Cost: There is no cost for parking or accessing the Belly of the Dragon

Hours: Access is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Website: Find trail information at https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/the-belly-of-the-dragon

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