Cougar Mountain

Cougar Mountain forms the northern wall of Coalpits Wash in Zion National Park's southwest desert section, its red cliffs standing opposite the Towers of the Virgin across the drainage. It's one of the more recognizable landmarks for hikers working their way up this long, quiet wash.

There's no dedicated trail to Cougar Mountain itself — it's a backdrop rather than a destination, best seen from the Coalpits Wash hike (parking about 2.7 miles west of Rockville) or from Dalton Wash Road, which climbs a rough bench at its base on the mountain's north side.

This corner of Zion sees far fewer visitors than the main canyon and has no shuttle access, shade, or reliable water, so plan for desert conditions and carry what you need.