Poverty Gulch Trail (K1615)

Poverty Gulch is a backcountry route in the East Zion area, dropping off Highway 9 near Zion Mountain Ranch into Parunweap Canyon above the East Fork of the Virgin River. A cattle guard and short access road lead to a kiosk marking the start of the route proper.

What kind of trip this is

• The surface mixes sand and slickrock, and can turn muddy fast after rain.
• Past the kiosk, the route narrows and drops steeply into the canyon with rocky wash crossings — high-clearance 4x4s can manage the upper section, but ATVs and UTVs are the realistic choice beyond that point.
• It eventually flattens out into Poverty Flat, threading through juniper forest with repeated wash crossings of varying difficulty.

This is a backcountry drive, not a foot trail — treat it like off-highway travel, with fuel, water, and a plan for rough terrain.