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Checkerboard Mesa

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description Checkerboard Mesa Overview

Checkerboard Mesa is a distinctive sandstone formation located in the eastern section of Zion National Park, Utah. The massive white cliff face is named for its striking, grid-like surface pattern, which closely resembles a checkerboard. This unique texture is the result of two distinct geological forces: horizontal cross-bedding caused by ancient wind-blown sand dunes, intersected by deep vertical cracks formed over time by the cyclical freezing and thawing of water. It serves as a prominent landmark and geological point of interest for visitors traveling along the park's Mount Carmel Highway.

help Checkerboard Mesa FAQ

What causes the checkerboard pattern on Checkerboard Mesa?

Horizontal lines come from cross-bedding preserved in ancient Navajo Sandstone dunes. Vertical cracks were enlarged by weathering, creating the grid that inspired the formation's modern name.

Where is Checkerboard Mesa inside Zion National Park?

It stands near the park's east entrance beside the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Visitors approaching from Mount Carmel Junction encounter it before driving through the park's high eastern sandstone terrain.

Can you hike to the top of Checkerboard Mesa?

There is no simple maintained tourist trail to the summit, and routes on the formation involve exposed sandstone terrain and route-finding. Most visitors view it from the roadside pullout or explore established trails elsewhere on Zion's east side.

Is Checkerboard Mesa made of the same rock as Zion's major cliffs?

Yes, it is primarily Navajo Sandstone, the formation responsible for many of Zion's pale and red cliffs. Iron staining, bedding orientation, and weathering produce different colors and surface patterns across the park.

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