Zion National Park is easily one of the best parks in the United States (to me). Located in Southern Utah near Springdale, awaits a hikers paradise! Zion has some of the most thrilling hikes, but more importantly, has something for everyone. In fact, Zion has trails that are easy, family-friendly, and handicap accessible. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker to explore the park’s many trails and paths.
Having been to Zion National Park over the past couple of years, this park always seems to be calling me back and there’s just so much to explore that one can’t simply experience all the park has to offer in just one day.
Here are 13 of the best hikes in Zion National Park. This isn’t an all inconclusive list, but definitely enough to keep you busy.
Zion National Park Information
- Founded – November 19, 1919
- Location – Springdale, Utah
- Size – 150,000 acres
- Annual visitors – 5 million
- Entrance Fee – $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. View other fees at the NPS website.
- Permits / Reservations – Some trails and activities will require permits or reservations. Visit the NPS website to see if you might need a permit or reservation.
Map of the Best Hikes in Zion National Park
1. Angels Landing
- Distance – 5.4 miles (round trip)
- Duration – 2 to 4 hours
- Trail Difficulty – Strenuous
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – #6, The Grotto
Angels Landing is a popular and exciting hike in Zion National Park. Angels Landing is not for the faint of heart, since it takes you from the bottom of the canyon to the top of a towering rock formation. You’ll be greeted with exciting rock climbing and stunning views at the summit if you’re able to consider the trail’s obstacles. It’s best to begin hiking as soon as the park’s shuttle service starts running in the morning. The hiking begins at the Grotto Canyon shuttle stop (Stop #6) and ascends to Angels Landing’s peak from the Virgin River’s banks.
You’ll pass through a series of switchbacks, a cool, shady slot canyon, and, eventually, the notorious rock scrambles with 1,000-foot dropoffs on both sides. From the tip, you can see the entrance to Zion Canyon, the Watchman peak, Big Bend, and the Narrows.
2. The Watchman Trail
- Distance – 3.1 miles (round trip)
- Duration – 1 to 2 hours
- Trail Difficulty – East to Moderate
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – N/a. Trailhead near Zion Visitor Center along the road on the east bank of the Virgin River.
You won’t need to use a taxi since the hike starts at the Visitor’s Center. Simply follow the signs to the Watchman and Pa’Ruspaths, then cross the right side of the bridge to the Watchman Trail.
You’ll come across a wide area with several boulders and plant life when you first start climbing. The slope is smooth and not too challenging, despite the fact that it is uphill. After a while, you’ll reach the overlook, which offers stunning views of the valley and surrounding rocky peaks. If you come here until the sun turns brown, you’ll be treated to a dazzling display!
3. Archaeology Trail
- Distance – 0.30 miles (round trip)
- Duration – 15 to 20 minutes
- Trail Difficulty – Easy
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – N/a. Trailhead starts across from the entrance to the visitor center parking lot.
This short hike is for those who enjoy history and archaeology. The path leads to an old Pueblo building, where the remains can still be seen and is right next to the Visitor’s Center.
Placards describing the city’s past can be found along the way.
4. Riverside Walk
- Distance – 2.2 miles (round trip)
- Duration – 1 to 2 hours
- Trail Difficulty – Easy
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – #9, Temple of Sinawava
Since the hike is surrounded by cliffs, it is normally very shady, so wear a light jacket or jumper.
The Temple of Sinawava is located at stop #9 on the shuttle.From there, begin hiking along the river! You can choose between an asphalt road that hugs the cliffs and a sandy trail that runs across the shore. Choose one or give one to the end and the other to the beginning.
5. Emerald Pools, Lower and Upper
- Distance – 1.5 to 3 miles (round trip) depending on how far you go
- Duration – 2 to 3 hours
- Trail Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – #5, Zion Lodge OR #6, The Grotto
You have two options here, depending on how much hiking you want to do in Zion: hike the simple, paved path to the Lower Emerald Falls and back, or hike the longer, more challenging path to the Upper Emerald Pools.
The first part is accessible by wheelchair and stroller and follows a flat, leisurely route. If the second section of the trail to the Upper Emerald Pools is accessible when you’re there, you can hike another half mile uphill to see even more springs and pools.
6. East Rim Trail
- Distance – 11 miles (one-way)
- Duration – 5 to 9 hours
- Trail Difficulty – Moderate to Strenuous
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – #7, Weeping Rock
The East Rim is a one-way trail that starts at Zion’s East Entrance and runs all the way down to Weeping Rock, which is Shuttle Stop #7.
You’ll hike through sweeping, bird’s-eye trails, narrow canyons, and eventually, the main canyon area, with views of Angels Landing ahead of you.
7. Canyon Overlook
- Distance – 1 mile
- Duration – 1 hour
- Trail Difficulty – Easy
- Location – Highway 9, east of MountCarmel Tunnel
The Canyon Overlook is an enjoyable and slightly difficult hike to one of Zion National Park’s most beautiful overlooks for inexperienced hikers to seasoned mountaineers. Although the trail is relatively clear, the rocks can be slippery, so wear good shoes and keep a close eye on your move!
The trailhead for Canyon Overlook is located after the tunnel on the park’s east side, but shuttles do not run there. Instead, drive your car to the tunnel and park near it. You’ll begin the trail by hiking up a rock “staircase,” making your way around a ledge on an overhanging trail, strolling underneath a massive boulder, and finally making your way out to a breathtaking view of the entire east side of the canyon.
8. The Narrows
For many visiting the park, this hike is most likely on their bucket list of hikes to do in Zion National Park. The Narrows actually has two ways to do the hike; from the bottom-up or top-down.
Bottom-up
- Distance – Up to 12 miles depending on how far you go. Most people go only about 2 to 3 miles round trip.
- Duration – 2 to 3 hours
- Trail Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – #9, Temple of Sinawava
Top-down
- Distance – 16 miles
- Duration – Several hours to 2 days (backpacking)
- Trail Difficulty – Strenuous
- Location – Chamberlain’s Ranch (outside of Zion National Park)
Unfortunately, owing to high flood levels in the spring, this trail is normally blocked. It’s not every day that you get to hike across a narrow canyon on a path that’s absolutely flooded! This is just what The Narrows trail offers: a stroll around a beautiful section of Zion Canyon while walking within a quiet gorge.
The Narrows Trail has two starting points: one on the north end and one on the south end. The Narrows Hike is 16 miles long in all, but most visitors hike as far as they want and then return to their starting point.9. Trail of the Pa’rus
The Pa’rus Trail is a fantastic route if you’re low on time or just want a clear, quick ride through Zion Canyon. It’s a great end-of-day walk because it’s so close to the entrance, plus it has some of the most stunning sunset views in the park. “Pa’rus” means “bubbling water” in Paiute, a Native American language, which refers to the trail’s connection to the Virgin River.
The Pa’rus Trail, as one of Zion National Park’s most open walks, is ideal for stretching your legs or having any steps in as a casual hiker. The Pa’rus trail, which runs from the Visitor’s Center to Canyon Junction, is a paved route that parallels the river up the canyon for a few miles. The Watchman tower can be seen from here, as well as stunning sunset rock views along the mountain. There are also several footbridges to cross for still more breathtaking views.
10. Grotto Trail
- Distance – .5 mile
- Duration – 30 minutes
- Trail Difficulty – Easy
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – #5, Zion Lodge OR #6, The Grotto
The Grotto Trail in Zion is a short hike that runs parallel to the shuttle path, but we included it here for two reasons: it’s a simple, family-friendly hike that’s perfect if you’re short of time, and it’s said to be one of the best hikes in Zion for seeing wildlife.
It’s simple to get here: take the bus to The Grotto (Stop #6) and walk to Zion Lodge (Stop #5), or vice versa. The route follows the roadside and runs alongside a vast grassy field where you can see wildlife. Though we just saw a few tiny lizards and a couple of chipmunks, it seems that deer and sheep are also present. For the best odds of seeing animals, hike this trail later in the day or early in the morning.
11. Timber Creek Overlook Trail
- Distance – 1 mile (round trip)
- Duration – 30 minutes
- Trail Difficulty – Easy
- Location – End of Kolob Canyons Road in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park
Did you know that outside of the main canyon region of Zion National Park, there’s a whole other world? It’s named KolobCanyon, and it’s a lovely, less-crowded place on the park’s west side. On a time crunch, the short, simple Timber Creek Overlook hike is one of the easiest ways to see the Canyon. It’s one of the most scenic short hikes in Zion, and it’s perfect for beginners thanks to its relatively flat trail. We were warned of a rattlesnake hidden behind a rock when we arrived at the trailhead, but we didn’t encounter him.
With that said, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s a lot of wildlife in the city, so keep an eye out at all times. From the parking lot, the trail follows a course similar to the ride on the left side. Beautiful views of Kolob Canyon’s end can be found here. This is a quick hike that will give you a taste of KolobCanyon’s scenery and should only take you 30 minutes to an hour to finish.
12. Taylor Creek
- Distance – 4.9 miles (round trip)
- Duration – 2 to 4 hours
- Trail Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
- Location – Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park (about 2 miles up Kolob Canyons Road)
Until you enter a wide, cave-like structure in the middle of a narrow section of the canyon, the entire trail follows Taylor Creek. Along the way, you’ll drive by two historic log cabins.
Because of its length and several stream crossings, this trail is only graded as mild. Make sure you’re prepared for this hike by wearing water shoes or lightweight hiking boots. Trekking poles will also be useful for navigating the water crossings.
13. Hidden Canyon
- Distance – 2.9 miles (round trip)
- Duration – 2 to 3 hours
- Trail Difficulty – Moderate
- Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop – #7, Weeping Rock
Since it leads to a breathtaking, secluded canyon off the main drag, the Hidden Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Zion. Although the trail is short (2.4 miles round trip), it is very steep. However, the views are amazing in exchange for all of the effort it takes to get there.
The Hidden Canyon trail takes you up several switchbacks, through narrow canyon alleys, and eventually to the Hidden Canyon location itself after you arrive at Weeping Rock (Stop #7). You’ll reach an uncovered section of chains along the way – keep on close and be careful if you’re scared of heights! When you arrive at the Canyon, take some time to visit the area before returning.
Conclusion
There are enough hikes in Zion National Park to keep even the most ardent explorer busy for a long time, but these 13 Zion hikes will stick with you every time you recall your adventures in this magnificent national park.
