1. Overview of Zion National Park’s best hikes
2. Easy trails for beginners
3. Moderate hikes with stunning views
4. Strenuous hikes for the adventurous
From easy paved routes to strenuous trails with canyon views, these are the best hikes in Zion National Park.
Hiking in America’s national parks is almost guaranteed to be a notch above any standard hike. The country’s most beautiful swaths of land were protected for a reason, and Zion National Park in Utah is no different.
The park in southwest Utah is likely best known for the road that winds through Zion Canyon’s steep red cliff walls, but the scenic drive is merely the gateway to some of the park’s many hiking trails and stunning sites.
The best way to truly see the park is on foot. Hiking allows you to get up close to petroglyphs and inside narrow slot canyons. You can experience the vibrant Emerald Pools, which feature waterfalls and a hanging garden, or The Narrows gorge hike. However, while the park is open year-round, you should always check the current conditions for trail closures.
Lower Emerald Pool Trail
The Emerald Pools are a prime stop for visitors to Zion. The park’s red rock contrasts beautifully with the greenish-blue water, and the waterfalls are magnificent. There are technically three separate Emerald Pool Trails (Lower, Middle, and Upper), but all are interconnected. The entry point for all three is the Lower Emerald Pool Trail, which is paved and best for beginners.
- Trailhead Location: #5 Zion Lodge shuttle stop
- Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
Watchman Trail
The Watchman Trail is rated as moderate due to some drop-offs along the route. However, if you can manage the exposure, you’ll be rewarded with views of the entire Springdale area, including lower Zion Canyon, Watchman Peak, and the Temples and Towers. Although often overlooked by visitors flocking to Angels Landing or The Narrows, this trail’s proximity to the south entrance makes it extremely accessible.
- Trailhead Location: #1 Visitor Center shuttle stop
- Distance: 3.3 miles round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Timber Creek Overlook Trail
While most park visitors head to Zion Canyon, the stunning Kolob Canyons are located to the northwest, near the park’s west entrance. One of the best ways to see these canyons is by hiking the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. This easy, short route follows a ridge with views over the canyons, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains. If you look carefully, you might also spot the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
- Trailhead Location: Kolob Canyons Viewpoint parking lot at the end of Kolob Canyons Road
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 0.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
Canyon Overlook Trail
The Canyon Overlook Trail offers breathtaking views despite being a short hike. With long, stunning drop-offs (mostly fenced), this route leads to a viewpoint overlooking Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon. Classified as moderate, it is manageable and well worth your time.
- Trailhead Location: Canyon Overlook Trailhead on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Moderate
Pa’rus Trail
If you’re searching for a trail that is handicap accessible, suitable for biking, or pet-friendly, Pa’rus Trail is an excellent choice. This paved route is the only trail in the park that is wheelchair accessible and welcomes both leashed dogs and bicycles. It is classed as easy and follows the cool Virgin River from South Campground to Canyon Junction.
- Trailhead Location: #1 Visitor Center or #3 Canyon Junction shuttle stops
- Distance: 3.5 miles round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
La Verkin Creek Trail
This hike in the Kolob Canyons offers a more tranquil and primitive experience compared to other trails. As you relish the solitude, enjoy views of the Kolob Canyons and the impressive Kolob Arch, which is one of the world’s largest natural arches, measuring almost 300 feet in span and 75 feet in width.
- Trailhead Location: Lee Pass Trailhead on Kolob Canyons Road
- Distance: 14 miles round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 8 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Narrows via Riverside Walk
The Narrows, an iconic feature of Zion with its tight gorge and 1,000-foot walls, is a significant draw for visitors. If you opt to hike The Narrows from Chamberlain’s Ranch, a permit is required. However, you can experience its wonders by hiking the wheelchair-accessible Riverside Walk before wading into the Virgin River and continuing upstream. It’s essential to remember that you will wade through water, so prepare to get wet.
Before venturing into The Narrows, always check the weather and water levels, as flash flooding can be extremely dangerous.
- Trailhead Location: #9 Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop
- Distance: Up to 9.4 miles round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: Up to 8 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Wildcat Canyon Trail
This trail in the Kolob Terrace area of Zion National Park meanders through ponderosa pine forests and open meadows before arriving at the edge of Wildcat Canyon. From this lookout point, one can peer into the canyon’s depths before crossing it and continuing toward West Rim Trail and West Rim Road.
- Trailhead Location: Wildcat Canyon Trailhead and West Rim Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road
- Distance: 5.8 miles (one way) between Wildcat Canyon and West Rim Trailheads
- Estimated Hiking Time: 3 hours one way
- Difficulty: Moderate
Northgate Peaks Trail
This Kolob Terrace hike begins on the Wildcat Canyon Trail before turning south toward the Northgate Peaks. While you won’t summit the peak on this route, you will enjoy stellar views of them from the viewpoint at the end of the hike, along with views of Guardian Angels and the Zion Wilderness.
- Trailhead Location: Wildcat Canyon Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road
- Distance: 4.2 miles round trip from Wildcat Canyon Trailhead
- Estimated Hiking Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Angels Landing via West Rim Trail
Angels Landing is one of the must-do hikes in Zion National Park. The entire hike is stunning, but the traverse along the narrow red rock fin, with steep drop-offs on both sides, is particularly memorable. This extraordinary experience often results in crowded conditions. Consequently, to combat overcrowding and protect the terrain, the park now requires hikers to obtain a permit. Permits can be applied for one to three months in advance or the day prior via a lottery system.
- Trailhead Location: #6 The Grotto shuttle stop
- Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 4 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Taylor Creek Trail
If you’re seeking to explore a canyon on foot, Taylor Creek Trail in the Kolob Canyons section of the park is an excellent option. The route guides hikers into a narrow box canyon that winds toward the Double Arch Alcove, featuring natural openings in the Navajo sandstone. As you progress, you’ll also see a geological formation and two cabins from the early 1930s.
Keep in mind that winter conditions can be icy, so plan accordingly.
- Trailhead Location: Taylor Creek Trailhead on Kolob Canyons Road
- Distance: 5 miles round trip
- Estimated Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
