Zion is one of the most beautiful national parks we have ever visited and somewhere we are already dreaming of returning to. The most famous Zion National Park hikes are its more difficult trails, such as Angels Landing and The Narrows but there is so much beauty to be found on the shorter and easier tracks too.
We were staggered by the incredible views you can get to without having to put much effort in at all. We’re used to having to scale mountains for the kind of views you can get on a 30 minute Zion National Park hike. We know most people have just one or two days in the park so to make the most of your time we’ve ranked the major hikes from best to worst - note that worst in Zion is still a top walk in many places around the world!
The views from the Canyon Overlook Trail
Zion National Park hikes ranked best to worst
1 - Angels Landing
Difficulty: Moderate without crowds, difficult with crowds
Distance: 5.5 miles (8.9km) return trip
Elevation: 1500 ft (456m)
Condition of trail: Good condition and largely paved until Scout Lookout, slick rock there after
Start point: The Grotto shuttle stop
Why it’s number 1: Scary and exhilarating in equal measure, this iconic hike has some of the best views in the park and there is never a dull moment. It is surely worthy of being one of the best hikes in the USA.
The most famous of all the hikes in Zion and on most people’s bucket list regardless of whether they are normally hikers or not. The trail is known as one of the most dangerous in the US for the section which takes you over the spine of the mountain with huge sheer drop offs on either side.
The chains are infamous and seem to induce either a feeling of great anxiety or great excitement in people depending on how comfortable you are with heights.
Now whilst we wouldn’t say this is an easy trail by any means we also didn’t think it was as dangerous as it is made out to be – providing you follow our hack to beat the crowds.
The first couple of miles of the trail is fairly easy, you’ll be hiking uphill but there are flat sections to recover on, and the trail is mainly paved. After this you arrive at Scout Lookout which is an excellent point to take a break and some good photos and decide if you feel comfortable pushing on to the summit.
On leaving Scout Lookout you’ll immediately begin the chained section of the hike which goes on for about half a mile. If you are hiking in good (dry) weather and have a reasonable head for heights and take care you will probably find the Angels Landing spine to be very manageable.
We think the worst bit is actually the first hump you have to get over and then it gets a bit easier from there.
We’ve gone into great detail on the full route in the blog linked above as well as what it’s like to try it in winter – spoiler alert, it’s awful!
Overall this is an epic hike which on completion will leave you with a great sense of satisfaction and whilst we preferred the views from Observation Point, the views all the way along this hike are still nothing short of sensational. It’s easily one of the best hikes in Utah.
Getting to Angels Landing
The hike to Angels Landing starts from The Grotto and is only accessible by shuttle between March and November. Check the National Parks website, but you should be able to drive up and park if you plan on hiking this trail between December and February.
2 - The Narrows
Difficulty: Moderate – difficult depending on how far you go
Distance: 5 – 16 miles one way (the full Top Down 16 mile route requires a permit)
Elevation: Predominantly flat
Condition of trail: You are walking in a river with slippery rocks and strong current
Start point: Temple of Sinawava
Why this hike is number 2: Many people will say this is the best hike in Zion. It was close, but Angels Landing pipped it to number 1 for us. Hiking through a river and up a slot canyon is a truly memorable experience and the Narrows is a hike everyone should do once in their lifetime.
The Narrows begin at the end of the paved Riverside Walk when you head down a few steps and straight into the Virgin River. How far you go is up to you, the furthest point you are permitted to go on a day hike is to the Big Spring which is five miles one way.
The river is very pretty at the beginning but it’s only when you make it a couple of miles along that the canyon walls narrow and the hike gets spectacular. Walking in the river is not as easy as it might sound as depending on the season the water levels can be quite high and the current strong, couple that with slippery rocks and hiking the Narrows is a slow affair.
It is however, totally worth it and we’d highly recommend going at least as far as Wall Street a few miles in, to experience the best of the scenery. The short detour from Wall Street to Orderville Canyon is also well worth it.
This is definitely a bucket list worthy hike and the beauty is you can only tackle the first bit if you want, you don’t need to commit to the full length and you’ll still have experienced river hiking.
There is so much to consider when planning a hike in the Narrows and we’ve outlined everything you need to know in this detailed guide.
Getting to the Narrows
The Narrows starts at the end of the Riverside Walk, which goes from the Temple of Sinawava stop - the last one on the Zion Shuttle.
3 - Observation Point via the East Mesa Trailhead
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Distance: 7.15 miles (11.5 km) return trip
Elevation: 680 feet (207 m)
Condition of trail: Very good condition, mostly sandy track with a few rocks
Start point: East Mesa Trailhead. You can find the trailhead on Google Maps through this link.
Why this trail is number 3: The original trail would have probably been in the top two hikes in Zion, but sadly that has closed. The East Mesa Trail is ok, but Observation Point is probably the best view in the whole of Zion which is why it still gets to be number 3.
Just to be clear from the off, this is the alternative trail to Observation Point as the traditional route from Weeping Rock in Zion Canyon has been closed for over a year now with no re-opening date in sight due to rockfall.
The East Mesa Trail is now the only way to get to our favourite lookout in Zion. Whilst the trail itself is less interesting than the closed route it is a lot quicker and easier and you don’t need to use the park shuttle. This means you can visit at sunrise or sunset which in our books is a major bonus!
The trail is predominantly through desert scrub with little in the way of views for the first couple of miles. After that you’ll get your first look at the mountains and excitement will start kicking in. The track is fairly flat with a very small amount of undulation which you will probably barely notice.
After what feels like no time you reach the one and only Observation Point which offers panoramic views of the canyon, you can even see all the tiny little people at the top of Angels Landing. It’s a wonderful viewpoint and because so few people know about this trail at the moment, it is incredibly quiet. You can read the full trail guide here.
Getting to the start of the East Mesa Trail
The trailhead for the East Mesa Trail is outside of the centre of the park, so this means you don’t have to get a shuttle and can park at the beginning of the hike. The trailhead is 30 minutes from Springdale, with the final bit of road being a dirt road that is a bit bumpy.
4 - Canyon Overlook Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles (2.5) km return trip
Elevation: 30 minutes
Time taken: 1 hr 30 (including a lot of time enjoying the viewpoint)
Start point: Canyon Overlook Car Park.
Condition of trail: You are largely walking on flat rock which could be a little slippery in wet conditions but is otherwise easy to walk on. There are a couple of narrow sections, most of which have handrails, but there are a few parts which don’t - probably only unnerving for vertigo sufferers but as there are some steep drops it is definitely one to keep an eye on children.
Why this trail is number 4: The Canyon Overlook trail is another epic hike in Zion and - whilst it may be short - it packs in an incredible amount of views as well as a bit of adventure walking along the narrow canyon ledge. The final lookout is breathtaking, especially if you see it covered in snow like we did!
Of all the easier Zion National Park hikes on this list Canyon Overlook was our favourite. In fact we could hardly believe how amazing this trail was for such a short distance. The trail is quite narrow for much of the walk, so you feel very close to the absolutely spectacular views throughout.
The Canyon Overlook Trail in winter
It is far from Angels Landing scary, but as we walked on a slippery day we did see some people a little unnerved by certain sections (though no one had to turn back).
There is only ever a drop on one side as you always have the canyon cliff on the other side, which helped me avoid any feeling of vertigo.
Some of the residents of the trail
We visited in the late afternoon and were thrilled to see a number of Bighorn Sheep grazing on what little greenery they could find up there in winter. Once you get to the final lookout the view is just sensational, taking in Zion Canyon and also the incredibly winding road through the park.
There are some huge rock formations which make great photo ops in the warmer weather. The snow on our visit meant they weren’t really suitable for sitting on the edge of!
The trail during winter
The road from the Canyon Overlook Trail
The lookout area is pretty big and you can spend quite a while up here either admiring the view or exploring the area. We had intended to visit at sunrise which the visitor centre told us had the best light, but due to a morning snowstorm we ended up visiting closer to sunset. Although it isn’t a sunset spot, the light was still very beautiful.
Incidentally, the two car parks for this walk are absolutely tiny, especially for the popularity of the track so early or late is the best time to walk this trail.
Getting to Canyon Overlook Trail
If you’re driving from Springdale, the start of the Canyon Overlook Track is at the far side of the tunnel on the Zion - Mount Carmel Highway. There is a small car park next to the trail, but more spaces further along the road.
5 - Lower Emerald Pool
Distance: 1.4 miles (2.3km) return trip
Elevation: 22m
Time taken: 50 minutes (but mainly because we were enjoying the snowy views!)
Condition of trail: The trail is in good condition and easy to walk on. It can get a little slippery at the very end if you descend for a closer look at the Emerald Pool.
Start point: Zion Lodge.
Why this trail is number 5: The Lower Emerald Pool trail is short, easy and leads to a beautiful pool. It’s one of the best easy trails, but we always prefer a challenge!
The route to the Lower Emerald Pool will take you on a narrow (but not steep) treelined path with frequent glimpses out to the magnificent red mountains. It’s an easy walk, and pretty throughout.
The start of the trail
One of the views from the trail
The emerald pool itself is fairly small, but picturesque, and depending on the recent weather conditions you may have a waterfall cascading into it.
We only had a small amount of water flow but it was still a gorgeous sight. The whole scene is beautiful and was hard to believe you could get to such a beautiful spot with so little effort.
The bottom of Lower Emerald Pool
We visited Zion National Park in winter when it was very quiet, in the peak season it gets really busy so you might want to visit early or late in the day if you are after some serenity.
Getting to the Lower Emerald Pools
If you can drive, park at Zion Lodge and start the trail from there. When the shuttle system is running, get the shuttle from the Visitor Centre to stop 5 - Zion Lodge.
Read next: Alabama Hills, California - a stunning landscape and Hikes in the Grand Canyon that are unreal
6 - Par’us Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles (2.5km) one way. If you don’t want to walk back you can use the free shuttle from Canyon Junction to the Visitor Centre.
Elevation: None
Time taken: 40 mins
Condition of trail: This trail is fully paved and wheelchair accessible.
Start point: Zion National Park Visitor Centre.
Why this trail is number 6: The Par’us Trail offers up beautiful views and it’s great for a gentle stroll and introducing yourself to the valley. It does run near the road though so it only gets to number 6.
This trail is flat and easy making it a great introduction to hiking in Zion, especially if you arrive later in the day or don’t fancy getting on one of the shuttles (the walk starts by the visitor centre). You are surrounded by the gorgeous red mountains of the lower Zion Canyon on either side of you for the whole walk.
You are also following the Virgin River and there are plenty of spots where you can access the riverside, the perfect place for a paddle on a hot day.
The river views from the Par’us Trail
The mountain views from the Par’us Trail
The Par’us trail is also a great sunset spot in the park. It is right by the visitor centre making it one of the easiest sunset spots to access and only requires a few minutes walking for some great views, including the famous Watchman.
The trail is wide and paved and is therefore also good for cyclists.
Getting to the Par’us Trail
The Par’us Trail is one of the easiest Zion National Park hikes to get to as it is by the visitor centre at the entrance of the national park. You can find the signs for the track from the visitor’s centre or along the small bridge which leads into the car park.
Read next: Death Valley hikes to discover this stunning place away from the crowds! and Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon - which should you visit?
7 - Watchman Trail
Distance: 3.1 miles (5.1km) return trip
Elevation: 131m
Time taken: 1 hour 30
Condition of trail: This trail can be narrow in places and has some short rocky sections. This is one to avoid after rain or snow melt as the vast majority becomes one boggy mess.
Start point: Zion National Park Visitor Centre.
Why this trail is number 7: The Watchman Trail will take you above the valley and offers up some interesting views. Sadly it can become incredibly muddy in the winter which is when we hiked it and that probably clouds our judgement of it a little.
The Watchman Trail is slightly more difficult than say Lower Emerald Pool or the Par’rus but it’s still a pretty easy walk.
In the early morning or late afternoon it can be a good track for spotting wildlife and we were lucky enough to see mule deer crossing the path several times.
The trail winds its way up to a mountain lookout and has expansive views all the way - perfect for if you want to take a breather on the way up. The track is not terribly steep and although the trail is narrow at points, it isn’t precarious, so should be suitable for all but extreme vertigo sufferers.
The view from the top of the Watchman Trail
Deer crossing the path on the Watchman Trail
The lookout at the top is another fantastic place to watch the sunset. There are plenty of rocks to sit on and admire the view and, as it is much quicker going down than up, you should be able to make it back to the start of the trail in the twilight.
There is an additional short loop which you can add on to this track which is accessed from the lookout at the top which gives you additional fantastic views.
Getting to Watchman Trail
The Watchman Trail is another one of the Zion National Park hikes that goes straight from the visitor centre and isn’t difficult to find. Simply walk to the RV Car Park and you should be able to easily find the start of the trail.
Read next: Devil’s Bridge Sedona - one of the Southwest’s best views and Lower Antelope Canyon - how to avoid the crowds
8 - Riverside Walk
Distance: 2.2 miles (3.5km) return trip
Elevation: 17m
Time taken: 1.5 hours
Condition of trail: The first half of the trail is wheelchair accessible, completely flat and paved. The last half is still paved and in great condition but has some very slight up and downhill sections.
Start point: Temple of Sinawava Car Park or shuttle stop 9.
Why this walk is number 8: The Riverside Walk is a pleasant stroll, but essentially it’s the opening part of the Narrows Hike and the best adventure in this part of the park is getting into the river itself.
This is a great trail if you want to take a look at one of the most famous Zion National Park hikes - ‘The Narrows’ - but don’t actually want to venture into the water. It’s at the furthest end of the Zion Canyon and a truly beautiful spot.
Our family enjoying the trail
You are walking with the towering mountains on both sides of you, a bit like the Pa’rus trail, but unlike the Pa’rus you feel far away from the road.
There are various points you can access the river but the best is obviously at the end marking the start of the Narrows.
The start of the Narrows
It’s the kind of walk that makes you feel small as you are continuously dwarfed by the red cliffs. Part of this walk can be closed off in the winter due to ice fall.
Getting to the Riverside Walk
The Riverside Trail is the furthest along the Zion Scenic Drive and the final stop on the shuttle system. It takes 40 minutes to get to from the visitor centre.
Read next: Waterhole Canyon Arizona - the perfect alternative to Antelope Canyon and The Phantom Ranch Hike - how to see the magic below the rim of the Grand Canyon
Essential Information about Zion National Park
Orientation and Trail Status
Trail conditions at Zion can change quite quickly. Before you go, check this page on the National Park Service’s website to see which Zion National Park hikes are open. When we visited, Observation Point, the Upper and Middle Emerald Pools and Hidden Canyon were closed due to rockfall and staff weren’t sure when they would re-open again. Update 2020 - only Hidden Canyon and Observation Point main trail are still closed.
The main Zion National Park hikes are along two roads with the majority along the Zion Scenic Drive. This road is stunningly beautiful and follows every bend of the Virgin River, taking you deeper into the narrow canyon as you go. From the visitor’s centre, the shuttle takes 40 minutes to drive to the very end with 9 stops/car parks along the way. The car parks can only be used when the shuttle is not in operation.
The other road winds its way up towards Mount Carmel. This road will take you to the Canyon Overlook Trail and a few other viewpoints.
Read next: The one hack that makes the Angels Landing hike a lot safer
Zion National Park Entrance Fee
You can use the America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass to get into Zion (US80 per annum), otherwise it will cost $35 for entry with a car for 7 days, $30 for a motorbike or $20 per person on foot or by bicycle.
As the National Parks Pass is $80 for the year, we felt it was worth it if you plan on visiting more than three national parks in a year.
Read next: Bryce Canyon in Winter - is it worth it?
Packing suggestions for Zion
Having the right gear can make a huge difference, whether it’s hiking during the hot summers, or the potential snow in the winter. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon, REI or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on REI or Amazon
Gloves for Angels Landing: Something that makes it a lot easier to grip those chains- Check on REI or Amazon
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check then out on REI or Amazon
For winter
Yak Trax: A game changer for hiking in the snow. Check them out on REI or Amazon
Icebreaker Base Layer: What we always wear in the winter and makes a huge difference for keeping warm. Check out on REI or Amazon
Down Jacket: Essential for keeping warm: Check out REI or Amazon
Merino Wool Socks: The best way to keep your feet warm. Check out REI or Amazon
Where to stay in Zion
Cable Mountain Lodge
When it comes to staying in Zion, the majority of accommodation is concentrated in the nearby village of Springdale. We stayed at Cable Mountain Lodge and absolutely loved it.
The lodge is literally steps away from the entrance to the park and the Visitor Centre, meaning you won’t lose any time driving to and from the park!
The views of the Watchman for the Cable Mountain Lodge in Springdale
The rooms here are beautiful, comfortable and have stunning views of the Watchman and Zion Canyon.
Many rooms also come with kitchenettes which allows you to self cater which was a massive bonus for us. It was the perfect place to relax after a long day covering many of the best Zion National Park hikes.
There’s a pool and hot tub with great views. The pool wasn’t open on our visit as it is outdoors but we definitely made use of the outdoor hot tub - even when it was snowing!
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Are you planning a trip to Utah? Where is your favourite hike in Zion? Let us know in the comments below!
