Zion National Park

Utah, United States
 (6 votes, 6 reviews)
Zion National Park in Utah is another popular destination in the Southwestern United states with some beautiful views.  It was the first national park in Utah and the best way to experience it is hiking among the high cliffs and through the narrow canyons. It is home to some very unique hikes, such as the Narrows where you walk up to 6 miles up a river, the sheer canyon walls on either side of you, or hike the Angels Landing Trail with 21 switchbacks to the top for a great lookout.
Hiking Trails
Easy
Pa'rus Trail - 3.5 mile pave trail following the Virgin River from the South Campground to Canyon Junction.

Archeology Trail - 0.4 mile short but steep hike from the visitor center parking lot with exhibits along the trail.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail - 1.2 mile paved trail to Lower Emerald Pool and waterfall, you can continue further to the Middle Emerald Pools Trail.

Grotto Trail - 1 mi trail connecting Zion Lodge to The Grotto, can be extended via the Middle Emerald Pools Trail.

Weeping Rock Trail - 0.4 mile short but steep paved trail to a rock alcove with springs.

Riverside Walk - 2.2 mile paved trail along the Virgin River.

Moderate
Watchman Trail - 2.7 mile climb to the Middle Emerald Pools

Middle Emerald Pools Trail - 2 mile climb to the Middle Emerald Pools

Upper Emerald Pool Trail - 1 mile rocky trail to the Upper Emerald Pool.

Kayenta Trail - 2.0 mile climb to the Emerald Pools from The Grotto.

Canyon Overlook Trail - 1 mile to a short trail to some great views of lower Zion Canyon.

Taylor Creek Trail - 5 mile trail along the middle fork of Taylor Creek to Double Arch Alcove.

Timber Creek Overlook Trail - 1 mile trail to a peak with views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and Pine Valley Mountains.

Strenous
Angels Landing via West Rim Trail - 5.4 mile trail up to Angels Landing, with a section along a steep narrow ridge at the end towards the summit.

Hidden Canyon Trail - 2.4 mile trail along a cliff face to the mouth of a narrow canyon.

Observation Point via East Rim Trail - 8 mile climb through Echo Canyon to a great viewpoint of Zion Canyon.

The Narrows via Riverside Walk - 9.4 mile "trail" in the river through narrow canyons. Expect water up to chest high in some places (you can turn around at any point).

Kolob Arch via La Verkin Creek Trail - 14 mile trail to one of the world's largest freestanding arches.

Trails

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
The Narrows - Zion National Park
Walk through the water between high canyon walls as a nice way to cool off in Zion National Park
Easy
3.1 mi
5.0 km
Canyon Overlook Trail
Hike up for a spectacular view of Zion Canyon on your entrance to Zion National Park
Moderate
1.0 mi
1.6 km
Many Pools - Zion National Park
A nice moderate unmaintained trail on the East side of Zion.
Moderate
2.3 mi
3.7 km
Separation Canyon - Zion National Park
Moderate stroll through a wide slickrock wash. Includes a 4th class scramble to Separation Point if desired.
Moderate
2.8 mi
4.5 km
South Ariel Peak - Zion National Park
Short summit ascent up a massive slickrock slab. Requires 4th class scramble and steep rock skills.
Difficult
1.1 mi
1.8 km
Lady Mountain - Zion National Park
Demanding summit hike on an unmaintained but well marked trail.
Difficult
1.3 mi
2.1 km
Progeny Peak - Zion National Park
Short but challenging summit hike. Includes the beautiful Two Pines Arch along the way.
Difficult
1.6 mi
2.6 km
Jug Handle Arch - Zion National Park
Challenging to reach view points or challenging to reach summit hike your choice.
Difficult
2.7 mi
4.3 km
East Temple Saddle - Zion National Park
The East Temple Saddle route is a backcountry extension turning the Canyon Overlook trail into a loop.
Difficult
3.1 mi
5.0 km
The Subway - Zion National Park
Long day hike to dinosaur tracks, keyhole falls and subway
Difficult
4.0 mi
6.4 km
Cockeye Falls - Zion National Park
This 5 mile loop includes a wonderful view into remote Parunuweap canyon, and ends on top of Cockeye Falls.
Difficult
4.7 mi
7.6 km
Destination Peak - Zion National Park
Rewarding summit hike into seldom explored and rarely seen parts of East Zion.
Difficult
6.2 mi
10.0 km
Parunuweap Pass - Zion National Park
Rewarding but difficult day hike into seldom explored East Zion.
Difficult
6.4 mi
10.3 km
Mountain of the Sun
Spectacular, challenging summit hike. Long difficult approach. Represents the best of Zion backcountry adventure.
Difficult
8.1 mi
13.0 km
Observation Point
A hike to the highest point in Zion National Park
Difficult
8.1 mi
13.0 km
Zion West Rim Trail
The West Rim Trail has some of the most spectacular views that anyone could hope to see
Difficult
18.6 mi
29.9 km

Red Butte Wilderness

Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Red Butte - Kolob Terrace
Technical summit hike. Stunning views. Challenging route finding required. Includes the beautiful Red Window Arch.
Difficult
2.7 mi
4.3 km
Guides
Canyon Overlook Trail
Canyon Overlook Trail
Hurricane, Utah, United States
 
Moderate: 1.0 miles, 1 hour or less
Hike up for a spectacular view of Zion Canyon on your entrance to Zion National Park
The Subway - Zion National Park
The Subway - Zion National Park
Zion National Park, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 4.0 miles, Half day
Long day hike to dinosaur tracks, keyhole falls and subway
Progeny Peak - Zion National Park
Progeny Peak - Zion National Park
East Zion, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 1.6 miles, 1-3 hours
Short but challenging summit hike. Includes the beautiful Two Pines Arch along the way.
Observation Point
Observation Point
Zion Lodge, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 8.1 miles, Half day
A hike to the highest point in Zion National Park
Lady Mountain - Zion National Park
Lady Mountain - Zion National Park
Main Zion Canyon, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 1.3 miles, Half day
Demanding summit hike on an unmaintained but well marked trail.
Parunuweap Pass - Zion National Park
Parunuweap Pass - Zion National Park
East Zion, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 6.4 miles, Full day
Rewarding but difficult day hike into seldom explored East Zion.
Mountain of the Sun
Mountain of the Sun
East Zion, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 8.1 miles, Full day
Spectacular, challenging summit hike. Long difficult approach. Represents the best of Zion backcountry adventure.
Destination Peak - Zion National Park
Destination Peak - Zion National Park
East Zion, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 6.2 miles, Full day
Rewarding summit hike into seldom explored and rarely seen parts of East Zion.
Cockeye Falls - Zion National Park
Cockeye Falls - Zion National Park
East Zion, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 4.7 miles, Half day
This 5 mile loop includes a wonderful view into remote Parunuweap canyon, and ends on top of Cockeye Falls.
East Temple Saddle - Zion National Park
East Temple Saddle - Zion National Park
East Zion, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 3.1 miles, 1-3 hours
The East Temple Saddle route is a backcountry extension turning the Canyon Overlook trail into a loop.
Red Butte - Kolob Terrace
Red Butte - Kolob Terrace
Kolob Terrace, Utah, United States
 
Difficult: 2.7 miles, Full day
Technical summit hike. Stunning views. Challenging route finding required. Includes the beautiful Red Window Arch.
The Narrows - Zion National Park
The Narrows - Zion National Park
Zion National Park, Utah, United States
 
Easy: 3.1 miles, 1 hour or less
Walk through the water between high canyon walls as a nice way to cool off in Zion National Park
Community Trips
Riverside Walk (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Riverside Walk (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Riverside Walk (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Riverside Walk (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Riverside Walk and The Narrows Trail - Zion National Park
by chris on Jun 28, 2009
Zion Lodge, Utah, United States
3.1 miles
This is the hike we had been waiting for the entire road trip!  The weather was over 100 degrees, so we took the short 1 mile hike to the creek where we started the narrows hike.  This hike is completely in the water, walking upsteam.  At times the water got up to our chest, which was a little scary for my new camera and backpack, but we managed to keep the electronics...
Angels Landing Photo
Angels Landing Trail Photo
Looking south from the Angels Landing Trail Photo
Angels Landing Photo
Angels Landing, Zion National Park
by blr on Oct 03, 2009
Zion Lodge, Utah, United States
5.4 miles
One of my all-time favorite hikes. This hike is well documented so there is nothing more I can add, other than it's a hike everyone should experience once. Hiked it this time with my dad, son (age 9) and daughter (age 8).
Zion National Park (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Zion National Park (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Zion National Park (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Emerald Pools Waterfall (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
Emerald Pools Hike - Zion National Park
by chris on Jun 29, 2009
Zion Lodge, Utah, United States
1.7 miles
We were excited for another water hike on such a hot day and after spending  a week in the desert on the Colorado plateau.  Unfortunately, there was very little water coming from these waterfalls.  We had to hurry because we were already about 2 hours behind schedule and still had 2 hours to drive before the night was over, but this brief walk was a nice and relaxing way to end a...
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Angels Landing Trail
by radims on Oct 25, 2010
Zion NP, Utah, United States
4.0 miles
Absolutely fantastic hike: not extremely difficult, but extremely rewarding. Trail head starts at "The Grotto" shuttle stop.
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The Subway in Zion National Park
by burnsdye on Jun 06, 2009
Zion National Park, Utah, United States
Canyoneering | 7.5 miles
Saturday started bright and early.We carpooled up to the trailhead.The first part of the hike was uneventful except that we followed the wrong trail. We ended up at the edge of a very long and very steep cliff.A couple of the guys rappelled down a ways to see if it was passable. It wasn't, so we backtracked and found the right trail.Highlights are:We passed a couple of slow groups that were "hard...
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Zion Canyon West Rim
by RayFink on Apr 09, 2008
Zion Lodge, Utah, United States
8.8 miles
A dayhike on the West Rim trail, from the Grotto trailhead up to West Rim campsite #2, and back.
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Zion National Park - Weeping Rock and Hidden Canyon, UT, USA
by ant on Oct 12, 2010
Springdale, Utah, United States
5.0 miles
Another great hike in Zion National park. Weeping rock is an easy walk. But you definitely need to go beyond the weeping rock to enjoy the views. Hidden canyon's view isn't as good as others but getting there is a good experience with great rewards.
2008 02 29 001_edited-1 (Medium). (Virgin, Utah, United States) Photo
2008 02 29 002_edited-1 (Medium). (Virgin, Utah, United States) Photo
2008 02 29 003_edited-1 (Medium). (Virgin, Utah, United States) Photo
2008 02 29 004_edited-1 (Medium). (Virgin, Utah, United States) Photo
The Guacamole bonus day ride
by bikebreaker on Feb 29, 2008
Virgin, Utah, United States
7.1 miles
Well once every 4 years we get a bonus day. This year it came on a Friday. Why not use it particularly since the weather was so incredibly beautiful. So we headed to the Guacamole trail just outside Zion National park and near Virgin Utah. This is a s uper fun slickrock trail and we had a great day.
rappel2_edited-1 (Medium).jpg (Zion Lodge, Utah, United States) Photo
2009 04 24 004_edited-1 (Medium).jpg (Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States) Photo
2009 04 24 007_edited-2pg (Medium).jpg (Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States) Photo
2009 04 24 008_edited-1 (Medium).jpg (Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States) Photo
Wylies Retreat {Lodge Canyon}
by bikebreaker on Apr 24, 2009
Zion Lodge, Utah, United States
Canyoneering | 4.5 miles
This trip starts with a nice easy walk up the very secnic  Upper Pine Creek Drainage.  Near the top of the drainage you must climb out up a very steep slickrock exit ramp.  Once you get to the top of that catch your breath because you are going to continue climbing to the top of another very steep slickrock bench.  Look for a nice panel of petroglyphs on  flat smooth cliff face...
Canyon Overlook Trail (Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States) Photo
Lizzard (Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States) Photo
Canyon Overlook Trail (Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States) Photo
Canyon Overlook Trail (Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States) Photo
Canyon Overlook Trail - Zion National Park
by chris on Jun 28, 2009
Watchman Residential Area, Utah, United States
1.3 miles
After 2+ hours in the car Loren and I were ready to hike the first trail that presented itself to us.  This was a short one, made more difficult by the 100 degree weather, but the view was well worth it.  After the hike we headed down to the visitors' center before hiking a few more trails in the canyon.

Reviews
wokwok1
Angels Landing... a very impressive hike :-)
Visited on Oct 30, 2011

by wokwok1 on Nov 25, 2011 at 12:12:55 pm
ScottBigelowD
Emerald Pools & Weeping Rock was all we had time for during this trip, but they inspired us to return for more the next time we're in the area.
Visited on Apr 12, 2011

by ScottBigelowD on Apr 14, 2011 at 12:57:56 pm
wokwok1
Zion National Park is amazing. especially Angles Landing
Visited on Dec 25, 2010

by wokwok1 on Mar 08, 2011 at 12:00:45 am
LVHiker
Zion is a hiker's paradise. The Observation Point hike is challenging. It is quite a challenging trail with lots of beauty and a tremendous view!
Visited on Sep 28, 2010

by LVHiker on Jan 15, 2011 at 08:42:29 pm
monk191
Backpacked through the Park from Lee Pass to the Main Valley. Beautiful scenery, surprisingly cool weather, but water was sometimes an issue.
Visited on Aug 26, 2010

by monk191 on Mar 10, 2011 at 11:52:04 am
chris
I went to Zion as a part of a road trip through several national parks in the south west and the cliffs and views are spectacular. We hiked up to the overlook trail which was pretty quick but offered an amazing view of the entire valley.

I wish I had time to hike to Angels landing, because I have heard great things about that hike. It was a very hot day and we decided to cool off by hiking the Narrows which is nothing more than hiking upstream in the river through some narrow canyons. At places the water gets chest high so it is best to keep cameras elevated or leave them before getting in the water.

I wish I had more than a few hours here, but I'm not too worried because I am certain that I'll be back sometime in the near future.

Visited on Jun 29, 2009

by chris on Jan 12, 2011 at 02:20:33 am

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What people are saying...

Progeny Peak, Utah, Gifford Canyon, Guacamole trail, Many Pools, Zion, East Side of Zion, scramble, Backcountry Route, trail, summit, Hiking in Zion National Park, Chinle Trail, Hiking, Angels Landing, Slot Canyon, Mountain biking, peak bagging, Zion national Park, Cowboy Ridge

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