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.
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
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
5.0 km
Canyon Overlook Trail
Hike up for a spectacular view of Zion Canyon on your entrance to Zion National Park
Hike up for a spectacular view of Zion Canyon on your entrance to Zion National Park
Moderate
1.0 mi
1.6 km
1.6 km
Many Pools - Zion National Park
A nice moderate unmaintained trail on the East side of Zion.
A nice moderate unmaintained trail on the East side of Zion.
Moderate
2.3 mi
3.7 km
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 stroll through a wide slickrock wash. Includes a 4th class scramble to Separation Point if desired.
Moderate
2.8 mi
4.5 km
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.
Short summit ascent up a massive slickrock slab. Requires 4th class scramble and steep rock skills.
Difficult
1.1 mi
1.8 km
1.8 km
Lady Mountain - Zion National Park
Demanding summit hike on an unmaintained but well marked trail.
Demanding summit hike on an unmaintained but well marked trail.
Difficult
1.3 mi
2.1 km
2.1 km
Progeny Peak - Zion National Park
Short but challenging summit hike. Includes the beautiful Two Pines Arch along the way.
Short but challenging summit hike. Includes the beautiful Two Pines Arch along the way.
Difficult
1.6 mi
2.6 km
2.6 km
Jug Handle Arch - Zion National Park
Challenging to reach view points or challenging to reach summit hike your choice.
Challenging to reach view points or challenging to reach summit hike your choice.
Difficult
2.7 mi
4.3 km
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.
The East Temple Saddle route is a backcountry extension turning the Canyon Overlook trail into a loop.
Difficult
3.1 mi
5.0 km
5.0 km
The Subway - Zion National Park
Long day hike to dinosaur tracks, keyhole falls and subway
Long day hike to dinosaur tracks, keyhole falls and subway
Difficult
4.0 mi
6.4 km
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.
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
7.6 km
Destination Peak - Zion National Park
Rewarding summit hike into seldom explored and rarely seen parts of East Zion.
Rewarding summit hike into seldom explored and rarely seen parts of East Zion.
Difficult
6.2 mi
10.0 km
10.0 km
Parunuweap Pass - Zion National Park
Rewarding but difficult day hike into seldom explored East Zion.
Rewarding but difficult day hike into seldom explored East Zion.
Difficult
6.4 mi
10.3 km
10.3 km
Mountain of the Sun
Spectacular, challenging summit hike. Long difficult approach. Represents the best of Zion backcountry adventure.
Spectacular, challenging summit hike. Long difficult approach. Represents the best of Zion backcountry adventure.
Difficult
8.1 mi
13.0 km
13.0 km
Zion West Rim Trail
The West Rim Trail has some of the most spectacular views that anyone could hope to see
The West Rim Trail has some of the most spectacular views that anyone could hope to see
Difficult
18.6 mi
29.9 km
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.
Technical summit hike. Stunning views. Challenging route finding required. Includes the beautiful Red Window Arch.
Difficult
2.7 mi
4.3 km
4.3 km
Guides
Hike up for a spectacular view of Zion Canyon on your entrance to Zion National Park
Long day hike to dinosaur tracks, keyhole falls and subway
Short but challenging summit hike. Includes the beautiful Two Pines Arch along the way.
A hike to the highest point in Zion National Park
Demanding summit hike on an unmaintained but well marked trail.
Rewarding but difficult day hike into seldom explored East Zion.
Spectacular, challenging summit hike. Long difficult approach. Represents the best of Zion backcountry adventure.
Rewarding summit hike into seldom explored and rarely seen parts of East Zion.
This 5 mile loop includes a wonderful view into remote Parunuweap canyon, and ends on top of Cockeye Falls.
The East Temple Saddle route is a backcountry extension turning the Canyon Overlook trail into a loop.
Technical summit hike. Stunning views. Challenging route finding required. Includes the beautiful Red Window Arch.
Walk through the water between high canyon walls as a nice way to cool off in Zion National Park
Community Trips
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...
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).
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...
Absolutely fantastic hike: not extremely difficult, but extremely rewarding. Trail head starts at "The Grotto" shuttle stop.
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...
A dayhike on the West Rim trail, from the Grotto trailhead up to West Rim campsite #2, and back.
Zion National Park - Weeping Rock and Hidden Canyon, UT, USA
Springdale, Utah, United States
5.0 miles
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.
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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.
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...
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
