11 Top Hiking Trails in Zion National Park
Zion is one of the most visited parks in the United States, and many people come here specifically for the outstanding hiking. But you don't need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy many of the trails in this park. Hikes range from less than a half mile to multi-day treks, with trails for all ability levels.
If you have time for only a few short hikes or walks, the best options are Lower Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk. However, if you want to experience some of Zion's classic, signature hikes, The Narrows or Angels Landing are probably what you are looking for in a day hike.
For something in between, you'll find all kinds of options. Zion is a spectacular park, with incredible views at every turn, so whether you choose a hike that runs along the valley floor, with sheer cliff walls rising above you, or a trail that runs along one of the high ridges, you won't be disappointed.
Shuttle Service to Trailheads
From spring until fall, the park closes the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to private vehicles and offers a free shuttle service for visitors. The shuttle bus stops at all the major trailheads along this section of the park and is very convenient for some hikes, which you can begin at one stop and end at another.
Trail Closures
The number of hikes at Zion has been reduced due to a significant rockfall event in 2019. Three of the most popular hikes, Weeping Rock, Observation Point, and Hidden Canyon, were closed at this time. Due to the severity of the damage, it's unknown whether the hikes will reopen. We've included information on these hikes in the hope that they will reopen.
To determine the best trail for you or your group, see our guide to the best hikes in Zion National Park.
The Narrows
Zion's signature feature, the Narrows is the slot canyon of all slot canyons, and hikers who don't mind getting a little wet can hike through this spectacular rock cut, following the Virgin River. This is the most popular hiking trail in Zion National Park, but it is done in the summer, after the river recedes from the spring runoff and is safe enough for passage.
Although there is more than one way to tackle this hike, most people begin the trail where the Riverside Walk ends. In places where the canyon walls close in around the river to the point there is no shore, you need to wade through the river as you move upstream, navigating through the rocks on the river bed as you go.
You can make this hike as short or as long as you like by turning around at any point, but you can't go beyond Big Springs. The best scenery is about two hours in, at "Wall Street." This is where the sheer walls are closest together. Most hikers do a round-trip hike of six to eight miles.
Alternatively, if you get a permit, you can do this hike from the top down for a strenuous 16-mile trip.
This is not a hike to be taken lightly. The water is very cold, the rocks are slippery, and temperatures in the canyon can be substantially colder than the rest of the park, as most of the hike is in the shade.
Angels Landing
Angels Landing is one of the park's most famous hikes. This spectacular hike takes you up to an outstanding viewpoint looking out over the canyon. This dramatic hike climbs the side of a mountain on a series of switchbacks known as Walter's Wiggles, and then follows a narrow ridge, terminating at a 1,500-foot drop, where you can look out over the valley below.
While this is a famous hike, it's not for everyone. It's a strenuous 5.4-mile round-trip trail with serious elevation gain and narrow ridges with huge drop-offs. Hikers with a fear of heights, and young children, should not attempt it. Some of the trail has chains for handholds.
This hike begins at the Grotto and takes between three and six hours to complete. The trail is open year-round but can be extremely hot and crowded in the summer or covered in snow in the winter.
Permit Requirements for Angels Landing
In 2022, a new traffic management program was officially put in place to avoid overcrowding. You will need to have a permit to undertake the hike. Permits are assigned using a lottery system. If you want to hike in the summer, you'll need to apply in early April. If you want to hike in the fall, you'll need to apply in early July. For the winter, apply in early October.
Exact dates and permit applications to the lottery can be found on the park website. You can also take your chances and apply the day before you want to hike and hope for the best, but your success rate will most likely be low.
Riverside Walk
As the name suggests, this trail follows the Virgin River for fabulous views of the surrounding cliff walls that veer up on both sides of the river. This paved trail, accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, hugs a cliff wall for most of the path and offers close-up views of weeping walls, hanging gardens, and the Virgin River.
You can sometimes see birds and other wildlife along here. Primitive trails in some sections allow you to walk right down to the river. The trail ends at the start of The Narrows hike. The Riverside Walk is a 2.2-mile round-trip hike, easily doable for the average visitor, and is the last stop on the shuttle bus.
Emerald Pools
The Emerald Pools hike, beginning at the Zion Lodge shuttle stop, has three sets of pools at different points along the hike: lower emerald pools, middle emerald pools, and upper emerald pools. You can hike to all three or just to the first set, depending on your energy level or how much time you want to spend here.
Even if you simply hike to the Lower Emerald Pools, a 0.6-mile round-trip along a paved path, this hike is well worth doing and perfect if you have children.
The pools, which may look more like mud puddles at times, are at the base of a weeping wall or full on waterfall, depending on the time of year. Along the path, up to this point, there are nice views down the valley and out over the Virgin River. At one point, you can see a large section of rock wall that has fallen off the cliff.
If you choose to go on, the trail continues beyond the dripping wall and climbs up above the waterfall area, to the Middle Emerald Pools. In addition to the pools, you'll find excellent views of the surrounding mountains. From here, you can loop back to the parking lot if you choose.
Alternatively, you can catch the Kayenta Trail and hike down, ending your hike at the Grotto, where you can catch the park shuttle bus.
Or, if you are up for a bit more adventure, you can hike from the Middle Pools to the Upper Emerald Pools. This last portion of the trail has some exposed ledges and may not be suitable for children or those with a serious fear of heights.
Canyon Overlook Trail
This is a spectacular one-mile hike off the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, leading to a high lookout point with views over the valley. The trail itself is part of the attraction as it curves around the side of a mountain, hugging the cliff wall, veering out onto a wooden walkway suspended over a drop-off, and looking out over outstanding scenery around every corner.
Long drops are mostly guarded with railings, but some are not. At points, you will need to negotiate narrow ledges with no barriers, making this trail inappropriate for young children.
The trailhead is located on the east side of the tunnel, immediately after you exit the tunnel. You must pull into the parking area as soon as you exit the tunnel, or you'll miss the stop, and getting turned around is difficult.
Kayenta
The Kayenta Trail connects with the Emerald Pools trail and is frequently done in combination with the Emerald Pools hike, beginning at The Grotto and ending at the Zion Lodge shuttle bus stops. If you just want to do the Kayenta Trail, it is a two-mile out-and-back hike to the Upper Emerald Pools.
The trail hugs the canyon wall for much of the way and then climbs up to the pools. Beautiful views over the Virgin River and the canyon stretch all along this trail, which also has numerous exposed sections with long drop-offs.
Pa'Rus Trail
If you have your four-legged friend with you, this is the only trail in the park where you can take them for a walk. Dogs must be on a leash. This 3.5-mile out-and-back trail is paved the entire way and is suitable for wheelchairs.
Pa'Rus Trail is also the only trail in the park where bicycles are allowed. The trail follows the river for part of the way and offers beautiful views up to the soaring mountains known as The Watchman, Bridge Mountain, West Temple, and Bee Hive.
Taylor Creek Trail (Kolob Canyons)
Many of the most popular hikes are located in Zion Canyon; however, an area that is often overlooked is the Kolob Canyons area. Wonderfully uncrowded, this area of the park is equally as spectacular and a great place to experience some of the best Utah has to offer.
The Taylor Creek Trail has a bit of everything: slot canyons, a river, and even a bit of history in the form of two old cabins from the turn of the century. The trail is five miles return and follows the creek up a canyon: be prepared for multiple stream crossings. The ultimate goal of most hikers is the beautiful Double Arch Alcove. Turn around here, and head back if you want, or continue onwards as far as you like.
Weeping Rock (Closed)
An easy half-mile round-trip trail leads to Weeping Rock, a large alcove carved into a cliff wall, with a steady supply of water dripping or streaming off the face. In the spring, and especially on rainy days, Weeping Rock can be transformed into a waterfall.
Along the wall, you can see hanging gardens and look out over the valley to the surrounding mountains. Expect to get at least a little wet on this hike if you choose to walk below the overhang. This short hike has a couple of moderately steep sections and some stairs. It is not wheelchair accessible.
The Weeping Rock trail is currently closed due to a rockfall event in 2019, a reopening date has not been announced by the park as of publication.
Observation Point (Closed)
For spectacular scenery and an outstanding view over Zion Canyon, this eight-mile round-trip hike is one of the best trails. This is a strenuous hike up to, and through, Echo Canyon, over Zion's picturesque Navajo sandstone and past dramatic drop-offs. Eventually, you come to a flat viewpoint with sweeping views over the canyon.
From here, you can look down on the cliff walls and the valley, cut by the Virgin River, far below. If you aren't up for the drama and crowds of Angels Landing, Observation Point is a nice alternative. Although it's longer and higher, it's also less crowded and takes you through some amazing canyon scenery along the way.
The trailhead for this hike is at the Weeping Rock parking area. In the winter, the trail may be snow covered or icy.
The Observation Trail is currently closed due to a rockfall event in 2019, a reopening date has not been announced by the park as of publication.
Hidden Canyon (Closed)
Hidden Canyon can be done on its own or as a spur off the Observation Point trail. On its own, it's a much less strenuous and shorter hike, with a return distance of 2.2 miles. It's a perfect option if you only want to spend a few hours hiking and aren't afraid of heights.
The trail leads up from the Weeping Rock trail, winding up a series of switchbacks and ends at a hanging canyon. Be warned, this trail has some serious drop-offs along narrow sections of the trail, some of which have chains bolted into the cliff side to hang on to, some of which do not. It's not appropriate for children and won't be enjoyable for anyone with a fear of heights.
The Hidden Canyon Trail is currently closed due to a rockfall event in 2019, a reopening date has not been announced by the park as of publication.
More Great Destinations for Hiking in the Southwest
Hiking Trails: Utah is an outstanding state for hiking. Just west of Zion, you can find some incredible, off-the-beaten-path parks and hiking trails near St. George, and a little over an hour up the road to the northeast of Zion, the unique scenery and wonderful hiking trails in Bryce Canyon National Park. Farther east, near Moab, check out the hikes in Arches National Park.
If you are heading south from Zion, into Nevada, it's worth taking some time to hit the trails in Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
