Best Hiking Trails in Zion National Park
Zion National park is home to 229 square miles of undulating canyon terrain. The blood red sandstone cliffs turn fiery orange and yellow in the early and late hours of the day. Even if you are not an aspiring nature photographer, check out these hikes for some of the best hiking trails that offer stunning viewpoints all across Zion.
Canyon View Trail
Distance: 1.0 mi roundtrip
Length of time: 30 mins to 1 hour
Trailhead: Highway 9 (just before entering the Mount Carmel Tunnel on the East Side)
Pro Tip: Go for sunset with hot chocolate in hand; make sure to keep an eye out for rock climbers descending off the canyon wall’s famous climbs.
Description: This viewpoint overlook trail sits on the edge of Pine Creek canyon, it is visible as the arch on the east wall of the canyon when you drive through the Mt. Carmel Tunnel heading towards Bryce. Due to its’ location on the way out of or into the park, Canyon View Trail is a great hiking trail to hit up in the morning as you leave the park, or after your drive into Zion coming from Bryce. It is short, easy, and epic. This is a wonderful hike for a family with a continuum of ages and abilities. It is also a stellar option as a post dinner sunset hike!
Angel’s Landing
Distance: 5.4 mi roundtrip
Length of time: 3-5 hours
Trailhead: Shuttle stop #6 (The Grotto)
Pro Tip: Go early! This leaves room for getting off the trail before the crowds and keeps you safe in the event that afternoon thunderstorms move in. The final section of this trail is now a permitted hike. Visit the Zion National Park website for more information.
Description: Angel’s Landing is that hike that you talk about for years to come and wear it like a badge of honor. Angel’s Landing is a mostly uphill, over 5-mile hiking trail, that takes you through Refrigerator Canyon and winds you up the infamous “Walter's Wiggles”, 21 paved switchbacks. After climbing those switchbacks, the trail becomes a steep walk on a sandstone fin. Beyond Scout’s Lookout is where the permitted section begins. Hiker’s bravely hold onto metal chains and hike up the polished sandstone, the payoff being a view of the entire park perched at 5’790. This hike is a high consequence hike; people have died from slipping off the final portion of the trail. Exercise caution on this trail, and reconsider if you have a strong fear of heights. If the heights scare you, a great option is to hike up until you reach Scout’s Lookout. This area still has incredible views of the canyon without the adrenaline rush.
The Watchman
Distance: 3.0 mi roundtrip
Length of time: 4-5 hours
Trailhead: Zion Visitor Center (trail begins on the east bank of the Virgin River)
Pro Tip: This is a great hike to knock out in an afternoon prior to dinner. It is usually less crowded at this time of day as well.
Description: The Watchman trail is a gem of a hike that can be done in an afternoon or as your first hike of the trip. It is a short 3.0 miles out and back and terminates at a plateau which overlooks the bottom of the canyon. The trail is a rocky single track that hugs the colorful layers of cliff bands as you hike uphill. The trail takes you past lots of Juniper trees and some Pinon pines where shade can be had on sultry summer days. At the top you can glimpse the Towers of the Virgin and the Altar of Sacrifice from the lookout as well as untarnished views of the Watchman. This hike has little shade, so this is a great afternoon hike during shoulder season (fall/early spring).
Recommended Day Hike Packing List
Water
Salty snacks
Headlamp
Camera
Map
Backpack
Rain gear
Extra pair of socks
Layers
