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Walks and Hikes
Hiking Zion
 There are trails in Zion for those who want an easy 10-minute
walk, a two-day backpacking trip, or something in-between. When
choosing a hike consider not only your time and interests but
also your hiking experience, physical fitness, and fear of heights.
Easy trails are short and mostly level. Moderately strenuous and
strenuous trails require hiking long distance, often uphill. Extreme
summer heat makes any hike more difficult and exhausteing. Early
morning, late afternoon, and evening are best for hiking, unless
you come in spring or fall when it is much cooler.
Always let a friend or relative know where you are going and when
you expect to return. Stay on trails unless you have discussed
plans to hike off-trail with a ranger. Carry a topographic map
when hiking longer trails. Water is scarce in the back country;
you should carry one gallon per person per day. Carry some water
even on short hikes. Don't drink water you find in the backcountry
without boiling or treating it. Carry food on long trips. Pack
out all trash.
Park Trails
Maintained trails in Zion are rated from easy to strenuous in
the amount of energy they require. Most trails have drop-offs where you must be extra careful to
watch your footing. Always stay back from the edges. Each trail description below indicates how strenuous the walk
is and the severity of the drop-offs along the way. These descriptions
apply only to the trails themselves, not to nearby areas. People
uncertain about heights should turn around if they come to drop-offs
that bother them.
Getting Started
Start at the Visitor Center. Tour the museum and watch the introductory
A-V program. Rangers can answer your questions. Books, maps and
other items are available to purchase.
Walks and Hikes
One hour or less (round trip)
Weeping Rock: Self Guiding walk to a spring and "hanging garden."
Canyon Overlook: Self-guiding walk to a canyon viewpoint.
Lower Emerald Pools: Easy walk to a waterfall.
One-two hours (round trip)
Riverside Walk: Easy walk along the Virgin River.
Middle Emerald Pool: Moderate walk to pools and waterfalls.
Watchman: Moderate walk to viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon.
Three-Four hours (round trip)
Hidden Canyon: Fairly strenuous hike to a hanging canyon.
Angels Landing: Strenuous hike to the top of Angels Landing.
Note: Neither of these trails is recommended for anyone fearful
of heights.
Weeping Rock
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive - Weeping Rock parking lot
Round Trip - 0.5 miles/0.8 Kilometers - 1/2 Hour average time
Ascent - 98 Feet or 30 Meters
Description - Easy, Minor dropoffs, Self guiding trail. Ends at Weeping Rock, a
rock alcove with dripping springs. Hanging gardens of wildflowers
decorate the walls in spring and summer.
Canyon Overlook
 Trailhead - Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway just east of the long tunnel
Round Trip - 1.0 miles/1.6 Kilometers - 1 Hour average time
Ascent - 163 Feet or 50 Meters
Description - Easy. Long dropoffs. Mostly fenced. Self guiding trail. Guidebooks
available at visitor center and trailhead. Ends at spectacular
viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon.
Lower Emerald Pools
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive opposite Zion Lodge
Round Trip - 1.2 miles/1.9 Kilometers - 1 Hour average time
Ascent - 69 Feet or 21 Meters
Description - Easy to moderately strenuous. Long dropoffs on upper route. Lower route ends at lower pool
and 3 waterfalls. Accessible to disabled people with assistance. NOTE: To protect
the aquatic wildlife and preserve this fragile area, SWIMMING
OR BATHING IS PROHIBITED IN ALL POOLS.
Middle Pool Loop
Trailhead - Same
Round Trip - 2.0 miles/3.3 Kilometers - 2 Hours average time
Ascent - 150 Feet or 46 Meters
Description - Easy to moderately strenuous. Long dropoffs on upper route. Lower route ends at lower pool
and 3 waterfalls. Accessible to disabled people with assistance. NOTE: To protect
the aquatic wildlife and preserve this fragile area, SWIMMING
OR BATHING IS PROHIBITED IN ALL POOLS.
Riverside Walk
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Temple of Sinawava
Round Trip - 2.0 miles/3.3 Kilometers - 1-1/2 Hours average time
Ascent - 57 Feet or 17 Meters
Description - Easy. Minor dropoffs. Follows Virgin River upstream to Zion Canyon
Narrows where paved trail ends. Hanging gardens of wildflowers
in spring and summer. Trailside exhibits. Accessible to disabled people with assistance.
Watchman
Trailhead - Service road east of Watchman Campground Registration Station
Round Trip - 2.0 miles/3.3 Kilometers - 1-1/2 Hours average time
Ascent - 368 Feet or 112 Meters
Description - Moderately Strenuous. Mostly minor dropoffs. Recommended for early and late in the
day. Ends at viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon
and town of Springdale.
Hidden Canyon
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Weeping Rock parking lot.
Round Trip - 2.0 miles/3.3 Kilometers - 3 Hours average time
Ascent - 850 Feet or 259 Meters
Description - Moderately Strenuous. Long dropoffs. Not for anyone fearful of heights. Leads to narrow
side canyon carved in joint of rock. Trail ends at canyon mouth;
can hike beyond end of trail for another 1 KM (0.6 mi) to natural
arch.
Angel's Landing
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Grotto Picnic area.
Round Trip - 5.0 miles/8.0 Kilometers - 4 Hours average time
Ascent - 1488 Feet or 453 Meters
Description - Strenuous. Long dropoffs and narrow trails. Not for anyone fearful of heights.
Ends at summit high above Zion Canyon Floor. Last 0.5 mile follows
a steep narrow ridge; chains have been added.
Sand Bench
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive opposite Zion Lodge
Round Trip - 3.6 miles/5.8 Kilometers - 3 Hours average time
Ascent - 500 Feet or 152 Meters
Description - Moderately Strenuous. Good views of lower Zion Canyon and the Three Patriarchs. Trail
loops around through ancient landslide and past Streaked Wall.
Observation Point
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Weeping Rock parking lot
Round Trip - 8.0 miles/12.0 Kilometers - 6 Hours average time
Ascent - 2148 Feet or 655 Meters
Description - Strenuous. Long Dropoffs. Climbs through Echo Canyon to Observation Point.
Excellent views of Zion Canyon. Trail gives access to other East
Rim plateau trails: Cable Mountain and Deertrap Mountain
West Rim
Trailhead - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Grotto Picnic Area
Round Trip - 10.0 miles/ 17.2 Kilometers - 8 Hours average time
Ascent - 2640 Feet or 1095 Meters
Description - Strenuous. Long Dropoffs. Climbs to high country viewpoint of canyons and
isolated mesa. Trail continues to Lava Point, an alternate starting
point. Trip to Lava Point should not be attempted as a one-day
hike.
Taylor Creek
Trailhead - Zion Canyons Road-2 miles from visitor center.
Round Trip - 5.0 miles/ 8.6 Kilometers - 4 Hours average time
Ascent - 450 Feet or 137 Meters
Description - Moderately Strenuous. No dropoffs. Follows the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek past two
old homestead cabins to 2 miles from visitor center.
Kolob Arch
Trailhead - Kolob Canyons Road-Lee Pass
Round Trip - 14.0 miles/ 22.0 Kilometers - 8 Hours average time
Descent - 699 Feet or 213 Meters
Description - Strenuous. No dropoffs. Follows timber and LaVerkin Creeks and ends at Kolob
Arch, possibly the world's largest freestanding arch. This red
rock span is 94 meters (310 feet) long.
The Narrows
 The Narrows of Zion Canyon is one of the park's most poplular,
and most strenuous, off-trail hikes. Hiking through the Narrows
is a 16-mile trip requiring at least one full day. Much of the
trip involves wading through the Virgin River. The Narrows may
be closed because fo the threat of flash floods. Permits are required
for thrips thorugh the length of the Narrows and its tributaries.
For More Information
- Contact
- Zion National Park
- Springdale, Utah 84767
- Telephone: 801-772-3256
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