Photo: Squeegee99, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Red and cream sandstone walls rise straight out of a green river canyon, and the best hikes either climb those walls or wade right between them. Zion Canyon is narrow, so the day starts on the first shuttles: by mid-morning the popular trails fill up and the heat builds. Plan two or three days, one for a big climb like Angels Landing, one for the river in the Narrows, and one for the quieter east side or Kolob Canyons. These are the hikes we'd build a trip around.
TRAILS
1 OF 7
Angels Landing
Difficulty
Strenuous
Length
5.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,500 ft
Zion Canyon · The Grotto (shuttle stop 6) — Zion's famous ridge walk. Paved switchbacks and the tight turns of Walter's Wiggles lead to Scout Lookout, then a narrow fin of rock with chains climbs to the summit, with sheer drops on both sides. The view up and down the canyon is worth every step. Scout Lookout is a fine turnaround without a permit; skip the chains if it's wet, windy or crowded.
⚠︎ Permit required past Scout Lookout (seasonal and day-before lotteries).
Photo: Tobias Alt, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 7
The Narrows (bottom-up)
Difficulty
Hard
Length
Up to 9.4 mi
Elevation gain
400 ft
Zion Canyon · Temple of Sinawava — After the mile-long Riverside Walk, the trail becomes the Virgin River itself, and you wade upstream between walls that close in to a few dozen feet. Wall Street, the tightest stretch, is a few hours in; Big Spring is the limit for day hikers. Go as far as you like and turn back whenever you want. Rent or bring sturdy closed-toe shoes and a walking stick, and expect cold water even in summer.
⚠︎ Flash-flood danger. Closes when the river runs high; check the forecast and flow at the visitor center.
Photo: Julianibarra, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 7
Emerald Pools via Kayenta Trail
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3 mi
Elevation gain
350 ft
Zion Canyon · The Grotto (shuttle stop 6) — A gentle climb along the slope above the river to a set of pools tucked under towering cliffs. The Upper Pool sits in a quiet amphitheater, and in spring thin waterfalls spill over the ledges above the lower pools. Loop back down past the Lower Pool to Zion Lodge for a different view. Good for families and a nice warm-up day.
Photo: Vulturesong, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 7
Canyon Overlook
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1 mi
Elevation gain
160 ft
East side · Just east of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel — The best payoff for a short walk in the park. The trail hugs a sandstone ledge, with railings in the steep spots, and ends on a point looking straight down lower Zion Canyon and the switchbacks of Highway 9. Sunrise here is magic. Parking is a tiny lot right by the tunnel, so arrive early or plan to try again later.
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 7
Observation Point via East Mesa
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
6.8 mi
Elevation gain
300 ft
East side · East Mesa trailhead — Observation Point stands higher than Angels Landing and looks down on it, with the whole of Zion Canyon laid out below. Rockfall closed the old route from the canyon floor, so today you walk in across a pine-dotted mesa from the east, a mostly level hike with a big finish. No permit needed. The trailhead road is rough dirt and needs high clearance, or book a local shuttle.
⚠︎ Trailhead reached by high-clearance or 4WD dirt road outside the park.
Photo: Aaron Zhu, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 7
Watchman Trail
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.3 mi
Elevation gain
480 ft
Zion Canyon · Zion Canyon Visitor Center — Starting right from the visitor center, this trail climbs to a bench with views of the Watchman, Springdale and the lower canyon. No shuttle needed, which makes it a perfect first-evening or rest-day hike. The light on the Watchman at sunset is the reason to come. There's little shade, so skip midday in summer.
Photo: Jonathan Kriz, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 7
Taylor Creek (Middle Fork)
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
5.2 mi
Elevation gain
800 ft
Kolob Canyons · Taylor Creek trailhead — Kolob Canyons sees a fraction of Zion Canyon's crowds, and this creekside trail shows why it deserves more. You hop across the stream again and again, pass two historic homestead cabins and end at Double Arch Alcove, a huge stained grotto in the canyon wall. It's a separate entrance off I-15, so pair it with the scenic drive to Timber Creek Overlook.
Photo: Aaron Zhu, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Zion trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.