Zion National Park offers some of the most diverse and dramatic hiking in the American West. From paved riverside strolls to exposed big-wall scrambles, the park has trails for every ability level. This curated guide covers the best hikes in Zion organized by difficulty, with the practical details you need to plan each one. For general park planning, start with our Zion National Park Complete Guide.
Easy Hikes
These trails are suitable for families, beginners, and anyone who wants to experience Zion’s beauty without a strenuous workout. All are accessible via the park shuttle or by car during off-season.
Riverside Walk
- Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 57 feet
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: 9 (Temple of Sinawava)
A fully paved, ADA-accessible trail that follows the Virgin River through a narrow canyon to the entrance of The Narrows. Hanging gardens, wildlife sightings, and canyon views make this a must-do for every visitor. The trail ends at the point where the river becomes the trail — if you have water shoes, continue into The Narrows.
Pa’rus Trail
- Distance: 3.5 miles one way (7 miles round trip)
- Elevation Gain: 50 feet
- Time: 1.5-3 hours round trip
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: 2 (Human History Museum) or Visitor Center
The only trail in Zion open to bicycles and dogs (on leash). This flat, paved path follows the Virgin River between the visitor center and Canyon Junction. It crosses the river multiple times on footbridges and offers excellent views of the Watchman, the West Temple, and the Towers of the Virgin. Perfect for an early morning stroll or evening walk. Great for families with small children.
Canyon Overlook Trail
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Elevation Gain: 163 feet
- Time: 30-60 minutes
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: Not on shuttle route (drive to east end of tunnel)
A short, rewarding hike to one of Zion’s best viewpoints. The trail follows a ledge carved into the canyon wall with some exposure and ends at a fenced overlook above Pine Creek Canyon with views of the lower Zion Canyon, the Towers of the Virgin, and the switchbacks of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. Arrive before 8:00 AM for sunrise and parking. Note: rated easy for distance but has some steps and minor exposure; rated moderate by NPS.
Moderate Hikes
Emerald Pools (Lower, Middle, and Upper)
- Distance: Lower: 1.2 miles RT / Middle: 2 miles RT / Upper: 3 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: Lower: 69 ft / Middle: 150 ft / Upper: 350 ft
- Time: 1-3 hours depending on how many pools you visit
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: 5 (Zion Lodge)
A tiered trail system with waterfalls, hanging gardens, and reflective pools. The Lower Pool is ADA-accessible via the Kayenta Trail and features a dripping waterfall overhang. Middle and Upper pools require moderate climbing on rocky terrain. The Upper Emerald Pool sits in a natural sandstone amphitheater — one of the most beautiful spots in the park. Best visited in spring when water flow is highest. Watch for slippery sandstone near the pools.
Watchman Trail
- Distance: 3.3 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 368 feet
- Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: Visitor Center
Starting near the visitor center, this trail winds up to a viewpoint overlooking Springdale, the Watchman peak, and the Towers of the Virgin. It is less crowded than most canyon trails because it heads south instead of up-canyon. An excellent sunset hike — the viewpoint faces west and catches golden light on the canyon walls. A good warm-up hike for your first morning.
Taylor Creek Trail (Kolob Canyons)
- Distance: 5 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 450 feet
- Time: 2.5-4 hours
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: Not on shuttle route (drive to Kolob Canyons)
A beautiful streamside hike through a finger canyon in the Kolob Canyons section. The trail passes two historic homestead cabins and ends at the Double Arch Alcove, a massive sandstone alcove with a natural arch above. The creek crossings (ankle-deep in spring) and fall colors make this one of the park’s hidden gems. Rarely crowded.
Strenuous Hikes
Angels Landing
- Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,488 feet
- Time: 3-5 hours
- Permit Required: Yes (lottery on recreation.gov, fee)
- Shuttle Stop: 6 (The Grotto)
The most famous hike in Zion and one of the most iconic in the national park system. The trail climbs through Walter’s Wiggles (21 tight switchbacks), reaches Scout Lookout (a worthy destination on its own), and then follows a narrow spine with chains bolted into the rock for the final half-mile to the 5,790-foot summit. The chains section has sheer drop-offs of 1,000+ feet on both sides. A lottery permit is now required — see our Angels Landing Guide for complete permit and safety details.
The Narrows (Bottom-Up Day Hike)
- Distance: Up to 10 miles round trip (turn around whenever you choose)
- Elevation Gain: Minimal (200 feet over the full route)
- Time: 4-8 hours
- Permit Required: No for bottom-up day hike; yes for top-down overnight
- Shuttle Stop: 9 (Temple of Sinawava), then walk Riverside Walk to river entry
Zion’s most unique hike — you walk in the Virgin River itself, surrounded by 2,000-foot canyon walls that narrow to just 20 feet in places. Specialized gear is needed: water shoes or canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, a trekking pole, and a dry bag. The Wall Street section (about 3.5 miles in) is the dramatic highlight. Check water flow conditions before going — the hike closes during high water and flash flood risk. See our complete Narrows Hiking Guide.
Observation Point
- Distance: 8 miles round trip (from East Mesa Trailhead)
- Elevation Gain: 650 feet (East Mesa) or 2,148 feet (East Rim from Weeping Rock)
- Time: 4-6 hours
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: 7 (Weeping Rock) for East Rim approach, or drive to East Mesa Trailhead
At 6,521 feet, Observation Point offers the highest overlook in Zion Canyon. From the top, you look down on Angels Landing over 2,000 feet below. The East Mesa Trailhead approach (accessible via Zion Ponderosa Ranch) is significantly easier than the steep East Rim Trail from Weeping Rock. Read our Observation Point Guide for both route options.
West Rim Trail
- Distance: 14.2 miles one way (Lava Point to Grotto)
- Elevation Gain: 3,600 feet descent (one-way top to bottom)
- Time: 8-12 hours (day hike) or 2 days (backpacking)
- Permit Required: Yes for overnight camping
- Shuttle Stop: 6 (The Grotto) for bottom end
An epic point-to-point traverse of Zion’s western rim, descending from Lava Point through ponderosa forests and slickrock plateaus before dropping into the canyon via the Angels Landing trail. Most hikers do this as a one-way hike with a car shuttle. Spectacular backcountry campsites are available. This is Zion’s premier overnight backpacking route.
Hidden Canyon Trail
- Distance: 3 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 850 feet
- Time: 2-3.5 hours
- Permit Required: No
- Shuttle Stop: 7 (Weeping Rock)
A less-visited gem with chains-assisted sections, a natural arch, and a hanging canyon with seasonal pools. The exposure on the chain section is less intense than Angels Landing but still requires comfort with heights. Once inside the hidden canyon, you can explore further into a narrow slot with small pools and pour-offs. Note: trail status varies due to rockfall — check at the visitor center.
Kolob Section Hikes
Timber Creek Overlook Trail
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Elevation Gain: 100 feet
- Time: 30 minutes
- Permit Required: No
A quick walk at the end of the Kolob Canyons scenic drive with panoramic views of the finger canyons, Pine Valley Mountains, and on clear days, all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Easy enough for anyone.
Kolob Arch Trail
- Distance: 14 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 700 feet
- Time: 7-9 hours
- Permit Required: Yes for overnight
A long but relatively flat trail to one of the largest freestanding natural arches in the world (287-foot span). The arch is best viewed from a distance — there is no trail directly beneath it. Most hikers do this as a very long day hike or an overnight backpacking trip via La Verkin Creek. The trail passes through varied landscapes including pine forests, open meadows, and deep canyon corridors.
Choosing Your Hike: Quick Reference
Use this at-a-glance comparison to plan your hiking days:
- Best for sunrise: Canyon Overlook
- Best for sunset: Watchman Trail
- Best for families: Riverside Walk, Pa’rus Trail
- Best for adventure: The Narrows, Angels Landing
- Best for solitude: Taylor Creek (Kolob), West Rim Trail
- Best for views: Observation Point, Angels Landing
- Best for photography: Canyon Overlook, The Narrows, Court of the Patriarchs viewpoint
- Best in winter: Canyon Overlook, Watchman, Pa’rus Trail
Trail Safety Essentials
- Carry at least one liter of water per person per hour in warm weather. Refill at the visitor center, Zion Lodge, and the Grotto.
- Start early to avoid heat and crowds. Most search-and-rescue calls happen in the afternoon when hikers are dehydrated and fatigued.
- Check flash flood conditions before entering any canyon or riverbed. See our Flash Flood Safety Guide.
- Stay on marked trails. Cryptobiotic soil crusts take decades to regenerate.
- Tell someone your hiking plan and expected return time.
- Cell service is unreliable in the canyon — download offline maps beforehand.
For gear recommendations and a complete packing checklist, see our Greater Zion Packing List. For more details on any individual trail, see our Zion National Park Complete Guide and the linked trail-specific guides above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Zion hike is the best?
It depends on what you are looking for. The Narrows is the most unique experience — hiking through a river inside a slot canyon is unlike anything else. Angels Landing delivers the most dramatic summit views. For the best effort-to-reward ratio, Canyon Overlook cannot be beaten.
Do all Zion hikes require permits?
No. Most hikes in Zion are permit-free. As of 2025, only Angels Landing requires a day-use lottery permit. Overnight backpacking in the backcountry (West Rim, Kolob Arch, top-down Narrows) requires a backcountry permit. Technical canyoneering routes like The Subway also require permits.
Can beginners hike in Zion?
Absolutely. The Riverside Walk, Pa’rus Trail, and Canyon Overlook are all excellent for beginners and non-hikers. Even the Lower Emerald Pool is manageable for most fitness levels. See our First-Timer Guide for more beginner advice.
When is the best time to hike in Zion?
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the best hiking weather, with temperatures between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer is too hot for midday hiking on exposed trails. Winter is excellent for solitude but requires traction devices on some trails. The Narrows is typically hikeable from late June through early October.
