Zion National Park Hikes

Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise and offers an incredible variety of trails that showcase its dramatic landscapes, from towering sandstone cliffs to green hidden canyons. Whether you’re an experienced trekker seeking a heart-pounding challenge or a casual adventurer looking for a scenic stroll, there are Zion National Park Hikes to suit everyone.

There are easy hikes for beginners, moderate hikes for those wanting a bit more adventure, and strenuous routes for thrill-seekers craving unforgettable views and the ultimate test of endurance while visiting Zion National Park.

Easy hikes like the Pa’rus Trail and Riverside Walk provide accessible options with stunning views, perfect for soaking in the atmosphere of Zion. For those ready to go a little further, moderate hikes such as the Canyon Overlook Trail or the Kayenta Trail strike the perfect balance between effort and reward, offering gorgeous scenery without being overly demanding. And for seasoned hikers, Zion’s strenuous trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows promise amazing views that come with a sense of accomplishment.

In this post, we’ll guide you through Zion’s best hikes across all difficulty levels, helping you choose the trails that match your interests, fitness, and time available. Whether you’re here for a day or planning a longer visit, Zion’s trails promise unforgettable experiences and connections with nature. Lace up your boots, pack your gear, and get ready to explore the wonders of Zion National Park!

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Easy Hikes in Zion National Park

Zion also offers a wonderful selection of easy hikes that allow visitors of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy the park’s stunning scenery. These trails are perfect for families, casual hikers, or anyone looking to take in the beauty of Zion without breaking a sweat.

Easy hikes in Zion are often short, well-maintained, and packed with breathtaking views, making them ideal for those with limited time or mobility concerns. Whether you’re wandering along the Virgin River on the Riverside Walk, marveling at cascading water on the Lower Emerald Pools Trail, or enjoying the wide-open views of the Pa’rus Trail, these hikes offer plenty of rewards without the effort of steeper, more challenging paths.

Even on Zion’s easier trails, you’ll still feel deeply connected to nature. The sound of water trickling over rocks, the sight of wildlife like mule deer, and the sheer scale of the canyon walls create an unforgettable experience. These hikes also provide an excellent introduction to the park, giving visitors a taste of its wonders before venturing further.

Grotto Trail

• Shuttle Stop: #6 The Grotto or #5 Zion Lodge
• Distance: 0.5 mile / 0.8 km one way
• Elevation change: 35 feet / 11 meters
• Estimated Time to Hike: 15 minutes
• Pets: None allowed
• Trailhead location: The trail can be accessed either from The Grotto, behind the historic building walking towards the visitor center or from behind the shuttle stop at Zion Lodge.

The Grotto Trail offers a short and scenic route connecting the Grotto Picnic Area and Zion Lodge, making it perfect for a quick, easy hike. For those looking for more adventure, you can extend your journey by linking it with the Kayenta Trail, Sand Bench Trail, and even the Pa’rus Trail for a full hike back to the visitor center.

Hiking at dusk is a memorable experience, on my trek, I spotted mule deer grazing peacefully along the path. After finishing the Grotto Trail, I chose to take the shuttle to stop #3, Canyon Junction, and enjoyed the 1.75-mile walk from there back to the visitor center.

Pa’rus Trail

• Shuttle Stop: #3 Canyon Junction or #1 The Visitor Center
• Distance: 3.5 mi / 5.6 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 50 ft / 15 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: 2 hours
• Pets: Yes
• Trailhead location: The trail can be accessed from two points: the canyon junction shuttle stop or up the canyon from the visitor center.

This hike is a fantastic choice, whether you’re heading into the canyon or making your way back. The views are breathtaking, offering stunning perspectives of the canyon and the river running alongside. It’s an easy and accessible trail, as it’s paved and feels relatively flat throughout.

For my experience, I hopped off at stop #3, Canyon Junction, and followed the trail back to the visitor center for a relaxing and scenic walk.

Emerald Pools Trail (Upper and Lower)

• Shuttle Stop: #6 The Grotto (Access is no longer possible at #5 Zion Lodge, due to damage to the bridge)
• Distance: 3 mi / 4.8 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 200 ft / 61 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: 2 hours
• Pets: No
• Trailhead location: On the other side of the road to the Grotto, you will see signs for the Kayenta Trail.

This picturesque trail takes you to the Lower and Upper Emerald Pools, where you may catch sight of a waterfall cascading into the pool, depending on the time of year. However, the closest access point is currently unavailable due to bridge damage. To visit the pools, you’ll need to start on the Kayenta Trail from the Grotto, adding extra distance to the hike compared to the original route.

They are worth visiting, especially the upper pool as the views from up there into the valley are stunning. It is forbidden to swim in the pools and depending on the time of year, there may not be much water in the pools.

Weeping Rock Trail * Currently Closed due to a Rockslide *

• Shuttle Stop: #7 Weeping Rock
• Distance: 0.4 mi / 0.6 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 98 ft / 30 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: 30 mins
• Pets: No
• Trailhead location: Across the bridge next to the parking lot.

The Weeping Rock Trail offers a lovely, short hike that brings you close to the towering canyon walls. After a rainstorm, you might be lucky enough to witness a waterfall, but even in drier weather, delicate streams of water trickle down from the overhanging cliffs. Surrounded by greenery, this serene and picturesque spot is perfect for a peaceful escape.

Riverside Walk

• Shuttle Stop: #9 Temple of Sinawava
• Distance: 2.2 mi / 3.5 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 57 ft / 17 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: 1.5 hours
• Pets: No
• Trailhead location: Next to the restrooms and water filling station

The riverside walk zion national park offers a pleasant and relatively easy walk, with much of it paved, though you’ll encounter a few steeper sections along the way. It also serves as the approach to the Narrows, making it an essential route for those planning to explore further into the canyon. Even if hiking the Narrows isn’t on your itinerary, the trail is worth exploring to see how the canyon gradually narrows until the river takes over, marking the end of the path.

The hike is typically accessible year-round, but after heavy rain, the trail can become muddy in places, so plan accordingly.

Moderate Hikes in Zion

For those seeking a balance between a hike that is a hit harder but not too hard, the park’s moderate hikes provide the perfect middle ground. These trails combine stunning scenery with manageable terrain, making them ideal for hikers who want a bit of adventure without taking on the park’s most strenuous challenges.

From the green lush canyons and emerald pools to sweeping views from sandstone ridges, these trails showcase the incredible variety Zion is known for. They’re perfect for those with some hiking experience or anyone looking to stretch their legs a bit further than the shorter, easier walks.

Trails like the Kayenta Trail and Canyon Overlook offer breathtaking views without the intense physical demands of hikes like Angels Landing. You’ll still work up a sweat, but the effort feels rewarding rather than overwhelming. Whether you’re traveling with family, looking for a day hike that won’t leave you exhausted, or simply want to enjoy Zion’s beauty at a steady pace, these moderate hikes are a fantastic choice.

Kayenta Trail

• Shuttle Stop: #6 The Grotto
• Distance: 2 mi / 3.2 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 150 ft / 46 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: 1.5 hours
• Pets: No
• Trailhead location: Across the road from the Grotto, you’ll find signs directing you to the Kayenta Trail.

This trail is currently the sole route to reach the Emerald Pools, as access via #5 Zion Lodge is no longer available. To get to the pools, you’ll hike a rugged, unpaved path that runs near the canyon’s edge. The hike can be challenging at times, with steep inclines along the way, but the effort is well worth it to experience the beauty of the Emerald Pools at the journey’s end.

Zion Canyon Overlook Trail

• Hike Location: You will need a car to do this hike, as the car park for the trailhead is located on the other side of the tunnel from Zion Canyon.
• Distance: 1 mile / 1.6 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 163 feet / 50 meters
• Estimated Time to Hike: 1 hour
• Pets: Not allowed
• Trailhead location: You will find it on the opposite side of the road to the car park just as you leave the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel.

This hike is absolutely worth it for the unique views of the canyon, offering a perspective you won’t find anywhere else in the park. While the trail is slightly uneven and has some steep sections, it’s relatively short and should not be missed, especially if you have access to a car.

Watchman Trail

• Shuttle Stop: #1 The Visitors Center
• Distance: 3.3 mi / 5.3 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 368 ft / 112 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: 2 hours
• Pets: No
• Trailhead location: Across the road and up the canyon from the visitors center. Make sure to stay alongside the river to access the trail.

This trail starts fairly flat as you walk alongside the river, but then you will hike up the unpaved path that takes you up to the Watchman Overlook where you will see amazing views of the Watchman, Temples and towers, a view of Springdale and down the canyon.

This is a stunning hike and not one that you want to miss during your trip to Zion National Park.

Strenuous Hikes in Zion National Park

Zion’s real treasures lie in its more challenging hikes. These strenuous trails offer not only a physical challenge but also an opportunity to experience the park’s most dramatic and rewarding views.

Whether you’re navigating steep switchbacks, scrambling over rocky terrain, or climbing sheer cliff faces with the help of chains, Zion’s strenuous hikes are not for the faint of heart. However, the effort pays off with sweeping views of the canyons, secluded canyons, and a deep sense of accomplishment waiting at the end of each trail.

These hikes require proper preparation, including sturdy footwear, plenty of water, and a good level of fitness, but for those willing to take on the challenge, the rewards are unmatched.

From the famous Angels Landing, with its adrenaline pumping ridge walk, to the Narrows and hiking through the virgin river.

Angels Landing

• Shuttle Stop: #6 The Grotto
• Distance: 5.4 mi / 8.7 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 1,488 ft / 453 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: 4 hours
• Pets: No
• Trailhead location: Across the road from the shuttle stop and then cross the footbridge.

Angels Landing is one of the most popular hikes in park, but also one of the most difficult, though worth it for the amazing views from the top. If you plan on hiking past Scout Outlook then you will need to make sure that you have the Angels Landing permit, that was introduced in April 2022, to try and deal with the issue of overcrowding.

The last 500 metres of the hike is covered by the permit, but it is well worth doing to see the views down the valley, though if you are afraid of heights, this is probably not the hike for you.

The Narrows

• Shuttle Stop: # Temple of Sinawava
• Distance: up to 9.4 mi / up to 15.1 km roundtrip
• Elevation change: 334 ft / 102 m
• Estimated Time to Hike: up to 8 hours
• Pets: No
• Trailhead location: The trailhead for the Riverside Walk is next to the restrooms and water filling station. When you finish the riverside walk, you will be at the river and here you will enter it to start hiking the Narrrows.

Before hiking the Narrows, you will need to complete the Riverside Walk. You will know you are at the end when you can’t walk any further as you are at the river. The most that you can hike the Narrows without a permit is 4.7 miles, though this will be a full day hike, with the water sometimes around you ankles and at other times chest hike.

You will want to make sure you have the correct footwear for doing this hike and depending on the time of year you may need a dry suit, though in summer it should be warm enough if you are doing it in quick drying clothes. This is a fun hike to do through the canyon and you can do as much or as little as you want before turning around. Make sure to check the weather conditions with the rangers before heading out.

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