If you are looking for the best trails in Zion National Park, you’re in the right place, as we’ll show you some of the best trails in this park.
In addition to the best trails in the park, we’ll also give you a detailed list of the most popular hiking trails in the area so that you can start planning your next trip to Zion.
The magnificent landscape of Zion National Park is filled with amazing views. There are various hiking trails in this area that are suitable for different types of activities.
This article covers the best trails in Zion National Park (Utah).
Where Is Zion National Park?
The park is located in southwest Utah, about 60 miles from Springdale. One of the area’s most prominent features is the Zion Canyon, which spans 15 miles and is up to 2,640 feet deep.
It has a total elevation of 8,726 feet, and the lowest point in the park is at Coalpits Wash at 3,666 feet.
The highest peak in the park is located at Horse Ranch Mountain. The park is bordered by the Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau. It has multiple living zones, which allow for unusual animal and plant diversity.
In addition to over 300 plant species, over 300 bird species and 75 mammals live in the park.
It has various life zones, which include the desert, riparian, woodland, coniferous forest, and riparian zone. In addition, the park features numerous natural arches, mountains, buttes, and rivers.
Trails In Zion National Park (Utah)
This article will discuss the best hiking trails in Zion National Park and give you a comprehensive list of 21.
These are the best trails in Zion National Park;
1. Pa’rus Trail (Main Canyon)
The magnificent view of the river and the massive canyon walls can be enjoyed from the trail’s flat and back.
This trail is ideal for people looking for an accessible and safe way to get around the park.
It features paved surfaces and is the only hike in the park that allows you to take your dog for a walk.
The Pa’rus Trail ends where the canyon of the park begins. There are various ways to get around the area, such as taking a shuttle bus to the canyon or returning to the park’s visitor center. The difficulty level is easy and has a distance of 3.5 miles.
2. The Grotto (Main Canyon)
This trail is easy, with a total distance of one mile and an elevation gain of 40 feet. It is also one of the best trails in Zion National Park.
If you’re looking for a short walk to get some exercise after a long day in the park, The Grotto is a great choice.
This trail is only half a mile long and is flat from the entrance of the Zion Lodge to the picnic area at The Grotto.
Unfortunately, this route is usually bustling during the spring and fall seasons.
3. Kayenta Trail
This easy trail is one of the best trails in Zion National Park. It is classified as easy by most hikers with a total distance of two miles. It boasts an elevation gain of 150 feet.
The Kayenta Trail is flat and relatively short, making it an ideal choice for families looking for a quick walk around the park. It’s also a great way to connect with other popular hiking trails.
4. Riverside Walk
The Riverside Walk is flat and relatively short, making it an ideal choice for people looking for a quick walk around the park.
It starts at the Temple of Sinawava and ends at the staging area for the Narrows River slot canyon hike.
The full name of this trail is Zion Narrows Riverside Walk, and it makes our exclusive list of the best trails in Zion National Park. It has an elevation gain of 60 feet and a total distance of 2.2 miles.
5. Weeping Rock
Weeping Rock is a short and easy hike that leads to a waterfall that falls into a concave formation. It’s similar to the Lower Emerald Pool in terms of its beauty.
This trail is also classified as an easy choice if you’re hiking only. It has an elevation gain of 40 feet and a distance of 0.5 miles, making it one of the shortest hikes in Zion National Park.
One of the best reasons to visit this trail is the magnificent views from The Great White Throne.
This short walk is also ideal for families as it allows them to enjoy the waterfall. This is also one of the best trails in Zion National Park.
6. Zion Canyon Overlook
The Zion Canyon Overlook is one of the park’s best short and easy hikes. This trail is recommended for anyone who’s planning on visiting the area.
It has a total distance of one mile and is classified as one of the most accessible hikes in the park.
Due to the limited parking spaces and its popularity, it’s recommended to hike the Zion Canyon Overlook early morning or late afternoon.
7. Emerald Pools Trail
This hike is ideal for kids as it features several shallow pools and two waterfalls. It’s also a great way to experience an adventurous and fun-filled hike without getting too dangerous.
You can only access the Lower Emerald Pool from the Kayenta Trail or the Zion Lodge’s parking area.
Although the Lower Emerald Pool Trail is an easy and accessible hike, it’s recommended to include the Middle and Upper pools if you’re planning on visiting the area.
This hike is also on the more accessible end of the moderate range. The trail is mostly easy, but when you combine the upper and middle trails, it attains a difficulty level of medium.
8. Timber Creek Overlook Trail
This short and easy hike is also ideal for the entire family as it allows them to enjoy panoramic views of various areas.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the main canyon, look at the nearby Kolob Canyons.
This short and easy hike is the best choice if you want to escape the central area.
The view from the Zion Canyon overlooks also excellent from this trail. This is also one of the best trails in Zion National Park.
9. East Mesa Trail to Observation Point
One of the best views of Zion National Park can be found at the Observation Point. The Observation Point is located at the park’s highest point, giving it a commanding view of the area.
It’s also ideal for viewing both sunrise and sunset. The difficulty level of this trail is rated moderate. It boasts an elevation gain of 300 feet and a total distance of 6.8 miles.
10. The Watchman Trail
This is another moderately tricky trail with an elevation gain of nearly 380 feet and a total distance of 3.3 miles.
One of the most popular trails in the park is the Watchman Trail, which shares a trailhead with the Watchman Trail.
The Watchman Trail starts at the southern portion of the park and gradually climbs up behind the campground and the visitor center.
It then has a small summit loop that offers fantastic views of the park’s southern areas.
The Watchman Trail is one of the best places to view the sunset and sunrise in Zion National Park.
11. Scout Lookout
The Scout Lookout is a challenging trail in the park, and it provides a staging area for hikers who want to reach Angels Landing. Unfortunately, this area is also a bit challenging to achieve.
The views from this area begin to open up due to the smooth and steep descents.
The Scout Lookout is an excellent choice if you plan to go hiking in the area. It offers a great workout and panoramic views from the summit.
12. Sand Bench Trail
The Sand Bench Trail is a relatively popular short hike that starts at the Court of the Patriarchs.
It has a distance of 5 miles and an elevation gain of 450 feet. You can choose to start the hike at the Zion Lodge and increase the total length to 7.6 miles.
The Sand Bench Trail is a commercial trail usually hectic during the peak season. You’ll have to share the trail with other hikers during this period.
The hike starts from a straight path and eventually comes to a fork. This is also one of the best trails in Zion National Park.
13. Middle Fork of Taylor Creek Trail
A map of the area shows that Taylor Creek splits into three fingers. This is a striking depiction of the natural phenomenon in the area.
The Middle Fork of Taylor Creek is a popular short hike that follows the creek. It’s also the only trail that’s mapped along this creek.
Throughout the hike, the trail will constantly go through a shallow creek. As a result, this trail boasts an elevation gain of more than 2,000 feet and a total distance of 6.0 miles.
14. Many Pools Trail
A parking area can be found near the east entrance. Follow the road for a couple of meters before crossing it. Then, follow the trail as it goes North. It has a total distance of approximately 2 miles.
These pools are usually filled with small waterfalls that can be formed by rainfall or melting snow.
During the peak season, the Many Pools trail is the perfect choice because it’s quiet and provides an escape from the crowds. In addition, it has an elevation gain of approximately 500 feet.
15. Angels Landing
There is an incredibly high level of elevation when you first visit this area. This unique climb is also famous, evident with the Disneyland level visitors.
Due to the large number of people who visit this area, the National Park Service has started implementing a permit system. This trail is classified as strenuous.
It boasts an elevation gain of 1,500 feet and a total distance of 5.4 miles. It is one of the best trails in Zion National Park.
16. South Fork of Taylor
The South Fork of Taylor Creek is another hidden treasure in Zion that’s not featured on maps or hiking guides. It’s a short but beautiful hike that takes you to the bottom fork of the creek.
17. The Subway Bottom Up
The Subway is a permit-only hiking trail that allows people to explore this area from the bottom up or the top down. It is important to note that both the top and bottom of the trail require permits.
The easiest and most popular way to explore the area is from the bottom up. The top-down version, on the other hand, is a canyoneering route.
This is a different type of hike that features rappelling sections. This trail is strenuous and boasts an elevation gain of 1,300 feet.
18. La Verkin Creek Trail
The La Verkin Creek Trail is the most challenging hike in Zion National Park. Compared to the other trails in the area, this one is more likely to leave you with little chance of seeing other hikers.
Since the La Verkin Creek Trail is complicated, it’s unlikely that you will have the opportunity to hike other trails during your visit to the park.
However, it boasts an elevation gain of 1,100 feet and a total distance of 14 miles.
19. The Narrows
This is the most famous hiking trail in Zion National Park. This area is characterized by its dramatic river slot canyon. This walk through the water is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys going through a narrow passage.
Although this is a moderately difficult trail by all estimations, it can be considered a strenuous hike if you include the massive river slot canyon.
Due to the area’s high-water levels and flash floods, it’s essential to be aware of the conditions of the river slot canyon.
20. Observation Point
Observation Point is easily one of the best trails in Zion National Park. Besides getting the best view of Zion National Park at the summit, this trail also allows you to experience a mini–Angels Landing.
This beautiful and challenging hike takes you through a chain section in Hidden Canyon.
21. Hop Valley Trail
This rounds off our list of best trails in Zion National Park. This trail boasts a total distance of 6.6 miles and an elevation gain of over 1,000 feet.
It is classified as a moderately difficult trail. This is also one of the best trails in Zion National Park, characterized by gorgeous scenery.
Best Time To Visit Zion National Park
Although summer, spring, and fall are more popular times to visit Zion, winter is still an excellent time to visit the park.
The best time to visit this region is during the fall because the weather can be unpredictable, and the runoff from spring can make canyon hiking more dangerous.
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