Utah’s Zion National Park is one of the most beloved national parks in the country, and for good reason. The beautiful views, high-flying cliffs and trails that aren’t for the faint of heart make it a bucket list destination for hikers and travelers from all over the world. But with so many trails to choose from, how do you know where to start? Freedom National has your back. We already covered the 11 best places to camp in Utah, now we’re going even further with a deep dive on our favorite national park in the state. Here are the 13 best hikes in Zion National Park according to hikers, experts, and our team of Utah car insurance pros who have explored the thrilling adventures offered by the best hikes in Zion National Park.
Angel’s Landing
Let’s start at the top. And we mean the top of the top. Angel’s Landing is arguably the most iconic hike in all of Zion National Park— and a bucket list hike for people all over the world— for good reason. The last portion of the hike takes you along the ridge of a towering rock formation jutting up in the center of the park. If you can brave the vertigo-inducing portions of the hike’s final half-mile, you’ll be rewarded with views of the canyon unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
The trail up to that point is relatively steep, featuring long switchbacks in the initial portion followed by a steep set of switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles. If you can make it over these with your lungs intact, you’ll wind up the ridge of the rock formation until you reach Scout Lookout. This is the point of the hike where those with a fear of heights may want to stop. After this, you’ll be hiking along the narrow ridge of Angel’s Landing, holding onto chains and railings at some points for safety. If you do only make it to Scout Lookout, don’t worry— the views from here are plenty stunning.
Things to keep in mind— Angel’s Landing is the single most popular hike in the park, it’s quite strenuous and requires around 4 or 5 hours to complete with 5.4 miles of distance roundtrip, and is almost entirely in sunlight. Try to avoid the crowds and summer heat by hiking this trail in the offseason or early in the morning (or later in the evening).
Access Angel’s Landing via the Grotto stop of the Zion Shuttle (Stop #6).
The Narrows (Bottom-Up)
The Narrows are the name for the miles-long stretch of the Virgin River that winds through the steep slot canyons that rise hundreds of feet above the water on either side along one end of Zion National Park. If you’re looking for a hiking experience unlike any other, the Narrows are for you.
There are two ways to hike the Narrows— from the bottom-up and from the top-down. The top-down hike is longer and requires special permits in most cases, and we’ll cover that hike in the next section.
The bottom-up hike of the Narrows is accessed from the park and begins where the Riverside Trail ends. Almost the entirety of the 12-mile round trip hike is through water that can be anywhere from ankle to chest deep depending on the water level and section of the hike, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. There are rental facilities inside the park where you can pick up water gaiters, overalls, special boots, and sticks for keeping your balance and gauging water depth. These are definitely a must, particularly when the water can be frigid.
One of the best parts about the Narrows is that they’re stunning from the first step to the last mile, with detours and stunning sights around every winding corner. That means that you can customize your distance based on your time, energy level, and other factors. Hike two or three miles of the hike or the full 12 miles roundtrip— it’s up to you.
The Narrows hike is accessed from the Temple of Sinawave stop of the Zion Shuttle (Stop #9), but keep in mind that you’ll need to walk the easy and paved 1.1 mile Riverside Walk trail to reach it.
NOTE: Always check the Zion National Park website to see if the Narrows are open. It’s often closed during spring months when snow melt makes the river level too high to be safe.
The Narrows (Top-Down)
Hiking the Narrows from the bottom lets you access up to six miles of the narrow canyon, but for the full 16-mile journey, you’ll want to hike the Narrows from the top-down. This hike begins at Chamberlain’s Ranch and ends at the Riverside Walk trail inside the park— it is a point to point hike and not a round trip adventure.
Whether you want to complete the top-down Narrows hike in a single day or as a two-day overnight adventure, you’ll need a permit. Permits can be requested via the Zion National Park website, but they often fill up long in advance, so be sure to give yourself plenty of advance time to plan your trip. If you can get a permit, the Zion Narrows from the top-down is one of the most incredible adventures in all of hiking.
Things to keep in mind: the trail begins at Chamberlain Ranch, located outside of the park. It’s also a point to point hike which means you’ll need to arrange transportation from within the park. There are shuttle and taxi services available. If you’re hiking with friends or family members, you can drop a car off inside the park and take another up to the Chamberlain Ranch starting point.
You should also plan to devote at least a day to the top-down hike. While it can be completed without an overnight trip planned, you shouldn’t expect to complete the hike in one day and still have time (or energy) leftover for other activities.
Weeping Rock
One of the shortest and most manageable trails is also one of the best hikes in Zion National Park. Weeping rock is a favorite among locals thanks to its stunning beauty and the fact that it’s accessible for families and anyone who’s not looking for a physically demanding long adventure.
Most of the Weeping Rock trail follows a paved path, but it should be noted that even though the trail is short— less than half a mile in total— it is fairly steep. Give yourself at least half an hour of hike time as well as some extra time to hang out and enjoy the view, which includes the dripping rock face that gives the trail its name.
If you take the shuttle into the park, Weeping Rock’s trailhead is located at stop #7, so be sure not to miss it. You should also keep in mind that as one of the shortest and best hikes in Zion National Park, the Weeping Rock trail can be crowded during the busy season.
Hidden Canyon
The name Hidden Canyon doesn’t just describe the small, gorgeous secret canyon that this trail will lead you into. It also describes the fact that this trail is one of Zion’s hidden gems. It’s one of the least trafficked hikes in the park, losing out on popularity to favorites like Angel’s Landing, Weeping Rock, and the Narrows. But absolutely no one should visit Zion National Park without visiting Hidden Canyon. It’s truly one of the best hikes in Zion National Park, and features a bit of everything people love about the other hikes.
Want to experience the thrill of hiking along a steep cliff face, holding tight to a chain for safety? You’ve got it. Want to see gorgeous overlooks of the entire canyon? This hike has you covered. And at the end, you’ll be rewarded by climbing up and over a break in the red rock into a lush, green, tunnel-like canyon that will have you feeling like you’ve discovered a whole other world.
Moderate difficulty, less crowds than other trails, and an absolutely beautiful experience from start to finish make Hidden Canyon the hidden gem of Zion National Park. Do not miss it during your visit. It can be accessed via the Weeping Rock stop on the Zion Shuttle, Stop #7.
Canyon Overlook Trail
Canyon Overlook trail is another favorite among park visitors, because it’s one of the least strenuous ways to get a beautiful view of the canyon from above. It is the Canyon Overlook Trail, after all. For anyone who’s not looking to take on the steep inclines and heart-pumping cliffs of Angel’s Landing, this trail can be a great alternative.
The Canyon Overlook Trail is approximately a mile round-trip, so you should give yourself an hour or more time to hike it based on whether you’re going solo, with other adults, or with kids in tow. It’s considered an easy hike, but there is some incline to contend with so keep that in mind.
The Canyon Overlook trailhead can be located off Highway 9, east of the Mount Carmel Tunnel. It’s definitely a must-hike destination when visiting Zion National Park, and could make a great choice as your first introductory hike in the park.
Riverside Walk
Almost entirely paved and featuring hardly any incline, the Riverside Walk is the perfect way to end a day of steep hikes and active adventures. This 2.2-mile roundtrip walk will take between one to two hours depending on your pace— and how often you stop to take photos of the stunning scenery.
The Riverside Walk trail begins at the Temple of Sinawave stop of the Zion Shuttle, also known as Stop #9, and winds between canyon walls with the Virgin River alongside every step. The canyons become more and more narrow as you go, climbing upward towards the sky on both sides. You’ll also pass lush green trees growing along the riverside and might even see some wildlife.
The Riverside Walk is also notable in that it ends where the bottom-up hike of the Narrows begins. Those hiking the Narrows will start their adventure on the Riverside Walk trail before stepping into the water and traversing the Narrows.
The Riverside Walk offers beauty, no incline, and a fully paved trail, making it one of the best hikes in Zion National Park for families or those with limited mobility who still want to take in all the beauty that the park has to offer.
Observation Point
For a long hike that will give you great views along the entire path, check out the popular Observation Point trail. This 8-mile roundtrip hike takes you from the floor of the canyon all the way up to the rimrock, providing incredible views of the canyon from above. Keep in mind that this is a long, strenuous hike, and completing the entire thing will likely take up the majority of your day. If you’re trying to knock out multiple hikes in the same day, consider pairing Observation Point with a shorter, easier trail such as the Riverside Walk or Weeping Rock trails. In fact, Weeping Rock is a particularly good fit because it begins as the same trailhead as Observation Point.
With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, Observation Point is not for the faint of heart. But you’ll be rewarded with one of the best hikes in Zion National Park and views you won’t believe.
The Subway
The Subway is one of the less-crowded hikes of Zion National Park, but it’s not for lack of beauty. This stunning hike features tunnel-like slot canyons and gorgeous views, but it’s also very technically challenging, requires hiking in water in portions, and requires a permit to explore.
Like the Narrows, the Subway trail can be hiked from the top-down for the full experience or from the bottom-down for a shorter trail (though you’ll miss out on some of the most beautiful portions of the hike.
From the top-down, the Subway will give you ten miles of striking, otherworldly landscapes. But you’ll need to be willing to face strenuous conditions and an all-day adventure. Permits can be requested via the Zion National Park website.
West Rim Trail
The longest trail on our list, the West Rim Trail offers 17 miles of strenuous and adventurous paths that wind up and all around Zion National Park. Don’t plan any other activities for the day if you’re planning to tackle the West Rim Trail— it will likely take up most or all of your daylight hours depending on your pace.
The West Rim Trail’s length makes it much less trafficked than other trails in the park, giving you the chance for some real solitude as you take in the incredible views along the entire length of Zion National Park. If you like, you can even turn it into a two-day backpacking trip. However you experience it, the West Rim trail is incredible.
East Rim Trail
The East Rim Trail is another long day hike in Zion Canyon, this one starting at the east entrance to Weeping Rock. If you’re looking for a long hike with beautiful views of the canyon that’s not highly popular or likely to be crowded, the East Rim Trail is a great option to consider. It may not be quite as beautiful as its sibling, the West Rim Trail, but it’s also six miles shorter and even less trafficked. You’ll get views of Echo Canyon, weeping rock, and plenty of vistas of the main canyon of Zion National Park. If you’ve already hit all of the most iconic trails in Zion, this is one of the best hikes in Zion National Park for those looking for a long, laid-back adventure. While there are some strenuous portions of the trail, giving yourself the entire day to complete the hike will let you take your time and have plenty of rest along the way.
Emerald Pools
Like some of the other trails in Zion National Park, the Emerald Pools trail is one that lets you decide how far you want to go, with beautiful views and landmarks at various points along the trail. Because of this, the total distance you hike can be anywhere from one to three miles depending on how much time you have— and whether you want to face the strenuous inclines that appear in the second half of the trail. Overall, the majority of the trail is relatively easy. Along the way you’ll see beautiful pools of water, dripping rocks, and views of the gorgeous canyon.
This is one of the best hikes in Zion National Park, which also makes it one of the most popular. Keep that in mind when planning your trip— it may be best to schedule it early or later in the day, when there’s a chance it may be less crowded.
Reaching the Lower Emerald Pools is fairly easy, and a favorite turnaround point for families with children. But if you want to push onward through the final steep climb you’ll be rewarded with the Upper Emerald Pool surrounded by tall cliffs that will have you taking photo after photo.
If you’re taking the Zion Shuttle, you’ll want to get off at either Stop #5 or Stop #6. Both provide close access to the Emerald Pools trailhead.
Pa’Rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trail gets a special designation on our list because it’s the only trail in Zion National Park where (leashed) dogs can accompany you. It’s also a pretty hike in its own right, so if you’re road-tripping with your furry best friend and want to make a stop-off in Zion, the Pa’rus trail is a worthwhile visit. It’s also located just inside the park’s entrance for easy access. This 3.5 mile trail features very little elevation gain, so it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, let your dog have a little adventure, and see some of the park. It’s a mainly paved trail that can be accessed from either shuttle stop #1 or #3 on the Zion Park Shuttle.
Conclusion
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