10 of the Best Hiking Trails in Zion National Park

May 17, 2018

Sandstone mountains, slot canyons and extreme heights: can you handle these 10 hikes in Zion National Park?

Towering orange cliffs, smoldering red mountains and topaz-blue waters greet ardent hikers in Zion National Park. From the spine of vertigo-inducing summits to the belly of ice-cold rivers, these 10 hikes will bring you to the best bits of one of Utah’s most stunning parks.

1. Angel’s Landing

Length: 5 miles (8 km) roundtrip

Time: 3 – 4 hours

Elevation Gain: 450 m

Trailhead: The Grotto, just outside of Springdale

If you aren’t afraid of heights yet, you will be after conquering Angel’s Landing. With a summit so notorious it was said only an angel could land there, this gorgeous hike comes with some serious risk. On either side of a metal chain, a 430-metre drop to the switchback trail below will send your heart pounding. At least eight people have died from falling off the cliffs here, so be careful while trekking this infamous trail. Go in the off-season to avoid suffocating crowds and dizzying summer heat.

Read More: explore-mag.com

2. The Narrows

Length: 9.4 miles (15 km) one-way

Time: 4 – 5 hours

Elevation Gain: Approx. 100 m

Trailhead: Take the free shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava

Hiking up a river, flanked by smooth, towering canyon walls is an experience unlike any other. To trek this trail Bottom Up, travel into Wall Street and onto Orderville Canyon for unbelievable photo-opts. Avoid this trail after a rainfall, as flash floods can make it impassable.

Read More: explore-mag.com

3. Observation Point

Length: 8 miles (12.8 km) roundtrip

Time: 5 – 6 hours

Elevation Gain: 600 m

Trailhead: Weeping Rock trailhead

Up, up and more up. This climb on hard rock is unforgiving, but soaking in the panorama of Zion Canyon at the top is well-worth your efforts.

Read More: utah.com

4. Canyon Overlook Trail

Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip

Time: 1 hour

Elevation Gain: 50 m

Trailhead: Across from the parking lot on the east side of the Mount Carmel Tunnel

With much less time and elevation commitment than some of the other hikes on this list, the Canyon Overlook Trail still yields fantastic views. Follow uneven rocky steps and intermittent barricades to the edge of a cliff that overlooks the Mount Carmel Tunnel, a 1.1-mile project completed in 1930. The trail can be difficult to distinguish at some points, so watch for footprints to follow. Young children can complete this hike, but parents should be wary of letting them wander too far, as there are many steep drop-offs.

Read More: zionnationalpark.com

5. Emerald Pools

Length: 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip

Time: 1 – 2 hours

Elevation Gain: Approx. 100 m

Trailhead: Across the highway from Zion Lodge, near Springdale

Three levels of cool, refreshing pools (Lower, Middle and Upper) and cascading waterfalls attract hundreds of thousands of hikers to Emerald Pools every summer. However, despite Angel’s Landing’s fatal reputation, even more accidental deaths have been reported here. Although it’s considered a beginner-friendly trail, take caution when traversing uneven rocks and watch out for sudden drop-offs.

Read More: utah.com

6. Weeping Rock

Length: 0.4 miles (0.6 km) roundtrip

Time: 30 minutes

Elevation Gain: 30 m

Trailhead: Weeping Rock trailhead (Shuttle stop 7)

This is the shortest trail in the park, but it still delivers on views—especially when looking out over the Great White Throne from behind the weeping water. Although well-travelled, the trail is moderately steep and uneven in sections. Splashing water from the stunning falls makes nearby rocks wet and slippery, so watch your footing when finding the perfect Instagram angle.

Read More: zionnational-park.com

7. The Subway

Length: 9 miles (14.5 km) roundtrip

Time: 6 – 7 hours

Elevation Gain: 183 m

Trailhead: Left Fork trailhead

One of the lesser-known yet more majestic hikes in the area, the Subway requires a permit to explore. Unless you want to swim and rappel, travel Bottom Up. You’ll cross creeks and scramble over boulders in a striking slot canyon. This hike is strenuous and difficult to follow, so make sure your hiking group is adequately prepared.

Read More: nps.gov

8. West Rim Trail

Length: 18 miles (29 km)

Time: 2 days

Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,000 m descent

Trailhead: Lava Point, approx. 30 km from Springdale

This trail can be tackled different ways, but we recommend starting from the top and hiking down. Don’t think it’ll be easy-going, though: it’s still a strenuous downhill trek. You’ll drop into Potato Hallow and continue onto Telephone Canyon Trail. Unlike most hikes, the further you descend, the better the scenery gets.

Read More: nps.gov

9. Hidden Canyon

Length: 2.2 miles (3.5 km) roundtrip

Time: 3 – 4 hours

Elevation Gain: Approx. 300 m

Trailhead: Weeping Rock trailhead

Short, steep and secret, Hidden Canyon is a hanging canyon between Cable Mountain and the Great White Throne. This hike offers unique views of surrounding trails, including Angel’s Landing and Big Bend. Switchbacks climb along cliff-edges, where metal chains offer a lifeline to acrophobic hikers.

Read More: utah.com

10. La Verkin Creek Trail

Length: 14 miles (22.5 km) roundtrip

Time: One day

Elevation Gain: 290 m

Trailhead: Lee Pass

If you’re looking for a beautiful hike-in campsite with minimal effort, this overnighter will tick all your boxes. After trekking through scrub forest along Timber Creek for seven miles, you’ll arrive at Kolob Arch. This 330-ft-tall freestanding natural arc is a wonder to behold. There are 13 campsites in the area to choose where to pitch your tent.

Read More: visitutah.com

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