Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and Zion Canyon trails in Zion National Park
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and Zion Canyon trails in Zion National Park
A View on the Pa'rus Trail
Pa'rus Trail (3.5 mile / 5.6 kilometer round-trip). Trailhead is at Canyon Junction. An easy paved hiking/biking trail that follows the North Fork of the Virgin River from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center past the South Campground to the Zion Canyon Junction shuttle stop. This is the only trail in the park that allows pets or bicycles.
Court of the Patriarchs (100 yards round-trip). Trailhead is at the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop. A very short trail leading to a view of the Three Patriarchs and the Sentinel.
Weeping Rock (0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer round-trip). Trailhead is at the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. A short but mildly steep, paved trail ends under a rock alcove with dripping springs. In the spring and summer, hanging gardens of wildflowers decorate the walls.
Riverside Walk (2.0 mile / 3.3 kilometer round-trip). Trailhead is at the Temple of Sinawava at the end of Zion Canyon. An easy paved trail follows the North Fork of the Virgin River along the bottom of a narrow, high-walled canyon. The canyon is lush, with hanging gardens, trees, and wildflowers in spring and summer. A great walk if it's hot: the trail is shady and you can wade in the river. This is also the main access to the Zion Narrows.
The Court of the Patriarchs
Canyon Overlook (1.0 mile / 1.6 kilometer round-trip). Trailhead is at the east end of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. If you only have enough time to drive through the park without getting on the shuttle, make this your hike. This moderately difficult trail leads over rocky, uneven terrain to a spectacular viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon.
Lower Emerald Pool (1.2 mile / 1.9 kilometer round-trip). Trailhead is across the highway from the Zion Lodge. This is an easy paved trail that leads to the lower pool, just below the middle pools.
Middle Emerald Pools (2.0 mile / 3.3 kilometer round-trip). Trailhead is across the highway from the Zion Lodge. A moderately difficult trail to the middle pools. Swimming, wading, or bathing is prohibited in all four Emerald Pools due to dangerous bacteria in the water and in order to protect the aquatic wildlife and preserve this fragile area. Careful: Steep cliffs, there has been at least one death from falling at one of the middle pools.
Watchman (2.0 mile / 3.3 kilometer round-trip). The trailhead is near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, just across the Virgin River. This moderate trail ends at a view point of lower Zion Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, and the town of Springdale. It is recommended that the trail be taken at the beginning or end of the day due to the heat.
Hidden Canyon (2.0 mile / 3.2 kilometer round-trip). This trailhead is at the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. A strenuous climb, with cliff side hiking, that is not for anyone who isn't in good physical condition or is fearful of heights. The trail climbs a steep cliff that offers incredible views of Weeping Rock, Big Bend, Angels Landing and the valley below. Chains have been put into the cliff near the end of the trail to provide handholds. The trail ends at the mouth of a narrow side canyon, which you can explore if you wish. Keep your eyes open for the arch located inside the canyon.
Angels Landing
Angels Landing (5.0 mile / 8.6 kilometer round-trip). The trailhead is at the Grotto. A steep, strenuous hike up the West Rim Trail to the Angels Landing Trail, which is a 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer spur. The trail follows a steep, narrow ridge with chains added to provide handholds. This spectacular trail ends at a magnificent overlook of Zion Canyon and the Virgin River. For those in good physical condition and not afraid of heights, this hike is a must.
Those afraid of heights can stop and turn around at 'Scouts' Overlook' where the final vertiginous ascent to Angel's landing starts. The hike to Scouts' Overlook only is strenuous but less exposed.
Observation Point (8.0 mile / 12.0 kilometer round-trip). The trailhead is at the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. This is a strenuous climb through Echo Canyon to Observation Point, offering excellent views of Zion Canyon. The trail gives access to other East Rim plateau trails: East Rim, Cable Mountain and Deertrap Mountain.
West Rim to Cabin Spring (10.0 mile / 17.2 kilometer round-trip). The trailhead is at the Grotto. This hike travels north through Refrigerator Canyon, up Walters Wiggles, through the basin refered to as Little Siberia and then finally ascends switchbacks blasted out of the solid rock face to the southern tip of the "West Rim". At one time a cabin existed near a small spring and was used as a remote station for Rangers. The views from the southern end of the West Rim are beautiful indeed, and in the spring months there may be water available, but should be filtered or purified.
West Rim Trail from Lava Point (16.0 mile / 25.75 kilometer one-way). The full West Rim Trail is one of the best backcountry hikes that Zion (or any park, really) has to offer, and is the most popular section of the Trans-Zion backpacking route. It is best hiked top-down (north to south) both to avoid the extreme incline gain you would face going the other way around, and because the scenery starts out beautiful and with each steps becomes more and more spectacular until you hit the climax at the entrance to Zion Canyon at Angel's Landing. (This is also a great way to introduce yourself to Zion, if you haven't yet seen the main canyon.) It's possible to hike the whole trail in one day, although that would be incredibly strenuous hiking from south to north, but a two-day hike is far better to linger along the magnificent views, and to have plenty of time to enjoy the Angel's Landing hike at the end. There is a short spur at the top of the trail leading to Lava Point Overlook, which at 7890 feet is the highest point in the park, and as you might expect offers some magnificent views. This spur can easily be hiked in a couple hours round trip from the trailhead, for those not doing the full trail. At the south end of the trail, a hike up Angel's Landing is a must. At the north (west) end, the trail connects with the Wildcat Canyon Trail, which in turn connects to the Kolob Canyons section of the park.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Zion National Park
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Zion National Park - updated May 2024
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Zion National Park Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
