12 Best Hikes in Zion National Park, Utah /

What are the best hikes in Zion National Park?

Emerald Pools trail is one of the best hiking trails of all national parks. That’s because there are countless natural pools to explore, which makes the hike out of this world. The Lower Emerald Pools are also the site of a beautiful waterfall. The Upper Emerald Pools is a magical world of natural pools, waterfalls, secret rock niches and more. This day hike is one of the most enjoyable hikes in Zion.

The distance of the Watchman trail is only 3 miles and within that loop, you get a view of large parts of the park. You also get a nice comfortable view of Angel’s Landing without having to do the rather scary hike to yourself.

As you walk the Watchman Trail, you sneak into another world. You are surrounded by pink sandstone and babbling brooks and greenery worthy of a hobbit forest. You do not need to take a shuttle to get to this trail. The trail starts just a short walk from the visitor center.

What not to miss in Zion National Park?

You must visit Wall Street in the Narrows Hike. You will never feel so big and small at the same time. Wall Street in the Narrows is the point where the walls of the canyon come so close together that you literally walk through a small crevice.

You have to hike along the Virgin River for about 6 miles before you reach its narrowest point, but it’s well worth it. As a side note, don’t swim in the Virgin River no matter how hot or excited you get. You should also not drink water from it.

Which hike should I do in Zion?

The most accessible trail in Zion National Park is the Pa’rus Trail. That’s because of the flat landscape that makes it easy for anyone to trek. It is wheelchair accessible and also suitable for cycling or blading.

Whatever you do, you’re guaranteed beautiful views on this short hike. You will travel on the paved road passing over storybook bridges crossing rivers and through cottonwood forests.

The Pa’rus Trail is just north of the Visitor’s Center and can be completed in less than half a day by almost anyone. The trail is about 3.5 kilometers long. If you’re at the Visitor Center you don’t need to take a shuttle, but if you’re anywhere else you can hop on the shuttle bus and get off at Shuttle Stop 3 at Canyon Junction.

Other great walks include Angels Landing, Observation Point and Emerald Pools, which means lots of crowds. If you want to have a different kind of experience, you can visit Bryce Canyon and Orderville Canyon. These trail canyon hikes will be quieter so you can really experience the ruggedness of Zion.

Which hikes in Zion National Park require permits?

The permit system in Zion can be a bit confusing, so we’ll break it down for you. Basically, with the exception of Angels Landing, (where everyone must have a permit starting April 1, 2022) permits are issued based on your activity.

Permits required if canyoning:

• The Narrows from top to bottom (as a day walk)
• The subway walk (in both directions)
• Any other technical slot canyon in the park

What is the most dangerous hike in Zion?

The Angel’s Landing Trail is the most dangerous hike in Zion. It has an incredibly steep climb and the path leads to a plateau that is over 300 meters high. Angel’s Landing distance is only 2.8 miles one way and you don’t need any rock climbing gear, but the elevation gain is 1,500 feet.

Another reason why this trail is dangerous in the world of Zion walking is because of the last section where you have to hold on to chains as you cross. The views from Angel’s Landing are worth it, but only if you can stomach the tough climb and view of the drop as well.

A close second to that hike is the Bridge Mountain hike. Few visitors ever make it to Bridge Mountain, as it is a particularly difficult hike and requires a certain level of expertise.

There are steep climbs with no bolted chains to help you along. You have an altitude of about 2000 meters and so it is clearly not your daily climb. Bridge Mountain is actually more of an arch than a bridge, which is why the name was changed to Crawford Arch, but people still call it Bridge Mountain.