4 hikes you have to do in Zion National Park - Travel Eat Enjoy Repeat

4 hikes you have to do in Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located in Utah and is dominated by Zion Canyon. We already visited this National Park twice, as it has so much to offer. You keep coming back to it. And we are not alone: it is one of the most popular parks in Utah. Zion National Park is most famous for The Narrows and Angels Landing.

We did a few hikes while we were there, one of them being (part of) Angels Landing.

For more information about the hikes you can do there and opening hours, you can visit the park website.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail

Easy hike
Shuttle Stop:
#5 Zion Lodge
Distance (roundtrip): 1.2 mi / 1.9 km
Elevation Change: 69 ft / 21 m
Estimated Hiking Time: 1 hour

This is one of the more easier hikes in Zion National Park. This 1.9k hike brings you to a small water fall and the Lower Emerald Pools. This is a fun hike to do with kids because the trail is completely paved. And if you are lucky, you might see a deer.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail Zion National Park

Lower Emerald Pool Trail Zion National Park

Lower Emerald Pool Trail Zion National Park

Lower Emerald Pool Trail Zion National Park

Lower Emerald Pool Trail Zion National Park

Lower Emerald Pool Trail Zion National Park

 

Angels Landing

Strenous hike
Shuttle Stop:
#6 The Grotto
Distance (roundtrip): 5.4 mi / 8.7 km
Elevation Change: 1,488 ft / 453 m
Estimated Hiking Time: 4 hours

We went up to Angels Landing until Scout Overlook. I was feeling too unsteady to go any further but my boyfriend went a little bit further. Until it was also too much for him, especially too crowded. In peak season, you are never alone, so if you want to try Angels Landing on your own pace, you have to try to avoid the crowds. The first part of the trail is fairly easy until you reach a number of switchbacks, 21 to be exacted. At Scout Overlook you can decide to stay and enjoy the few or go further to the top Angels Landing which is another 0.8 km. The entire trail is 8.7 km.

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

Angels Landing Zion National Park

 

Canyon Overlook Trail

Moderate hike
No shuttle, requires personal transportation
Distance (roundtrip): 1.0 mi / 1.6 km
Elevation Change: 163 ft / 50 m
Estimated Hiking Time: 1 hour

Alongside Zion Mount Carmel Highway you can start a 1.6 km hike that will give you spectacular views onto the valley. The trail is mostly fenced but there are some parts where you might watch your step. But this is definitely a stop if you want the views without the hard work :).

Canyon Overlook Trail Zion

Canyon Overlook Trail Zion

Canyon Overlook Trail Zion

Canyon Overlook Trail Zion

 

Observation Point Trail

Strenous hike
Shuttle Stop: #7 Weeping Rock
Distance (roundtrip): 8.0 mi / 12.9 km
Elevation Change: 2,148 ft / 655 m
Estimated Hiking Time: 6 hours

This 13 km hike is a tough one, especially when it is warm. There is practically no shade along the trail, so bring a lot of water and avoid the hottest parts of the day. We did this one at the end of September and it was bearable then. There is an elevation gain of 655 m. At the end, you have a beautiful view on Angels Landing and Zion Canyon. This for me is one of the most beautiful hikes in the park. Although hard, the view at the end makes it all worth while.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

 

More hikes in Zion National Park

Name Difficulty Shuttle stop Distance (roundtrip) Elevation change Estimated hiking time
Pa’rus Trail Easy #1 Visitor Center
#3 Canyon Junction
3.5 mi / 5.6 km 50 ft / 15 m 2 hours
Archeology Trail Easy #1 Visitor Center 0.4 mi / 0.6 km 80 ft / 24 m 30 minutes
Grotto Trail Easy #5 Zion Lodge
#6 Grotto
1 mi / 1.6 km 35 ft / 11 m 30 minutes
Weeping Rock Trail Easy #7 Weeping Rock 0.4 mi / 0.6 km 98 ft / 30 m 30 minutes
Riverside Walk Easy #9 Temple of Sinawava 2.2 mi / 3.5 km 57 ft / 17 m 1.5 hours
Watchman Trail Moderate #1 Visitor Center 3.3 mi / 5.3 km 368 ft / 112 m 2 hours
Sandbench Trail Moderate #5 Zion Lodge 7.6 mi / 12.2 km 466 ft / 142 m 5 hours
Upper Emerald Pool Trail Moderate #5 Zion Lodge
#6 The Grotto
1.0 mi / 1.6 km 200 ft / 61 m 1 hour
Kayenta Trail Moderate #6 The Grotto 2.0 mi / 3.2 km 150 ft / 46 m 1.5 hours
Hidden Canyon Trail Strenous #7 Weeping Rock 2.5 mi / 4.0 km 850 ft / 259 m 2.5 hours
The Narrows Strenous #9 Temple of Sinawava 9.4 mi / 15.1 km 334 ft / 102 m 8 hours

 

Where to stay in Zion National Park

 

Campgrounds in and around Zion

Hotels



Booking.com

What are your favorite hikes in Zion National Park?

 

Zion National Park Zion National Park

Zion National ParkZion National Park

 

 

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