Zion National Park in Utah is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in America. With red rock canyons, towering cliffs, and amazing views, Zion offers hikes for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for an extreme challenge, this guide has you covered. We’ve organized these 10 hikes from beginner to extreme, so you can find the perfect trail for your skill level.
🌱 Beginner Hikes (Easy & Family-Friendly)
BEGINNER
1. Pa’rus Trail
Distance: 3.5 miles round-trip
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Pa’rus Trail is the perfect starting point for anyone new to Zion. This completely paved trail starts right at the Visitor Center and follows the Virgin River through the canyon. The path is flat and easy, making it great for families with kids, people in wheelchairs, and even dogs on leashes.
You’ll walk alongside the river with beautiful canyon walls rising up on both sides. There are benches along the way where you can sit and enjoy the views. The trail gives you wide-open views of famous landmarks like the Watchman and the West Temple without any tough climbing.
💡 Pro Tip: This trail is perfect for sunset! The canyon walls turn orange and pink as the sun goes down. It’s also one of the only trails in Zion where you can bring your dog.
BEGINNER
2. Riverside Walk
Distance: 2.2 miles round-trip
Time: 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 57 feet
The Riverside Walk is a gentle, paved trail that takes you to the entrance of the famous Narrows. You’ll start at the last shuttle stop (Temple of Sinawava) and walk along the Virgin River as the canyon walls get closer and closer together.
The trail is mostly flat and goes through areas with hanging gardens where water drips down the canyon walls and plants grow right out of the rock. It’s shady and cool, which makes it perfect for hot summer days. At the end of the paved trail, you’ll see where the Narrows hike begins, where people walk right into the river.
💡 Pro Tip: Go early in the morning (before 9 AM) to avoid crowds. The trail gets packed in the afternoon, especially during busy seasons.
BEGINNER
3. Canyon Overlook Trail
Distance: 1 mile round-trip
Time: 30-45 minutes
Elevation Gain: 163 feet
Don’t let the short distance fool you – Canyon Overlook Trail packs amazing views into just half a mile. The trail starts near the east entrance of Zion, right after you drive through the Mount Carmel Tunnel. Even though it’s short, you’ll climb some steps and walk along ledges with incredible views.
The payoff at the end is huge. You’ll stand at an overlook looking down into Zion Canyon with views of the canyon walls, Pine Creek, and the winding road below. Many people say this is one of the best views in the whole park, and you can get it with just a 30-minute walk.
💡 Pro Tip: Parking is very limited here – only about 10 spots. Arrive early (before 8 AM) or later in the evening to find parking. You can’t take the shuttle to this trailhead, so you’ll need your own car.
BEGINNER
4. Emerald Pools Trail (Lower Pool)
Distance: 1.2 miles round-trip
Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 69 feet
The Lower Emerald Pool is an easy hike that takes you to a beautiful waterfall and pool. The paved trail is wide and gentle, making it perfect for families. You’ll walk through the forest and arrive at a natural pool where water falls over a cliff above you.
The “emerald” name comes from the green color of the water in the pools. You can walk behind the waterfall, which is really cool on hot days when the mist feels refreshing. The area around the pool is lush and green, which is surprising in the desert landscape of Zion.
💡 Pro Tip: The Lower Pool trail can be closed in winter because of ice dangers. If you want to see all three pools (Lower, Middle, and Upper), plan for 3 miles and more elevation gain – that makes it an intermediate hike.
⛰️ Intermediate Hikes (Moderate Challenge)
INTERMEDIATE
5. The Watchman Trail
Distance: 3.3 miles round-trip
Time: 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 368 feet
The Watchman Trail is often overlooked because it’s near the park entrance, but it offers fantastic views with a moderate climb. The trail starts near the Visitor Center and winds up the side of a mesa with switchbacks that aren’t too steep.
At the top, you’ll get great views of the town of Springdale, the Watchman peak, and the surrounding canyon. The views change as you climb, and the overlook at the end is perfect for watching sunset. The red rocks glow orange and pink as the sun goes down.
💡 Pro Tip: This is one of the best sunset hikes in Zion. The trail faces west, so you’ll have amazing light in the evening. Bring a headlamp for the walk back down after dark.
INTERMEDIATE
6. Emerald Pools Trail (Upper Pool)
Distance: 3 miles round-trip
Time: 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
If you want to see all three Emerald Pools, you’ll need to continue past the Lower Pool to reach the Middle and Upper Pools. The trail gets steeper and rockier as you climb higher. You’ll use stone steps and cross sandy sections with great views of the canyon below.
The Upper Pool sits at the base of massive cliff walls that rise straight up above you. It’s quieter here than at the Lower Pool, and the setting feels more dramatic. The water in the pool comes from springs above, and sometimes there’s a small waterfall depending on the season.
💡 Pro Tip: You can make this into a loop hike by connecting with the Kayenta Trail. This adds distance but gives you different views on the way back.
INTERMEDIATE
7. The Narrows (Bottom-Up Day Hike)
Distance: Varies (2-6 miles)
Time: 2-5 hours
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
The Narrows is one of Zion’s most famous hikes, and for good reason. You’ll be walking right in the Virgin River as it flows through a narrow slot canyon. The canyon walls tower hundreds of feet above you, and in some spots they’re only 20-30 feet apart.
Most people hike up the river from the end of the Riverside Walk and turn around whenever they want. The water is usually knee to thigh-deep, but it can change depending on the season. You’ll need special gear – waterproof boots or water shoes, and a walking stick helps a lot because the river bottom is rocky and uneven.
⚠️ Important: The Narrows can close suddenly due to flash flood danger. Always check conditions at the Visitor Center before you go. Never hike this trail if rain is in the forecast. You can rent special gear (boots, pants, walking sticks) in Springdale just outside the park.
🔥 Extreme Hikes (Challenging & Strenuous)
EXTREME
8. Angels Landing
Distance: 5.4 miles round-trip
Time: 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,488 feet
Angels Landing is one of the most famous – and most intense – hikes in America. The trail takes you up steep switchbacks, including the famous “Walter’s Wiggles” (21 tight switchbacks cut into the rock), before reaching Scout Lookout. From there, the real challenge begins.
The final half-mile to Angels Landing follows a narrow ridge that’s only a few feet wide in places. There are 1,000-foot drop-offs on both sides, and you’ll hold onto chains bolted into the rock as you climb. It’s not for people who are afraid of heights, but if you can handle it, the 360-degree views from the top are absolutely incredible.
⚠️ Permit Required: You MUST have a permit to hike from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing. Apply through the online lottery at recreation.gov. There’s a seasonal lottery (apply months ahead) and a day-before lottery. Without a permit, you can still hike to Scout Lookout, which has amazing views too.
⚠️ Safety Warning: People have died on this hike. Do not attempt it in wet, icy, or windy conditions. The rock can be slippery. Turn around if you feel uncomfortable – there’s no shame in stopping at Scout Lookout.
EXTREME
9. Observation Point (via East Mesa Trail)
Distance: 6.4 miles round-trip
Time: 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain: 600 feet (from East Mesa)
Observation Point offers one of the best views in Zion – you can even look down on Angels Landing from above! The original trail from Weeping Rock inside the canyon is closed due to rockfall, but you can now reach it via the East Mesa Trailhead outside the park.
The East Mesa route is less dramatic but easier than the old trail. You’ll drive to a remote trailhead on a dirt road, then hike through pine forests before emerging at the spectacular overlook. From here, you get massive views of the entire Zion Canyon spread out below you, with Angels Landing looking tiny in comparison.
💡 Pro Tip: Getting to the East Mesa Trailhead requires driving on dirt roads that can be rough. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, and the roads may be impassable when wet. Plan ahead and check current conditions.
EXTREME
10. The Subway (Bottom-Up Route)
Distance: 9.5 miles round-trip
Time: 6-9 hours
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
The Subway is Zion’s most unique hike. You’ll hike through a slot canyon that looks like a curved subway tunnel – the water has carved the rock into a perfect tube shape. This is a wilderness hike that requires serious preparation, route-finding skills, and comfort with scrambling over boulders and wading through water.
The bottom-up route doesn’t require technical canyoneering skills like the top-down route, but it’s still extremely challenging. You’ll boulder-hop, wade through pools, and navigate tricky terrain. The Subway itself is stunning – a beautiful curved section of slot canyon with pools of water and unique rock formations.
⚠️ Permit Required: You MUST have a wilderness permit for this hike. These are very hard to get – apply for the seasonal lottery months in advance through recreation.gov. This hike is for experienced hikers only.
⚠️ Expert Level: This hike involves route-finding, scrambling, potential rope use, and cold water wading. Do not attempt without proper experience, gear, and preparation. Many people hire guides for their first time.
Plan Your Zion Adventure
Zion National Park offers incredible hiking for every skill level. Start with the beginner trails to get a feel for the park, work your way up to intermediate hikes as you build confidence, and tackle the extreme trails when you’re ready for a real challenge.
Important Tips: Always bring plenty of water (at least 1 gallon per person), wear good hiking shoes, check the weather before you go, and tell someone your hiking plans. The best times to visit are spring (April-May) and fall (September-November) when temperatures are comfortable and crowds are smaller.
Remember, you don’t have to do the most extreme hikes to have an amazing Zion experience. Some of the most beautiful views come from the easier trails. Pick the hikes that match your abilities and comfort level, and enjoy one of America’s most stunning national parks!