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| General Hiking Info | Hiking Trails | The Narrows | Winter Hiking |
Zion National Park has some fantastic rock structures and colors for some unbelievable scenic beauty. Activities to consider while here are but not limited to: backpacking, biking, camping, fishing, four wheeling, hiking, horseback rides, photography, river running, star gazing and watching wildlife.
Hikes and Walks: Watch out for falling ice and slippery conditions. Most trails have drop-offs where you must be extra careful to watch your footing. Always stay back away from the edges. People uncertain about heights should turn around if they come to drop-offs that bother them.
When hiking, stay on established trails and watch your footing at all times, especially at overlooks and near drop-offs. Watch children closely!
The Narrows of Zion Canyon is one of the park's most popular and strenuous, off-trail hikes. Hiking through the Narrows is a 15-mile trip requiring at least one full day. Much of the trip involves wading through the Virgin River. The Narrows may be closed because of the threat of flash floods. Permits are required for trips through the length of the Narrows and its tributaries.
Hikes and Walks: Watch out for falling ice and slippery conditions. Most trails have drop-offs where you must be extra careful to watch your footing. Always stay back away from the edges. People uncertain about heights should turn around if they come to drop-offs that bother them.
| Trail | Trail Head | Length | Time | Ascent | Description |
| Weeping Rock | Zion Canyon Scenic drive - Weeping Rock parking lot | 0.5 mi 0.8 km |
30 min | 98 ft 30 m |
Easy: Self-guiding walk. Minor drop-offs. Paved trail ends at a rock alcove with dripping springs. Hanging gardens of wildflowers decorate the walls in spring and summer. Trail side exhibits. |
| Timber Creek | Kolob Canyons Picnic Area | 1.0 mi 1.6 km |
30 min | 100 ft | Moderate: Self-guiding walk. Follow ridge to small peak which offers views of Timber Cr., Kolob Terrace and Pine Valley Mtns. |
| Canyon Overlook | Zion - Mt Carmel Highway - just east of long tunnel | 1.0 mi 1.6 km |
1 hour | 163 ft 50 m |
Moderate: Long drop-offs, mostly fenced. Rocky, uneven trail ends at spectacular viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon. Self-guiding walk. |
| Pa'rus Trail | South Campground | 3.5 mi 5.6 km |
1.5 hours | 50 ft 15 m |
Easy: Paved trail follows the Virgin River from the South Campground to the Main Canyon Junction. Fully accessible. |
| Riverside Walk | Zion Canyon Scenic Drive - Temple of Sinawava | 2.0 mi 3.3 km |
1.5 hours | 57 ft 17 m |
Easy: Minor drop-offs. Paved trail follows the Virgin River along the bottom of a narrow canyon. Hanging gardens of wildflowers decorate the walls in spring and summer. Trail side exhibits. Accessible to disabled people with some assistance. |
| Lower Emerald Pools | Zion Canyon Scenic Drive-opposite Zion Lodge | 1.2 mi 1.9 km |
1.0 hour | 69 ft 21 m |
Easy: Minor drop-offs. Paved trail takes you to lower pool and 3 waterfalls. Accessible to disabled people with assistance. |
| Middle Emerald Pools | Zion Canyon Scenic Drive-opposite Zion Lodge | 2.0 mi 3.3 km |
2.0 hours | 150 ft 46 m |
Moderate: Long drop-offs. Loop trail to lower and middle pools. NOTE: Swimming, wading, or bathing is prohibited in all pools in order to protect the aquatic wildlife and preserve this fragile area. |
| Watchman | vice road-east of Watchman campground registration station | 2.0 mi 3.3 km |
2.0 hours | 368 ft 112 m |
Moderate: Minor drop-offs. Recommended for early and late in the day due to heat. Ends at viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, and town of Springdale. |
| Hidden Canyon | Zion Canyon Scenic Drive - Weeping Rock parking lot | 2.0 mi 3.3 km |
3.0 hours | 850 ft 259 m |
Moderate: Long drop-offs. NOT FOR ANYONE FEARFUL OF HEIGHTS. Ends at mouth of narrow side canyon carved in joint of rock. |
| Sand Bench | Zion Canyon Scenic Drive - opposite Zion Lodge | 3.6 mi 5.8 km |
3.0 hours | 500 ft 152 m |
Moderate: Good views of Lower Zion Canyon and the Three Patriarchs. Trail loops around through ancient landslide and past Streaked Wall. |
| Angels Landing | Zion Canyon Scenic Drive - Grotto Picnic Area | 5.0 mi 8.6 km |
4.0 hours | 1488 ft 453 m |
Strenuous: Long drop-offs and narrow trail. NOT FOR ANYONE FEARFUL OF HEIGHTS. Ends at summit high above Zion Canyon floor. Last .5 mile (0.8 km) follows a steep, narrow, ridge; chains have been added. |
| Taylor Creek | Kolob Canyons road, 2 miles from visitor center | 5.0 mi 8.6 km |
4.0 hours | 450 ft 137 m |
Moderate: No drop-offs. Follows the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek past two homestead cabins to the Double Arch Alcove. |
| Lower West Rim (to Cabin Spring) | Zion Canyon Scenic Drive - Grotto Picnic Area | 10.0 mi 17.2 km |
8.0 hours | 2640 ft 880 m |
Strenuous: Long drop-offs. Climbs to high-country viewpoint of canyons and isolated mesa. Trail continues to Lava Point, an alternate starting point. Trip to Lava Point should not be attempted as a one-day hike. |
Frozen waterfalls, sparkling ice crystals and white frosting on rusty peaks are some of the treasures awaiting hardy winter hikers. However, conditions change rapidly and constantly; hikers should be flexible and plan to turn back if trail conditions are unsafe or falling ice is a hazard.
The Zion Canyon trails usually have patchy snow, ice, or mud from winter through spring. Portions of Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock and the Riverside Walk are hazardous when icy and may be closed to hikers. The Sand Bench and Watchman Trails are usually snow free during the winter, but are often muddy in spots. Longer trails such as Observation Point, Hidden Canyon and Angle's Landing are often hazardous due to ice.
Canyon hikes such as the Narrows are not recommended in winter and early spring due to cold water, high runoff and snow/mud covered access roads.
High country trails including West Rim, Wildcat Canyon and East Rim are covered with up to three feet of snow in winter and are muddy and or icy in the spring.
Kolob Canyons trails are often quite snowy. Snow depths can vary from one to several feet of snow, requiring snowshoes for easier travel. Avalanches often pour down the steep canyon walls during and shortly after snowstorms. Falling ice and snow when rising temperatures cause melting, are also hazards back country hikers and skiers may encounter.
The lower desert trails, including Chinle Trail and Coalpits and Huber Washes are good for winter hiking during dry weather. This is the most accessible area for winter hiking and backpacking.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling opportunities exist in the higher elevations of Zion and nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument. For more information check at the visitor centers.
