Zion National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in the US, second only to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And it’s for good reason! It’s a gorgeous park, and there are several wonderful hikes at Zion National Park in addition to all of the other activities available to visitors.
Most people know about Angels Landing and the Narrows. You’ll need a permit for the first one and special equipment for the second. But there are other awesome trails at Zion that are also worthy of your time. Especially if you’re not used to hiking or want something a little more lowkey. The guide below shares five trails that we think are worth checking out during your visit to Zion National Park.
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Prepare For Your Hikes at Zion National Park
Park Admission
There is an entrance fee for Zion National Park. It varies depending on how many days you are visiting the park, your age, and your military status. Please refer to the Zion National Park fees page to determine your cost.
Parking
When the shuttle bus is running (March through October), you’ll have to park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to access most of these trails. Parking fills up quickly, so arriving first thing in the morning (before 8 am) or later in the afternoon (after 3 pm) is the best way to secure a spot.
For the Canyon Overlook Trail, there is a small parking lot across from the trailhead on Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. If you cannot find parking there, you might be able to find a few spots along the road about about tenth-mile from the trailhead.
Visitor Tip: DO NOT park in non-designated parking areas! We saw several cars parked in “No Parking” zones that were tagged with TOW stickers. They don’t play around at Zion.
Getting to the Trails
The Watchman Trail and Pa-Rus Trail are both accessible from the Visitor Center.
The Emerald Pools Trail starts across the street from Zion Canyon Lodge. When the shuttles are running, you’ll want to get off at Shuttle Stop 5.
For the Kayenta Trail, start at the Grotto, across the street from Shuttle Stop 6.
As mentioned above, the Canyon Overlook Trail is the only trail that you cannot access via the park shuttle. You can find the trailhead along Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, about 4.5 miles from the Zion Canyon Road turnoff.
Amenities
There are restrooms and water bottle filling stations located next to the Visitor Center and at the various shuttle stops. There are also bathrooms at the Canyon Overlook Trail parking lot.
Cellular Service
Cell service is spotty throughout Zion National Park. We had good service at the Visitor Center, but no service at the Zion Lodge.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on the Pa’rus Trail. They are not allowed on the other trails.
Higher Elevation
Zion Canyon is about 4300 feet above sea level. Which might not sound like a lot if you live in a mountainous region. However, for those of us who normally live at less than 1000 feet elevation, the change can make a difference! You might feel more easily out of breath. Make sure to stay well hydrated and take adequate rest breaks on the steeper sections of the trail.
Five Other Hikes at Zion National Park (That Aren’t Angels Landing or the Narrows)
Pa’rus Trail
- Trail Location: Follow the signs from the Visitor Center. Cross the Virgin River via Visitor Center Road.
- Trail Length: 3.0 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 50 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Dog Friendly: Yes
The Pa’rus Trail is the easiest trail at Zion National Park. The 1.5-mile paved path follows along the Virgin River from the Zion Visitor Center to Shuttle Stop 3 at Canyon Junction.
It crosses the Virgin River at several points, offering beautiful views of the water with lower Zion Canyon in the background.
The Pa’rus trail is the only trail on this list that allows dogs.
Canyon Overlook Trail
- Trail Location: On Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, next to the East Entrance
- Trail Length: 1 mile, out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 160 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate (due to the stairs at the beginning)
- Dog Friendly: No
The Canyon Overlook Trail is a short trail with a big payoff! But you’ll have to work for it.
Almost immediately, you are greeted by several man-made steps that take up almost the full elevation gain. Once you reach the top, it gets “easier”. However, there are several skinnier sections of the trail, so you’ll have to watch your footing!
Once you reach the overlook, you’re treated to incredible views of lower Zion Canyon.
This trail is an out-and-back, so just follow it back down to the road, and be careful as you descend the steeper sections.
Kayenta/Lower Emerald Pool/Grotto Trail Loop
- Trail Location: Begin the trail across the street from Shuttle Stop 6
- Trail Length: 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 150 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: No
The first of two trails on this list that leads you to the Emerald Pools, the Kayenta/Lower Emerald/Grotto loop is the easier of the two.
Start the hike at the Kayenta trailhead, across Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from Shuttle Stop 6 “The Grotto”. From there, you’ll climb along the unpaved trail, where you’ll encounter some steeper sections with stairs.
After about 8/10-mile, you’ll reach an intersection with a sign directing you forward to the Middle and Upper Pools, or left to the Lower Pools. Turn left, head down some more rocky steps, where eventually you’ll be greeted by a view of the Lower Emerald Pools and some waterfalls (if you’re lucky!).
Follow the paved path down the river, cross the street, and then turn left onto the Grotto Trail. This part of the trail is short and relatively flat, as you make your way back to Shuttle Stop 6.
Emerald Pools Loop
- Trail Location: Begin the trail across the street from Zion Lodge (near Shuttle Stop 5)
- Trail Length: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 540 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: No
The Emerald Pools Loop starts across from the Zion Lodge. Once you cross the Virgin River, you’ll have the option to go left or right. I think right (counterclockwise) is the best way to go on this trail, but I’m sure others will say otherwise. You really can’t go wrong.
If you follow my directions, you’ll start on the trail to the Lower Pools, which is completely paved, though it can be muddy near the waterfalls.
After the Lower Pools, the trail becomes a little more involved, with steep sections of stairs and some rocks to navigate.
About 3/10 mile after the Lower Pools, you’ll encounter an intersection with a bench and a sign indicating the trails to the Upper Pool. This portion of the trail is out-and-back, so if you want to save yourself some energy and time, you can continue straight instead. If you choose not to climb to the Upper Pool, the loop will be about 2.3 miles long instead of 3.
After passing the Middle Pools, the trail becomes clearer and, in some places, paved as you enjoy an east descent back to the river.
Watchman Trail
- Trail Location: The trail begins across from the Zion Visitor Center shuttle stop.
- Trail Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 520 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: No
You can see for miles from the Watchman overlook! I read somewhere that this trail rivals Angels Landing when it comes to views. We didn’t climb Angels Landing, so I have no comparison, but I will say, it was pretty breathtaking up there.
The trail starts off flat and easy as it meanders by the Virgin River and RV parking lot. But once it crosses Watchman Road, you’ll have to start the work.
It’s a steady 1-mile climb to the overlook. This is where you’ll gain most of the 520 feet in elevation. Take the time to enjoy the views along the way!
Once you reach the top, you have plenty of space to spread out from others and enjoy the scenery. You can see the canyon, the Towers of the Virgin, the Watchman, and even Springdale in the distance.
This trail offers very little shade, so if you’re hiking it in the warmer months, bring enough water and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
Wrapping Up 5 Fun Hikes at Zion National Park
There are SO many different trails at varying levels available at Zion National Park. Most of the official park trails are along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. There are even more available along Zion-Mount Carmel Drive that are unofficial, but still popular.
You can easily do more than one trail during a day visit to Zion. We were able to do both the Emerald Pools Trail and the Watchman Trail in the same day. If we had more energy (and was lucky enough to find parking), we would have tackled the Canyon Overlook Trail.
Don’t forget about the Kolob Canyons section of the park. Its entrance is close to Cedar City, and it also has some beautiful trails.
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