When visiting Zion National Park, you have a ton of hikes to choose from! One of the easiest hikes to access is the Watchman Trail, which starts right next to the Visitor Center.
This 3.3-mile out-and-back trail is moderately difficult, but it can feel harder due to the sun exposure on the trail. But the view from the top is worth it! You can see the Towers of the Virgin, lower Zion Canyon, the Watchman, and even over to Springdale.
Many hikers claim the view rivals Angels Landing. No matter what, I think it’s worth adding on to your “must-do hikes” list for Zion. Check out the full guide below!
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A Gorgeous Overlook Trail at Zion National Park
The Watchman Trail is a great hike to do at Zion National Park. It’s not too long (just over 3 miles, out-and-back), it’s easy to get to (right next to the Visitor Center – you don’t need to wait in the shuttle line!), and it rewards you with incredible views of lower Zion Canyon.
Although it’s a short trail, it still requires a bit of effort due to some steep sections. And since it is almost completely exposed to the sun, it’ll feel even harder when it’s warmer out. During the summer months, the best time to do this hike is first thing in the morning, before the temperatures rise, or in the evening as a sunset hike.
It’s called the Watchman Trail because you can see the Watchman, a 6545-foot sandstone mountain, south of the overlook. You can also hike the Watchman itself, but only if you’re prepared for some serious rock scrambling.
Prepare For Your Hike on the Watchman Trail
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 must park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center (next to the South Entrance). 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.
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 Trail
The Watchman Trail is easy to get to from the Zion Visitor Center. It’s one of the few trails where you don’t need to get on the shuttle.
Amenities
There are restrooms and a water bottle filling station outside of the Zion Visitor Center.
Cellular Service
We had cell service at Zion Visitor Center and along the Watchman Trail.
Pets
Dogs are not allowed on the Watchman Trail.
Higher Elevation
Zion Canyon is about 4300 feet above sea level. It might not sound like a lot if you live in a mountainous region. However, for those of us who 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.
Hiking the Watchman Trail
| Trail Location: | Watchman Trail begins across the street from the Visitor Center Shuttle Stop. |
| Trail Length: | 3.3 miles |
| Trail Difficulty: | Moderate with some steep sections |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 520 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | No |
Getting to the Trail
From the Visitor Center, follow the signs for the Watchman Trail and Pa’Rus Trail. You’ll walk past the Visitor Center shuttle stop.
Cross Visitor Center Road and you’ll see informative sign for the Watchman Trail.
For the first 3/10 mile of the trail, it’s relatively flat as it meanders between the Virgin River and the RV Parking lot.
Once you cross Watchman Road, that’s where the real fun begins!
Along the Trail
It’s a mile climb from Watchman Road to the overlook, and it’s a relatively steady incline the entire way. It wasn’t too bad compared to our normal eastern US hikes, but after an earlier hike at Emerald Pools, our legs were a little tired, so it felt harder.
The trail is sandy with rocks along the way. And there are some sections of stone steps.
We stopped several times along the way to rehydrate (there is very little shade along the trail) and take in the gorgeous views of the canyon.
We also saw some rocks with a bluish tint to them and learned later on that the blue could be caused by copper inside the rocks! Very cool.
At the Overlook
The nice part about this trail is the wide open overlook. It’s a popular trail and we encountered several people on our way and down, but the top didn’t feel crowded.
There is a short loop you hike around the top. It’s about 3/10 mile and gives you other viewpoints of the canyon, the Towers of the Virgin, the Watchman, and Springdale in the distance.
Watchman Trail Wrap-Up
The Watchman Trail is another place to take in the incredible views at Zion National Park. Although it’s steep and over 3 miles out-and-back, I would consider this a family-friendly trail for elementary-school-aged kids or older. Just make sure they have plenty of water and give them extra rest breaks.
If you are visiting in the warmer months, consider hiking this first thing in the morning, before the temperatures rise, or in the evening as a sunset hike.
I’ve read online that the Watchman’s views rival Angels Landing. Since we didn’t hike Angels Landing, I can’t attest whether that is true or not. But if you want a hike that leads to a beautiful view, this one fills the requirements.
Other Fun Hikes at Zion National Park
During our visit to Zion National Park, we hiked the Emerald Pools Trail in the morning and then the Watchman in the afternoon. It was a good combination, even though our legs were tired. You could also add the Canyon Overlook trail (though parking is limited).
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