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Zion National Park, located in Southern Utah, is a popular destination in the Southwestern United states with beautiful views and a unique landscape. It was the first national park in Utah and and is best experienced hiking among the high cliffs and through the narrow canyons. The park is home to some very popular hikes and sights - it is truly a hiker's park. On the Narrows you walk for miles up a river with sheer canyon walls on either side of you. The Angels Landing Trail has 21 switchbacks to the top of Angels Landing which boasts a spectacular canyon overlook. The East Rim Trail takes you to Observation Point, the highest point in the park. The Subway Trail is a unique slot canyon trail that traverses through the left fork of North Creek. The Kayenta Trail is a great option for families with canyon views and provides access to other trails in park. The Emerald Pools trail is a paved trail that starts from the Zion Lodge and takes you to Lower Emerald Pool and from there a sandy and rocky trail to the Upper Emerald Pool at the base of a cliff. West Rim Trail is a two night backpacking trail takes you to from the Grotto trailhead to Lava Point and offers spectacular views of the park. You can also rent bikes and ride the Pa’rus trail within the park to observe the main canyon of the park in a short amount of time. The lesser known area of Kolob Canyon, located on Kolob Terrace Road, contains trails such as the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek Trail and the Kolob Arch Trail. Many people access the Kolob Canyon area from the scenic drive located off I-15 exit #40. Many of the zion hikes require permits, which you can pick up from the visitor center prior to heading out on your hike. Aside in addition to the excellent hiking trails, this geologically unique area has colorful sandstone canyons, high plateaus, and rock towers. Natural arches and exposed formations of the Colorado Plateau make up a large wilderness of diverse ecosystems. Route 9, which traverses the park from east to west, is open year-round to private vehicles. This area is prone to flash floods so be prepared for hazardous driving conditions during and immediately following storms. Icy spots remain through the winter.
One of the most iconic hikes in the US, and for good reason. Just wow. Huge crowds can be a bummer, but it's hard to blame people for wanting to experience it. If you're scared of heights, you can stop at the "first landing" where Walter's Wiggles spits out - one of our group did that. That said, there are chains for all the harrowing drops and the heights are totally worth the view at the end.
Beware the chipmunks! Had someone tell me she found one in her bag halfway down the trail - some of them can work zippers!
Amazing trail! Don't let the scary stories and pictures hold you back, I thought it was way less scary than expected. The view at the top is to die for ;-)
This hike wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I really enjoyed the hike. I was actually dreading this but it wasn’t bad. Great hike recommend to all!
I did this hike back in April. Best experience I’ve ever had. That was my favorite hike in Zion and over all, I’ve done a lot but that was the best. It was long and strenuous but, if you put your mind to it you can definitely do it. Loved this hike!
Prettty hike and worth the visit.
I’ve done multiple hikes and scrambles where I live and I don’t consider this a hard hike at all. I could see it being hard for those scared of heights or elderly or those with medical conditions. Be aware of edges with kids as people continue to fall off for not paying attention but you really have to walk to the edge where people have fallen not even on the chain portion. There is no shade you start with switch backs after a long path up then it flattens to a part where most people seem to stop and head back down as this is where the chain starts. The chain portion is really not scary at all and if you’re scared don’t go up as it holds everyone up. There is literal steps built into the rock in some portions. After the chains is quite a gorgeous view of all of Zion. Take lots of water and go early as it gets hot quick. It’s a relatively short hike depending on how fast you’re going.
Tried to run this one-way on July 16. A sign at the west rim trailhead indicated the trail is closed from Cabin Springs down to the Grotto due to a rockslide. The NPS website says nothing about the closure, but I decided that it would suck to run 9 miles down to Cabin Springs, find the trail to indeed be closed, and then run back uphill another 9 miles, particularly since I had only enough water for about 14 easy miles. I ended up just going 7 miles out on the trail and then back to the trailhead. Very nice trail, and was soft after some thundershowers the day or two before. Spectacular views, particularly if you start at dawn. By 9 or 10 am, the sun is high and the colors get washed out. Heat wasn't too much of an issue (I finished at 9:30 am). I'm not sure whether the springs were working -- I carried on me all the water I needed.
I didn’t actually hike this, but for all of you planning trips out here, the TRAIL IS CLOSED until further notice due to a landslide that happened July 11th, 2018. Call the park prior to your trip if you’re hoping to do this hike!
The views were breathtaking, and it’s definitely something to be proud to accomplish. However if you’re not a regular hiker, especially in the summer months, take extra precaution. The last stretch which is the part where you use the ropes to help you up the side of the mountain is almost all direct sunlight, and can take a toll on your body. Bring lots of water and salty snacks, and enjoy the view!
Nothing new to say, but had to say it - WOW
It’s a great hike but extremely heavily trafficked with people that don’t know hiking etiquette. Get there early before the tourists get there with there beer and boom boxes. In the early morning you will have the trail to yourself. Plus you won’t have to worry about the heat. There is very little shade and everyone buds for it. But the view are amazing
Backpacked from Kolob Arch side down to the camping spots (a mile from Kolob Arch) then backpacked back up the same direction. There’s running water for filtering. It was so pretty. My first backpacking trip.
Melissa K. on Canyon Overlook Trail
This trail should not be rated easy!! Easy = I can take grandma on a short hike and she will be fine. Easy = I can hike this in sandals.
Nope! You need proper hiking footwear and anyone with balance or mobility issues of any kind should not be on this trail. This trail has steep sections (especially in the beginning) minor rock scrambles, and some exposed areas with steep drop offs without railings! There is one area in particular that was really sketchy - it’s very narrow, slick rock, and still wet due to recent monsoon rainstorms - no railings when it should really have them. One slip and it’s over....
Any fear of heights, don’t do this! The overlook is nice but there are better hikes in the park so don’t be disappointed if you can’t find parking.
awesome it took me four hours but it is amazing
awesome it took me four hours but it is amazing
Top top top! Dis it in 4 hours starting at the sunrise last October, it was absolutely fantastic!
Karen S. on The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk
Nice path leading to the Narrows. We hiked in the water about 2 miles and then turned back.
My wife and I did this as a sunrise hike. Since we were staying in Springdale we got in the car at 3:30 a.m. and made the ~50 min. drive to the trailhead. We headed out on the trail at 4:45 with headlamps. Even at that hour, sunlight was beginning to crest the eastern horizon. An easy nearly 3 mile hike before descending off the Mesa towards Observstion Point. We arrived at the point just in time for "magic" hour. We stayed for about a half hour taking in the glorious sunrise views of Zion value, snapping pics and videos. What really made our experience amazing was that we were the only ones out there with the weather was near perfect at 60-65 degrees F. And all during the height of the summer season in July. The hike back was also great because it was like a new hike being in the daylight this time. Highly highly recommend!
There has been a report for “probable chance of flooding” in Zion this week, but rangers were still issuing permits for this hike. Just be sure to start early and use GPS and/or cairns for direction! Very easy to get lost off the trail if you’re not careful. Otherwise, amazing experience at the “Subway” area. Make sure to swim to the last waterfall!
Did this after Angels Landing. Went about half mile up the River into the Narrows. The water never got much over knees. Saw Mitt Romney Hiking with family.
Being scared of Heights, i was nervous about doing this. But it was not as bad as i thought it was going to be. Go early, we caught the first shuttle there. It was not that busy yet. The hike up to where Angels Landing starts, is the most difficult.
Did this hike and added the Grotto Trail. The Upper Pool is crowded and is difficult to get pics without people in the Pool. Many People were in the Pool with no Consideration for others taking photos. I wanted pictures of the Pool, not pictures of people in it. Not to mention your not even suppose to be in the Pool.
Solid hike. I was able to get to the top in about 2 hours. I went early around 8am, the traffic was super light. Tons of people were coming up when I walked back down around 1030am. I’d do this and really any trails in Zion early. Trail was easy, but I hike a lot. It gets steep and has some drop offs that you would not survive if you fell, there are no rails but the trails are wide enough for two people to pass each other comfortably.
Amazing view ! Absolutely stunning. So worth it !!
Lots of uphill but doable. Stunning views. was fun to look back on Angels Landing where we had hiked the day before.
Awesome. Most inspiring, impressive, risky, spectacular view, trail I have hiked. It is only risky if you don’t take your time, do dumb things, or wear inappropriate footwear. I don’t know what I can add to the thousands of five star reviews but it is truly a memorable and taxing hike to the top. On the day I ascended I was one of the only people I saw with gray in his beard and hair! It is strenuous but worth the hike/climb. I did this with my son when he was 16 or 17 years old and it is still one of our most memorable experiences. Highly recommended, although if you have a fear of heights you may want to avoid this one. it really is safe with a chain guide on posts in all the appropriate places. But, the drop off is straight down at about 1000 feet on either side of the ridge you where you spend the most taxing time of the hike. View from the top down the valley awe inspiring! This is one you’ll want to tell everyone about.
Loved this hike! It was super hot so bring lots of water. Two 20-year old unfit girls did it in about 4 1/2 hours.
This one scared me as it started raining towards the end. The views were gorgeous.
Great hike. Can get crowded in the summer.
Have done this by foot and by bike. Paved, but scenic and not super crowded. A great way to get some time in the park right from the main visitors center.
Amazing.