hiking
views
no dogs
nature trips
walking
birding
wild flowers
wildlife
kid friendly
river
trail running
forest
camping
waterfall
backpacking
dogs on leash
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.
Prefer this trail over Angels Landing. Way less crowded and much more variety of scenery. A lot less of the thrill seeking, commercialized aspects but a more challenging hike and when you get to the top, you can look down at all the crowds of people on angels landing at a spot with probably only a few people and a lot less noise.
Angie V. on East Rim Trail to Observation Point
Worth every step!
Good hike. A bit chilly when the sun goes down so I’d recommend starting early. I’d recommend renting water boots and pants if you don’t have any, but when I did it, this was my last hike for the day so I wore my hiking boots and it went just fine. It’s also a very easy hike :)
This was a good moderate hike: not too easy, not too hard. Definitely worth the views at the top. This is not the hike to do in Zion if you’ve never done Angel’s Landing or The Narrows, or some of the other more famous hikes. But this is definitely a beautiful hike.
Good hike. It’s a good warmup before the water in The Narrows cools you off.
Wow the view just keep getting better with every turn. we hiked to Observation Point, about 2 hours, had a snack and then came down and went and did Hidden Canyon. if you have a good base fitness level this is a great combo. We were hiking for about 4 and a half hours plus snack breaks!
It's a fine hike which would deserve 5 starts except that you are in Zion and there are nicer ones to do for 3 miles. Still worth it.
How is that moderate and Angels Landing Hard?! Anyhow, add angels landing. Also, if you do it one way, I'd advise picking west rim and not telephone canyon because the view is nicer. Great hike!
Great hike! Start early and add angels landing! This, and observation point (and the narrows) would be the MUST hike in Zion. I did this in a day hike - decent gain and decent distance but the trail is for the length quite easy. You can't lose the trail, and it is well maintained. The gain is steady. And most importantly, the view is awesome, those gray mountains! Amazing. If you do it from lava point and need to choose telephone vs west rim -> do west rim! Much nicer view
That is quite a unique experience. I don't know why, but there is something satisfying about going knee or even balls deep in this hike. It is a hard hike, not so much because strenous, but mostly because it is very "technical" and you have to watch your steps not to roll an ankle. Most of it is in the water, so bring proper footwear. They rent shoes and pants for that at the entrance I think. I was wearing crocs sandals with socks, and it was OK (although a bit cold). Bring a jacket - it won't always shine so you can get a bit cold. I don't know what's up with the 4000 feet gain - it must be a problem with the gps.
Also, at first the hike is annoying crowded with people having no clue how to walk in river - but don't worry: it gets better quickly.
I'm assuming that the water level varies depending on time of the year - I've seen pictures with much less water. Anyway, just be smart about where you walk. It takes a lot of time to do despite the distance - reserve a lot of time to do this. And you can turn around before the end anyway.
Conclusion: definitely a must hike in Zion, I"d say it's very special.
There is much nicer walks in Zion. Also, you'll have a decent view from weeping rock if you do the beginning of east rim
Considering what is around, I'd say skip this. Go to observation point (which is longer and harder but much better). I added it as extra miles to cap the day, but I don't think I've reach the true end of this hike - you need to scramble after some point.
I was a bit disappointed by this one. I was expecting a great view, but it was only "alright". I went there for sunset, but nothing spectacular. Also, this is NOT a moderate hike - it's easy. I did this in sandals after a 25 miles-ish day. Also, if you come by car from the valley, the parking is immediately after the tunnel to your right - don't miss it! Overall, it's worth stopping if you drive by, but not worth making the detour.
That's a great hike! The observation point view is amazing, overlooking angels landing and the valley. One of the bets (if not the best) hike around. There is a good gain, but other than that it's an easy to follow hike with very well maintained and easy to follow trail. It took me about 3.5 hours, but I had just done West rim trail/telephone canyon/angels landing, so it might be misleading. Anyhow, a must-hike in Zion if you feel you can climb 2500 feet. It is much less crowded than angel landing, and there is no "narrow" ridge, so that can be a good alternative.
I did this to get to the narrow. The narrow is worth it, so therefore doing this is also worth it - but this is the extremly boring and crowded part. Impossible to skip for the narrow so do it, but otherwise not worth it - there are better easy hike in zion
I did Angels landing as an extra loop to the West rim trail/telephone canyon. Angel landing itself is great, but a little too crowded. From bus stop to top, then back down, it took me 2 hours. Go as early as possible (went there with the 4th bus of the day, and already starting to be annoying). The trail is NOT hard - more like moderate - but there is a 1500 feet gain so you need to be ok with that. Although it can be narrow, the holding is always extremely easy. The biggest danger is that it is too crowded and people are impatient. The view is great, so do it! Definetly in the top hikes in the area. Otherwise do observation point via east mesa trail is a good alternative overlooking angels landing.
Awesome trail and view!!!
It was a beautiful drive up to the trail! The trail itself was short and sweet. Great view.
Impressive! Much of the trail is paved and offers gorgeous views! After Scout Lookout it gets ridiculous. Many places you cling to angled rock feeling for a foothold in the rock; hold the chains and pray you don’t misstep and plummet 1500 feet to your death.
Went last week and water was only up to mid thigh at deepest point. Made it to Orderville canyon. Awesome hike with amazing scenery
Go early. Awesome hike.
Had a blast until my sandals disintegrated. Don’t be like me, heed the Park rangers advice, wear boots.
Got started before the first shuttle got there since we are staying at the lodge. Left the cabin at around 6:45 and we’re one of the first few people to the top. Recommend going in the morning as the way down had a lot of congestion.
Great hike with great views. we approached from east mesa trail and then hiked into the valley.
Fun!
Killer view at the top...
Loved the hike. Amazing views going up. Thinking of it as a good prep hike for Angels Landing
A very short (0.5 miles) and easy hike. There is a cool (temperature) resting area at the top which would be nice in a hot day - water is dripping out of the rocks at the top, hence the name of the trial.
A moderate hike with resting opportunities next to very small waterfall pools. Maybe because it's not a strenuous hike, the 'traffice' is heavy. The waterfalls were also small (end of April).
A challenging hike for sure not because of the length of the trial but the elevation and the narrow paths on the cliffs. But it is so worthwhile and memorable!