Meow there, adventurous souls! As a seasoned explorer of Zion National Park, I’m honored to share my feline wisdom on the purrfect trails for a leisurely stroll. Nestled in the heart of Utah, Zion boasts an abundance of trails that cater to creatures big and small, and I’m here to whisker you away to some of the park’s easy trails. Whether you’re a hiker at heart or just looking for a scenic saunter, let’s embark on these trails together. It’s time to lace up your boots and get your paws ready for a whisker-tingling adventure in one of this cat’s favorite playgrounds!
9 Easy Hikes
Welcome to Zion National Park! Well renowned as one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, Zion offers a range of hiking opportunities. Best known for some of its more extreme hikes like Angel’s Landing and The Narrows (more on those later!), this park also offers a breadth of short hikes with minimal elevation changes. From immersion in the park’s most famous canyons to stunning overlooks less than a mile from the parking lot, it’s time to dive into the best easy hikes of Zion National Park.
1. Pa’rus Trail
Located near the Visitor Center by the park’s main entrance, you’ll find Pa’rus Trail. The only trail in the park that is fully accessible by wheelchair, this paved trail connects the Visitor Center to the Canyon Junction shuttle stop. Running 3.5 miles, roundtrip, Pa’rus Trail is a lovely day hike featuring views of the Virgin River and the sun’s reflection on the steep walls of Zion Canyon.
This trail also offers access to the Human History Museum, located at the mid-point between the Visitor Center and Canyon Junction.
2. Watchman Trail
The other main trail by the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is Watchman Trail. This 3.3-mile, out-and-back trail culminates in a stunning view of The Watchman, a 6,500 sandstone mountain that overlooks the Springdale area.
The beginning of the route is mostly flat, however, you’ll encounter a moderately steep climb near the end with a 368-foot change in elevation. At the end of the trail, you’ll also find a small loop that wraps around the viewpoint. This loop is highly recommended and provides gorgeous views of the valley below.
3. Grotto Trail
This trail starts behind Zion Lodge and runs .6 miles to the Grotto. Mostly following Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, this trail is flat and has excellent views of the canyon. With a shuttle stop located at both ends, you can either hike in and out, making the full trek for 1.2 miles or hike one way and take the shuttle back.
The Grotto itself is a large picnic area surrounded by steep canyon cliffs. It also acts as a hub for several other easy hikes like Kayenta and Emerald Pools.
4. Kayenta Trail to the Emerald Pools
The Kayenta Trail is located near the Grotto shuttle stop. This 1 mile trail leads to Emerald Pools trails. To see the Emerald Pools, you have 3 choices: lower, middle, and upper. The Lower and Middle trails run parallel, with the middle trail having a high elevation (and steeper drop-offs). Both of the trails are 1.1 miles from the end of Kayenta to the pools. This entire route is 2.1 miles one way, and 4.2 miles, round trip.
If you are feeling energetic you can also take the Upper Emerald Pools trail located at the end of Kayenta. This trail runs 1.5 miles one way and ends at the upper pool. This pool is more closely surrounded by cliffs and has less vegetation than the lower pool. The climb here is also slightly steeper, running at 200 ft, versus 150 ft for the lower and middle pools trails. To hike from the Grotto shuttle stop to the upper pools and back will cover 5 miles and take approximately 2.5-3 hours to complete.
5. Sandbench Trail
This trail, located at the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop is a 4-mile loop with an elevation gain of 466 feet. Depending on your physical fitness and the current weather this trail can easily slip into the category of moderately difficult.
While the ascent and length seem easy, the fact that a large portion of the trail consists of deep sand, the trek is more difficult than it seems. Like a lot of trails in the park, there is also little protection from the sun in the middle of the day. In the summer months this can mean extremely hot conditions, so make sure to bring plenty of water.
Should you decide to take on this trail you will enjoy fewer crowds, great views of the park and canyon, and the unique experience of walking on top of a sandy landslide that is just 30 years old.
6. Weeping Rock
Weeping Rock Trail in Zion National Park is a relatively short .4-mile round trip that offers a distinct geological feature. The trail leads to an overhang known as Weeping Rock, where water seeps from the sandstone cliffs above, creating a unique hanging garden.
This phenomenon results from water percolating through Navajo sandstone until it reaches an impermeable layer, forcing it to exit the rock face. The presence of moisture sustains a microhabitat on the overhang, fostering plant life that contrasts with the surrounding arid environment.
While this hike is short, get ready for a steep climb, with 100 feet in elevation gain in just .2 miles. With that said, this hike is worth the effort.
7. Riverside Walk
Riverside Walk in Zion National Park, spanning a distance of 2.2 miles round trip, is an out-and-back trail that follows the banks of the Virgin River. The first .4 miles of this trail are wheelchair accessible and the remainder is relatively easy but contains broken concrete and some moderately steep slopes.
Along the way, visitors appreciate the canyon’s towering walls and the unique riparian ecosystem sustained by the river. You’ll also find interpretive signs about the unique geology of the area.
This is one of the best hikes to get a close-up view of the picturesque Virgin River. The trail also ends at the beginning of one of Zion’s most popular hikes: The Narrows. Here the trail enters a narrow canyon and veers in and out of the river, requiring specialized gear to proceed.
8. Canyon Overlook Trail
Located near the east entrance of Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, Canyon Overlook Trail can not be accessed by the main park shuttle. You’ll find a small parking lot near the trailhead, however, it can fill up quickly during the middle of the day. Luckily, this 1-mile hike is short, so parking spots free up quickly.
The trail starts with steps but then levels off to a nice path with handrails for most of the way. This lovely trek meanders around the slick walls of the Pine Creek slot canyon, providing an experience unique to Zion National Park. At the top hikers will find an observation point with stunning views of both Pine Creek Canyon and Lower Zion Canyon.
9. Timber Creek Overlook Trail
Timber Creek Overlook, situated in the less-explored Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, offers a distinct hiking experience that’s just a 1-mile round trip. This a great trail to explore the reddish-brown Navajo sandstone formations that are unique to the Kolob Canyons.
The overlook provides sweeping views of Kolob Canyons, the Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains. Unlike some of the more frequented trails in the main canyon, the Timber Creek Overlook Trail offers a quieter and less crowded environment, making it a great option for those seeking a tranquil hiking experience.
Other Notable Hikes
Aside from the 9 easy hikes listed above, Zion National Park offers many other more difficult treks. Two of the best-known strenuous hikes are listed below. If you looking for extra adventure, consider hiking the first few miles of these popular trails. Or, if you are feeling energized by dramatic views and unique flora, go for the whole trek!
The Narrows
Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park is a unique experience, allowing visitors to follow the Virgin River as it winds through Zion Canyon. Starting at the end of Riverside Walk, most of this hike takes place in the Virgin River. This means you’ll be wading through water, surrounded by dramatic, 1000-foot sandstone cliffs on either side. Some parts of the hike get as narrow as 20 feet, making it one of the most picturesque hikes in the US.
While this is not an easy hike, with the proper gear hikers can get a taste of the terrain without going too far. If you want to try the Narrows you can simply hike out and back as far as you would like. The entire trek runs 4.7 miles, one way, however, you can hike as little as half a mile into The Narrows to get some stunning views and amazing pictures.
Specialized gear for The Narrows includes neoprene socks, quick dry clothing, a dry pack, waterproof shoes, and hiking poles. As long as you start this hike from Riverside Walk, you do not need a special permit.
Angels Landing
Located in Zion Canyon near The Grotto shuttle stop, Angels Landing is a highly sought-after hiking experience. Running only 5.4 miles, roundtrip, hikers should not discount the difficulty of this trail. Known for high exposure to the sun, steep ascents (1500 feet, in total), and narrow sections with drop-offs on either side, this trail is not for the faint of heart.
The first 1.8 miles of the trail are steep, covering roughly 1000 feet in elevation gain. Featuring views of the Virgin River, a walk through Refridgerator Canyon, and a series of steep switchbacks, often referred to as Walter’s Wiggles, this section ends at Scout’s Lookout. This is a lovely lookout with views of Angel’s Landing and Zion Canyon. While this section of the hike is not technically “easy” those seeking a little extra exertion could hike some or all of this path without a permit and also avoid the final section of the hike which requires advanced hiking skills.
The final section, from Scout’s Lookout to the top of Angel’s Landing, includes a narrow path with steep drop-offs on either side. The path provides chains for hikers to hold onto and should not be attempted by those with a fear of heights. This section of the trail also requires a permit, so make sure to plan ahead if this experience is on your agenda.
Canyoneering in Zion
You can not talk about hiking in Zion National Park without at least mentioning canyoneering. If you have never heard of canyoneering, in a nutshell, it’s the art of navigating through narrow canyons using a combination of hiking, climbing, rappelling, and swimming. Zion National Park is a hotbed for this exciting activity.
Requiring specialized skills, only experienced hikers should attempt these canyons without a guide. Also, please note, that any canyoneering in the park requires a permit. With that said, following The Narrows from the “top down” is a highly sought-after canyoneering experience. This means hiking from the top of the canyon down to the bottom, where the general hikers start.
Other popular canyons to check out include The Subway, with a distinctive curved edge at many points, and Orderville Canyon, which is known as a great starter canyon for newbies.
Conclusion on Easy Hikes in Zion National Park
From the accessible tranquility of Pa’rus Trail to the panoramic vistas of Timber Creek Overlook, Zion’s easy hikes beckon all creatures to savor the breathtaking beauty that surrounds every step.
As we conclude our journey, let’s not forget that Zion National Park, beyond its easy hikes, also beckons to daring souls with trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows, showcasing the park’s diverse offerings for hikers of all stripes. So, whether you’re a seasoned trailblazer or a leisurely saunterer, may your adventures be filled with beauty and wonder.
Slow Traveling Cat 