Hiking Zion National Park

Zion is one of the most diverse hiking meccas on the planet. Millions flock to the gates to enjoy the slot canyons, the daring trails and to backpack the rims. Explore our list of vantage points and vistas. Low and high deserts, waterfalls, high cliffs, sandstone wilderness, the Virgin River's lush valley and Zion's water filled slot canyons. Best Trails

Hiking on the East side of Zion National Park - The east side of Zion National Park is slickrock country. Slickrock is red sandstone that is lacking large concentrations of iron oxide. Thus, the more easily eroded rock forms buttes and domes. The rock does not appear slick. It is rough in fact, and has a loose layer of sand on the surface. The rock formations on the east side of Zion are spectacular, but most of the well known front country trails are located in Zion Canyon.
Trails located on the east side of Zion Park

Hiking in Zion Canyon - From mid-March until late October, Zion Canyon is accessed via the Zion Canyon Shuttle, and the rest of the year the Zion Canyon road can be traveled in a private vehicle. Zion Canyon Trails

Hiking Zion's Kolob Sections - There are two sections of the park called Kolob, one by Cedar City and another near the small town of Virgin. The Kolob areas are primitive sections of Zion National Park and few visitors venture to the gates compared to those that visit the main section of the park.

Canyoneering in Zion National Park - From the famous Zion Narrows to technical slot canyons, this guide will take you to the depths of the park. The popular Zion Narrows is the most famous and exciting trail in the national park system and one of the best known slot canyons in the world. While in Zion National Park at least walk out to the end of the Riverside Walk Trail and get a glimpse of what everyone is excited about.

Backpacking - See our guide to backpacking in Zion National Park and our guide to backpacking in the greater Zion area.

Remember! Your safety is always your responsibility!

Hiking Zion National Park	miles/km roundtrip	Ascent ft/meters	Average Time roundtrip	Zion Canyon	Hwy 9	Kids Bikes Accessible	Difficulty
Tunnel Canyon	1/1.6	300'/198m	1 hour		East	K	Easy
Canyon Overlook	1/1.6	163'/50	1 hour		East	K	Easy
Weeping Rock	.5/.8	98'/30	30 min	Canyon		K-A	Easy
Cascading Falls	2/3.22	650'/91m	2 hours		East	K	Easy
Riverside Walk	2/3.22	69'/21	1 hour	Canyon		K-A	Easy
Lower Emerald Pools	1.2/1.93	69'/21	1 hour	Canyon		K-A	Easy
Grotto Trail	.5/.8	20'/6.10	20 min	Canyon		K-A	Easy
Pa'rus Trail	3.5/5.63	50'/15	2 hours		South	K-B-A	Easy
Two Pines Arch	.8/1.3	400'/122m	2 hours		East	Boulders	Moderate
Shelf Canyon	2/3.22	100'/30m	2 hours		East	Boulders	Moderate
Separation Canyon	2.5/4	400'/122m	2 hours		East	K	Moderate
Middle Pine Creek	2/3.22	200'/61	2 hours		East	Boulders	Moderate
Pine Creek Waterfall	.25/.4	150'/56	1 hour		East	Boulders	Moderate
Many Pools	1/1.6	1442'/440	2 hours		East	K	Moderate
Middle Emerald Pool	2/3.22	150'/46	2 hours	Canyon		K	Moderate
Hidden Gardens	2/3.22		2 hours		East	K	Moderate
Kayenta Trail	2/3.22	150'/46	2 hours	Canyon		K	Moderate
Sand Bench	3.4/5.47	907'/277	2 hours	Canyon		Horse - K	Moderate
Hidden Arch	2/3.22	200'/61	2 hours		East	K	Moderate
Clear Creek	2/3.22		2 hours		East	K	Moderate
Gifford Canyon	3/4.83	200'/61	2 hours		East	Boulders	Moderate
Watchman	2/3.22	456'/139	2 hours		South	K	Moderate
Upper Emerald Pool	3/4.83	350'/107	1 hour	Canyon		K	Moderate
Checkerboard Arch	4/6.44	270'/82	5 hours		East	K	Moderate
Jug Handle Arch	2.4/3.86	650'/198	4 hours		East	Boulders	Moderate
Eagle Crags	4.8/7.7	900'/274	4 hours		South	Horse - K	Moderate
Huber Wash	4/6.4	310'/94.5	3 hours		South	Horse - K	Moderate
Scoggins Wash	11 /17.7	934'/284	9 hours		South	Horse - K	Moderate
Coalpits Wash	14/22.5	834'/254	9 hours		South	Horse - K	Moderate
Chinle Trail	16.4/26.4	50'/15.2	10 hours		South	K	Moderate
Zion Narrows	3-12/4.83	-1410'/430	1-13 hrs	Canyon	East	Slot	Strenuous
Hiking Continued - Peak Bagging - Canyoneering - Kolob Hiking - Great Zion Area Hiking

Key: [East/South of Canyon Junction off hwy 9] [Cliff-side: Exposed scramble or narrow ledge] [Slot: Slot Canyon or Narrows]
[Boulders: Climbing over boulders or up steep slabs] [ Scrambling: Hiking/Climbing up or down steep slick rock]
[Semi-Tech: Rope and climbing skills] [Technical: Advanced climbing or canyoneering]

Hiking Equipment - The kind of gear you will need for your visit to Zion National Park depends on which trails you plan to hike. Comfortable hiking shoes and quality socks are a must. Painful blisters and sore toes can ruin your plans. If hiking the Zion Narrows is on your vacation itinerary, you might want to invest in a good pair of aquatic shoes. A daypack and hydration system are also essential.

Our vacation planning section will help the first time visitors hit the hot spots and plan their trip to the Southwest parks. Zion National Park is packed with everything the nature lover could want. The park's spectacular hiking trails are some of the best in the world. Zion Park is a gentle place full of protected secrets and robust virtues. Take note of the small things in the park when walking along the trails. When hiking, notice the beauty of nature around you. Observe delicate butterflies fluttering above the Emerald Pools, and listen as the trilling song of Canyon Tree Frogs echo through the canyon. Take time to crook your neck and look up at the 3000' cliffs in Zion Canyon and strain to hear the rush of the Virgin River that carved Zion Canyon. In this mosaic of monoliths and sandstone there are quiet places, un-peopled sanctuaries of stone. Some are in Zion Canyon, some are in East Zion Park and many are in the elusive backcountry trails. Zion Park has hidden secrets, and even though Zion Canyon is usually bustling with people from all corners of the world, there are many places that few foot prints will touch.

Picnic areas in Zion National Park - The Grotto is a shuttle stop and picnic area located in Zion Canyon. There is a restroom, picnic tables and drinking water at the Grotto. Some of the picnic tables are wheelchair accessible. Private cars can be taken to the Grotto from late October until early April. From April to mid-October access into Zion Canyon is only via the Zion Canyon Shuttle. Near the Zion Nature Center, at the entrance to the South Campground, there are tables for picnicking, but the area is used for the Junior Ranger Explorer Program from 9 am until 4 pm.

Average Temperatures, Precipitation, Elevation

The floor of Zion Canyon is only 4000', so temperatures can soar in the Canyon. Leaving Zion Canyon and traveling east through the main section of the park the elevation of the park rises. Mt. Carmel Junction, on the east side of Zion National Park, is a mile high and a cool alternative for lodging. Average summer temperatures in Zion National Park range from 93 degrees in June to 97 degrees in August, but temperatures can reach 110 in Zion Canyon and the campground area. The lowest section of the park is Coal Pits Wash at 3666' and the highest is 8726' at Horse Ranch Mountain. Plan for hiking in the heat by bringing lots of water, wearing a hat and using sun screen.

Zion National Park Weather