Zion National Park is a beautiful park! Zion National Park has so much to offer that deciding how to divide your time can be tough.
Here are my five favorite Zion National Park Hikes, which can be accomplished in 2 days at the park.
Zion is roughly 160 miles from Las Vegas or a 3-hour drive.
5 Most Beautiful Zion National Park Hikes
1. Angel’s Landing
One of my all-time favorite hikes anywhere, Angel’s Landing offers a spectacular hiking experience in exchange for some hard work. You’ll traverse narrow ledges with steep drop-offs on either side and ascend 1500 ft in a short distance, all while fully exposed to the sun (except for one short section). Trust me; it’s well worth the effort for both the views and the sense of adventure and accomplishment you’ll have afterward!
2. Hidden Canyon
A perfect follow-up to Angel’s Landing, Hidden Canyon offers more narrow ledges with steep drop-offs, and that’s just the first part of the hike! After hiking along steep drop-offs and crossing ponds formed in the middle of rocks, you’ll begin the REAL Hidden Canyon experience.
Once you pass the pools, the path will narrow, and you’ll have to climb over several boulders to continue. This narrow slot canyon continues for about as long as you want to go.
Feel like Indiana Jones as you balance on logs to cross rivers and search for the best path at every roadblock. After about a mile in the “hidden” portion of the hike, you’ll reach a small arch to commemorate your success in making it this far.
Weeping Rock
As a bonus to this hike, you can take a short and easy detour to Weeping Rock for great views through a steady stream of water droplets pouring down the rock face. It’s just a quick 10-minute detour and well worth your time while you’re in the area.
3. The Narrows
Rivaling Angel’s Landing for the most famous of the Zion National Park Hikes, The Narrows can take you an entire day if you’re motivated.
If you’re going to do this hike, be prepared to get wet, as some sections require waist-deep water immersion or even swimming! Luckily, the Zion Visitor Center has fantastic waterproof shoes to rent.
You may want to buy some Neoprene Socks to keep your feet from getting cold in the chilly river waters.
From the end of the River Walk, just hop in the river and start heading north. It’s about 3.3 miles to the most famous landmark of this hike, The Subway, and it can take you as far as 16 miles for the full Narrows round trip!
If you do The Narrows, be sure to leave plenty of time for your return since the “bottom-up” hike requires you to double back and finish where you started.
Also, remember when planning that progress will be slow as you slog through the river. You’ll definitely feel accomplished (and wet!) after you’ve done this hike.
4. Upper and Lower Emerald Pools
To get to the Emerald Pools trail, you can either exit the shuttle at Zion Lodge or take the Kayenta Trail from The Grotto exit to the Emerald Pools trailhead. If you have time, check out the upper and lower Emerald Pools trails, as they’re both very unique.
The lower loop will take you underneath waterfalls and through beautiful scenery, with small detours to the actual pools themselves.
The upper pools are a bit more strenuous to reach, but you’re rewarded with a beautiful remote pool surrounded by sheer cliffs in every direction.
You might even make some new friends on the trail!
5. The Pa’rus Trail
This easy, casual stroll doesn’t usually make the top lists, but it’s the perfect way to wind down after a long day of challenging hikes. It consists of a fully paved trail that follows from the Canyon Junction to the South Campground (or vice-versa).
Nobody will get winded on this hike, but it offers a great experience as you bask in the mountains surrounding the trail. It’s a particularly great sunset hike offering great light and easy-going as you make your way back to the Zion Visitor Center to wind down for the night.
Bonus Hike: Observation Point
I didn’t include this one on my initial list because I haven’t personally done it myself, so I can’t vouch for it. However, if you’re not completely exhausted from all of these other incredible hikes, Observation Point is a tough climb that rewards you with incredible views of the valley.
Like Hidden Canyon, it branches off from the Weeping Rock trail for a strenuous 8-mile round trip and 2,100-foot elevation gain!
In the end, you can’t go wrong with any of the Zion National Park Hikes, but if you are limited in time and feeling ambitious, these should be at the top of your Zion to-do list.
This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
