Zion has ten times more hiking variety than its Instagram reputation suggests. Yes, Angels Landing is worth it. So is Observation Point, which most visitors skip entirely. This guide covers the ten best hikes ranked honestly by difficulty, with the shuttle stop for each, permit requirements, and the one thing each trail does better than any other in the park.
Park entry fee
$35/vehicle (valid 7 days)
Shuttle required
March-November (free, 9 stops)
Angels Landing permit
Required (NPS lottery, recreation.gov)
Narrows permit
Not required (bottom-up route)
Observation Point permit
Not required (2026)
Best hiking season
April-May and September-October
All hikes at a glance
| Trail | Distance | Elevation gain | Difficulty | Permit | Shuttle stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeping Rock | 0.4 mi RT | 30 m | Easy | No | Stop 6 |
| Pa\'rus Trail | 2 mi RT | 10 m | Easy | No | Stop 2 |
| Canyon Overlook | 1 mi RT | 55 m | Easy-Mod | No | Tunnel (car) |
| Lower Emerald Pools | 1.2 mi RT | 18 m | Easy | No | Stop 5 |
| Riverside Walk | 3.5 mi RT | 30 m | Easy | No | Stop 9 |
| Upper Emerald Pools | 3.5 mi RT | 180 m | Moderate | No | Stop 5 |
| Watchman Trail | 5.3 km RT | 110 m | Moderate | No | Visitor Center |
| The Narrows | 3-19 km | Minimal | Moderate | No (bottom-up) | Stop 9 |
| Angels Landing | 5.4 mi RT | 454 m | Strenuous | Yes | Stop 5 |
| Observation Point | 8 mi RT | 640 m | Strenuous | No | Stop 6 |
Easy hikes
Weeping Rock (0.4 miles)
The shortest worthwhile hike in Zion: 400 meters round trip to a hanging garden fed by a seep spring that takes 1,000 years to filter through the sandstone above. The overhang drips year-round and ferns grow in the spray zone. Shuttle Stop 6. Best for: families with very young children, visitors with limited mobility, anyone who wants canyon walls close without a long walk.
Riverside Walk / Pa'rus Trail (2-3.5 miles)
Pa'rus Trail runs from the Visitor Center to Canyon Junction (2 miles, paved, dogs and bikes allowed). It is the only trail in the main canyon open to pets. Riverside Walk continues from Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9) to the start of The Narrows wading section (1.5 miles of boardwalk, flat, no permit required). These are the two most accessible trails in the park.
Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile)
Starts just east of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel (drive-to trailhead, not accessible by shuttle). Despite covering only 1 mile round trip, it ends at a viewpoint above Pine Creek Canyon with a clear sight line to the West Temple and Towers of the Virgin. Sixty meters of elevation gain on sandstone slabs. Arrive before 8 am or after 5 pm to avoid crowds. Best easy view in the park relative to effort.
Lower Emerald Pools (1.2 miles)
A 1.2-mile loop to two cascading waterfalls and a shallow pool surrounded by hanging gardens. The path passes directly behind the lower falls and you walk under the cascade. In late summer the falls can slow to a trickle; spring runoff (March-May) gives the most dramatic flow. Shuttle Stop 5 (The Grotto).
Moderate hikes
Upper Emerald Pools (3.5 miles round trip)
Extends the lower loop up 180 meters to the upper pool, a shallow green reflecting pool beneath a sheer sandstone amphitheater wall. The upper pool is noticeably quieter than the lower one because most day-trippers stop at the waterfalls. The path uses switchbacks on sandy trail. Allow 2-3 hours. Shuttle Stop 5.
The Narrows (bottom-up, up to 9 miles one way)
Starting at Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9), the first 1.5 miles are flat boardwalk. After that you wade up the Virgin River, the canyon walls narrowing to 9 meters in places. How far you go is entirely up to you. Most visitors turn around at Wall Street section (about 3 miles in, 2-3 hours each way). The full through-hike from Chamberlain's Ranch requires a wilderness permit and is 26 km in one direction.
Water temperature runs 10-15°C even in summer. Wetsuit rental in Springdale is strongly recommended before May and after October. Full Narrows guide: water levels, closures, gear rental.
Watchman Trail (3.3 miles)
Starts near the Visitor Center and climbs to a mesa with views over Springdale and the lower canyon. Far less crowded than the main canyon trails because it faces south and gets hot fast. Best done very early morning or near sunset. The trailhead is walkable from the campground, so it works as an evening hike after arriving late.
Strenuous hikes
Angels Landing (5.4 miles round trip, permit required)
The most famous hike in Zion. The approach via Walter's Wiggles (21 switchbacks carved into the cliff face) is strenuous but straightforward. Above Scout Lookout the final 0.8 km follows an exposed sandstone ridge with chains bolted into the rock for handholds. The drop on both sides is 450 meters.
A permit is required for the chain section. The trail below Scout Lookout is open to all. The permit lottery runs through recreation.gov in seasonal rounds (months in advance) and a day-before round for remaining slots. Shuttle Stop 5 (The Grotto). Allow 4-5 hours.
Angels Landing Guided Hike with Permit Included
If getting the permit is the obstacle, this guided option includes it in the price. Small groups, expert guide, and no lottery stress. 6 hours from the Zion Canyon trailhead. The permit alone removes the biggest planning headache for most visitors.
Observation Point (8 miles round trip)
Gains 640 meters via sustained switchbacks through Echo Canyon (a narrow slot canyon section mid-route) before emerging onto a mesa 760 meters above the canyon floor. From the top you look directly down at Angels Landing, which appears as a narrow fin far below. It is a harder, longer, and lonelier hike than Angels Landing with no permit currently required.
Note: the standard Observation Point route from Stop 6 was closed for several years after rockfall damaged the trail. As of 2024-2025 it has been open. Verify current status at the Visitor Center before setting out, as conditions change. Allow 5-6 hours.
Angels Landing permit guide
| Lottery round | When it opens | When it closes | Result announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal (advance) | Jan 1 (spring permits) | Jan 3 | Jan 5 |
| Seasonal (advance) | Apr 1 (summer permits) | Apr 3 | Apr 5 |
| Seasonal (advance) | Jul 1 (fall permits) | Jul 3 | Jul 5 |
| Day-before lottery | Day before hike, midnight MT | Day before hike, 3 pm MT | Day before hike, 5 pm MT |
Cost: $6 per permit application (non-refundable). Each permit covers up to 6 people. Apply at recreation.gov under "Zion Angels Landing Permit." You must have a recreation.gov account before the lottery window opens.
The day-before lottery is the most realistic option for visitors who did not plan months ahead. Demand is highest June-August and lowest November-February. Applying for a Tuesday or Wednesday in shoulder season gives the best odds.
When to hike Zion
| Month | Temperature | Crowds | Trail notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| March-April | 10-20°C | Moderate | Spring wildflowers; Narrows cold (wetsuit advised) |
| May | 18-27°C | Busy | Best overall month: warm, before summer peak |
| June-August | 27-40°C | Peak | Start by 7 am; afternoon thunderstorms increase flash flood risk |
| September-October | 15-28°C | Moderate | Best conditions: lower crowds, ideal temperatures, Narrows swimmable |
| November-February | 0-12°C | Low | Icy trails on Angels Landing and Observation Point; snow possible |
Flash flood rule: if there is any thunderstorm activity within 100 km upstream (including over the plateau you cannot see), exit slot canyons and the Narrows immediately. The NPS posts current flash flood watches at the Visitor Center and at the Temple of Sinawava trailhead.
Prefer to explore Zion with a guide rather than independently? Guided hiking tours and shuttle-based excursions exist for the Narrows, Angels Landing, and multi-day canyon combinations. The Zion tours guide covers the main operators and which guided format makes sense versus hiking on your own.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular hike in Zion National Park?
Angels Landing is the most iconic hike, famous for the chain-assisted scramble along an exposed ridgeline above Zion Canyon. That said, The Narrows (hiking up the Virgin River through a 300-meter-wide slot canyon) is equally beloved and has no permit requirement for the bottom-up route. Both are genuinely bucket-list hikes.
Do you need a permit to hike Angels Landing?
Yes. Since 2022, Angels Landing requires a permit for the section above Scout Lookout (the chain section). Permits are issued by lottery through recreation.gov in two rounds: a seasonal lottery months in advance and a day-before lottery for walk-up availability. Entry to the hike below Scout Lookout does not require a permit.
What is the easiest hike in Zion?
Weeping Rock (0.4 miles, 30 meters elevation gain) and Riverside Walk/Pa'rus Trail (2 miles, paved and fully accessible) are the easiest options. Both are suitable for young children and visitors with limited mobility. Pa'rus Trail allows dogs and bicycles, making it the most flexible option.
How difficult is The Narrows hike?
The Narrows bottom-up route ranges from easy to moderate depending on how far you go. The first 1.5 miles from the Temple of Sinawava are flat and well-maintained boardwalk. After that the river wading begins, and difficulty increases with water level. At flows below 70 CFS the hike is manageable for most fit adults. Above 150 CFS the NPS closes the canyon.
Is Observation Point better than Angels Landing?
Observation Point (8 miles round trip, 640 meters elevation gain) gives a higher vantage point and you look DOWN at Angels Landing from above. It is significantly harder and sees far fewer visitors. No permit is currently required. Many experienced Zion hikers say the Observation Point view is more dramatic, but Angels Landing has the chains and exposure that make it a true physical challenge.
Can you hike Zion in one day?
Yes. A single strong day can cover Angels Landing in the morning (start at 7 am to beat crowds and heat) and Emerald Pools or Canyon Overlook in the afternoon. If you have the Angels Landing permit, the full day looks like: arrive at the shuttle at 6:30 am, hike Angels Landing (4-5 hours), lunch at the lodge, afternoon hike on Canyon Overlook or Lower Emerald Pools. Start early, carry 3 liters of water per person in summer.
Which Zion hikes have shuttle stops?
The Zion Canyon Shuttle (required March-November) has 9 stops. Key stops: Stop 2 (Pa'rus Trail), Stop 4 (Emerald Pools trailhead, Grotto), Stop 5 (Angels Landing / West Rim trailhead at Grotto), Stop 6 (Weeping Rock), Stop 7 (Observation Point trailhead via East Mesa alternative), Stop 9 (Temple of Sinawava / The Narrows trailhead). The shuttle runs 6 am to 11 pm in peak season.
Written by Diego Fresno, Travel writer and independent publisher specialising in the American Southwest. Latest research conducted on location in Page, Arizona during July 2025. Guides are verified quarterly — last review April 2026.. Verified quarterly: last review April 2026. About the author →