Zion National Park’s 11 Best Trails: The Ultimate Hiking Guide

Ever wondered which Zion National Park trails are actually worth the sweat, blisters, and early-morning alarm clocks? This guide ranks the 11 most spectacular hikes, from Angel’s Landing to Pa’rus Trail, with all the details you need to plan your adventure.

I’ve hiked my fair share of national parks, but there’s something about Zion that simply stands out. Those massive sandstone cliffs create a one-of-a-kind landscape that has to be experienced to be believed.

Do you know what’s funny? Everyone thinks they know which Zion hikes are the best, but until you’ve actually put walked the walk, you’re just working with Instagram highlights.

So let’s cut through the noise and discuss what actually matters when planning your adventure.

1. Angel’s Landing — The Instagram Celebrity

Angel’s Landing is that friend who’s always showing off — and honestly, it has every right to. This trail has earned its reputation with those ridiculous switchbacks called Walter’s Wiggles (who names these things?) and that final ridge section where you’re clinging to chains while trying not to think about the 1,000+ foot drops on either side.

Here’s the thing about Angel’s Landing though — it’s become such a victim of its own success that you now need a permit just to do the final section beyond Scout’s Lookout. And don’t expect any bathrooms or water along the way. This isn’t Disneyland; it’s mother nature showing off her most dramatic work.

The trail starts at shuttle stop #6 (The Grotto), and while everyone’s posting those summit photos, what they’re not showing you is the line of people waiting to take the same picture. But damn if those panoramic views of Zion Canyon aren’t worth it.

2. The Narrows — Nature’s Water Park

The Narrows is basically nature’s version of a water park for adults. You’re literally walking through the Virgin River while canyon walls tower thousands of feet above you. It’s surreal in a way that photos just can’t capture.

What nobody tells you about The Narrows is that ‘hiking’ here means ‘wading through water that might be ankle-deep one minute and waist-deep the next’. And depending on the time of year, that water can be painfully cold. But once you reach the Wall Street section where the canyon narrows to just 20-30 feet wide with 1,500-foot walls? Pure magic.

You’ll start at shuttle stop #9 (Temple of Sinawava), and there are thankfully restrooms at the trailhead. And yes, you can actually swim in spots — in fact, sometimes you’ll have no choice but to. Most people rent special water shoes and dry bags in Springdale, which isn’t a tourist trap so much as a necessity unless you enjoy trench foot.

Expect an unexpected plunge into the cold water from time to time. The river bottom isn’t exactly straight. I know what I’m talking about. My god, Did I often lose my balance wading through the water…

3. Observation Point (via East Mesa Trail) — The Anti-Angel’s

Think of Observation Point as Angel’s Landing’s less famous but actually more impressive cousin. It sits higher (at 6,521 feet), has better views (you can actually see Angel’s Landing below you), and attracts way fewer selfie-sticks.

The East Mesa Trail approach is the hack that most guidebooks won’t emphasize enough. Instead of the grueling climb from the canyon floor, you can access Observation Point from the east side, making this a much more manageable hike. The trade-off? You’ll need your own transportation since shuttles don’t go there.

There are no restrooms or water sources along the trail, so plan accordingly. And while the views are absolutely spectacular, swimming is obviously not an option unless you’ve figured out how to swim in air.

If you’re all about that high effort-to-reward ratio, Canyon Overlook is your jam

4. Emerald Pools Trails — Nature’s Infinity Pools

Emerald Pools is actually a choose-your-own-adventure with Lower, Middle, and Upper pools connected by trails of increasing difficulty. The name oversells it a bit — don’t expect Caribbean-blue waters. These pools are more… Murky emerald. But the setting is what makes them special.

After a good rain or during snowmelt, the waterfalls flowing into these pools create a scene that looks like it was designed specifically for social media. The lower trail is paved and family-friendly, while the upper requires more effort but rewards you with increasingly dramatic settings.

You’ll start at shuttle stop #5 (Zion Lodge), and there are restrooms at the trailhead. Swimming is forbidden — not that you’d want to anyway once you see the pools up close. They’re for looking, not lounging.

5. Canyon Overlook Trail — The Efficient Showoff

If you’re all about that high effort-to-reward ratio, Canyon Overlook is your jam. This short trail (just about a mile round trip) delivers views that compete with hikes five times its length.

It’s one of the few notable trails that doesn’t require using the shuttle system since it’s located near the east entrance by the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. This makes it a perfect late addition to your day when the shuttle lines are looking grim.

There are no restrooms on the trail itself, and obviously no swimming, but the views of Zion Canyon and the Great Arch make this the best bang-for-your-buck hike in the park. It’s the hiking equivalent of finding a $20 bill in your pocket.

6. West Rim Trail — The Backcountry Classic

The West Rim Trail is where you go when you’re ready to graduate from the tourist trails. This is a serious wilderness experience that can be done as either a long day hike or a backpacking trip.

What makes the West Rim special is how it transitions through completely different ecosystems as you climb from the canyon floor up to the plateau. You’ll pass through Refrigerator Canyon (aptly named for its cool microclimate) and experience dramatic elevation changes that showcase how diverse Zion’s landscapes really are.

Start at shuttle stop #6 (The Grotto) if you’re going bottom-up, but be prepared for self-sufficiency — no restrooms or water sources along the way. Backcountry camping is available, but you’ll need a permit, and those get snapped up quickly during peak season.

7. Riverside Walk — The Crowd-Pleaser

Let’s be real here — not everyone in your group will be up for scrambling up chains or wading through rivers. Enter Riverside Walk: the paved, wheelchair-accessible trail that still delivers legitimate beauty.

This 2-mile round trip follows the Virgin River to the entrance of The Narrows, featuring hanging gardens on the canyon walls and frequent wildlife sightings. It’s the trail you take your parents on, or the one you do when you’re giving your legs a break from more strenuous hikes.

It starts at shuttle stop #9 (Temple of Sinawava), has restrooms at the trailhead, and while swimming isn’t officially allowed along the path itself, many people dip their toes in at The Narrows entrance. It’s like the appetizer before the main course if you’re planning to continue into The Narrows.

8. East Rim Trail — The Solitude Seeker

The East Rim Trail is where you go when you’re tired of hearing other people’s conversations while you’re trying to commune with nature. This trail sees a fraction of the visitors that crowd the main canyon.

What makes the East Rim special is the journey through diverse landscapes — from forests to slickrock to dramatic overlooks of Echo Canyon. The trade-off for this solitude is logistics; shuttle access is limited, so having your own transportation helps.

There are no restrooms or water sources along the way, and you’ll need to be self-sufficient. Backcountry camping is available with a permit, which gives you the rare opportunity to experience Zion’s night skies away from the glow of Springdale’s lights.

9. Watchman Trail — The Warm-Up Act

If you’re staying in Springdale and want to stretch your legs without dealing with the shuttle system first thing in the morning, Watchman Trail is your best bet. This moderate 3-mile round trip hike starts near the Visitor Center and climbs to a viewpoint overlooking the town and lower Zion Canyon.

The truth is, Watchman is the perfect introduction to Zion — not too strenuous, accessible, and giving you just enough elevation to appreciate the scale of the place you’ve just entered. In spring, wildflowers add pops of color to the landscape, and catching this trail at sunset means watching the light play on the canyon walls.

There are restrooms at the trailhead, and the convenient location means you can knock this out before the day gets hot or after the shuttle lines die down.

10. The Subway — The Photographer’s Dream

The Subway is the hipster of Zion hikes — difficult to access, requires special permission, but delivers an experience that’s genuinely unique. This strenuous route follows Left Fork Creek through a section of canyon that naturally forms tube-like structures resembling a subway tunnel.

You’ll need to be comfortable scrambling over boulders, wading through cold water, and potentially swimming short sections. But the payoff is access to one of the most photographed (yet least visited) spots in Zion — those swirling rock formations carved by water over millennia.

There are no amenities whatsoever, permits are required and highly competitive, and you’ll need solid navigation skills. This isn’t a trail—it’s a route, and the distinction matters. But for photographers and adventure seekers, The Subway represents Zion at its most raw and magical.

11. Pa’rus Trail — The Inclusive Option

Let’s finish with Pa’rus — the only trail in Zion that allows both bicycles and pets. This paved path follows the Virgin River for about 3.5 miles round trip, offering beautiful views without demanding technical hiking skills.

What makes Pa’rus unique isn’t just its accessibility but its inclusivity. Want to bring your dog to Zion? This is literally your only option for a trail. Prefer to explore by bicycle? Same deal. It’s also one of the few places in the park where you can legitimately watch the sunset without worrying about navigating back in the dark.

The trail starts at the Visitor Center, has restrooms nearby, and there’s easy access to the water at several points. It’s the most relaxed way to experience Zion’s beauty, especially in the golden hour.

The Reality Check

Here’s what actually matters when planning your Zion adventure: The park is increasingly crowded, particularly from March through November when the shuttle system is mandatory. Getting to the Visitor Center early (like, pre-dawn early) is your best bet for parking, or use the Springdale shuttles if you’re staying in town.

Weather is no joke here. Flash floods can turn slot canyon hikes like The Narrows or The Subway from bucket-list adventures to life-threatening situations in minutes. And water? Bring more than you think you need. Most trails have zero water sources, and desert dehydration is a real threat even in cooler months.

The truth is that any of these 11 trails will show you why Zion deserves its reputation as one of America’s most spectacular parks.