Skip to content

Zion National Park

MORE THAN A PHOTO It's a memory that stays with you.

I want to

Conditions

Right Now in Zion

Updated

Where the Desert Meets the Canyon

Towering sandstone cliffs. A river cuts through the canyon floor. Surprising bursts of color and life in an otherwise arid landscape. Zion National Park is unlike any place on earth, and the landscape proves it.

From the top of Angels Landing to the bottom of The Narrows, this park offers adventure for every pace and every adrenaline level. Hike a paved riverside path. Rappel into a slot canyon. Wade upstream through cold water with walls rising hundreds of feet on either side.

Zion doesn't ask you to choose a version of yourself. It welcomes all of them.

When the trail ends, the gateway town of Springdale and nearby communities are waiting with places to refuel and recharge. Whatever your version of rest looks like, you'll find it here in luxury hotels, boutique lodges, and unique glamping under the open sky.

The only hard part is deciding what to do first.

"Amazing park with amazing views. Very picturesque!" "The most majestic and breathtaking places we have ever visited." "Majestic and gorgeous. Just book the trip."

Zion National Park Visitors
Start building your dream trip →
4.5M+
Annual visitors
232 sq mi
Park area
2,000 ft
Canyon walls
90+
Trail miles

Things to Do

Choose Your Adventure

All Activities →

How do you explore?

If you're not sure what type of trip you want, answer a few questions, and we'll point you to the trails, viewpoints, and lodging that fit your travel profile.

Take the Quiz →

Trails

Signature Hikes

Ten trails that tell Zion's story. Pa'rus to The Narrows, paved-and-flat to permit-required. Filter by difficulty.

All Hikes →

Angels Landing

  • Distance 5.4
  • Elev. gain 1,480 ft
  • Time 4-5 hours

Known for its soaring heights and chain-lined trails, Angels Landing is for the adventurous, fit, and level-headed hiker. Once your permit (see detailed information below) is secured, you can embark upon one…

Archeology Trail

  • Distance .4
  • Elev. gain 70 ft
  • Time 15 minutes

Archeology Trail is a short, family-friendly trail showcasing some of Zion National Park’s history. It is perfect for walking and conveniently located near the south entrance of the park. This half-mile trail…

Canyon Overlook

  • Distance 1
  • Elev. gain 150 ft
  • Time 1 hour

We bet you’ve seen pictures from the Canyon Overlook trail. Trust us – the views are even better in person. This one-mile, roundtrip hike is moderately difficult due to some steep inclines…

Chinle Trail

  • Distance 16.2
  • Elev. gain 600 ft
  • Time 7 hours

  This trail is quite the trek, but well worth the work. Beginning in Rockville, Chinle Trail is 16 challenging miles of exposed hiking through Zion National Park and stunning desert landscapes.…

East Rim Trail

  • Distance 10
  • Elev. gain
  • Time 5 hours

Approximately 10 miles long round-trip, the East Rim Trail takes hikers through Jolley Gulch, Ponderosa Forest, Echo Canyon, and finishes down the Observation Point Trail. Enjoying the journey and the scenery takes…

Hidden Canyon

  • Distance
  • Elev. gain
  • Time

This trail is currently closed.

Kayenta Trail

  • Distance 2.0
  • Elev. gain
  • Time 2-3 Hours

This moderately strenuous trail is the precursor to the well-known Emerald Pools. Approximately two miles long, Kayenta Trail features sandstone stairs and views of the Virgin River, taking approximately two hours to…

Lower Emerald Pool Trail

  • Distance 1
  • Elev. gain 120 ft
  • Time 1-2 hours

Lower Emerald Pools Trail is a magical oasis in Zion National Park’s arid landscape with stunning views of the eastern canyon walls, a viridescent body of water, and a shimmering waterfall at…

Observation Point

  • Distance 7
  • Elev. gain
  • Time 3-5 hours

This trail is currently closed.

Pa’rus Trail

  • Distance 3.5
  • Elev. gain 50 ft
  • Time 1-2 hours

This out-and-back trail is another great introduction to Zion National Park. Paved and surrounded by the most photo-worthy scenery the park has to offer, Pa’rus (PA-roose) is approximately 3.5 miles of beginner…

Riverside Walk

  • Distance 2.2
  • Elev. gain 190 ft
  • Time 1 hour

Riverside Walk is the precursor to accessing The Narrows, and it is a lovely standalone hike of its own. You can cruise alongside the Virgin River and marvel at the towering walls…

Sand Bench Trail

  • Distance 1.5
  • Elev. gain 206 ft
  • Time 1-4 hours

This exposed loop takes hikers along the edge of the Virgin River between the Court of the Patriarchs and Zion Lodge. Named for the sandy terrain, this trail is approximately seven miles…

Taylor Creek Middle Fork

  • Distance 5
  • Elev. gain 455 ft
  • Time 4 hours

This trail is the gem of the Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park, taking hikers on an out-and-back journey alongside (and sometimes over) Taylor Creek and historical cabins before reaching the…

The Grotto Trail

  • Distance 1.2
  • Elev. gain 62 ft
  • Time 30 minutes

This is a leisurely trail situated between the Zion Lodge and Grotto Picnic Area. It also connects to other iconic hikes like Kayenta Trail and Angels Landing. Standing alone, The Grotto Trail…

The Narrows

  • Distance 10+
  • Elev. gain
  • Time 1-8 hours

This hike is a Zion National Park staple, taking you upstream and through the narrowest parts of Zion’s canyons. If you take the short out-and-back route, starting at the Temple of Sinawava…

The Watchman Trail

  • Distance 3
  • Elev. gain 636 ft
  • Time 1-2 hours

This trail is just a stone’s throw from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, offering 360-degree views of Zion National Park and the town of Springdale. Often overlooked, The Watchman Trail is an…

Weeping Rock

  • Distance .4
  • Elev. gain 98 ft
  • Time 25 minutes

West Rim

  • Distance 14.9
  • Elev. gain
  • Time 6-10 hours

Wildcat Canyon Trail

  • Distance 11
  • Elev. gain 1,318 ft
  • Time 5 hours

A star of the Kolob Terrace section of Zion National Park, this trail takes hikers through nearly 11 miles of forest and canyon scenery. It offers access to several other trails and…

Where to Stay

Zion Corridor

Springdale

The official gateway town. Enjoy the free town shuttle as you visit restaurants, galleries, and outfitters lining the main street.

La Verkin

A quieter home-away-from-home base with quick highway access and a surprising perk: Zion Canyon Hot Springs. Soak in a variety of thermal pools with canyon views after a day on the trail.

Virgin

A small and unhurried town, with direct access to Kolob Terrace Road and the trailhead for the famous Subway. Spend your evenings floating the Virgin River, catching live music, and eating well.

Rockville

A quiet historic town where the only surviving Parker Through Truss bridge in Utah spans the Virgin River and the ghost town of Grafton, a filming location for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, sits just down the road.

From the Blog

Latest Stories

All Stories →
Explore

Parks & Public Lands

All Parks →
Where to Stay

Beyond the Park

All Accommodations →