10 Nature & Parks in Zion National Park That You Shouldn't Miss

June 11, 2021 Etsuko Causey

The spectacular rock formations, rugged canyons, tumbling rivers and pine-blanketed peaks of Zion National Park provide a southwestern wonderland for unparalleled camping, hiking, canyoneering and climbing. Drive Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway or get out and hike. Zion's sandstone monoliths and other geological wonders, like the Great White Throne, Grand Staircase and Checkerboard Mesa, backdrop challenging trails from The Narrows to Canyon Overlook, providing inspiration for artists and dreamers.

1. Zion's Main Canyon

Superintendent, Zion National Park, Springdale, Zion National Park, UT 84767 +1 435-772-3256 http://www.zionnational-park.com
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,414 reviews

Zion's Main Canyon

The most popular route through Zion, which includes the famous top-to-bottom Narrows Hike, Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools, and Hidden Canyon.

Reviewed By Hermes_NL - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The main Canyon of Zion is otherwordly beautiful, with its towering red shear cliffs, meandering Virgin river and ethereal vegetation. About half of it is car-free but can be visited by the excellent shuttle which comes every 5 minutes or so. A number of key hikes were closed due to recent rockfall -erosion is going on at a high pace- but we enjoyed ourselves hugely on the Kayenta trail to Upper Emerald Pool, and likewise on The Riverside walk to the Narrows. Exceptional if not unique in the world.

2. The Narrows

Zion National Park, UT +1 435-772-3256 http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-narrows.htm
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,489 reviews

The Narrows

Zion's most popular hiking trail is also its most dangerous due to occasional flash floods.

Reviewed By erinmarina - Sioux Falls, United States

Awesome hike!!! Definitely spend the extra $25 to rent the wooden hiking stick and water shoes/neoprene socks from Zion Outfitters (located right outside the pedestrian entrance to the park). The stick actually provided a lot of stability when hiking through the water and the water shoes were NOT waterproof by any means, but helped support my ankles and give me better grip than my hiking shoes or tennis shoes would have. We went on October 1st, VERY EARLY in the day and we didn't encounter many people until our way back around 11. We hiked through Wall Street and then returned, Definitely recommend this hike!!

3. Angel's Landing

West Rim Trail, Zion National Park, UT +1 435-772-3256 http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-angels-landing-trail.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,899 reviews

Angel's Landing

Angel's Landing is one of Zion's most spectular scenic outlooks; it can be reached only by a very demanding hike on the West Rim Trail.

Reviewed By 322bobg - North Carolina, United States

The final ascent to Angels Landing is quite the thrill and a little scary - don't attempt if you are afraid of heights. It is also an amazing view of the Zion valley. I am over the hill age wise but I did the hike from start to finish in three hours and fifteen minutes so it is not a large investment of time but it is worth every minute. Walters Wiggle (the series of 20 some steep switchbacks) is a good cardio workout. The best part of the hike is from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing. There are numerous sections where you really need the chains that are installed. When I visited in October there was a waiting line at the base of the West Rim Trail that you need to take to get to Angels Landing and the rangers were handing out passes that you needed to ascend Angels Landing from Scout Lookout. The rangers only allowed about 10 hikers at a time to start the hike in order to control the crowds at Angels Landing.

4. Orderville Canyon

Zion National Park, UT
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26 reviews

Orderville Canyon

Canyon in Zion reachable via The Narrows hiking trail.

5. Pine Creek Canyon

Zion National Park, UT
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Pine Creek Canyon

A scenic, twisty, deep little slot canyon with only a few spots where sunlight penetrates to the bottom.

6. Canyon Overlook Trail

Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel East Entrance, Zion National Park, UT +1 435-772-3256 http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-canyon-overlook-trail.htm
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 911 reviews

Canyon Overlook Trail

This one-mile hiking trail starts just outside the east entrance to the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel, and leads to a dramatic observation point that provides impressive views of Zion's rugged landscape.

Reviewed By W2076UIrhondam - Richmond, United States

This was our first hike of our trip. Definitely a great one. The end view of the canyon will take your breath away. We saw mountain goats and mule deer along the trail as well. Very nice!

7. La Verkin Creek/Kolob Arch Trails

A, Zion National Park, UT +1 435-586-9548 http://www.outtraverse.com/trips/utah/zion/backpacking-la-verkin-creek-trail
Excellent
86%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

La Verkin Creek/Kolob Arch Trails

Reviewed By Greg0ry

We did an overnight backpacking trip on the LaVerkin Creek Trail in late February. It snowed about six inches the night before our trip. With daytime temperatures well above freezing, trail conditions varied, with alternating pockets of snow and red mud. The mud was INTENSE! The scenery along the trail is beautiful. We camped at a site (8) about half-a-mile from the arch. Gregory Butte loomed large over our campsite. I got a kick out of the irony, since my name is Gregory; I learned the name of the mountain while studying the map in my tent. It was meant to be. There were very few people along this trail; we saw maybe six total in two days over the 14 miles we hiked. I must say that the ranger on duty at the Kolob visitor's center wasn't very helpful. I reserved my campsite in advance and since all the sites were free when I picked-up my permit, I asked her which one was the nicest. Her response was that they are all nice. Actually, some are nicer than others. As we were plodding along the trail, my girlfriend wanted to grab a different site along the river that she felt was nicer, but I nixed that idea because I told her that I didn't want to set up camp and have to strike it if the site got rented out. Good thing we kept going to our site because we saw someone on it when we hiked out the next morning. I was totally vindicated for being a thrill kill. Anyway, my point is that the ranger could have exerted a little effort and provided a description of each site.

8. Many Pools Trail

Zion National Park, UT http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-hike-manypools.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 22 reviews

Many Pools Trail

Reviewed By BruceM147 - Carlsbad, United States

Highly rated in both my hiking guides, the Many Pools Trail is stunning, far less crowded, and a different yet very Zion-esque experience. This trail is not in Zion Valley but rather starts on the East Zion Road. Unmarked, it leads north up a wash of beautiful eroded sandstone through a majestic valley. The "many pools" are eroded in the sandstone bottom. They usually have water but I understand that after a rainstorm, the water features come alive. As an out-and-back walk, you can go as far as you want, and make the the hike moderate or more strenuous depending on distance and whether you explore up the sides of the valley. We spent a leisurely four hours. To find the trail, look for the pullout on the south side of the road that has a "restroom" (long drop) about .8 miles east of the second tunnel (the short one). While you can cross the road and find a path north to the wash, I recommend dropping down from the parking area to the east and taking the tunnel under the road. If you are lucky, there will be roosting bats. In any event, we find this simpler. Once at the wash, as an old-timer suggested, follow the bottom to go in or out, and explore the sides if and when you feel like it.

9. Hop Valley Trail

Zion National Park, UT
Excellent
60%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Hop Valley Trail

10. West Rim Trail

Zion National Park, UT
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

West Rim Trail

Strenuous hiking trail, 10 miles each way.

Reviewed By diverrex - Los Angeles, United States

The trail was a little busy with people going to Angel''s Landing but we still still enjoyed it. We went another couple miles up the West Rim trail before turning around. It was a lot less busy past the Angel's Landing area. We did not try Angel's Landing, way too many people for our taste of an outdoor experience.

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