Hikes to do in Zion National Park. Are you going to travel to Utah? Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful places to see in the state . You have several places to visit inside the Park and you can do it in your own vehicle or depending on the time of year you can go through it with the buses available inside the enclosure.
If you are a lover of the most intense walks or treks within the Park, there are many path options for all levels. The Park is huge and you could spend a lot of time exploring every corner and you would always have places to visit.
As soon as you arrive at the central office point, where you will buy the ticket, you can request a map not only of the most popular places (such as viewpoints…) but also of the walking routes.
In this article, I will tell you about some of the most popular and beautiful hikes to do in Zion National Park.
Riverside Walk
This is one of the most popular routes due to its simplicity. You can do it walking or by bicycle. It is a flat path along the river bank and is paved. Here the environment is beautiful, with more vegetation than other areas, however here you will not have panoramic views of the Park.
It is great for those who travel with children or want to take a relaxed walk.
Canyon Overlook Trail
It is one of the most beautiful routes to do in the Park, as well as simple. It is not complicated and here you will have beautiful views of the place.
The access to the road is just at the exit of the tunnel that is in the direction of Mount Carmel.
If you go in your own car, depending on the season of the year or the time of day you may find the car park full (it’s not very big). Do not worry! You can leave the car on the hard shoulder along the road.
Watchman Trail
This simple route starts very close to the visitor center (where you buy tickets and they provide you with maps etc). It is a walk that does not require a high physical level, however, there is a fairly long and constant climb that will make you sweat a little. It is important to keep in mind that you always need water in your backpack, sunscreen and a hat.
When you reach the highest point you will have a nice view. To get to the top and back it will take about two hours. Keep this in mind when planning your day.
Pine Creek Waterfall
Utah is known for its desert national parks. And although in all of them you can find more wooded areas as a general rule, they are not parks with a lot of vegetation, waterfalls… Even so, it is possible to visit several waterfalls and lake areas in Zion National Park. With this route you can get to know the Pine Creek Waterfall.
The route from the Parking to the waterfall is short, about 15 minutes. And as soon as you reach the waterfall you will see a small pool. (Not at all times of the year you can enjoy this waterfall, since after the summer it is usually scarce).
If you wish, there is a route that continues after the waterfall, going up the mountain towards some viewpoints.
The place is beautiful!
Emerald Pools
One of the most beautiful places to see in Zion National Park is the Emerald Pools. There are three emerald-colored lakes, something impressive to see without a doubt.
There are three options to get to them. Along the way you will find a lot of vegetation, the temperature in this area is much milder, you will see waterfalls and you will have beautiful views of the Virgin River.
Angel’s Landing
This trek is one of the most popular in the Park. And you will have seen it photographed or on social networks many times. It is also a quite complicated route although not very long. It is a 9km route (round trip) with a drop of just over 450 meters. The journey itself is not heavy, but you do have to be very careful since practically the entire route is along the sides of ravines. It is one of the routes that we did and it is absolutely worth it.
The Narrows, essential route to do in Zion National Park
It is a beautiful route that you cannot miss. Temple of Sinawava is the starting point of the Riverside Walk. This easily accessible paved trail follows the Virgin River for 3.5 kilometers to the start of The Narrows Gorge . This gorge is 800 meters deep and is one of the most popular routes. Depending on the time of year you travel, you may find a lot of people here, so I recommend that you get up early and start your day here.
During the route (practically everything) you will have to get into the water , so, if you want to do this route, carry a spare pair of boots in your backpack, and then continue your day. There were people who took off their shoes to go down the river, but sometimes the water is a bit cloudy and there are rocks, so it is not recommended.
The first part of the journey is the busiest, since the road is easier. As the walls of the gorge get tighter and tighter, fewer people venture down the trail. You must continue!
The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon and is 800m deep. This route is about 15km round trip . In our case, we did it completely and between stops, a little swim etc… we did it in almost 7 hours. It is possible to do it in less, of course, but it is worth enjoying this natural wonder.