Hiking the Gorgeous Watchman Trail at Zion National Park
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Zion National Park is, without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous places in the country. I took the opportunity to visit one of the country’s best national parks while I was living in close proximity in Northern Arizona. It’s a pretty accessible park, considering it’s an easy 2 hour drive from Vegas and St. George, Utah and 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City. I would say that it is a definite bucket list contender for avid hikers and photographers. The scenery here is truly out-of-this-world; I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
There are trails of varying difficulty levels, all featuring incredible rock formations to gaze out at. The most relaxing trails take you past the Virgin River. One moderately challenging trail which offers wonderful river and rock views is the Watchman. Once you get out here and explore this tranquil trail, you will see just why this place is named Zion, a term that means “peace” in Hebrew.
A fantastic moderate option
At this national park, you will find a variety of hiking options ranging from super easy introductory trails for newbies to intense all day adventures (look up the insanely scary Angel’s Landing trail). A few trails conveniently start right from the visitor’s center. One of these, the Watchman, is an awesome moderate hike for anyone in pretty good shape who wants to enjoy jaw dropping scenery.
It’s not too difficult, yet intense enough to make you feel like you got in a quality workout for the day. Regular hikers, gym goers, and fitness buffs should be impressed with the big views accessible via moderate effort. As a regular hiker myself, I have to say I was totally impressed. It was semi challenging for sure, but not too difficult considering the huge payoff.
This trail also happens to be completely gorgeous and not at all overcrowded. Most of the tourists head to the big name trails (Angel’s Landing or Emerald Pools), so this one remains attractively undervisited. This is especially true during the off-season (December-February), where you may very likely be the only person on the trail (as was our case during a winter hike). This hike really isn’t weather dependent being that it is a desert, so the big views stay pretty much the same the entire year.
The 1.3 mile out-and-back hike slowly climbs to a picturesque overlook, where you will be treated to magnificent overview of the unique Watchman Tower rock formation, as well as panoramic views of the entire area. You can take an extra scenic loop at the top which will add about a half mile to your mileage. The climb is a nice little workout, without being too strenuous. The way back down, on the other hand, is very easy. I love the return route where you can feel proud of your accomplishment and also take some time to recover and appreciate nature.
The last portion of the trail takes you on a stroll past the river. As you listen to nothing but the soothing sounds of the water flowing, you really get that feeling of being lost in nature. Even if the views are not as dramatic, I really love this part of the hike. After a moderately hard climb, I enjoyed taking it easy and soaking in the quiet river vistas. This is a great time to reflect and get back to nature without worrying about making it through the hike.
This is one of the park’s top wildlife watching picks. We saw plenty of deer out-and-about during our visit – probably more so than people! Other mammals occasionally seen in the park include bobcats, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. I am not sure how comfortable I would be seeing a mountain lion in person. I’ve seen several bobcats hiking in Tucson, but mountain lions are a completely different story. Plus, I’ve heard of some scary attacks in recent years.
I recommend adding this hike to your itinerary if you are seeking a moderate challenge with big views. It’s not as hard as Angel’s Landing, not as easy as the Pa’Rus, and not as crowded as Emerald Pools. Basically, it’s the perfect middle of the road option. While not the most popular, nor most challenging trail within the park, the scenery is amazing and the trek through uninterrupted nature is truly relaxing.
Tips for a wonderful hike
- Be careful as there are some steep drops along the course, so stay far away from the edge. Those who are squeamish about heights may want to skip this trail.
- Bring plenty of water and hydrate yourself frequently, especially on hot days. I usually bring a camelbak for any desert hikes.
- If coming from a low elevation area, your body may be a bit shocked at the 4000 foot elevation. Take it a bit easier, and get used to the change in altitude around town for a day or so before attempting a hike. Also drink extra water and eat more salty snacks – it helps a bit. Take a look at these tips to prevent altitude sickness.
- Bring with a hiking stick and wear hiking shoes for extra traction for going up and down the sandy path.
- Wear a GPS watch to track your distance and time. It always helps you stay more motivated when you know how far you have gone.
- Dress in layers if you set out early in the morning during the winter months. The start of the hike will likely be very cold (I needed gloves), however, you will quickly warm up once beginning the uphill climb. Then, once you begin the trek downhill, you’ll likely be cold again as your body isn’t working as hard.
- Pack a camera in your backpack. I highly recommend a camera backpack as it includes extra space for lens and essentials.
- Arrive early to ensure a parking spot at the visitor’s center or take the free town shuttle (not available during the winter season).
Directions
The visitor center is located at: 1 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767. After passing the entrance gate, proceed to follow the signs to the Visitor’s Center. You will see a sign pointing the direction you need to go to access the trail – it’s just a short walk. Entrance to Zion is $35 per car, good for 7 days. Bike/pedestrian entrance is $20 per person. Pricing current as of 2025. Take advantage of the unlimited use of free shuttle buses, included with your entrance fee.
