3 Great Trails to Explore at Zion National Park
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As one of the most amazing natural areas in the country, you will want to see all you can during your short visit to Zion National Park. I’ve explored a number of wonderful parks since moving to Northern Arizona (a great base), and this is my favorite. It’s an exciting choice for fitness buffs, photographers, and nature lovers. I like that there are a variety of trails here, all scenic, some of which are easy, and other extreme challenges (look up Angel’s Landing to see some scary drop offs!). To get the most out of your trip, I have highlighted a few easy & scenic hikes which should be suitable for everyone, even beginning hikers.
Each of my recommend hikes are short enough that they will not take up all your time, easy enough that you will not be worn out your entire trip, and of course, stunningly beautiful. If you are limited on time, I would say go with Emerald Pools – it’s so stunning. On the other hand, if you are seeking the easiest trail, go with the Pa’Rus which is super flat, but not flat on the views. Each featured hike enables you to get lost in a relaxing journey into the magnificent landscapes that make up this unique Southeastern Utah park.
The Pa’Rus
Biking or walking the 3.5 mile Pa’Rus, starting directly behind the visitor’s center, is a great way for new visitors to explore the park. Because this route is scenic, easy, & uncrowded, it’s a great introductory trail. I also would say that this is the easiest trail in the park so perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to go all out. Just because it is short doesn’t mean it’s not scenic.
Just take a look at my pictures for a glimpse of all the beautiful rock formations you will see along the route. While Pa’Rus is not nearly as popular as other options like Emerald Pools, you will still experience stunning views of the rocks and river, only with the added bonus of fewer crowds.
As the Pa’Rus is by far the flattest trail in the park, both walking and biking are options. I recommend a leisurely bike ride (we brought our own, but there is a rental shop near the entrance). I like biking because you can complete the whole course twice in little more than an hour, which saves a little bit of time.
Read more about my experience biking the Pa’Rus.
Emerald Pools
The Emerald Pools trail is the go-to tourist hike and for good reason. It was not all that crowded during our visit which was surprising. Several amazing overlooks and waterfalls are accessible via a relatively moderate hike. There are 3 stopping points on this trail: Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools. This is nice because it allows hikers of all ability levels to continue on to their own comfort level. We chose to hike to all 3; the scenery kept getting better the further on we hiked.
The Lower Emerald Pools trail is an easy, paved journey just over half a mile, which leads hikers to a pretty waterfall (flow will vary based on time of year). Here, you have the option of continuing on another mile to the Upper Pool or heading back. If you have the stamina, I recommend continuing on.
The trek to Upper Emerald Pools is an amazing journey, with gorgeous overlooks of the canyon throughout and ending at a spectacular waterfall. The course is moderately tough consisting of uneven rocky terrain and is much more difficult than the paved Lower trail. A bit rough and tough, although totally worth it for regular hikers who don’t mind a bit of a challenge. Be aware that this hike will likely feel much more intense than normal due to the high elevation and dry weather.
Overall, I recommend the Emerald Pools trail first for an avid hikers ready for a moderate challenge. Tip: visit during the winter season and enjoy the low tourist traffic!
The Watchman
The Watchman, also starting from the visitor’s center, features a steep climb up to a pretty overlook. From here, you can take a short little loop and take in mesmerizing overviews of Watchman Tower. The 1.3 mile trek up is a bit of a climb, although not overly exhausting. I recommend any regular hikers and fitness buffs to take the challenge. You will be rewarded with some of the park’s most amazing viewpoints.
The climb down is really easy with almost no effort required at all on your part. After the hard hike up the mountain, I enjoyed taking pics and wildlife watching. This hike was surprisingly quiet (although we did set off early in the morning). It was so quiet that we saw more deer than people. I recommend setting your alarm and enjoying the low foot traffic. Sunrise is such a gorgeous time to hike in this region.
Peaceful views of the Virgin River greet you at the end of your hike.
Overall, Watchman really is one of the most enjoyable hikes at the national park. We enjoyed the scenery, saw some wildlife, and got in a great workout. What’s not to love?
Read more about my experience hiking Watchman.
Where to eat after your hike?
Zion Pizza Company, located in downtown Springdale just minutes from the entrance, is a great casual dining choice post-hike. After a hard workout, I never feel like eating somewhere too fancy. I was happy to find this low-key pizza joint where we could feast on some tasty carbs and refuel.
The carb heavy menu features: themed pizzas, pastas, and Stromboli. You will find lots of creative choices here including a Hippy Pizza with basically everything on it and a Southwestern themed Chicken Pizza (both pictured below).
Best of all is the gorgeous outdoor patio surrounded by the red rocks. I like to keep the view going after hiking. After your hike, I recommend treating yourself to a pizza and relaxing and recovering for a bit, all while soaking in more views of the incredible surrounding landscapes.
Where to find a great cup of coffee?
No Starbucks or generic coffee chains are found anywhere in the area (fortunately). However, you will find a pretty decent local shop known as Deep Creek Coffee that serves great espresso drinks and offers a scenic 2nd floor outdoor patio to take in the views.
Whether you need a caffeine boost to get you going in the morning pre-hike or an energizing boost after a full morning of hiking, a steaming hot drink at Deep Creek is sure to do the trick. Their espresso drinks are wonderful, a real surprise for such a small town. We enjoyed an Americano and mocha: both were fabulous for small town.
Where to stay?
Zion Lodge is the only available in-park lodging. It’s a convenient option as it is located directly across from the Emerald Pools trail and is a stopping point for the free shuttle which takes you around to various points of interest. As a drawback, it’s pricey and often sold out.
If you are looking for a more budget friendly option, consider the Majestic View Lodge. Located just 3 miles from the entrance and offering a free shuttle to town, it’s still a convenient option. Plus, it is quieter and less congested due to the distance away from the string of hotels downtown.
Amenities include a great outdoor pool and hot tub (open year-round), a rustic themed steakhouse overlooking the red rocks, and attractive woodsy themed rooms, all with a private patio facing the stunning rocks.
What else to do?
Stroll around downtown Springdale. There’s lots of local restaurants, shops, and gorgeous views in every direction. It’s the perfect place to take a break before hitting the trails again. Be sure to try out a delicious piece of homemade candy from Springdale Candy Company.
Enjoy a cruise (or shuttle ride) down the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This gorgeous, yet short 6 mile drive features never ending spectacular views of the quaint Virgin River and towering rock formations. Learn more about this scenic route.
