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Zion National Park Hiking
Zion National Park Hiking – What to Know
Hiking in Zion breaks into two distinct experiences, and most visitors do both.
- The first is trail hiking – following established routes through Zion Canyon and the surrounding plateau, with options spanning every difficulty from the paved, accessible Riverside Walk to the strenuous summit scramble of Angels Landing.
- The second is The Narrows, where there is no trail at all: you walk directly in the Virgin River through a slot canyon with walls rising 2,000 feet overhead. Both experiences are extraordinary, and both benefit significantly from either a guide or the right rental gear – sometimes both.
The key planning decision for most Zion visitors is whether to hire a guide, rent gear and go independently, or combine the two. Guided tours handle permits (critical for Angels Landing, which requires a lottery), provide expert interpretation of the geology and natural history, and offer real-time support on challenging terrain. Gear rentals from Springdale's local outfitters equip you for The Narrows independently – canyon boots, neoprene socks, and a walking stick at minimum, with dry bibs or a full dry suit depending on season and water temperature. Some visitors use a guided tour on day one as an orientation, then apply what they've learned to tackle other trails independently for the rest of their trip.
To learn more about Zion and hiking adventures, explore these TripOutside stories and episodes:
- Zion National Park Adventure Guide: Best Time to Visit & Activities by Season – Full destination guide covering when to go, what conditions to expect, and how to plan your Zion trip by season.
- Guided Hikes: Your Ticket to an Elevated Experience – Why hiring a guide makes a real difference and how to decide when it's worth it.
- Hiking for Beginners – Ultimate Hiking Guide – Everything you need to know before hitting the trail, from gear to pacing to safety.
- Canyoneering and Rock Climbing Near Zion National Park – A conversation with Zion Rock and Mountain Guides on the full range of guided adventures available in the area.
Guided vs. Self-Guided Hiking in Zion
For most Zion hikes, going independently is completely viable for fit, experienced hikers. But a few situations make a guide genuinely worth it: you want the Angels Landing permit handled without navigating the lottery, you're bringing kids or less-experienced hikers onto technical terrain, you want deep interpretation of the landscape beyond what trail signs provide, or you simply want someone else to handle timing, logistics, and route decisions so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Gear rentals serve a different need. The Narrows is hikeable independently once you have the right kit – and Springdale's rental shops are excellent at matching you to the right package based on current river conditions. They monitor Virgin River flow and temperature daily and will tell you at pickup exactly what to expect in the canyon that day. If you're comfortable wading a river with specialized footwear and no formal instruction, renting gear and going on your own is a great option. If you'd rather have a guide manage the logistics and safety decisions while you take in the canyon, guided Narrows tours handle all of that too.
- Choose a guided tour if you want the Angels Landing permit handled, are bringing less-experienced hikers, want expert interpretation, or prefer a fully supported experience on technical terrain.
- Choose gear rental if you're hiking The Narrows independently, are comfortable in river conditions, and want the flexibility to set your own pace and turnaround point.
- Consider both if you're planning multiple days – a guided tour on day one is a great orientation before tackling other trails on your own.
Best Hiking Trails in Zion National Park
Zion's trail network covers everything from short, flat canyon-floor walks to multi-day backcountry routes. These are the hikes most visitors come for, and what you need to know before tackling each one.
- The Narrows (bottom-up) – The most iconic hike in the park. No permit required. You walk directly in the Virgin River through a slot canyon up to 2,000 feet tall. Specialized rental gear required; dry suit needed in winter. Begins at the Temple of Sinawava.
- Angels Landing – Zion's most famous day hike. Permit required via NPS lottery. A strenuous 5-mile round trip gaining 1,488 feet, with a narrow, exposed final ridge traverse secured by chains. Guided tours include the permit.
- Observation Point via East Mesa Trail – The primary route to Zion's highest canyon viewpoint since the classic Weeping Rock trail closed indefinitely due to rockfall. Accessed from outside the east entrance; no permit required for day hiking.
- Emerald Pools – A moderate trail system leading to three tiered pools and waterfalls above the canyon floor. Good for families and first-time visitors. No permit required.
- West Rim Trail – A strenuous multi-day backcountry route connecting Zion Canyon to Lava Point, with access to Angels Landing along the way. Backcountry permit required for overnight trips.
- Canyon Overlook Trail – A short, rewarding 1-mile hike near the east entrance with panoramic canyon views. No permit required; one of the best accessible viewpoints in the park.
Trusted Local Expertise, Verified by TripOutside
All information on this page has been carefully verified and curated by the TripOutside content team in collaboration with our vetted local outfitters, guides, and service providers. Our partners run these tours, lessons and rentals every day and provide firsthand details about the routes, terrain, conditions, safety practices, and what to expect on your adventure.
Before featuring any provider, TripOutside reviews customer feedback, ratings, certifications, and local expertise to ensure accuracy and quality. This means every recommendation reflects genuine, on-the-ground experience and up-to-date information from trusted local experts. If you spot anything that needs an update or correction, please reach out to our team at stoke@tripoutside.com - we're always improving our guides with help from our community of adventurers.
Our goal is to help you explore confidently, knowing every adventure is backed by real local knowledge, verified data, and a commitment to sustainable, human-powered travel. Adventure Better – TripOutside.
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When is the best time to hike in Zion National Park?
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures, beautiful light, and manageable crowds – ideal for most trails. Summer is prime time for The Narrows when water temperatures are warmest, though early starts are essential to beat the heat on exposed trails. Winter delivers near-total solitude and dramatic low-angle light, but cold river temperatures require a dry suit for The Narrows, and some high-elevation trails accumulate ice requiring microspikes. Each season is genuinely worth considering depending on what you're after.
Do I need a permit to hike in Zion?
Most popular day hikes – including the bottom-up Narrows, Emerald Pools, Canyon Overlook, and Observation Point via East Mesa – require no permit beyond park entry. Angels Landing requires a permit via NPS lottery on Recreation.gov. The top-down Narrows through-hike and all overnight backcountry camping require wilderness permits. Guided tour operators hold commercial permits and handle the lottery process for their guests, which is one of the most practical reasons to book a guided Angels Landing tour.
Should I hire a guide or rent gear and go independently?
It depends on the hike and your experience. For Angels Landing, a guided tour handles the permit and provides real-time support on the exposed ridge – worth it for many hikers. For The Narrows, both options work well: guided tours manage logistics and safety decisions, while gear rental lets experienced hikers set their own pace. Many visitors do both – a guided tour one day, independent hikes the next. If you're newer to hiking or bringing a mixed-ability group, a guide is generally the better call.
What gear do I need to hike The Narrows?
At minimum: canyon-specific boots with draining, grippy soles, neoprene socks, and a wooden walking stick. Regular hiking boots absorb water and become slippery on submerged sandstone – they're genuinely unsafe for this hike. In shoulder season (October–mid-May), dry bibs add waterproof wader coverage. In deep winter, a full dry suit that seals at both ankles and wrists is essentially mandatory. Rental shops in Springdale monitor river conditions daily and will confirm the right package at pickup based on current flow and temperature.
How difficult is Angels Landing?
Strenuous. The hike gains 1,488 feet over 2.5 miles each way, including the famous Walter's Wiggles – 21 steep switchbacks – before reaching Scout Lookout. From there, the final half-mile is an exposed ridge traverse with chain handholds and sheer drop-offs. Many hikers stop at Scout Lookout, which has spectacular views without the exposure, and that's a completely valid choice. Guides help you make that call honestly in the moment based on your comfort level and conditions.
How do I get to Observation Point now that the Weeping Rock trail is closed?
The classic trail from Weeping Rock has been closed indefinitely due to rockfall hazard. The East Mesa Trail, accessed from outside the park's east entrance off Highway 9, is now the standard route. It's significantly more gradual than the original – about 300 feet of elevation gain compared to over 2,000 feet from the canyon floor – and offers a stunning bird's-eye view looking directly down onto Angels Landing. Many experienced Zion hikers consider it the best viewpoint in the park.
Can I hike The Narrows in winter?
Yes, and winter is one of the most unique times to experience it. The canyon is nearly empty, light angles are dramatic, and the stillness is unlike peak season. A full dry suit is essential – river temperatures can be near freezing – and layering underneath is critical for warmth since the suit itself doesn't insulate. Flash flood risk is lower in winter but not zero; always check conditions before heading in. Rental shops provide everything you need and will advise on current conditions at pickup.
What is the flash flood risk in The Narrows?
Flash floods are the primary safety hazard. Water levels in The Narrows can rise 12 feet in minutes from a storm anywhere in the 344-square-mile Virgin River watershed – including storms far upstream that you can't see or hear from inside the canyon. The park closes the bottom-up route when flow exceeds 150 CFS. Always check conditions at the Visitor Center or with rental staff before entering, exit immediately if weather builds, and during monsoon season (July–August) get out of the river by early afternoon.