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Hiking And Camping In Zion National Park Utah: An Adventure Travel Guide
BY Sibashree Oct 28, 2024
Do you know where the name of Zion National Park came from? The name comes from the Bible, as the Old Testament calls the City of Jerusalem Zion. Do you know where the name of the Zion National Park came from? The name has come from the Bible, as the Old Testament calls the City of Jerusalem Zion. This national park has the most diverse landscape, with plateaus, forests, and deserts. Further, it is home to over 800 plant species and 290 bird varieties. “A visit to a river, a canyon rim, and a pine forest will give you a chance to see plenty of different birds. Birds are very active at dawn and dusk. They sing more at these times, making them easier to locate than midday. Nocturnal birds like owls are also active at dawn and dusk, making them easier to locate than at night.” - Ally O’Rullian, Ranger, Zion National Park. Hiking is the best activity in the park to enjoy a close encounter with the wildlife and geology of the park. Also, camping here and living under the stars will be an amazing experience. So, let’s be familiar with the hiking trails and campgrounds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zion National Park (@zionnps) Hiking In Zion National Park, Utah View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zion National Park (@zionnps) Hiking is the most popular outdoor activity in Zion National Park, and kids also love the flat riverside walks. Moreover, trails like the one to the Emerald Pool are family-friendly. Further, the park has more than 90 miles of hiking trails, and the number of trails is more than 100., I have curated some popular day hiking and backpacking trails for you here. Hiking In Zion National Park The short day hikes in Zion National Park will take you to the wonderful views southwest of the park. Some hiking trails can be completed within one hour, and some will take an entire day. Further, these trails will take you through lush valleys and meadows and make you visit rugged mountains and deserts. So, let’s explore the trails. 1. Watchman Trail Difficulty Level: Moderate Distance: 2.7 Miles Trekking Time: 2 Hours Pet-Friendly: No Trailhead: Zion Canyon Visitor Center Watchman Trail is one of my favorites in Zion National Park because it is peaceful. Also, it is a kid and family-friendly hiking trail with a beautiful view of the lower Zion Canyon. You will further enjoy the view of the Towers of the Virgin and the town of Springdale from this trail. Moreover, this trail is a great path to learn about the desert plantation in the park. 2. Lower Emerald Pool Trail Difficulty Level: Easy Distance: 1.2 Miles Trekking Time: 1 Hour Pet-Friendly: No Trailhead: Zion Lodge The Lower Emerald Pool Trail is one of the easiest trails in the park, and you can explore the route with your family thanks to the gentle terrain. Further, walking through the woods of pinyon and juniper is comfortable for children. Moreover, the hike ends with a refreshing view of the Lower Emerald Pool and waterfalls. These waterfalls are ephemeral. However, if you want to explore more challenging trails, you can try the connecting Upper Emerald Pool and Kayenta trails. 3. Observation Point Difficulty Level: Difficult Distance: 8 Mile Trekking Time: 7 Hours Pet-Friendly: No Trailhead: Weeping Rock The Observation Point trek through the East Rim Trail stands out because it offers the best view of the nearby attractions. Further, you will especially love the view of Zion Canyon’s lower end. However, this trekking route comes with 2200 feet of steep elevation. So, ensure that you have the right physical endurance and proper hydration. 4. Pa’Rus Trail Difficulty Level: Easy Distance: 3.5 Miles Trekking Time: 1 Hour Pet-Friendly: Yes Trailhead: Visitor Center If you want to watch the best sunset in Zion National Park and capture beautiful landscape views, Pa’Rus Trail is the best hiking route for you. Further, it is the only national park trail allowing dogs and pets. It is an easy trek. You can explore it with your kids and family. You will begin the trek listening to the serene sounds of the Virgin River. Then, as you advance, you will get the best view of the Watchman. Backpacking Hikes In Zion National Park Overnight hiking or backpacking trips are very popular in Zion National Park. Despite being strenuous hikes, these trails offer the most scenic views. If you are willing to explore any of the following backpacking trails, you must have proper food, water, and supplement arrangements. La Verkin Creek Trail Trail Distance: 14.4 Miles Trail Head: Lee Pass Difficulty Level: Challenging The La Verking Creek Trail takes you to the Kalob Arch. It is one of the biggest free-standing arches in the world. As you start the trek from Lee Pass, you will walk through open canyons, and the route along Timber Creek will offer you the best cliff views. If you want to extend your hiking trip further, you can continue your walk to the Bear Trap Canyon or the Willis Canyon. Summer and fall are the best seasons for backpacking trips to the La Verkin Creek Trail. The Narrows View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zion National Park (@zionnps) Trail Distance: 16 Miles Hike Start: The Temple of Sinawava Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate (Based on the River Volume) Despite having an easy-to-moderate difficulty level, The Narrows is one of the most challenging hikes in this national park. The meandering trekking route will take you through various canyons. However, you must first walk through the Virgin River as there is no alternative loop. Here, you must note that the water level in the Virgin River keeps fluctuating. Based on the amount of rainfall and snowfall, the varying water levels of the Virgin River will pose challenges. The table below gives you a clear picture of the probable difficulties. Water Level of Virgin RiverChallenges/Consequences Below 70 cubic feet per second (CFS)Moderately difficult walkingKnee-deep waterSlippery terrain Above 70 CFSChallenging walkingMid-thigh deep waterWater in some pools can be chest-deepAbove 150 CFSThe Virgin River and The Narrows are close for hiking. The Narrows remain closed even when there is an announcement for Flash Floods. So, check with the park authority about the “present water current level” and announcements. West Rim Trail Trail Distance: 14.2 Miles Trail Head: Lava Point Difficulty Level: Strenuous The West Rim Trail is one of the most challenging treks in Zion National Park. The elevation change here is close to 3500 feet, and you must make a steep ascent toward the Wildcat Canyon rims. Then, you will make a descent. In addition, the West Rim Trail offers the best views of the Phantom Valley. If you are in for a backpacking trip to the West Rim Trail, late spring, summer, and fall will be the best seasons. Shuttle System, Permits, And The Best Time To Hike Zion Before you lace up your boots for the Watchman Trail or plan an overnight on the West Rim, there are two practical things that will make or break your Zion trip. The shuttle and the permits. I learned the hard way on my first visit that Zion Canyon isn't a drive-yourself kind of park for most of the year, so here's what you actually need to know. The Mandatory Zion Canyon Shuttle For the 2026 season, the free shuttle runs from March 7 through November 28. Also, it runs during a short holiday window from December 26 to January 2. During this stretch, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, and the shuttle is the only way to reach trailheads like Zion Lodge, Weeping Rock, and the Temple of Sinawava. Buses start around 7 AM and run every 5 to 10 minutes through the canyon. Riding is free once you have paid the park entrance fee, but there's no reservation system. So, arrive early. Outside the shuttle season, mainly the depths of winter, you can drive the Scenic Drive yourself, and this is honestly one of the most underrated times to visit the park. Wilderness Permits: What Needs One And What Doesn't Here is the part that trips up a lot of first-time hikers. You don't need a permit for day hikes on any of the trails I mentioned above, including the bottom-up route into The Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava. However, a wilderness permit is required for the top-down Narrows through-hike from Chamberlain's Ranch, any overnight backpacking trip (including the La Verkin Creek and West Rim trails if you're camping overnight), the Left Fork/Subway route, and canyoneering. As of 2026, permits are booked through Recreation.gov, and fees run around $6 plus $10 per person for a top-down Narrows day permit. Also, the fees are $20 plus $7 per person per night for overnight wilderness permits (Source: NPS Zion Wilderness Permits). Permits must be picked up in person at the Wilderness Desk unless you've got a Zion Express Membership. Best Time To Hike, Based On What You Want To See Summer brings the biggest crowds and temperatures that regularly cross 100°F in the canyon bottom. Furthermore, monsoon season runs from July through September, which can shut down The Narrows with a flash flood warning even under clear skies. If your heart is set on The Narrows or the backpacking trails, aim for late spring through October instead. Winter, on the other hand, is my pick for the quiet, contemplative version of Zion. Enjoy the cooler air, thinner crowds, and the rare chance to drive the Scenic Drive yourself. However, you will want microspikes for icy sections on trails like Observation Point. Camping In Zion National Park, Utah Though 2023 saw a dip in visitors to Zion National Park, it is still one of the most visited parks in the USA. In 2023, the park had less than 4.65 million visitors compared to 4.69 million visitors in 2022. The red rock formations and canyons carved by water are some of the biggest attractions in this US national park, and camping is surely the best way to get to know the park better. Zion National Park has three campgrounds, but the South Campground is closed for a long-term rehabilitation project. So, here I will discuss the Watchman Campground and Lava Point Campground. Watchman Campground https://www.instagram.com/p/C84eLoOtJP8 This campground is very close to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, and if you are entering the park from the South Entrance in Springdale, you will have to go only ¼ miles to find this campground. Each campsite in the campground has a picnic table, a place for a tent or RV, and fire ring access. Further, here is a detailed picture of the amenities and fees at the camping ground. Amenities and FeesAvailable/Details Cell Phone NetworkYesInternet ConnectivityNoCamp StoreNoIce for SaleNoLaundryNoAmphitheater SeasonalFirewood for Sale NoTrash CollectionYesDump StationYesPotable WaterAvailableFood Storage LockerYesStaff on SiteYesShower TypeNot AvailableFlush ToiletYesFeesElectric Campsites: $45Non-Electric Tent Only Campsites: $35Group Campsites - $90-130 per personAccessible Sites: According to the Price of a Particular Site with Special Discounts for Access Pass Holders Watchman Campground sites are available on a reservation basis. You can book six months before your trip to secure a preferred spot. Lava Point Campground It is a seasonal campground, operating only from May to September. Further, located at a 7890-foot height, this campground is closest to Kolob Terrace Road. Also, if you enter the park from its southern entrance, you must drive for one hour and 20 minutes to reach this campground. However, with 6 primitive camping sites, Lava Point Campground does not have most of the amenities of the Watchman Campground. Therefore, you will only get the following facilities here. Pit toilets Trash cans Seasonal trash collection Staff on site on a seasonal basis Moreover, you will have to pay a fee of $25 to reserve a spot in this campground. Further, it cannot accommodate vehicles longer than 19 feet. Zion National Park At A Glance Zion National Park Location: Utah, The USA Area: 232 Square Miles Visitor Centers: Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons Entry Fee: Standard Entrance Passes Highest Point: Horse Ranch Mountain Established: 19th November 1919 So, it’s fall here, and Zion National Park is gearing up for winter. When are you planning a visit? Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.
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