Zion National Park is a national park
located in the Southwestern United States,
near Springdale, Utah. A prominent feature
of the 229-square-mile park is Zion Canyon,
15 miles (24 km) long and up to half a mile
deep, cut through the reddish and
tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North
Fork of the Virgin River. The lowest
elevation is 3,666 ft at Coalpits Wash and
the highest elevation is 8,726 ft at Horse
Ranch Mountain. Located at the junction of
the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and
Mojave Desert regions, the park's unique
geography and variety of life zones allow
for unusual plant and animal diversity.
Numerous plant species as well as 289
species of birds, 75 mammals, and 32
reptiles inhabit the park's four life zones:
desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous
forest. Common plant species include
cottonwood, Cactus, Datura, Juniper, Pine,
Boxelder, Sagebrush, yucca , and various
willows. Notable megafauna include mountain
lions, mule deer, and Golden Eagles, along
with the reintroduced Bighorn Sheep. Zion´s
also has rare and endangered species such as
the Peregrine Falcon, Mexican spotted owl,
California condor, desert tortoise, and the
Zion snail, found nowhere else on earth.
Zion National Park includes mountains,
canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers,
slot canyons, and natural arches.
Hiking in Zion National Park
Easy frontcountry trails
Pa'rus Trail
1.7 miles one-way, start at the Zion Canyon
Visitor center. Trail ends at Canyon
Junction.
Riverside Walk
Paved, 1 mile one-way, start at Temple of
Sinawava. May be closed at times during the
winter because of ice on trails or ice
falling from above.
Emerald Pools Trail Complex
If you are willing to split up large groups,
you may want to try trails within the
Emerald Pools Trail Complex. Zion Lodge or
Grotto Picnic Area can be used as drop-off
or pick-up points. Please allow no more than
one class of students (20 - 30) on the same
part of a trail at a time. One adult
chaperone for at least every 10 students is
highly recommended.
Lower Emerald Pool Trail
Easy, .6 mile one-way, 69 foot ascent. Paved
trail to the pool, which goes behind the
waterfalls that cascade from the Middle
Pools into the Lower pool. Minor drop-offs.
Connects to the Middle Emerald Pool Trail to
form a moderate, 1.6 mile loop. Trailhead is
across from Zion Lodge. Once across the
footbridge, turn right.
Middle Emerald Pools Trail
Moderate, 1 mile one-way, 150 foot ascent.
Unpaved climb, including steps to a
sandstone ledge that parallels the lower
trail but at a higher level. Long drop-offs.
Do not go near the edge. Deaths have
occurred from falling from the middle pools.
Trailhead is across from Zion Lodge. Once
across the footbridge, turn left. Or
alternatively, you can connect via the Lower
Emerald Pool Trail for a moderate, 1.6 mile
loop.
Kayenta Trail
Moderate, 1 mile one-way, 150 foot ascent.
Unpaved climb to a sandstone ledge, connects
The Grotto Picnic Area to the Emerald Pools.
Trailhead is across from the Grotto Picnic
Area.
Grotto Trail
Easy, .5 mile one-way, level. Trail connects
Zion Lodge to The Grotto Picnic Area. Can be
linked with Emerald Pools and Kayenta Trails
allowing a 3 mile loop hike. (Follow Middle
Pools Trail to Lower Pools and backtrack a
short distance to pick up Kayenta Trail
towards The Grotto.)
Hiking the Narrows
The Virgin River has carved a spectacular
gorge in the upper reaches of Zion Canyon:
16 miles long, up to 2000 feet deep, and at
times only 20-30 feet wide. The Zion
Narrows; walking in the shadow of its
soaring walls, sandstone grottos, natural
springs, and hanging gardens can be an
unforgettable wilderness experience.
It is not, however, a trip to be
underestimated. Hiking the Zion Narrows
means hiking in the Virgin River. At least
60% of the hike is spent wading, walking,
and sometimes swimming in the stream. There
is no maintained trail; the route is the
river. The current is swift, the water is
cold, and the rocks underfoot are slippery.
Flash flooding and hypothermia are constant
dangers. Good planning, proper equipment,
and sound judgment are essential for a safe
and successful trip. Your safety is your
responsibility.
Weather forecasts, flash flood potential
ratings, and stream reports are available at
the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, (435)
772-0170. Permits are not issued when the
flow is greater than 120 cubic feet per
second.
Entering the Narrows is safest when the
Virgin River is low, clear, and relatively
warm. Conditions change from day to day, and
are impossible to predict. Check at the Zion
Canyon Visitor Center for the latest weather
forecast and possible advisories. Flash
floods can occur at any time, but are more
common in mid-summer and early fall. From
November through May, trips through the
Narrows usually require wet or dry suits and
special cold-weather preparation.
Day-Hike From the Bottom and Back
This is the easiest way to experience the
Narrows. Ride the shuttle to the Temple of
Sinawava, walk one mile to the end of the
paved Riverside Walk, and begin wading up
the river. Almost immediately the views are
breathtaking, and each bend of the river
brings new delights. There is no formal
destination, and you return the same way you
came. Many hikers try to reach Orderville
Canyon, a tributary creek approximately 2
hours upstream from the end of the paved
trail. In the vicinity of Orderville Canyon
the Narrows are at perhaps their most
majestic. No permit is required for this
day-hike. Travel upstream beyond Big Springs
requires a permit.
Day-Hike From Top to Bottom
Walking the entire length of the Narrows can
be a grueling experience. Under favorable
conditions, the 16-mile route takes an
average of 12 hours. Even for
well-conditioned hikers, this makes for a
long and strenuous day. Because the
trailhead at Chamberlain's Ranch is a
1½-hour drive from the Temple of Sinawava,
either two vehicles or a shuttle is
necessary. A backcountry permit is required.
Permits may be obtained at either visitor
center, on the day before you plan to hike.
A maximum of 80 people daily will be granted
permits.
Overnight Hike From Top to Bottom
To enjoy the Narrows at a more leisurely
pace, some visitors choose to spend a night
in the gorge. There are 12 numbered
campsites, each located above the high water
mark at a different spot along the route.
Only one-night stays are allowed. Campsites
are assigned on a first-come, first-served
basis upon completion of a backcountry
permit. Permits may be obtained at either
visitor center, the day before the planned
hike or until noon on the day the hike
begins. Campsite capacity is limited, and
only two sites can accommodate groups larger
than six.
Angels Landing Trail
The Angels Landing Trail is one of the most
famous and thrilling hikes in the national
park system. Zion's pride and joy runs along
a narrow rock fin with dizzying drop-offs on
both sides. The trail culminates at a lofty
perch, boasting magnificent views in every
direction. Rarely is such an intimidating
path so frequented by hikers. One would
think that this narrow ridge with deep
chasms on each of its flanks would allure
only the most intrepid of hikers. Climbers
scale its big wall; hikers pull themselves
up by chains and sightseers stand in awe at
its stunning nobility. The towering monolith
is one of the most recognizable landmarks in
the Southwest.
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Zion National Park in Utah and has some of the best hiking in the Uninted States. We are constantly revising our lists as we experience and hike all across America. So, if you feel we are missing one, please email us and let us
know!