Our favorite hikes

The best hikes in Zion involve substantial gains in elevation. So it’s best to start early in the morning, wear good hiking shoes, and carry plenty of water. I’ll list them in rough order of difficulty, with easiest first.  The underlined headings have links to slide shows about the walk.

Easy strolling

Riverside Walk

A lovely walk, on a level, paved path along the river, to the start of the of the Virgin River Narrows. Verdant walls, covered with wildflowers. Very easy, but heavily traveled, so go early or late.

Paa’ Rus Trail

Paved walkway and bikeway up the valley from South Campground. Wonderful for a hike in the evening.

 Stroll up the dry wash from the Transit Headquarters

Easy hike, as far as you want Close to the Watchman Campground. Good for wildlife viewing.

Weeping Rock

Very short hike, with too many people—but it’s an interesting place.

Light to moderate walk

Court of the Patriarchs

Start from the Stables area or as a spur from the Sandy Bench Trail. Sandy path up the side valley, through open savannah landscape. Trail gradually becomes steeper. Go as far as you like, then back the same way.

Canyon Overlook Trail

Begins from the east entrance of the Zion-Mt.Carmel Tunnel. Moderate altitude gain, with exotic views. While you’re up this way, try some other short hikes in the area. There are a number of parking lots further up the highway, and you can stroll along the try wash, or side washes. Or, just clamber over the slickrock.

Emerald Pools Trails

A loop with moderate elevation gain, past a waterfall, then continuing past a small lake. This is where our characters John and Dharma enjoy a romantic interlude.

Watchman trail

Starts from Watchman Campground. Leads to a nearby low mesa, and loops around it. Good views of the Springdale area. In our novel, the hermit Frank Jenkins has his home in a cave near this trail.

Strenuous but not heroic

The Virgin Narrows
Hiking up from the narrows trail, as far as you like, makes a nice all-day hike. At the minimum, you need water shoes (old hiking boots might do), a staff for balance, and some way to keep warm, even on hot days. The water’s very cold, and its shady down there. Orderville Canyon makes a nice destination. Renting gear from an outfitter in Springdale is optional, but you’ll be more comfortable.

 Hiking down the Narrows, on the other hand, is a strenuous, several-day trip that requires permits and a shuttle to the trail head.

The Subway (Left Fork)

This popular hike is very strenuous, due to a poor trail and numerous steam crossings. The trailhead is the third trailhead/parking lot, about seven miles up the Kolob Terrace Road from Virgin.   A permit is required for this hike.  When I did the hike in early April, it was too cold and there was too much water in the creek.  Soon after starting the trail, you descend about 8000-1000 feet into the canyon, then hike up the canyon to the "subway"--a beautiful slot cayon etched by flowing water.

 Taylor Creek Trail to Double Arch Alcove

This hike starts from the road in the Kolob Canyons area, so it’s a long drive from the Springdale area.
It’s a moderately strenuous hike up and down along a creek, ending at a magnificent alcove. Views from the road in the Kolob Canyons area are wonderful—even better than Zion Valley. But there aren’t many views from this particular trail.

Angel’s Landing

This is the iconic hike of Zion. If you’re afraid of heights, this hike isn’t for you. But you can go as far as the rest stop (with rest rooms), see a lot, and still hang onto your life. If you don’t look down, even 4-year olds have done this hike (under close supervision, of course).

Hidden Canyon

Highly recommended, especially if you’re looking for bodies. One of the best destinations in Zion. Moderately strenuous, and once you enter the canyon, be prepared for some scrambling. Some distance up the canyon, there’s a small arch on your right. It’s easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled.

Observation Point

This hike to the East Rim, up Echo Canyon, is very strenuous. But it’s worth the effort. Views from the top are fabulous. But you don’t have to go all the way, since Echo Canyon itself is a wonderful place. Same trailhead as Hidden Canyon trail, at the Weeping Wall.

Cable Mountain and Deer Trap Mountain

This route follows the trail up Echo Canyon. After you pass through the slot of Echo Canyon, there’s a fork. The left fork goes to Observation Point. A fainter pathway drops down a bit, then continues on (sometimes only with rock cairns), eventually rising to the mesa top. Later, at the highest levels, there’s another fork. The left ones leads to Deer Trap Mountain, and the right to Cable Mountain. Cable Mountain has a fabulous view into Zion Canyon, and you can see the ruins of the giant winch that lowered timber into the valley. These trails are longer than the one to Observation Point, but recommended if you want to explore more of the high country.

West Mesa Trail, with loop on top, then return

This is a strenuous, all-day hike, with a 4,000 elevation gain. Bring plenty of water and a flash light, for part of the trail goes through a slot, where it would be pitch-dark after sunset. Start early at the same trailhead as Angel’s Landing. But when you reach the saddle (with the restrooms), turn left. When you reach the mesa top, Cabin Spring is near the campground. I don’t know if you can always depend on it. Once on top, there’s a loop of 3-4 miles that I highly recommend, with wonderful view to the west, and stretches through burned-out forests with ghostly trees. My favorite trail. There are several campsites along the trail.

Other Hikes we haven’t done
One can also be dropped off at Lava Point, then hike the West Mesa Trail down towards Zion valley, till you link up with the loop described above. This would be a long hike for one day, but it would be mostly down. There are other great hikes in the Kolob Canyons portion of the park.

Equipment for the Adventurous Hiker

Max’s recommendations for those who like to hike far and alone:

• Take plenty of water in a platypus--at least 1 liter for a short hike, at least 2 liters for a long hike. Remember, if you get hurt, and it takes a day for rescue, you’ll need that extra water. Max can carry a little less, because like a camel, he drinks a lot at the trailhead.
• Take plenty of food. You can’t take too many sandwiches! Same idea as the water. Nuts make a great energy snack that don’t melt or squish.
• Flashlight (you never know when you’ll be out after dark). Some trails follow cairns over slickrock, and could be hard to find in the dark.
• Good hiking boots or shoes.
• Something warm, like a light jacket of fleece (in case it rains, or you have to bivouac)
• A map
• Sun block, chap stick, hat, and long-sleeve shirt. These are optional for those who don’t mind skin cancer.
• You won’t need hiking poles (except in the narrows) or hydration packs. Just extra weight. A fad. Bah! ( If your knees are weak or sore, try exercise and stretching your leg muscles.)

Here's a good description of trails and wildlife in the back country.