THE HIKES (Organized By Section)

Below is the hit list of routes organized by the different sections of Zion National Park and the surrounding areas. Click on a section header or an individual route to jump to more detailed information.

Hiking symbols used for descriptions:
a Zion classic ZION CLASSIC: a must-do hike if you want to see the best of Zion!
family-friendly FAMILY-FRIENDLY: a good choice for those with children who like to hike.
backpacking route BACKPACKING: a route enjoyable as a multi-day hike.
technical canyoneering or climbing route TECHNICAL: canyoneering or scrambling route requiring technical gear and climbing and/or rappelling experience. Not suitable for casual hikers.

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THE MAIN CANYON

The main canyon (Zion Canyon) is the popular touristy section of Zion National Park that features all of the amenities: the Visitor Center, the museum, the Zion Lodge, and the tourist town of Springdale just to the south. Most visitors congregate in this section of the park. During the height of tourist season, regular shuttle buses take visitors up the canyon, with many interesting stops and trailheads along the way. The majority of officially-maintained trails are found here and hikes up to the viewpoints are well worth the effort. MORE...

Observation Point © 2006 Joe Braun Photography 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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UPPER EAST CANYON

The east section of the park holds the most scenic drive you will ever experience. Route 9 carves a wondrous snaking path through the beautiful upper east canyon's slickrock formations, connected to the main canyon via the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. There aren't very many official trails in this section, but there are plenty of random slots, cracks, and sandstone formations to explore. This area is slickrock heaven! MORE...

Checkerboard Mesa © 2003 Joe Braun Photography

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THE VIRGIN RIVER NARROWS

The Virgin River is the best place to be in the heat of summer and is home to many of Zion's most beautiful and elusive slot canyons. Aside from the most popular North Fork route (a.k.a. "the Zion Narrows") , there are many routes descending from various hanging canyons and tributaries of the Virgin River. Most of these canyons are technical routes, but the Zion Narrows day hike can be enjoyed by just about everyone. MORE...

Zion Narrows © 2005 Joe Braun Photography

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THE KOLOB TERRACE

The "Kolob Terrace" is a lesser-traveled section of Zion, accessible via the Kolob Terrace Road that heads north from the town of Virgin. The drive through the Terrace up to Lava Point and the Kolob Reservoir gives a good sense of the diverse beauty of the higher altitudes. The Terrace is home to one of the most popular hikes in Zion: the Left Fork of North Creek, aka. "the Subway." Primitive camping is available at Lava Point, the highest point in Zion National Park. MORE...

Russell Gulch © 2005 Joe Braun Photography
 
 

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THE KOLOB CANYONS SECTION

Far from the crowds of the main canyon, the Kolob Canyons is the isolated northwestern section, exemplified by the deep pink and orange glow of the Navajo sandstone formations. It is roughly a 40-mile drive from Springdale to the Kolob Canyons entrance at Exit 40 off of I-15. This section of the park is much more remote and subdued than the main canyon, and hiking or backpacking in this area is great if you are looking to get away from it all. MORE...

La Verkin Creek Trail © 2004 Joe Braun Photography
 

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THE DESERT LOWLANDS

Southwest of Springdale is the hottest, driest section of Zion National Park. At a lower elevation than any other part of the park, this area's beauty is more subtle and is suitable for hiking only in the cooler months. Across the river and south of Rockville are the wondrous Water Canyon and Canaan Mountain in BLM land. MORE...

Canaan Mountain © 2005 Joe Braun Photography