THE MAIN CANYON Page: 1 2

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.

EMERALD POOLS TRAIL
Rating: easy family stroll. a Zion classicfamily-friendly
Emerald Pools is a Zion classic: an oasis in the middle of the desert. The hike is a collection of short trails that meander past a small, lushly-vegetated stream that rolls down from the cliffs and forms several interesting "pools." If you have only two hours to spend on a leisurely non-strenuous hike with the entire family, I would probably pick this one. As this hike is not very difficult and it is located just across from the Zion Lodge, this trail gets crowded in the summer months. Be prepared to share the views with many other people.
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...		 Emerald Pools
WEEPING ROCK
Weeping Rock Rating: very easy quick family stroll. a Zion classicfamily-friendly
Weeping Rock is a short 10-minute walk to a lovely seeping alcove with beautiful hanging gardens and light sprinkling waterfalls. This is a perfect little spot for both young and old and is a must-do if this is your first trip to Zion. As easy as the paved trail is, elderly must take care as it is steep and slippery in sections. The walk starts at the aptly-named Weeping Rock trailhead.
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...
RIVERSIDE WALK
Rating: easy family stroll (wheelchair accessible). a Zion classicfamily-friendly
The Riverside Walk is a wonderful little hike on a fairly level paved trail that affords great views of the Virgin River and wonderfully lush hanging gardens and trees surrounded by tall weeping walls. This hike is very family friendly: young children and the elderly alike can do this trail, and the trail is also wheelchair accessible. This mostly level hike is roughly two-miles long (round trip) and may take one to two hours to complete (or more if you want to take your time and soak in the views).
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...		 Riverside Walk
OBSERVATION POINT
Observation Point Rating: fairly strenuous day hike. a Zion classic
The view from Observation Point is a Zion classic. Starting at the Weeping Rock trailhead, the paved trail follows the "East Rim Trail" (which continues to the East Entrance of the park), zigzagging up to a viewpoint 2000 feet above the canyon floor. Along the way, the trail passes through Echo Canyon, a large beautiful hanging canyon with stunning white cliffs formations. This hike offers many stunning views and is a "must do" for those who are in good physical condition!
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...
HIDDEN CANYON
Rating: fairly strenuous day hike. a Zion classic
Hidden Canyon gives hikers a taste of canyoneering without requiring any climbing or rappelling to complete the hike. Starting at the Weeping Rock trailhead, hike up the same trail to Observation Point, but take the side trail to Hidden Canyon instead. The somewhat exposed route will lead you to the mouth of Hidden Canyon -- a beautifully narrow canyon "hidden" above the main canyon. The trail officially ends at the mouth of the canyon, but you can explore quite a ways back.
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...		 Hidden Canyon
COURT OF THE PATRIARCHS
Court of the Partriarchs Rating: very easy quick family stroll. family-friendly
The Court of the Patriarchs is barely a trail, but it is worth seeing if this is your first trip to Zion. Get off at the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop and take the two-minute trail up to a little viewpoint above the trees. This spot gives you a fairly unhindered view of several mountains on the west side of the canyon. While there are many better views awaiting you in Zion, this one is worth the ten minutes of effort. Then it's time to get back on the shuttle and move on to more exciting things!
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...
THE SAND BENCH LOOP
Rating: moderately strenuous day hike. family-friendly
The Sand Bench Loop is an underrated official trail that starts at the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop. The hike is roughly 3.5 miles and makes its way to the top of the "sand bench" -- a massive landslide under The Sentinel that dammed up the main canyon several thousand years ago. While the views aren't stunning, the scenery is quite beautiful and photogenic. As an added "bonus," this trail is frequented by guided horseback rides during the summer months. While the hike is short, trudging through sand and horse droppings can take a lot of effort!
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...		 The Sand Bench Loop
THE WATCHMAN TRAIL
The Watchman Trail Rating: easy to moderately strenuous day hike. family-friendly
The Watchman is a short trail that starts by the Visitor Center and leads to a viewpoint roughly 300 feet above. The view isn't as stunning as from other hikes like Angel's Landing or Observation Point, but it takes a lot less effort to get up here as well.  This is a pleasant little hike suitable for the entire family, but keep a close eye on children as the trail skirts several exposed areas. During the afternoon heat of summer, this hike could be torture, so early morning is the best time for this one.
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...
ANGELS LANDING
Rating: fairly strenuous exposed hiking. a Zion classic
Angels Landing is one of the defacto classic hikes in Zion and one of the most stunning viewpoints you will ever experience, but it's not recommended for anybody with a fear of heights. Starting at the Grotto trailhead, the hike to Angels Landing follows the West Rim Trail up and out of the west side of the main canyon. Angels Landing is unique fin-like mountain formation that juts out to the center of the main canyon. The trail follows the narrow spine to the final viewpoint roughly 1500 feet above the canyon floor. Along the way, chains, handrails, and steps reassure hikers at the more exposed sections. This hike will take your breath away!
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...		 Angels Landing

Continue to Main Canyon, Page 2 ->


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.