HIKING IN ZION NATIONAL PARK:
Zion National Park has a wide range of hiking opportunities from short family-friendly strolls to longer strenuous day hikes in diverse terrain from arid desert sections to breathtakingly majestic viewpoints to lush forests and claustrophobic slot canyons. And while Zion is fairly small compared to other national parks, there are several options for 2 to 3-day backpacking trips. All hikes showcase the beautiful slickrock sandstone formations of the region.
No fees or wilderness permits are required for most day hikes along any of Zion's trails, but permits are required for:
- Angels Landing Trail (Permits were introduced in 2022 due to dangerous crowding along the overly popular trail)
- any top-down hike through the Zion Narrows
- any hike through the Left Fork of North Creek (the Subway)
- any overnight adventure (multi-day hike, backpacking, or climbing bivouac)
- any canyoneering route (a canyon hike that requires the use of technical descending gear or ropes)
Permit fees are $15 for 1-2 people, $20 for 3-7 people, or $25 for 8-12 people. More information can be found on the NPS's Zion Wilderness Permits page and the annual Zion Wilderness Guide (PDF).
Zion's Greatest Hits:
There are many geographical sections to Zion National Park, but most of the action happens in the main canyon, commonly referred to as "Zion Canyon," which is home to the Visitor Center, the Zion Lodge, the shuttle system, and some of Zion's most popular trails and landmarks. Must-do hikes include the family-friendly Emerald Pools Trail, Weeping Rock, and the Riverside Walk. More adventurous hikers will look to hike up to Angels Landing, Observation Point, and through the famous Zion Narrows. And in the Upper East Canyon just past the Zion Tunnel is the short but stunning Canyon Overlook Trail.
Beyond Zion Canyon are hikes in the more remote sections of Zion, including the famous "Subway" canyoneering hike, the Taylor Creek Trail to the Double-Arch Alcove, the Northgate Peaks Trail, and the La Verkin Creek Trail to the Kolob Arch. The West Rim Trail, East Rim Trail, La Verkin Creek Trail, and the Zion Narrows also make for great backpacking adventures.
Specific hikes are discussed on the following Recommended Hikes page and many more obscure options can be found on the Even More Hikes page.
Hiking Conditions:
During peak tourist season in the summer months, Zion Canyon is hot and dry with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Be prepared with plenty of water and protection from the sun to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration, especially on clear sunny days. 
Spring and autumn have milder temperatures (highs in the 70s and 80s, lows in the 40s and 50s) and during winter, highs are often in the 50s with temps dipping just below freezing at night. (Temperatures in the higher elevations of Zion can be 10 to 20 degrees cooler.) Although southwest Utah is mostly arid, storm systems can result in significant precipitation and temperature drops.
Most of Zion Canyon's historical trails were blasted out of the sandstone walls to make a route that climbs out of the main canyon, so be prepared to hike on trails of hard cement and pavement, some with a steep uphill incline. These trails tend to be hard on the feet and knees, but most of the constructed trails also go over natural slabs of sandstone and through sections of soft sand and dirt. If you plan on hiking the Zion Narrows or other slot canyons, be prepared to get your feet wet and hike in a streambed littered with large rocks.
Equipment for Leisurely Hikes:
- Footwear: Light hiking shoes like trail runners are perfect for the terrain in Zion. Models that do not have GORE-TEX are good for hiking the Narrows, so they can breathe and drain water. (A simple shoe like the La Sportiva Bushido II Trail Running Shoe works great.) Hiking sandals like the Keen Newport H2 are great for leisurely shorter strolls, but avoid any sandals that don't have any toe protection. (In canyon country, big heavy hiking boots that inhibit ankle movement might not be the best choice, even when backpacking.) Wool or synthetic socks protect from blisters better than cotton socks, and neoprene socks are good for hiking in the river.
- Drinking Water:
In the summer desert heat, you could potentially need to drink a gallon of water or more a day, so plan appropriately for your hike(s). While many people get away with taking only a small bottled water with them on long hikes, it isn't recommended. Bringing water in Nalgene bottles or hydration reservoirs in a compatible backpack are both good solutions. The Osprey Stratos 24 is a great little hydration-compatible backpack for day hikes and it still has quite a bit of room for supplies. - Sun protection: To protect from sunburn, sunscreen and a wide-rimmed hat is recommended. (A baseball cap will not protect the back of your neck.)
- Food/Snacks: For longer hikes, bring any food that helps keep you going, from energy bars to fruits and sandwiches.
- Navigation Aids: If you are sticking to the short and popular hikes in Zion Canyon, you don't necessarily need a map, but the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map is a wonderful little pamphlet that gives a detailed overview of the entire park and shows all of the roads and official trails. If you buy only one Zion book, buy this!
More Equipment for Strenuous or Remote Hikes:
- Hiking Poles: While hiking poles aren't always necessary, they come in handy on long hikes, especially when you're carrying a heavy overnight pack on uneven terrain. Hiking poles are also useful for stream hiking like the Zion Narrows or the lower section of the Left Fork of North Creek (Subway). (The Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles are a good model.)
- Headlamp:
It's a good idea to bring a headlamp on day hikes as well as backpacking trips, just in case you get caught out after dark. Two excellent lightweight models are the Petzl Actik Core (dual LEDs with settings up to 300 lumens) and the Black Diamond Cosmo 350 (dual buttons to turn on/off without having to cycle through different modes and IPX8 waterproof rating). - Navigation Aids: Beyond the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, for backcountry exploration, navigation aids are essential: GPS, map, compass, etc. And make sure you know how to use them! If you are used to using an app on your smartphone for navigation, make sure you have your maps downloaded and they work offline as in many areas of the park, you will not get any cell reception. Also, it would be a good idea to bring a (Optionally, a good dedicated GPS model like the Garmin GPSmap 65s may be useful.)
- Emergency Kit: When exploring the isolated backcountry, emergency supplies could be a life-saver. Items could include: Band-Aids, whistle, cigarette lighter, emergency poncho, small mirror, webbing or cord, utility knife, a warm hat, cell phone*, portable power bank charger, etc.
- For a more complete list of useful outdoor items, please see Hiking and Backpacking Gear.
Cell Phone Warning:
Do not rely on cell-phone coverage when hiking in Zion National Park. While you can get reception in the town of Springdale and at the Zion Lodge, you are unlikely to get service on many of Zion's trails, in any canyons, or most locations deep in the backcountry. You can get reception from many highpoints in Zion, including Angels Landing, Observation Point, several peaks in the Upper East Canyon, the Left Fork Trailhead, and the Hop Valley Trailhead. 
If you need to make an emergency call, try to get to a highpoint (if possible) and you might just be able to get through.
Hiking Ethics in Zion:
When hiking along Zion's popular "frontcountry" trails like the Emerald Pools Trail, Riverside Walk, Angels Landing, etc., please obey all posted "do not hike here" signs and use designated restrooms. Due to the vast amount of visitors, it is quite easy for human activity to have a devastating effect on Zion's fragile desert and riparian areas. In contrast, exploring the less-visited backcountry gives much more opportunity for random off-trail exploration, but you must still be conscious of treading as lightly as possible. Stick to solid sandstone or the watercourse of a drainage as much as possible and try to avoid trampling vegetation and cryptobiotic soil. And of course, please practice the "leave no trace" ethic wherever you hike!
Guiding Services, Equipment Rental, etc:
While commercial canyon guiding is not permitted within Zion National Park beyond short hikes up the Narrows, several outfitters in the town of Springdale, including the Zion Adventure Company and Zion Guru, offer services including equipment rental, canyoneering day trips and training in interesting canyons just outside the national park boundary, and shuttle service to various remote trailheads.
