If you are planning to spend the day visiting the popular Zion Canyon either by riding the Zion Canyon Line of the free shuttle bus system or by riding a bike or e-bike up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, there are many great hiking trails to be found at just about every stop from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the end of the line at the Temple of Sinawava. While Angels Landing and the Zion Narrows are the two hikes that get all of the attention, other highlights include Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, the Watchman Trail, and a leisurely stroll along the Pa'rus Trail. The trails listed below are organized by shuttle stop for easy reference.
The Zion Canyon Shuttle starts at the Visitor Center, located just inside the main south entrance to Zion National Park near Springdale. A queue has been put in place at the stop to help round up the crowds. Also in the vicinity of the Visitor Center are the Watchman Campground, the South Campground, the Pa'rus Trail, and the Watchman Trail.
Moderately strenuous day hike.
Starting in between the Visitor Center and the South Campground, the Watchman Trail is a short trail (3 miles round-trip) that heads up to a viewpoint on top of the first layer of cliffs roughly 300 feet above the canyon floor, offering a good view of the famous and photogenic peak to the south as well as a good bird's eye view of the whole Visitor Center complex below.
Short and easy strolls.
Located just past the main entrance to Zion National Park north of the town of Springdale, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is the first destination for most tourists entering the park and is also the starting point for the Zion Canyon Shuttle. Nearby are a pair of short but sweet lesser-known strolls: the Archeology Trail and the Virgin River Nature Trail.
Easy leisurely stroll.
The Pa'rus Trail is one of the most accessible trails in the park, open to hikers, bikers, wheelchairs, and even pets on a leash. The paved path connects the Zion Visitor Center with the Zion Museum and Canyon Junction (stops 1, 2, and 3 for the Zion Canyon Shuttle) and with several bridges that cross the Virgin River, this is a fun little stroll for all, especially in the cooler hours of the day.
This stop is less than a mile up the road at the Zion Human History Museum along Route 9. The museum (which was the previous Visitor Center through the 1980s) is open March through November, 10am to 5pm (or 6pm in summer). Behind the museum is a great view of the famous "Towers of the Virgin" and to the east you can catch a glimpse of the Bridge Mountain Arch. A path from the parking lot also connects with the Pa'rus Trail.
This stop is at the junction of Route 9 and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. No private vehicles are allowed to drive up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive while the shuttle busses are in use (except for visitors staying at the Zion Lodge). This stop also provides easy access to the river and is the end of the Pa'rus Trail.
This minor stop has a short path that leads to a viewpoint of the Court of the Patriarchs. Across the road is the path and hikers bridge that leads to the Sandbench Loop horse and foot trail as well as a connector trail to the Emerald Pools Trail.
Quick stroll to a viewpoint.
Right at the Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop 4 is a short little paved path that heads up to a viewing platform where tourists can better see the Court of the Patriarchs, a collection of peaks (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) visible across Zion Canyon. If this is your first visit to Zion, it might be worth it to take this little diversion, but there are more exciting things to see up canyon.
Moderately strenuous day hike.
The Sand Bench Trail (Sand Bench Loop) is a 3.5-mile loop that takes hikers up on top of an ancient sandly landslide, offering several nice teaser views of Zion Canyon and the nearby peaks. This trail can be brutally hot during the summer months and is also shared by horseback-riding tours, so saving this one for a rainy day or the off-season might be a wise choice.
This is a big stop for the Zion shuttle line where many people will be getting on and off. The Zion Lodge has several restaurants, a gift shop, indoor restrooms, and a grand lawn with a majestic cottonwood tree that invites visitors to stay and relax. Across the road is the start of the Emerald Pools Trail and the horse stables for those looking to ride along the Sandbench Loop. The Grotto Trail also starts here and follows the road to the next stop.
Easy to moderately strenuous day hike.
The Emerald Pools Trail is a classic hike starting across from the Zion Lodge. This collection of trails heads back into a large sandstone amphitheater that is a lush oasis in the middle of the desert, designated as the lower, middle and upper Emerald Pools. Waterfalls are most impressive during spring or after a big rain. TRAIL BRIDGE CLOSED. Access via shuttle stops 4 and 6.
Easy leisurely stroll.
The Grotto Trail is a short half a mile trail that starts at the Zion Lodge and ends at the Grotto. It is almost completely level as it follows the canyon floor though a pleasant wooded meadow and then runs alongside the road before ending at the Grotto. While this trail is not a destination hike, it is pleasant for a stroll or to make a loop with the Emerald Pools Trail and Kayenta Trails.
The Grotto used to be a campground and the site of the original Visitor Center, but now it is an isolated picnic area with a water fountain and primitive bathrooms. It is the starting point for the legendary Angels Landing hike, West Rim Trail, the Kayenta Trail (an alternate approach to the Emerald Pools Trail), and the Grotto Trail that connects back to the Zion Lodge.
Fairly strenuous and exposed day hike.
If you are looking for the most stunning hike in Zion National Park along a steep and exposed route that involves holding onto chains for protection as you ascend a narrow fin-like mountain formation, then you may have heard of the legendary Angels Landing Trail. Due to its epic popularity, a permit system is now in place. You must have a permit to do this hike on a specific day.
Fairly strenuous to very strenuous day hike.
Most visitors to Zion are familiar with the lower section of the West Rim Trail that leads to the famous Angels Landing hike, but those willing to hike further up the trail will be treated to more outstanding views as the clever trail makes its way through the wondrous sandstone formations all the way to the upper plateau. No permit is required to do this hike!
Easy day hike.
Starting at the Grotto, the Kayenta Trail is a .7-mile stretch of trail that ascends a band of cliffs and offers wonderful views looking down canyon before connecting back up with the Emerald Pools Trails. With the hiker's bridge at the Zion Lodge closed due to structural damage (as of spring 2024), this trail is your best bet for hiking to Zion's famous Emerald Pools.
This is a cool stop for a short walk to the lovely Weeping Rock alcove. This also used to be the starting point for many interesting hikes up and out of the east side of the canyon (Observation Point, East Rim Trail, Hidden Canyon, Cable Mountain, and Deertrap Mountain), but a massive landslide in 2019 has closed this trail indefinitely.
Quick and easy family stroll.
CLOSED DUE TO ROCKFALL. Weeping Rock is a famous Zion landmark where a large undercut alcove allows water that has been slowly descending within the sandstone is forced out causing the "weeping." Sadly, this popular little spot has been closed on and off over the past several years because of various major rockfalls.
Fairly strenuous day hike.
CLOSED DUE TO ROCKFALL. The strenuous hike from the Weeping Rock Trailhead up to Observation Point is a classic hike to one of the most iconic viewpoints in Zion National Park. Along the way, hikers gain over 2,100 feet in elevation and see the amazing sandstone and slot formations of Echo Canyon. Sadly, this hike has been closed for several years now.
Fairly strenuous day hike.
CLOSED DUE TO ROCKFALL. Hidden Canyon gives hikers a taste of canyoneering without requiring any climbing or rappelling to complete the hike. Starting at the Weeping Rock trailhead, the spur trail to Hidden Canyon is somewhat exposed and leads to the mouth of the beautiful hanging canyon that you can explore up until you reach an insurmountable obstacle.
This stop isn't the starting point for any featured trails, but you may want to get out to see a good view of the Great White Throne with Angels Landing in the foreground. Climbers can often be spotted making their way up Angels Landing. There is access to the river and trails of use if you want to hike to the previous or next stops.
Leisurely family-friendly stroll.
While there are many exciting hikes in Zion Canyon, sometimes it's fun to just wander around aimlessly along the banks of the Virgin River to enjoy the sound of the water in the open canyon. One nice spot for a leisurely stroll is a trail-of-use between Big Bend and Weeping Rock that also offers nice views of the Great White Throne.
This is the end of the line for the shuttle, a beautifully quiet spot where everybody will want to get out and take a stroll to the river. (Bathrooms and water fountains are available.) This is the starting point for the Riverside Walk and the classic Zion Narrows Day Hike.
Leisurely family-friendly stroll.
Riverside Walk is a wonderful little hike on a fairly level paved trail that offers great views of the narrowing Zion Canyon and the lush plantlife that thrives in the narrowing canyon. This hike is very family friendly; young children and the elderly alike can do this trail, and the trail is also wheelchair accessible. Several spots offer easy access to the water if you want to cool off in the river.
Moderately strenuous to strenuous river hiking.
For the majority of tourists who want to see the best of the Zion Narrows, this is the route to do. After hiking to the end of the Riverside Walk, continue hiking in the river to see the amazing formations of the most famous slot canyon. Good footwear, warm clothing, and a hiking pole/stick are invaluable. Do not do this hike in high water or if there is a threat of rain.
Please note: This web site and all images on this site are the property of CitrusMilo Adventures ©2025. Unauthorized public or commercial use of any of the images or text on this website without explicit permission is strictly forbidden.
