Angels Landing
On and after April 1, 2022 hikers continuing to Angels Landing from Scout Lookout are required to have a permit, obtained on recreation.gov.
1-2 Hours Year-round Reservation required Fee applies
National Park · UT
Things to do in Zion
The National Park Service lists 20 things to do at Zion National Park. 19 have no extra fee, 19 need no reservation, and 3 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Canyon Overlook
Long drop-offs, mostly fenced. Rocky and uneven trail ends at a viewpoint for Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon. To enter or exit the parking area just east of the tunnel, you must turn right.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Climbing in Zion
Zion National Park's 2,000-foot sandstone cliffs are world renowned for their big wall climbs and adventurous nature. Most routes in the park are not recommended for inexperienced climbers due to difficulty and the soft nature of the rock.
Winter, Spring, Fall
Climbing
Grotto Trail
The trail connects the Zion Lodge to the Grotto and is near the road most of the way. This trail is a great place to view wildlife. Restrooms are available at both the Lodge and the Grotto.
15-45 Minutes Year-round
Kayenta Trail
The moderate, 2.0 mi (3.2 km) Kayenta Trail follows the Virgin River before ascending to the Lower and Upper Emerald Pool Trails. Provides panoramic views of Zion Canyon along the way. Long drop-offs are present along this trail.
2-3 Hours Year-round
La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch
The La Verkin Creek Trail to the Kolob Arch allows hikers outstanding opportunities for solitude in a primitive area of Zion Wilderness.
7-9 Hours Year-round
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Lower Emerald Pool Trail
Lower Emerald Pool trail is a rough, paved trail that leads through pinyon-juniper woodland to the Lower Emerald Pool and ephemeral waterfalls.The pools are fragile and an essential water source for wildlife. Do not go into the water.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Middle Emerald Pools Trail
Middle Emerald Pools Trail is a moderate hike along an unpaved sandstone ledge above the Lower Emerald Pool Trail. The initial ascent is quite steep, bringing you to expansive views of main Zion Canyon below.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Pa'rus Trail
Pa’rus is Paiute for “bubbling water.” The Pa’rus Trail follows the Virgin River and has some of the best views of the Watchman. The paved trail connects the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Canyon Junction.
30-120 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Riverside Walk
The Riverside Walk is a relatively flat and paved trail in the northern end of Zion Canyon. This easy trail follows the Virgin River as the sheer sandstone walls narrow in around you.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Sand Bench
The Sand Bench Trail travels atop the remains of an ancient rockfall. This trail leads hikers along the Virgin River and then ascends a landslide that dammed the Virgin River 8,000 years ago and created a lake that extended to Angels Landing.
1-4 Hours Year-round
Stargazing in Zion
Zion is a great place to connect with the night sky, whether you are an avid astrophotographer or this will be your first view of the Milky Way.
Pets allowed
Taylor Creek Trail
Kolob Canyons hike. Follows the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek past two homestead cabins to Double Arch Alcove. Group size limit on Wilderness trails is 12 people.
3-4 Hours Year-round
The Narrows
The Narrows is a strenuous hike that follows the Virgin River through a narrow slot canyon. After 1 mile (0.6 km) on the easy, paved Riverside Walk, head down a set of stairs and into the river.
1-8 Hours Year-round
Timber Creek Overlook
Follows a ridge to views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains.
30-60 Minutes Year-round
Upper Emerald Pools Trail
Upper Emerald Pools Trail is a moderate, 1 mile (1.6 km) trail that can be accessed via the Kayenta Trail, Lower Emerald Pools Trail, or Middle Emerald Pools Trail.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Watchman Trail
The Watchman trail is out-and-back. From the relatively flat beginning section of trail by the river, this unpaved trail climbs to a magnificent viewpoint of the Watchman, Temples and Towers, lower Zion Canyon, and the Town of Springdale.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Weeping Rock
Short but steep! From the parking area, you'll cross the bridge and head to the left onto a paved trail to Weeping Rock. Along the way, look for small trailside exhibits and watch for minor drop-offs.
15-45 Minutes Year-round
West Rim to Scout Lookout
The strenuous West Rim Trail ascends ~1,000 ft (305 m) to Scout Lookout, high above the canyon floor. Hikers cross the Virgin River and then ascend a series of steep switchbacks along the canyon wall.
3-4 Hours Year-round
Zion Ranger-led Activities
Join a park ranger to learn about what makes Zion National Park such a special place! We have a variety of ranger-led activities throughout the year, and you can check the schedule on our Events Calendar.
20-120 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Zion. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Zion National Park — things to do on nps.gov