Hike Zion
Like You Know It.
Angels Landing permits, Narrows water levels, shuttle logistics, and the trails most visitors miss — a complete guide from the team that hikes Utah every week.
Zion National Park Overview
Utah's Crown Jewel Canyon
Zion is one of the most dramatic landscapes in North America — and one of the most logistically complex to visit well.
Unlike Moab's wide-open desert, Zion concentrates its most dramatic scenery into a single narrow canyon. The Virgin River created it over millennia — and now you have to navigate shuttle buses, permit lotteries, and 4.5 million annual visitors to experience it properly. The good news: with the right plan, Zion rewards effort like almost nowhere else in the Southwest.
Top Zion Hikes
The Trails Every Zion Visitor Should Know
From bucket-list classics to hidden gems — what to hike, when, and how to prepare for each one.
Permit Required
Angels Landing
The most famous hike in Zion — and one of the most thrilling in the country. Chain-assisted scramble to a 1,488-foot sheer drop ridge. Not for those afraid of heights.
Moderate
The Narrows
Wade up the Virgin River through a slot canyon up to 2,000 feet deep and only 20 feet wide. One of the most unique hiking experiences in the world — no permit required for the bottom-up route.
Strenuous
Observation Point
The best view in Zion — looking DOWN at Angels Landing from 2,148 feet above the valley floor. Steeper and less crowded than its famous neighbor. No permit required.
Easy–Moderate
Emerald Pools
Three tiered pools with hanging waterfalls, accessible in stages for all fitness levels. Lower Pools is ideal for families; Upper Pool adds a genuine challenge. One of Zion's most loved short hikes.
Easy
Canyon Overlook Trail
The best short hike in Zion for views-per-mile. Starts directly from the Zion–Mt. Carmel tunnel and requires no shuttle. Stunning panoramas into Pine Creek Canyon.
Permit Required
Narrows Top-Down (Overnight)
The full Narrows experience — 16 miles through the narrowest slot in Zion, starting above the park and emerging at the Temple of Sinawava. Requires a permit and two nights in the canyon.
Zion Permit System
How to Get an Angels Landing Permit
Angels Landing requires a permit year-round. The process is straightforward if you know the system — here's exactly how it works.
⚠️ Permit Required to Hike Angels Landing
As of 2022, all hikers venturing onto the Angels Landing chains section require a permit. Permits are distributed via lottery on recreation.gov — not first-come, first-served. Plan at least 3 months ahead during peak season.
Opens approximately 3 months before your desired hiking month. Highest permit availability. Apply early.
Leftover permits released via day-before lottery. Much smaller pool. Best for flexible travelers.
If selected, you receive an email to accept and pay ($6/permit). Permits are non-transferable.
Permit in hand, check the NPS forecast for wind and weather. Do not hike if conditions are hazardous.
🎫 Trails That Require a Permit
- ✓ Angels Landing chains section — Year-round permit via lottery
- ✓ Narrows top-down (overnight) — Permit required; includes designated camp spots
- ✓ The Subway (Left Fork) — Technical slot; limited daily permits, heavy demand
- ✓ Mystery Canyon — Canyoneering permit, technical skills required
🚶 No Permit Needed
- ✓ The Narrows (bottom-up) — No permit; start at Temple of Sinawava
- ✓ Observation Point — No permit; most demanding no-permit hike in the park
- ✓ Emerald Pools (all tiers) — No permit; family accessible
- ✓ Canyon Overlook, Riverside Walk, Watchman Trail — No permit needed
Plan by Season
Best Time to Hike Zion National Park
Zion sees over 4.5 million visitors annually. Timing your visit correctly changes everything — from permit odds to trail conditions to shuttle wait times.
Spring March – May
Wildflowers in the canyon, reliable water in the Narrows, and perfect temperatures. Crowds build fast by April. The Narrows flows are high in March — check water levels before wading.
Summer June – August
Peak crowds, peak heat, and peak waits for the shuttle. The Narrows and canyon bottom hikes become attractive as natural air conditioning. Start before 7am. Flash flood risk increases with monsoons in July–August.
Fall Sept – November
The sweet spot. Crowds thin after Labor Day, light turns golden, and temperatures become ideal. October is especially magical. The Narrows enters its best wading window as flows drop. Book permits well in advance.
Winter Dec – February
Minimal crowds and snow-dusted sandstone creates extraordinary scenery. Many upper trails may be icy — microspikes recommended. The Narrows is wet-suit territory; very cold but doable for prepared hikers.
Guided Hikes in Zion
Why Zion Rewards Having a Guide
Zion's permit system, shuttle logistics, and flash flood risk make a local guide genuinely valuable — not just convenient.
Permit logistics handled
Guided tours include permit coordination for Angels Landing and other restricted trails. Skip the lottery stress.
Flash flood awareness
The Narrows can turn deadly with zero warning. Guides monitor upstream weather and know when to turn around.
No shuttle confusion
Zion's shuttle system is efficient but confusing at rush hour. Guides know every stop, timing, and bypass strategy.
Geology & canyon stories
The Virgin River carved this canyon over 13 million years. Guides turn the landscape into a living story.
Book Direct With Operators
Featured Zion Tours & Guided Hikes
These tours are operated by licensed local guide services. Booking links connect you directly to the operator.
HikingMoab.com earns a referral fee when you book through our links. This never affects our trail recommendations. Learn more →
Zion Hiking Gear
What to Bring to Zion National Park
Zion's canyon environment demands different prep than open desert hiking. The Narrows especially requires specific gear — here's what you need.
Canyoneering Shoes
For the Narrows, water shoes or canyoneering footwear with sticky rubber soles are essential. Regular trail shoes become slippery on wet sandstone.
Trekking Poles or Walking Stick
Critical for The Narrows — helps with balance on slippery river rock. Many outfitters in Springdale rent wooden walking sticks specifically for Narrows hiking.
Hydration System
Carry 2–3 liters for canyon hikes. Zion's temperatures spike inside the canyon. In summer, 1L per hour is the local minimum for active hikers.
Wetsuit / Dry Suit (Narrows)
For Narrows hiking outside July–September, water temps drop to 50–55°F. A wetsuit is non-negotiable in spring and fall — Springdale outfitters rent them.
Sun Protection
SPF 50+ on exposed skin and a wide-brim hat. Canyon walls provide shade but the open-sky sections like Angels Landing are fully exposed.
Offline Maps + Weather App
Cell service in the canyon is unreliable. Download AllTrails or Gaia GPS offline. For Narrows, check a dedicated flash flood forecast — not just general weather.
Add Zion to Your Utah Trip
Moab + Zion Itineraries
Zion is 4 hours from Moab — the perfect extension for a Southwest road trip. Here's how to combine them without wasting a day on logistics.
4 Days: Moab + Zion
Two days in Moab (Arches + Canyonlands), drive day, two days in Zion. The most popular Southwest combo.
View Itinerary7 Days: Utah's Mighty 5
The full circuit: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. Doable in 7 days with careful planning.
View Itinerary2 Days: Zion Focus
Base yourself in Springdale and hit the park's best trails across two full days. Maximize each sunrise and sunset slot.
View ItineraryCommon Questions
Zion National Park Hiking FAQ
Everything Zion-bound hikers ask before arrival — answered honestly.
Ready for Zion?
Your Utah Canyon Adventure Starts Here
Browse trail guides, build your Zion + Moab itinerary, or book a local guide who knows both parks intimately.
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