ZION
WASHINGTON, UTAH Visited: June 2019, July 2023
Zion National Park was established in 1919. This is the most popular national park in the United States and it is very easy to see why! The park is filled with towering red cliffs, slot canyons, forests and rivers that created an oasis in the desert. Because of this parks overwhelming popularity, things have been changing as far as how visitors access the park and hikes. I will do my best to note what I have seen (since 2023). But be sure the check their website before you visit.
During most of the year, the road that takes you to the most popular hikes is closed to traffic and is only open to the park buses, hikers, and bikers. In order to access the popular hikes, you will need to head to the visitors center, park, and hop onto the shuttle. The shuttle is free of course! The maps on and around the bus have a list of the stops and what hikes are at each stop. The buses typically run from 6am- 5:30pm.
ANGELS LANDING
Distance (roundtrip): 5.4 mi Elevation Change: 1,488 ft Estimated Hiking Time: 4 hours
Potentially the most popular hike in the United States is Angels Landing. This incredible hike is NOT for the faint of heart. It got it’s name from the people saying it was so high “only angels could land there”.
The hike itself takes you up, almost immediately….and it never stops. You start at the base of the canyon (at bus stop #6) and slowly wind your way up the mountain. Eventually, you will find yourself at “Walters, Wiggles”, a series of very steep switchbacks. The last mile of the hike however is a on a very narrow path, straight up with only chains and your wits keeping you from falling. But the end view is absolutely worth it.
You have a first row seat to the entire park and all its glory. My only time hiking here, we arrived at the park at 5:30am, took the first shuttle at 6am, and started hiking around 6:30am. Seeing the sunrise as we began the hike and then the bright morning sun at the top was incredible. I would definitely recommend the early morning.
This hike is currently (finally) only accessible by obtaining a permit. Permits are not given out the same day.
Although this may be frustrating, due to the popularity of this hike (especially via Instagram), the hike was becoming severely over crowded and was becoming dangerous. This is also a very dangerous and somewhat “technical” hike that should be left to avid hikers…..and not people just trying to get a good picture.
THE NARROWS
Distance (roundtrip): up to 9.4 mi Elevation Change: 334 ft Estimated Hiking Time: up to 8 hours
The Narrows is another very popular hike in Zion, if not the second most popular hike. The Narrows is at the very end of the scenic drive and is at Stop #9. This hike takes you through slot canyons and the Virgin River that carved out Zion. There is a well maintained dirt road that is about a mile until you hit a “dead end”. After that, there is no where to go but in the river.
Depending on the time of year, this hike is typically 100% in the water the whole time. For us, in July of 2023, it had been a very heavy snow season so the snow run off filled the river quite high. The hike was about 90% in the water with a couple of dry spots to take a rest. The deepest point was up to our chests!
This hike will close if the water level is too high, but it is up to you to avoid potential flash floods. This is a slot canyon after all. Do not hike if it is raining!
We did hear thunder while we were in the slot canyon. As cool as it was, it was time to turn around! Don’t risk it!
This hike is extremely popular. However, like most popular hikes, the farther you go, the less people there are.
At the entrance of the river, there were TONS of people congregated. However, once we started walking, it thinned out. Most people didn’t try to cross where the water was chest high.
Once we got a mile down the river, the crowds had almost completely vanished. Only a few people passed us going both directions when we stopped for a snack.
This hike is an out and back so you can go on for as long as you’d like. The beginning of the hike is against the current. The way back is with the current.
Zion recommends water proof hiking shoes. There are a couple vendors that will rent The Narrows specific foot wear and hiking poles. I am crazy and an avid Chaco person. I only wore my chacos (the pair of shoes I have hiked in for 10 years) and found the hike very easy. However, if you do not have good balance and don’t have a strong bond of trust with your shoes like I do, I would recommend renting.
KOLOB CANYON
Kolob Canyon is apart of Zion National Park but is not connected to main entrance of the park. It is further up Interstate 15, about 20 miles north of Washington County. I have been to Kolob more times than I can count! Most of the hikes in there area are quite strenuous and long, but the scenic drive up to the Kolob Canyon Viewpoint is BREATH TAKING! Both going there and coming back!
TIMBER CREEK OVERLOOK TRAIL
Distance (roundtrip): 1.0 miles Elevation Change: 100 feet Estimated Hiking Time: 0.5 hours roundtrip
This trail is SUPER easy and takes you to the overlook. This overlook faces away from Kolob and towards Zion. I highly recommend this for an easy sunset hike!
TAYLOR CREEK TRAIL
Distance (roundtrip): 5.0 miles Elevation Change: 450 feet Estimated Hiking Time: 3-4 hours roundtrip
My companions and I actually found this hike to be quite difficult! It may have just been the time of day or because we had worked that morning (at 4am!) But we were quite tired. This hike was lots of ups and downs but not too bad. It would be in partial shade and then in the sun. But at the end, we came across this MASSIVE ampithere/ arch. The way it echoed was so cool! Naturally, we had to sing and yell at it!
The hike is an in and out with deserted, historical cabins along the way. There were almost no people on this trail as well.
