We love hiking in Zion National Park. It’s magical and almost feels purifying! But as one of the most popular national parks in the United States, which attracts millions of visitors each year, Zion National Park can be overflowing with outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the more well-known hikes often are so crowded that the magic sort of fades.
While the park’s iconic hiking trails, such as Angels Landing and The Narrows, are certainly worth exploring, plenty of lesser-known paths offer a less crowded, rewarding hiking experience. A few of those lesser-known paths are mentioned below:
The Watchman Trail, which can be accessed from the Watchman Campground along the main part of Zion Canyon, is a fun, rewarding hike that often is passed up for the more well-known hikes. It’s an easy hike that offers panoramic views of the canyon and the Springdale area, as well as desert vegetation and occasional wildlife…without the crowds. It’s close to the Visitor Center, so no shuttle ride is required.
Another fun trail is the Canyon Overlook Trail, a 1-mile round trip hike that leads to an impressive overlook with panoramic views of Zion Canyon. The trailhead is located near the east entrance of the park, and the hike is relatively steep but short. This trail is suitable for families and hikers of all skill levels.
Hidden Canyon Trail is a 2.4-mile round trip hike leading to a hidden canyon that’s tucked away in the cliffs. The trailhead is located at the Weeping Rock Trailhead and the trail offers amazing views of the surrounding landscapes and Zion Canyon below.. Although relatively short, the trail has some steep switchbacks and some scrambling toward the end.
The Observation Point Trail offers striking views of Zion Canyon. It is a strenuous 8-mile round trip hike with a steep ascent of over 2,000 feet, which takes you to the top of the park’s highest point. The views from the top are truly breathtaking, and the views along the trail are beautiful as well, passing through a variety of landscapes, from shady forests to exposed rocky cliffs.
The East Rim Trail is a 10-mile one-way hike that is more remote than some of the park’s other trails, but which offers a unique and peaceful hiking experience. Along the way, you’ll see extraordinary views of the park’s less-visited canyons and rock formations, and experience the park’s wilderness in a way that few others do. The hike features a few steep sections and some scrambling towards the end.
A challenging trail, Coalpits Wash Trail is another off-the-beaten-path hike in Zion. This trail starts in the desert outside the park and winds its way through a narrow canyon before emerging into the heart of Zion. We have not done this hike, but we have heard that even though the trail can be challenging in places, with rock scrambles and obstacles to navigate, it’s a unique and rewarding hike that goes through some of the park’s lesser-known areas.
One of our favorite hikes in the Kolob Terrace area of the park, which is less visited than the main canyon area, is the Northgate Peaks Trail. A fairly secluded hiking experience, the 4-mile round trip trail offers captivating views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as the park’s iconic red rock formations.
For the more adventurous, the Kolob Arch Trail, a 14-mile round trip hike that leads to one of the largest free-standing arches in the world, the Kolob Arch, is located in the remote Kolob Canyons section of the park. It offers enchanting views of the canyons and the surrounding landscapes. The trail features some steep sections and river crossings.
While Zion National Park’s popular hiking trails are certainly worth exploring, we’ve also enjoyed hiking these lesser-known paths, which offer unique and intimate hiking experiences.