Roam Glade Editorial · Updated November 2026
Zion's best-known hikes, Angels Landing and the Narrows, are long and strenuous, but the river, the canyon walls and the Emerald Pools are also on short, easy trails. The walks below are mostly paved, mostly level and reachable on the free park shuttle.
Distances are round trip. Climbs and times follow the National Park Service trail guides, rounded.
At a Glance
| Walk | Distance | Climb | Time | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pa'rus Trail | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) return | About 50 ft (15 m) | 1.5–2 hours | Easy |
| Riverside Walk | 2.2 mi (3.5 km) return | About 57 ft (17 m) | 1.5 hours | Easy |
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 1.2 mi (1.9 km) return | About 69 ft (21 m) | 1 hour | Easy |
| Canyon Overlook Trail | 1 mi (1.6 km) return | About 163 ft (50 m) | 1 hour | Easy–moderate |
| Watchman Trail | 3.3 mi (5.3 km) return | About 368 ft (112 m) | 2 hours | Moderate |
| Timber Creek Overlook Trail | 1 mi (1.6 km) return | About 100 ft (30 m) | 30 minutes | Easy |
The Walks
Pa'rus Trail
Easy- Distance
- 3.5 mi (5.6 km) return
- Climb
- About 50 ft (15 m)
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best season
- All year
Highlights: A paved path beside the Virgin River with views of the Watchman and the Streaked Wall. You can walk as far as you like and turn back.
Start and parking: Zion Canyon Visitor Center, next to the South Entrance. Parking there fills by mid-morning in busy months; the free shuttle from Springdale stops right outside.
Families: Paved and flat, so it works for buggies and wheelchairs (some short sections are steeper).
Dogs: Yes. This is the only trail in Zion where leashed pets are allowed. Cyclists share the path.
Riverside Walk
Easy- Distance
- 2.2 mi (3.5 km) return
- Climb
- About 57 ft (17 m)
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Best season
- Spring and autumn; check flash-flood warnings
Highlights: A paved walk into the narrowing canyon, with hanging gardens on the walls. It ends where the Narrows begins, so you see the river-walking route without wading.
Start and parking: Temple of Sinawava, the last stop on the Zion Canyon shuttle (shuttle stop 9).
Families: Paved and mostly level, good for children and accessible with assistance.
Dogs: No.
Lower Emerald Pool Trail
Easy- Distance
- 1.2 mi (1.9 km) return
- Climb
- About 69 ft (21 m)
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best season
- Spring is best for water flow
Highlights: A paved path to a seasonal waterfall that drips over an overhang into a small pool. The flow is strongest in spring.
Start and parking: Zion Lodge shuttle stop (stop 5); cross the footbridge over the Virgin River.
Families: Short and paved, fine for children. You can continue uphill to the Middle and Upper Emerald Pools if everyone has energy left.
Dogs: No.
Canyon Overlook Trail
Easy–moderate- Distance
- 1 mi (1.6 km) return
- Climb
- About 163 ft (50 m)
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best season
- All year; icy in winter
Highlights: A rocky, uneven path with some steps and railings to a viewpoint looking down into lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek, with the switchbacks of the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway below.
Start and parking: Just east of the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel on Highway 9. The car park is very small and there is no shuttle, so arrive early or late in the day.
Families: Fine for school-age children; some drop-offs have railings but keep hold of small hands.
Dogs: No.
Watchman Trail
Moderate- Distance
- 3.3 mi (5.3 km) return
- Climb
- About 368 ft (112 m)
- Time
- 2 hours
- Best season
- Spring, autumn, winter; hot and exposed in summer
Highlights: A steady climb to a bench with views of the Watchman, Springdale and the lower canyon. Quieter than the shuttle trails and good at sunset.
Start and parking: Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Families: For confident walkers. There is little shade.
Dogs: No.
Timber Creek Overlook Trail
Easy- Distance
- 1 mi (1.6 km) return
- Climb
- About 100 ft (30 m)
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Best season
- Spring to autumn; the road can close in snow
Highlights: Red Kolob finger canyons and, on clear days, views towards the Pine Valley Mountains.
Start and parking: End of the Kolob Canyons Road, off Interstate 15 at exit 40, about an hour by car from Springdale. Separate from Zion Canyon and much quieter.
Families: Short, with a few uneven sections.
Dogs: No.
Getting Around: the Zion Canyon Shuttle
For most of the year (roughly March to November), the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private cars and you reach the trailheads on the free park shuttle. A separate free shuttle runs through Springdale to the park entrance, which saves fighting for space at the Visitor Center car park.
The Canyon Overlook and Timber Creek Overlook trails are not on the shuttle; you drive to them.
Fees, Permits and Rules
- You need a park entrance pass (or an America the Beautiful annual pass). Check current prices on the NPS website before you travel.
- No permits are needed for any walk on this page.
- Stay on the trail, carry water (at least 1 litre per person even on short walks in warm weather), and do not feed the squirrels.
When to Go
Spring and autumn bring comfortable temperatures. Summer is very hot on exposed trails, so walk early. From July to September, afternoon thunderstorms can cause flash floods in narrow canyons; check the forecast at the Visitor Center. Winter is quiet, with occasional snow and ice on shaded paths.
Questions People Ask
What is the easiest hike in Zion?
The Pa'rus Trail and the Riverside Walk are both paved and almost flat. The Pa'rus starts at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, so you don't need the shuttle; the Riverside Walk starts at the last shuttle stop, the Temple of Sinawava.
Can I take my dog hiking in Zion?
Only on the Pa'rus Trail, on a leash. Pets are not allowed on other trails or on the park shuttle.
Do I need a permit for easy hikes in Zion?
No. None of the walks on this page need a permit. You only need the park entrance fee. Angels Landing does require a permit, but it is a strenuous hike with steep drop-offs and is not an easy hike.
When is the best time for easy hikes in Zion?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer days often go above 100°F (38°C), and July to September is flash-flood season.
Check before you go
Trail conditions, closures, fees and transport change. Distances and times here are approximate round-trip figures; confirm details with the official sources: