Some days you want to explore off the beaten path and wander for miles. Other days you just want to take a simple stroll. Luckily, if you’re visiting Zion National Park, all of those things are in reach, depending on your mood. We took a quiz and based on our different answers, here are some suggestions:
IF YOU’RE:
–Up for a challenging hike
–Feeling adventurous
–Have no fear of heights
HIKE: Angel’s Landing
You feel like facing your fears, taking a risk, and facing a challenge without necessarily committing to an all-day hike. Angels Landing is a strenuous 5.4-mile (8.7km) hike that takes 4-6 hours for most people to climb. Park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and take the bus to The Grotto stop to begin this magnificent hike.
IF YOU:
–Feel like taking it easy
–Want to see pretty scenery
–Are up for a short walk on a paved path
–Want to stay mostly in the shade
HIKE: Riverside Walk
You feel like taking it easy and staying as shaded as possible. Head for the Riverside Trail, a paved, wheelchair-friendly trail shaded by Cottonwood trees alongside the Virgin River. This trail is 2.2 miles (3.5km) and can be accomplished in approximately 1.5 hours round trip. The Riverside Trail is located on the very last Zion Shuttle stop, Temple of Sinawava.
IF YOU’RE:
–A little sore but still want to see more
–Seeking amazing canyon views
–Willing to work for those views
TRY: Observation Point
You’re up for a vertical challenge—and this hike boasts a 2,200-foot climb with steep drop-offs and unbeatable viewpoints. The 2.4-mile (3.9km) hike takes approximately 2.5 hours from Zion Canyon floor. To reach the Observation trailhead, you’ll park at Zion Canyon Visitor Center and take the Zion Shuttle to the Weeping Rock stop.
Alternate route to Observation Point: If you’re NOT up for a vertical challenge, we have good news! You can skip the steep ascent to Observation Point by hiking across Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. The hiking distance is a little longer, bit the view—noted as the best view in Utah by Backpacker magazine—is the same.
Zion has hikes for everyone, from families with young children to experienced hikers. It’s no wonder that people from all over the world flock to Zion to take advantage of the hiking opportunities!
Take the quiz to find YOUR perfect hike or ask about our guided hiking adventures.
