As a Utah native, I’ve had my share of visits to Zion National Park. I’ve done some solo visits, couples vacations and family trips. I’ve also been to the popular national park at different times of the year: spring, mid-summer, fall and even winter.

COVID-19 UPDATE: The park is open. Face coverings or masks are required now at all national parks. The shuttles are running, but with new requirements. Learn more about how to book a ticket for the shuttle so you can access many of the trails listed below.

Here are five trails that are perfect for kids of all ages in Zion National Park.

Watchman Trail in Zion National Park

Just inside the park is the visitor center and gift shop. There’s a campground there as well. But even better, there’s a hiking trail perfect for kids of all ages. There are two trailheads just north of the visitor center. Watchman Trail is on the right of the river, and the Pa’rus Trail is on the left. Both are great trails, but the Watchman Trail provides a little more adventure than Pa’rus.

The Watchman Trail takes you northeast of the visitor center to an overlook of the wide valley of Zion National Park. While it is an uphill trek, it’s nothing kids or adults can’t handle.

The trail is a great way to introduce Zion National Park to the kiddos. As you move further into the park for other trails, you’ll notice it becomes a lot more narrow and the trails become steeper, too.

DISTANCE: 3.3 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Moderate
ELEVATION CHANGE: 368 feet

Upper and Lower Emerald Pools

The hike to both the lower and upper emerald pools is great. While the elevation change isn’t as much as the Watchman Trail, the trail is only one mile roundtrip, so it seems a little steeper than some of the other trails in the park. However, making the hike is well worth it.

NOTE: Lower Emerald Pools trail is closed til Spring 2020 for trail repairs.

The trail starts at across the street, just west, from the Zion  Lodge. You’ll cross the bridge over the Virgin River and off you go. Along the way you’ll find small streams and even waterfalls. If there’s been a lot of rain, you may even find a bunch more waterfalls. The water may make some areas of the trail slippery or muddy, but it shouldn’t be anything you can’t navigate.

At Upper Emerald Pool, enjoy the scenery – but don’t go swimming in the water. Regardless of the no swimming sign I saw posted, there were some adults in the water. Please respect the signs and other visitors.

DISTANCE: 2.1 miles roundtrip. Lower Emerald Pools is 1.2 mile roundtrip. The hike from Lower to Upper adds another one mile roundtrip.
CATEGORY: Moderate to Upper Emerald Pool; Easy to Lower Emerald Pools
ELEVATION CHANGE: 269 ft to Upper Emerald Pool from the Zion Lodge trailhead; Lower Emerald Pools is only 69 feet of elevation change from the trailhead.

West Rim Trail towards Angels Landing

A little further into the park you’ll find The Grotto trailhead. Cross the Virgin River, then head north along the West Rim Trail. This trail will lead you to Walter’s Wiggles, which is a series of switchbacks that help you reach the top of the canyon wall.

The trail is great for kids – but once you reach Walter’s Wiggles, it gets a little more challenging. There’s the steep climb of the switchbacks. Once at the top, you could venture out onto Angels Landing, but you best not be afraid of heights. A narrow walkway with cliffs on both sides and a center chain for a handrail take you to the outcropping with a fantastic view. Depending on your kids, Angels Landing is your call.

We did this hike on New Years Eve Day. The dusting of snow and colder weather kept the crowds down, but we did have to bundle up. It just goes to show that Zion National Park is great to visit any time of year.

DISTANCE: 3.5 miles roundtrip to Scout Lookout. Angels Landing is a total of 5.4 miles roundtrip.
CATEGORY: Moderate to strenuous hike up to Scout Lookout. Angels Landing is Strenuous.
ELEVATION CHANGE: 1400 feet

Weeping Rock

Weeping Rock is by far the easiest hike in the park. The distance is super short, and it’s a paved walkway trail with not a lot of uphill.

NOTE: The Weeping Rock Trail, Hidden Canyon Trail, and Observation Point Trail (East Rim from Weeping Rock) are closed due to rockfall damage. These closures are indefinite at this time.

When you reach the end of the trail, there’s a rock wall with water trickling down it – this weeping rock. It’s an interesting find, and the distance makes it great for the littlest of hikers.

DISTANCE: 0.4 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy
ELEVATION CHANGE: 98 feet

Riverside Walk to The Narrows

At the end of the road in Zion National Park, you’ll find the Temple of Sinawava. Make your way from the bus stop – or parking area – to the Riverside Walk. It’s a wide, paved path following the Virgin River as it winds through the landscape.

Because it’s paved, it’s one of the few trails in the park that’s wheelchair accessible.

The further along the trail you get, the more narrow the canyon becomes. When you reach the end of the Riverside Walk, you can continue the trail right up the river and hike The Narrows. On a hot summer day, that may feel great.

But if you plan to get your feet wet, or have your kids in the river, bring the right gear and be mindful of young kids. While it’s walkable for adults, a younger child may find it tough to walk up the river.

Water shoes or sandals are a good choice for this part of the trail.

If there are rain storms anywhere upstream, you should check with a park ranger before doing this trail. Flash floods are real and deadly. In narrow canyons, what seems like a little rain water can quickly become a dangerous wall of debris and water.

Be aware and enjoy the beauty of the Virgin River and tall cliffs that surround you.

If you’re interested in hiking to The Subway, a popular spot for photography in Zion National Park, you’ll need to get a hiking permit in advance.

DISTANCE: 2.2 miles roundtrip to where you enter the Narrows. Beyond that, it’s your call on how long you hike up the river.
CATEGORY: Easy. If you continue up into the Narrows, it turns to strenuous.
ELEVATION CHANGE: 57 feet.

The Details

Address: 1 Zion Park Blvd., State Route 9, Springdale, UT 84767

Cost: A recreational use pass is required when entering Zion National Park. It’s $35 for a private vehicle and is valid in the park for 7 days. But I would highly recommend buying an annual pass so you can visit all of the national parks throughout the country for free.

Hours: Zion National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Park Store are open year round, but hours vary a little by season. The free shuttle up to the Temple of Sinawava is open March through November.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm

Phone: (435) 772-3256

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