With the Zion Canyon's striated, orange-red walls towering 1,000 feet overhead and the Virgin River, the slimmest section of Zion Canyon is known as The Narrows. It's one of the park's most popular hikes and starts tame with the one-mile Riverside Walk, a wheelchair-accessible hike. After that, hikers will get wet since the trail disappears into the Virgin River where hikers will be wading or even swimming upstream through the slot canyon. 

Most visitors hike The Narrows in the summer or late fall when the waters are at their lowest levels and air temperatures are at their warmest. Would-be hikers need to check-in with a park ranger for the water flow rate (this can close the Narrows trail) and the possibility of storms are in the forecast. The Narrows can fill quickly with life-threatening flash floods. Spring sees increased snowmelt run-off and cooler water temperatures making the hike less pleasant.

While visiting Zion Canyon in 1916, Methodist minister Frederick Vining Fisher is said to have inspired the name of this popular rock formation. According to park lore, he joked that only an angel could land on the rock's elevated perch. Today, Angels Landing has become one of the most popular hikes in Zion, thanks to its stunning views and the harrowing journey required to reach it. Hikers will ascend 1,488 feet during the 5.4-mile round-trip hike, some of which features sheer cliffs and steep switchbacks that includes a chain guide rope for the final push to the summit.

Beginning in 2022, any park visitor who wants to hike to Angels Landing must apply for a timed-entry special permit available by lottery via Recreation.gov. Applications cost $6 per person. If you're able to secure a permit, it costs $3 per person. If you're not able to obtain a permit (or have a fear of heights), you can hike to Scout Lookout, which is located at the base of Angels Landing. You can access Scout Landing via the challenging West Rim Trail, which does not require a permit. The 3.6-mile out-and-back trail to Scout Lookout is considered difficult due to its steep elevation gain (more than 1,000 feet) and series of switchbacks. For groups, Scout Lookout (where restrooms are available), is a good meeting point if part of the group did not secure a permit. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: Zion Lodge offers a large grassy area in front that is a popular place for picnics and post-hike relaxation. Beer, coffee drinks and light snacks are available to purchase seasonally on the patio. – Catherine Parker

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is one of four main roads in Zion National Park. Along this road, visitors can access famous park landmarks, including Zion Lodge, Angel's Landing, the Court of the Patriarchs and Weeping Rock, to name a few. For much of the year, the only way to access Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is via the park's free shuttle bus. Since 2000, the shuttle bus has carried visitors up and down Zion Canyon, reducing traffic issues along with improving the canyon experience. The shuttle operates daily from March through November. In winter (usually weekdays in December and daily in January and February), visitors can drive their own vehicle along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

U.S. News Insider Tip: This trail appeals to a wide range of visitors, so it's the most crowded and everyone from newborns to great-grandparents are found along its route. – Catherine Parker

Pa'rus Trail, a wide concrete sidewalk, is probably the easiest 3.5-mile hike in Zion National Park. Connecting the Zion Visitor Center to Canyon Junction, it's also a great way to reach various sites throughout the park, such as the South Campground and the Zion Human History Museum without riding the shuttle. Plus, its pleasing views of the "bubbling waters" of the Virgin River, for which it derives its Paiute name, are incredibly enjoyable, too. For pet owners, the Pa'rus Trail is open to pets on leashes, as well as bike riders.

If you aren't up for hiking The Narrows, but still want to admire the beautiful Virgin River, consider the Riverside Walk as a much lighter alternative. Accessible via the last stop on the Zion Canyon shuttle (the Temple of Sinawava), this 2-mile (round-trip) pathway is often called the park's most picturesque trail because it includes striking natural features, including grand, leafy canyon walls on either side and plenty of trees in between, providing a rare amount of shade in the open spaces of Zion. What's more, interpretive signs guide visitors to the important features of the area. Because the path is paved, relatively flat, and accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, it can get crowded.

Recent hikers said this hike is suitable for kids and families, along with those who have mobility concerns thanks to its relatively short distance and easy terrain. Visitors found the scenery along the pathway to be striking with the up-close views of the canyon waters and the Virgin River. However, some noted that because it acts as the entrance to The Narrows, the trail can get very crowded.

This mile-long moderate trail offers expansive views of Zion Canyon along with the Towers of the Virgin and a slot canyon below. Because of its relatively short length and amazing views, this is also one of the busiest trails in Zion National Park. As you ascend a little more than 160 feet up the path, keep your eyes peeled for Zion's big horn sheep, which are known to frequent the Canyon Overlook Trail.

Recent travelers suggested starting your hike early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the heaviest crowds. Others say that although the trail is relatively short, it's still a challenge because there are steps, along with some narrow, rocky sections and drop-offs, some of which are not fenced.  

Travelers itching to get away from the crowds in Zion Canyon will enjoy a day in the northwestern Kolob Canyons. Located about 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, the Kolob Canyons offers parallel and narrow box canyons that create 2,000-foot cliff walls from the mountain peaks. As you drive along the 5-mile stretch of Kolob Canyons Road, it's easy to see why this section of the park was dubbed Kolob, which, in Mormon scripture means "residence closest to heaven." Visitors are treated to verdant desert canyons, waterfalls and towering peaks made of Navajo sandstone. For hikers, there are three out-and-back trails ranging in length from 1 to 14 miles.

Recent visitors appreciated how easy it was to reach this area of the park from Interstate 15. Travelers were relieved to find a lot less foot traffic at the Kolob Canyons and some even found it to be more beautiful than Zion Canyon. Visitors highly recommended taking the mile-long Timber Creek Overlook Trail for its view.

At the intersection of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Zion Canyon Scenic Road, the Canyon Junction Bridge crosses the Virgin River. For photographers, this is one of the iconic images of Zion National Park as both sides of the canyon frame the image with the river flanked by trees running through the center of it. In the afternoon, the sun lights up the Watchman rock formation and it looks like it's glowing.

According to recent visitors, stopping or parking on the Canyon Junction Bridge will get the attention of park rangers as snapping pictures here is not allowed. Travelers suggested parking at the Zion Human History Museum and taking the Pa'rus Trail to the Pine Creek Bridge, a pedestrian bridge where you can safely take pictures. One photographer also mentioned this area is a prime place to snap nighttime photos of the Milky Way (Zion is a designated International Dark Sky Park).

When hikers crest the Observation Point trail, they will find themselves at one of the widest sections of Zion Canyon at an elevation of 6,521 feet atop Mount Baldy. With a bird's-eye view, hikers can take in almost all of Zion's top attractions. Because hikers will ascend 2,148 feet during this 8-mile, round-trip hike, it's not for the faint of heart. Though the East Rim Trail to Observation Point is temporarily closed due to a rock fall, hikers can venture out of the park to the East Mesa Trail. The 7-mile in-and-out route includes a 702-foot elevation gain. The trailhead is located about 10 miles north of the park's east entrance.

Several travelers recommend hitting the trail early to avoid high temperatures and also suggest pacing for the strenuous uphill hike and the return descent. You'll want to bring plenty of snacks, as the National Park Service estimates this hike will take about six hours to complete. Others mentioned bringing sunscreen and plenty of water since some of the trek will be in full sun.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Don't blink or you'll miss the windows bored through the walls of the tunnel. This area is congested, especially when rangers stop the flow for oversized vehicles. – Catherine Parker

In the early 20th-century, park promoters wanted to create a way for visitors to easily access the east side of Zion National Park, as well as nearby parks like Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. With the creation of the 25-mile-long Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, travelers could tour the Utah national parks in a loop. The now famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel was part of this highway project. Bored straight through the sandstone cliffs above Pine Creek Canyon, this 1.1-mile-long tunnel was first started in the late 1920s and saw its first vehicle in 1930. When it opened on July 4, 1930, it was the longest mountain tunnel in the U.S. Today, the sandstone tunnel is a major thoroughfare and top Zion National Park attraction. As you drive through it, you'll see large windows cut out of the sandstone – in addition to light and ventilation, the windows offer drivers a peek at the spectacular views outside the tunnel. 

The three distinct striated peaks in this rock formation are known as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There were named by Methodist minister, Dr. Frederick Vining Fischer, who visited Zion Canyon in 1916 and named many of the features in Zion after religious figures. The Court of the Patriarchs is located about a third of the way up Zion Canyon. Though the Court of the Patriarchs is viewable from the road, there's also a 0.2-mile round-trip trail that travelers can hike to reach a better viewpoint.

According to recent visitors, this a must-see when visiting Zion Canyon. Several travelers suggested taking the short, steep hike to the viewpoint instead of admiring the Court of the Patriarchs from the shuttle stop. Several also said there is an interpretive sign to help visitors distinguish the names of the peaks in the area.

Zion National Park is known more for its towering rock formations than its gushing waterfalls, but one area where you can catch a glimpse is the Emerald Pools. Found nestled between striking peaks of the park and with views of the Zion Canyon from the upper trails, this area is within walking distance of Zion Lodge. The pools are a result of one flowing stream as the water makes its way over cliffs and down a series of waterfalls before landing in the pools that dot this small area of the park.

Visitors can access the pools via three separate trails. The 1.2-mile Lower Emerald Pool loop trail is the easiest as it's on a roughly paved path. From here, hikers can reach the Upper Emerald Pool trail. The Middle Emerald Pools Trail is a 2.2-mile unpaved trail with a steep, 150-foot climb that the national park labels as moderate in difficulty. The Upper Emerald Pools Trail is a 1-mile trail with a 200-foot gain that forks off the Middle Emerald Pools Trail. The best time to visit the Emerald Pools is during spring, when runoff from winter's snow creates more robust falls.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Shuttle passengers should pack a bag for the day in Zion Canyon with high-energy snacks (if hiking), a water bottle, a hat and sunscreen along with a layer, just in case. – Catherine Parker

The 3-mile round-trip Watchman Trail doesn't ascend the Watchman Spire, but it does afford a spectacular view of the Watchman, Temples and Towers, lower Zion Canyon and the town of Springdale. As the trail only ascends about 400 feet, it's a good path to start out on for those new to hiking and features desert cacti and greenery along the way.

Zion National Park might be in the desert, but it's not completely devoid of water. In addition to the Virgin River, there are several areas within the park where groundwater oozes out of the cracks and crevices in the Navajo sandstone, including at Weeping Rock. Thanks to the water supply, moss and plants form a hanging garden along the rock face, and it's possible for a drip or two to land on hikers. To see the Weeping Rock, visitors can take a 0.4-mile paved trail that climbs nearly 100 feet in elevation.

According to recent visitors, this hike is steep, yet short, so it's not exhausting. Many recent visitors found the view stunning and worth the effort. Summertime visitors appreciated the occasional drips from the sandstone on a hot day. A couple of hikers mentioned that if others were short on time, this area was similar to the Lower Emerald Pool.

Between the east entrance of the park and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, this sandstone formation features cracks and fissures in a horizontal and vertical grid, resembling a checkerboard. What's more, the Checkerboard Mesa is lighter in color than some of the surrounding sandstone, adding to its distinctive look. With a lookout point and parking lot, this is a popular stop on the east side of the park.

Several recent visitors said Checkerboard Mesa was worth a stop for the unique rock markings. A few reviewers said the best time to visit is in the morning when crowds haven't filled up the small parking lot. According to travelers, you'll also want to keep your eyes peeled for the mountain goats that frequent the area.

Located at the beginning of Zion Canyon, the Temple of Sinawava is a natural amphitheater formed by the Virgin River. The towering canyon walls and surrounding vegetation create a dramatic scene that visitors flock to see. The Temple of Sinawava forms the gateway to two popular hikes – the Riverside Walk and the Narrows. Day-trippers can take the Riverside Walk for a 2.2-mile hike that is mostly flat. Visitors who are interested in more of a challenge can continue on to the Narrows, which starts at the end of the Riverside Trail and is labeled a strenuous trail that covers up to 9.4 miles roundtrip. This trail does not require a wilderness permit, through rangers advise would-be hikers that 60% of the hike will be in cold water and hikers might have to swim. Hikers are advised to check in with rangers for the forecasted weather as this is an area that is prone to flash flooding.

Travelers gushed over the experience hiking along the Riverside Walk and several mentioned it was the most popular hike and easy enough for most. Wintertime visitors mentioned the drinking water was turned off in the area so others should pack water. Most who went to the end of the Riverside Walk mentioned there was water on the trail, close to The Narrows trailhead.

Inside of one the historic Mission 66 buildings (the mid-century initiative to modernize national park facilities), the Zion Human History Museum houses a collection of rotating artifacts found in the park. Visitors can learn about human history in the area, from the Southern Paiute from thousands of years ago to the Mormon pioneers of the 1800s. Water, and its role is role in creating and sometimes destroying the desert landscape, is also a theme. Visitors will also find exhibits on geology, the park's flora and fauna, and the tools used by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

In addition to the exhibits, the building itself is worth a stop: it was used as the Zion Visitor Center until 2002, when a new building opened. The back patio offers views of West Temple and the Towers of the Virgin with the Bridge Mountain visible from the front. Rangers recommend this area for sunrise and sunset since visitors can drive and park in the area. Visitors will find a bookstore inside the Zion Human History Museum as well.

Adventure travelers who have successfully traversed the heart-stopping Angels Landing and lengthy The Narrows should choose The Subway as their next challenge. Aptly named for resembling subway tunnels, The Subway – also known as the Left Fork of North Creek – is a slot canyon that is not for the faint of heart and should only be attempted by experienced hikers. Not only do you need a wilderness permit, but the National Park Service also recommends that hikers traverse this natural wonder with someone who has already completed the hike.

While this all may sound intense, the unique geography truly makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Though there are two routes available along The Subway, it's recommended that hikers take the Bottom-Up Route, which does not require rope, repelling skills and a wet suit for swimming through deep, cold pools like the Top-Down Canyoneering Route. However, the 9-mile-long Bottom-Up Route does require climbing boulders, crossing creeks and ascending about 1,300 feet. All hikers need to have the most detailed route information available for their hike.