Hiking recommendations in and around Zion national Park

[Herr Kutz]

I'm going to Zion national Park for 3 to 4 days and my main goal is to do the Angels Landing hike. I'm sure there are plenty of other amazing hikes in the area but I'm looking for recommendations of what I should not miss. I'm open to anything within about a two hour radius of Zion national Park, and I would like to keep hikes to about 8 miles. The recommendations? Thanks!

 

[jlarsson]

The Narrows is a fun hike (it's up the river). It's trail head is at the final bus stop. There are a few outfitter companies in town that will get you all kitted out (waders, boots, walking stick, information, etc).

I've also done the hike up to Observation Point, and along the way you can do hidden canyon as well (I think it ended up being about 12 miles round trip for both).

I didn't do Angel's Landing, saving that for the next time I'm there.

 

[Xstatic1]

I did my "research" on this last year for my honeymoon. We visited different places each day (including Zion, Grand Canyon North Rim & South Rim).

Anywho, go to page 7 on http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/upload/ZionSummerMG2015.pdf to see ALL the hiking trails.

Also, check out TripAdvisor's Zion National Park Forum, http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g143057-i1449-Zion_National_Park_Utah.html to help plan your itinerary (that's what I did for our daytrip).

Hubby and a few buds will be going there to camp/hike for a week this Fall. Their two top priorities are Angel's Landing and The Narrows.

Here are a few pics I took with my cell phone:

As you get closer to Zion, this is what you'll see

The Virgin River at Zion, minutes into hitting the Riverside Walk Trail

Where the Emerald Pool Trail begins/ends

The endpoint of Canyon Overlook Trail

 

[Aharami]

marking because I planning on going there around Sept this year

 

[The Green Bean]

Narrows http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...iews-The_Narrows-Zion_National_Park_Utah.html

 

[DougK62]

Angel's Landing was scary. I didn't make it very far after the chain starts before having to turn back.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

Angel's Landing was scary. I didn't make it very far after the chain starts before having to turn back.

Yep, I made it all the way once but I'll never do it again. The place where Doug is talking about, you're on a "walkway" thats about 5-10 feet wide and there's about a 1000 ft drop on both sides of you. And I mean a flat out 1000 ft drop, sheer cliff.

If you want a hike similar to angel's (long, tons of vertical ascent, huge views at the end) but without the insane acrophobia I recommend observation point.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

For Angels landing, you will want to get on the trail early. Aside from the elevation its an easy very well maintained trail until you get to the top and the chains begin.

I would do Angels landing first and save the Narrows/Virgin River for last. Have some good grippy water shoes & shorts and hiking pole and your set. Water is not cold enough to require gear unless hiking in April.

The slippery rocks in the river really cause your ankle slip around making your feet sore so do this after the majority of your hikes.

I would then drive another 2hrs out to Bryce and spend a day or two there hiking through Wall St and the Hoodoos!

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

i was in znp this past memorial day weekend. actually have some videos i need to edit.

angels landing you can do plus another hike or two. we did it along with the weeping rock. angels landing isn't particularly hard but it gets crowded. just don't do anything stupid and don't rely only on the chains. get your feet set and use the chains as a backup. there's a port o potty near the top but when i was there it was closed.

we did the narrows and it was raining that weekend so it was kind of tough. i'd rent some gear from zion outfitters. At least the shoes because the rocks can be slippery. A walking stick would be very helpful also. make sure to check for flash flood warnings before you start and I'd suggest starting as early as possible. Otherwise it'll be a zoo.

when we went the water was up to your neck at the boulder pair. Funny story but I brought some kid inflatable rings so we could float back downstream but apparently I was too heavy for them. If they worked we probably would have done the full bottom up hike. :
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/42567/Re:_The_Narrows_–_Zion_Nationa

If you can get passes for the subway that would be awesome. Most people book those months in advance. When we went a group canceled and unfortunately this girl and her friend got the last two when we were in line behind them.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/subwaypermits.htm

We did the hidden canyon trail and if you go past the main trail there's a bunch of rock scrambling if that's your thing. If we had more time we probably would have gone for the Observation point trail. Supposedly it gives you the best views. You actually look over angels landing.

This site is an awesome resource for the park:
http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/

When we were leaving some local recommended the Canyon Overlook trail. You actually need to drive to the trail and park in one of the lots nearby. It's a good place to stop if you're traveling to bryce. http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/canyonoverlook.cfm

If you're willing to drive, I'd also recommend Bryce Canyon. You can see most of the park in a day but it feels almost like you're in a different planet when you're in the canyon. We did a mule ride, which was pretty fun.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Ended up doing the following hikes.

First Day: Angel's Landing @ Zion
Second Day: Observation Point @ Zion
Third Day: Fairyland Loop @ Bryce
Fourth Day: Calf Creek Falls Trail

 

[Capt Caveman]

My friends are there right now and posting the most amazing pics.