The Narrows in Zion is one of the most iconic hikes in the National Park system, and for good reason. Located in the back of Zion Canyon, the trail begins as the paved Riverside Walk trail for the first mile before you enter the river and begin wading upstream surrounded by the gorgeous canyon walls Zion is known for. Rent gear from a local outfitter, and go as far as you feel comfortable before turning around – you don’t need to do the full 9+ miles to have an experience you’ll remember forever.

Angel’s Landing is a challenging but rewarding climb, taking you from The Grotto trailhead at the canyon floor, up a series of switchbacks to Scout Lookout, and then up and across a very narrow rock fin to Angel’s Landing. This is an extremely popular hike so permits are required for Angel’s Landing, but Scout Lookout does not require a permit and can be a great option for travelers who want to see the view without traversing the chains section.

Best in spring or the day after a storm, the Emerald Pools are a set of seasonal waterfalls and pools tucked into the canyon walls near Zion Lodge. The best way to do this trail is as counterclockwise loop connecting the Grotto, Kayenta, and Emerald Pools trail together. Deer and turkey are common on the Grotto Trail in early morning, and the view of the canyon from the Kayenta Trail as you climb makes it well worth the extra mile.

Located in Kolob Canyons, the Timber Creek Overlook trail is great to pair in the afternoon with the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive as the trailhead is located at the end of this drive. The trail starts in a picnic area surrounded by pines, then climbs to a wide ridge where you’ll have views of Zion’s red rock canyon walls on one side and a massive stretch of pine forest and rolling hills in the other. Look south at the final overlook and on a clear day you may even see Mt. Trumbull 100 miles away at the Grand Canyon’s north rim.

While the route up from Zion Canyon has been closed for several years due to a landslide, this fantastic hike is still accessible from East Mesa Trail – and without the climb it’s actually a much easier hike. Travel across the mesa on a wide path through pine forest and scrub to reach Observation Point, a dramatic overlook looking down on Angel’s Landing and the canyon beyond. Reaching the trailhead can be rough, so consider booking the shuttle from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

After a short but steep climb up stone steps to get you to the trail, the trail levels out to an easy path that hugs the canyon wall. You’ll find yourself traversing a narrow catwalk, heading through a cool cliff-side cave, and taking turns on curves about 2′ wide as you approach the overlook giving you a stunning view of the valley floor below.

Located in Kolob Terrace, Northgate Peaks offers one of the best opportunities for solitude for a day hike when you need a break from the crowds in the canyon. Skip the peak scrambles at the end (which we wouldn’t recommend without GPS and caution with younger kids), and it’s actually an extremely flat and easy 4-mile round trip hike across the wooded mesa to the overlook and back.