There is something about Zion National Park that just gets me every single time. We live just a 3.5 hr drive to Zion, so we try to visit at least once a year, and it has yet to get old. The towering red cliffs, the impossibly blue sky, the Virgin River carving through the canyon floor... it is honestly one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, and it's somewhere everyone should see at least once.

With our kids spanning from toddler to teen, we have learned pretty quickly that not every viewpoint works for every person. Benson (our absolutely wild, almost-5-year-old caboose) is NOT doing Angels Landing anytime soon (I'm sure he'd end up throwing himself off the mountain). But that kid will absolutely stop dead in his tracks on the Pa'rus Trail and throw rocks into the river for hours. If you've never been to Zion National Park before, it can be tricky to know what part of the park to prioritize and what hikes you can (and should or shouldn't do) based on hiking levels and ages.

So I have broken this list into three categories:

• Beginner views that are easy to access (the best viewpoints that are great for strollers, little legs, and anyone who just wants the view without breaking even a little bit of a sweat)
• Intermediate views for those willing to do a moderate hike (you'll probably break a tiny bit of a sweat here)
• Advanced views for the hikers who want to EARN those panoramic vistas (you'll be sweating :))

Whether you are visiting with tiny kids, a group of friends, or solo, this guide has you covered.

A quick note before we dive in: Zion can get CROWDED during peak season (spring and fall are the busiest). We love visiting Zion during the shoulder seasons, when the weather is great, not too hot, and the crowds are manageable. If you will be visiting during peak travel months, my biggest tip is to go early in the morning before the summer heat sets in. As far as the shuttle goes, we like to drive and park at the Zion Visitor Center at the main entrance via Springdale and then take the shuttle through the main Zion Canyon.

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Beginner Views: Easy Access for the Whole Family

1. The Pa'rus Trail + Virgin River Views: Easy

If you are visiting with young kids, have mobility limitations, or simply want to ease into the Zion Canyon experience, the Pa'rus Trail is your starting point. This paved, flat trail runs about 1.7 miles along the banks of the Virgin River and connects the Zion Visitor Center area up to the main Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It is the only trail in the park that allows dogs and bikes, a bonus if you are road-tripping with pets.

But here is why it makes this list: the views of the Virgin River set against those towering red canyon walls are genuinely incredible. This is also one of the best places in the park to spot bighorn sheep grazing along the lower canyon walls, and we have seen them here multiple times. The whole thing is flat, accessible, and stroller-friendly, and the views honestly rival anything you will see on a harder trail. It is a great place to get your bearings and soak in the scale of the canyon before heading further in.

2. Court of the Patriarchs: Easy

The Court of the Patriarchs is one of those viewpoints that will make your jaw drop without requiring you to break a sweat. You hop off the free shuttle at the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop, walk about 50 yards to the viewing area, and suddenly you are standing face-to-face with three massive sandstone monoliths, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, named by a Methodist minister back in 1916.

These towering rock formations are some of the most photographed in the park, and for good reason. The best time to visit is early morning when the sun hits the peaks and lights them up in shades of amber and rust. It is a short distance from the parking area to the viewpoint, making it completely accessible for all ages and abilities. My kids love this stop, and even Benson knows "the Patriarchs" by name now, which is both adorable and a little unhinged for a 4-year-old.

3. Canyon Junction Bridge Easy

This one is slightly underrated on most Zion lists, and I am here to change that. The Canyon Junction Bridge sits right at the confluence of the North Fork of the Virgin River and Pine Creek Canyon, and the views from here are sweeping and spectacular. You can see the towering walls of the main Zion Canyon stretching out in front of you, with the Virgin River reflecting the sky below.

What makes this spot so special is how accessible it is. It sits right along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive near the Zion Lodge area, easily reached from the shuttle with almost no walking at all. It is also a fantastic sunset spot. The light hits the canyon walls in the most beautiful way in the late afternoon and early evening. If you are on the fence about making a stop here, do not skip it.

4. Kolob Canyons Road Easy

Most visitors to Zion National Park head straight for the main Zion Canyon and never make it out to the Kolob Canyons section, which makes it one of the most underrated parts of the whole park. The Kolob Canyons Road is a scenic road that stretches about 5 miles into a completely different (and equally jaw-dropping) section of the park, with its own finger canyons and red rock formations.

You access this section through a separate entrance off Interstate 15, making it a great add-on if you are driving down from Salt Lake City or up from St. George. The drive itself IS the view here, no hiking required. Pull off at any of the overlooks and you will be rewarded with incredible views with a fraction of the peak-season crowds. The Kolob Terrace Road is another great scenic road option in a different part of the park, leading toward Kolob Reservoir and the Lava Point Overlook for those who want to venture a little further.

Intermediate Views: Moderate Hikes Worth Every Step

5. Canyon Overlook Trail: Moderate

If I had to pick ONE hike to recommend to someone with limited time and moderate fitness, it would be the Canyon Overlook Trail every single time. This is hands-down one of the best viewpoints in all of Zion for the effort required, and it's our family's overall favorite! The round trip is about 1 mile with around 163 feet of elevation gain, short enough for most people and little ones to handle, but still gives you a proper canyon viewpoint at the end of the trail that feels completely earned.

The trailhead is located just east of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel off the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which means you can access it from the east entrance without even taking the shuttle into the main canyon. This is a HUGE advantage during peak season when parking areas in the main canyon are packed. The trail winds along the canyon rim through some beautiful slot canyon terrain before opening up to a panoramic view of Pine Creek Canyon and the main Zion Canyon below. Go early morning for the best light and to beat the crowds. My kids love driving through the old historic tunnel.

Pro Tip: If you could only choose one hike for your family, make it the Canyon Overlook Trail. Our whole family LOVES this hike, and it's incredible at sunset. 

6. Watchman Trail: Moderate

The Watchman Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park, and for good reason. Starting near the Zion Visitor Center at the south entrance, this day hike covers about 3.3 miles round trip with around 370 feet of elevation gain, a solid moderate hike that most reasonably fit people can tackle. The starting point is easy to find, and the trail is well-marked the whole way.

What you get at the top is an elevated view of the Watchman peak, Zion Canyon, and the small town of Springdale spread out in the valley below. It is also one of the best sunset spots in the park. The way the late afternoon light falls across the red canyon walls from this elevation is something else, and I honestly see this same view mirrored back at me on a lot of standard computer screensavers, it's that pretty. The trail is accessible year-round, including the winter months, which makes it a great option outside of peak season.

7. Emerald Pools: Easy to Moderate 

The Emerald Pools area offers multiple trail options, and even the lower emerald pool is worth the visit. The Lower Emerald Pool trail is only about 1.2 miles round trip and takes you to a hanging garden and small waterfall, accessible enough for older kids and most adults. Continue on to the Middle Emerald Pool and the views get even better, clocking in around 2.2 miles round trip.

Conditions here can vary significantly by season. After heavy rain, the waterfalls are more dramatic but the trails can be slippery, so always check current conditions before heading out. The trailhead starts near the Zion Lodge shuttle stop, making it easy to access from the free shuttle bus. These are some of the most beloved moderate hikes in the park, and my kids love them. Great views, manageable distance, and a real sense of wonder when you arrive.

Advanced Views: You're Going to Earn These

8. Observation Point via East Mesa Trailhead: Advanced

Let me be honest with you: Observation Point is arguably THE best view in all of Zion National Park. You are standing at 6,508 feet, looking DOWN on Angels Landing, with the entire main Zion Canyon stretched out below you. It is the kind of view that makes you feel like a tiny, humbled human in the best possible way.

The traditional route via the East Rim Trail is a beast, about 8 miles round trip with over 2,100 feet of elevation gain. BUT there is a secret: the East Mesa Trailhead approach from east Zion cuts the elevation gain dramatically and gets you to the same summit via a much more manageable route of about 6.4 miles round trip. Most people do not know about this approach, which means even on busy days, the East Mesa trailhead parking area is significantly less crowded. You will need to drive through the east entrance and around the park, but TRUST ME, it is worth the extra drive.

This is a proper day hike. Bring plenty of water (especially in the summer months), snacks, and good trail shoes. But if you can do one advanced hike in Zion, and you don't have permits for anything else, make it this one.

9. Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail: Advanced

For those who want a taste of the upper canyon experience without fully committing to Angels Landing, Scout Lookout is your answer. The hike follows the West Rim Trail for about 4.4 miles round trip with roughly 1,050 feet of elevation gain, a significant but doable day hike for fit hikers. Scout Lookout is the flat, sandy area at the top of the main switchback section (famously known as "Walter's Wiggles"), and it delivers absolutely incredible views of Angels Landing, the main Zion Canyon, and the canyon walls in every direction.

Many people use Scout Lookout as their turnaround point before the final chains section to Angels Landing, and honestly, the views from here are so spectacular that plenty of hikers are completely satisfied stopping here. If you are on the fence about the exposure of Angels Landing, Scout Lookout gives you 80% of the experience with a fraction of the risk. This is also a great place to have a snack and watch the brave souls heading up the chains above you. We've done Scout Lookout before with a baby strapped to us, and it was great, but that's about as far as I felt comfortable with our little one.

Pro Tip: As you are coming down Scout Lookout, you'll empty out of the canyon onto the cliff facing trail, and right before you are out of the canyon, it gives you some of the BEST spots for pictures. It looks incredible in photos, is shaded almost all day, and if you're looking for some fantastic "Instagram content" on Zion, you'll find it right here! 

10. Angels Landing: Advanced

There was never any doubt about what was going to close out this list. Angels Landing is one of the most iconic hikes in all of the national parks, and the view from the top is genuinely unmatched. Standing at 5,790 feet at the end of the trail, with sheer 1,200-foot drops on either side and the entire main Zion Canyon spread out below you, is a feeling that is almost impossible to describe. It can be terrifying and transcendent. (Side note, Jason thinks this hike is no big deal, but there were times when my hands were shaking a little bit. It can be a bit nerve-wracking.)

The hike is about 5.4 miles round trip with 1,488 feet of elevation gain. The final half-mile to the summit involves climbing with the aid of chains bolted into the sandstone cliff. This section is NOT for the faint of heart, anyone afraid of heights, or anyone with small children. I want to be really clear about that. We have hiked to Scout Lookout as a family many times. Angels Landing is a solo or adults-only adventure in our house.

A few important things to know: as of 2022, a permit lottery is required to hike Angels Landing. There are seasonal lotteries entered in advance and day-before lotteries for last-minute chances. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions and permit information before you go. The best time to hike is early morning to beat both the crowds and the summer heat. And for the love of all things holy, do not attempt this hike in wet conditions, after heavy rain or without the right shoes. The slick sandstone is genuinely dangerous. 

A Mix of All Three: The Narrows

The Narrows: Easy to Advanced

The Narrows is in a category entirely its own. Depending on how far you decide to go, the time of year, and the water level or temperature, this can be a super fun hike for young kids and advanced hikers alike. It is one of those rare experiences in the national parks that genuinely scales to the weather whoever is showing up that day.

Here is the thing though: before you do ANYTHING, you need to check conditions with the rangers at the Zion Visitor Center first. Full stop. They will be able to give you real, current information on whether this is something you can do easily with kids in tow or whether the conditions make it more of an advanced undertaking. Water levels, temperature, and flash flood risk all change the experience dramatically, and the rangers are your best resource for making that call.

Why The Narrows Can Be A Mix

The Narrows is an out-and-back hike, which means you go as far as you want and then turn around. That flexibility is what makes it work for everyone. Families with little ones can wade in from the Temple of Sinawava, splash around in the Virgin River, and call it a perfect day without going more than a half mile. The further you go, the more spectacular (and more challenging) it gets as the canyon walls close in around you.

For those who want the most adventurous version, you can rappel into the Narrows from the top via a canyoneering route and then hike out through the canyon. That is going to be an advanced experience for most people and requires proper canyoneering gear, skills, and dry suits, depending on the season. But for everyone else, the bottom-up approach from the Temple of Sinawava is one of the most unique and memorable things you can do in any national park. Just check those conditions first!

Zion National Park FAQs

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for hiking. Summer is busy and hot but manageable with early morning starts. Winter months are often beautifully uncrowded, and the red cliffs against fresh snow is something I will never forget.

GETTING AROUND: During peak season, personal vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The free shuttle bus runs from the Zion Visitor Center and stops at all major trailheads and viewpoints. Arrive early to grab a parking lot spot near the visitor center and you are set for the whole day.

NIGHT SKY: Zion is a designated International Dark Sky Park. On a clear night, the Milky Way is absolutely spectacular from inside the canyon. The lack of artificial light makes for otherworldly stargazing. Do not miss it if you are staying overnight.

NEARBY: Zion pairs beautifully with Bryce Canyon (about 1.5 hours away) for an epic Utah national parks road trip. We have done the SLC–Zion–Bryce Canyon loop more times than I can count and it never, ever gets old.

Zion National Park is one of those places that I genuinely believe everyone should visit at least once. And the beauty of this list is that no matter who you are traveling with or what your fitness level looks like, there is a best view with your name on it. Whether you are pushing a stroller along the Virgin River or pulling yourself up the chains at Angels Landing, Zion will show up for you in the biggest way.