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Hiking in Zion Park
The Park is divided into three sections: Zion Mt. Carmel Hwy (Scenic Byway 9) Zion Canyon, and the Primitive Kolob Section

Riverside Walk: This trailhead is located at the farthest end of Zion Canyon starting at the Temple of Sinawava. This 2 mile trail, often called Gateway to the Narrows is without a doubt the most famous hike in Utah and is the entrance to the famous Zion Narrows. The trail is on a graded dirt trail with little change in elevation. The ease and beauty of this hike is the reason for its popularity. Present are trailside exhibits describing the plants and views along the trail. Allow one and half hours for this walk.

Zion Narrows and Orderville Canyon: This 2 day hike begins where the Gateway to the Narrows ends. The Narrows is a Slot Canyon carved 2,000 feet deep into the Marksagunt Plateau, offering 16 miles of hiking through water into the depths of the Canyon where at times the canyon walls are only 20 feet apart. The Zion Narrows Trail leaves little choice but to get wet in the waters of the Virgin River. The trail begins with an easy paved walk and ends in a gorgeous slot canyon with wading through the river that carved Zion Canyon. Hiking a few miles into the Narrows is allowed without a permit, but due to the flood danger of any slot canyon a permit is required to go further. Keep in mind that a storm far off can cause flash floods in a Slot Canyon and is not a danger to ignore. Once into the narrows there is a choice to go into Orderville Canyon. The water is not as fresh as that of the Virgin River, but the slot canyon formations are spectacular. The Orderville canyon is a tributary creek, two hours upstream. Deep into the Zion Narrows is the subway, an area where the canyon walls come close together. The trail ends out of the park at Chamberlains Ranch Trailhead. If you arrange your own pick up, it is a good idea to have a 4-wheeler to make the drive through the muddy dirt road to Chamberlains Ranch.

Next: Zion Kolob & Zion Backpacking