Watchman Trail - Trailhead — Attraction in Four Corners States

A well maintained hike through a beautiful section of the Zion National Park. It took us about 2.5 hours to complete the 3.3 mile round trip hike.

I would personally rate it as moderately easy. My nephews (3 and 5) were able to hike the whole thing by themselves with breaks taken at reasonable intervals.

It's uphill with little shade one way, rising about 360 feet or about 109 meters across about 1.7 miles. During a wet period there will be green plants and a stream that you'll likely need to step over about 2/3 through.

There are stunning views of the canyons and the Watchmen throughout the hike. At the end of the hike you'll find yourself on a clearer flat area that's gives ok views and pictures but if you continue the direction you've been going you'll find a loop that will take you to a smaller area with more scenic views and photo opportunities.

The hike back down takes far less time and can be done with few if any breaks but if you have sensitive knees be aware that some parts might be more difficult for you. Listen to your body.

Conclusion: a solid family-friendly hike that you can start and finish between meals where you'll enjoy beautiful vistas, frequent wildlife (lizards and squirrels), and a strong taste of the desert heat. Bring more water than you anticipate needing. This is not an area or hike to find yourself short on water.

Again: BRING EXTRA WATER. Zion National Park is an arid place where just standing there can dehydrate you. Be wise and listen to your body but make sure to not...

An interesting hike that starts the Visitor Centre at Zion National Park is the Watchman's Trail. This is a 3.3 mile trail that is moderately strenuous and takes a bit over 2 hours to complete. There is little shade so make sure to bring a hat on this one.

The hike begins by passing the Visitor Centre campgrounds. It then ascends a rocky path yet the incline is gradual. There is much plant life throughout and if you keep your eyes open, you may see a doe or two along the way. We happened upon several, some at very close distance.

There are a couple viewpoint stops that are quite rewarding along this trail. You'll see very nice views into the lower Zion Canyon past the Visitor Centre from an elevated position. At the end of the Watchman Trial, you'll see nice views of the city of Springdale as well.

In the end, this was a surprisingly enjoyable hike that is conveniently located right at the Visitor Centre. We found it to be a nice add-on after hikes further in the park earlier in the day. If you want to get one more in before exiting the park and you've a couple hours to spare, try the...

This is a really nice hike, moderate in difficult and length, found in the southern area of Zion NP. It's location really helps in that you don't need to take the shuttles to get there, and because it isn't in the Emerald Pools, Angel's Landing, Observation Point, Riverside Walk sections of the park, you will see far less people here. Also, the perspective you see the park from is very different than what you'd see in those aforementioned areas, but no less beautiful.

The hike here is pretty steep at the beginning, but eventually it flattens out and becomes a fairly easy loop trail on top of a mesa (or butte, I never was good at geology). There are some sections with a steep drop off but nothing too crazy compared to some of the other areas of the park. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as this hike leaves you exposed nearly the entire time. This hike is definitely worth it and should be included in your time at Zion unless you're super...