The Watchman Trail is one of the less trafficked hikes in Zion National Park even though the trailhead is conveniently located right near the visitor center and the main parking lot.
This is an out-and-back scenic hike that leads to an overlook, with an optional loop at the end for more scenic views, including a very nice view of the Watchman summit, the most iconic peak of Zion National Park.
Watchman Trail – Zion National Park
Type: Out-and-back
Distance: 3.2 miles round trip*
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead: Zion Canyon Visitor Center
Trail map: View map
*The trail is around 3 miles long (round trip) all the way to the viewpoint. The viewpoint is part of the optional loop at the end of the trail; the entire loop is approximately 0.4 miles.
The Watchman Trail starts across the road from the Zion shuttle bus stop near the visitor center, at the eastern bank of the Virgin River.
For about 0.2 miles the path winds along the river. This segment of the trail is flat and easy.
Some areas of river access might be roped off, but there are spots where you can walk down to the river.
After the short river bank stroll the trail veers away from the river and crosses a paved service road shortly after.
Past the road crossing the flat segment ends, and the trail begins to climb on a series of steps.
Next, the trail winds through a range of hills.
The path is picturesque and dotted with prickly pears and other types of cactus.
If kids generally didn’t do what their parents advise them not to do, perhaps we wouldn’t have had to spend so much time trying to remove cactus spines (easy) and glochids (impossible) from the red little fingers of our children as they wailed and said things like “the worst trip ever” and stuff. Fun.
After the trail crosses a dry streambed, it begins to climb along a rocky hillside. From this point on, the grade is pretty consistent.
The trail loops around before it reaches the more elevated switchbacks.
The Watchman Trail is exposed, which makes the climb challenging if you are here at the wrong time (like we were – bad timing. Always.).
As you conquer a few switchbacks and reach the more elevated parts of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the lower Zion Canyon.
After completing the climb, at about 1.2 miles from the trailhead, you’ll reach a plateau. Roughly 0.2 miles later there is a junction atop the plateau. The trail splits here and forms a loop.
Both trails starting at the junction lead to the overlook, but the right-hand branch is the shorter route to the overlook (0.2-mile round trip) if you’re not taking the whole loop (0.4 miles).
All in all the Watchman Trail is approximately 1.5 miles in distance all the way to the overlook via the right branch of the loop. If you want to complete the loop, add about 0.3 miles to return to the loop junction. From there it’s about 1.4 miles to return back down to the river to the trailhead.
The views atop the plateau were really nice.
Our battery died right before we got there. Because of course it did.
The two pictures above are the last two pictures we took.
Know before you go:
- This is an exposed hike, so good timing is key.
- In total, the Watchman Trail only climbs about 400 feet, but it is a consistent climb past the initial flat segment all the way to the plateau.
- The Watchman Trail is a family-friendly hike, but some kids may have a hard time with the grade. Towards the end of the trail around the switchbacks you’ll want to watch your kids along a few steep drop-offs, and then again along the loop as parts of the loop are close to the rim.
Related trails:
- Riverside Walk – 2 miles
- Weeping Rock Trail – 0.4 miles
- Emerald Pools Trail – 2.2 miles
