Take An Easy Loop Trail To Enter Another World At Zion National Park In Utah

Zion National Park in Utah is full of great hiking trails and beautiful views, but some trails are more popular than others. If you're looking for a fast, easy loop trail with incredible scenery without the major crowds you'll encounter on other trails, you'll want to check out the Watchman Trail.

Take the Watchman Trail at Zion National Park to enter another world. You'll find the trailhead near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

Make sure to bring along plenty of water, some sunscreen, and a hat for this adventure. Though the trail is quite easy, it's almost completely sun-exposed.

The clearly-marked trail makes its way through a desert landscape that includes sagebrush, scrub oak, and other plants. You'll hike a total of 3.1 miles, out and back.

The trail climbs an elevation of less than 400 feet along the way. There are a few slightly more difficult spots, but overall, it's a great trail for novice hikers.

It's pretty hard to beat these views! The towering rock walls in the distance look like something from a Tolkien novel. Even as you're taking in the scenery, it's hard to believe that this place is real.

Tread quietly, and you might catch a glimpse of some wildlife. Lizards, small rodents, birds, and even mule deer are often spotted by hikers here.

Prickly pear is abundant along the trail. It's a pretty plant, but you'll want to keep kids far from it - the tiny, hairlike prickles can be quite painful.

Take the little loop to Watchman Overlook for an unparalleled view. You'll want to sit and enjoy this scenery for a few minutes before heading back.

The Watchman Trail is one of the most beautiful in Zion National Park, but eager visitors often pass it by in favor of some of the more popular trails. Don't make that mistake - include this one on your hiking itinerary!

Have you hiked The Watchman Trail? We'd love to hear about your adventure and see your photos in the comments! Learn more about Zion National Park in Utah on its website. You might also enjoy reading about this easy hike at Zion, which is a lot more crowded, but well worth it.