Zion Canyon - Private Guided Hike + Picnic

7:00AM Meet + Greet/Gear Up

We meet all hikers in front of the Zion Visitor Center Bookstore: 1 Zion Park Blvd Springdale, UT 84767.

7:15 Board Zion Canyon Shuttle

1.     To kick off our adventure, we’ll board the Zion Canyon Shuttle, first introduced in 2000 to alleviate traffic and parking issues within the canyon. The shuttle will take us along the 8-mile Scenic Drive, offering stunning views of Zion's iconic rock formations. While our hiking guides cannot provide interpretation during the shuttle ride, they are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the park's history, geology, and wildlife.

2.     Choose Your Own Adventure! We offer three hikes for you to choose from for the main portion of this experience.

a.     The Watchman – Experience the breathtaking beauty of The Watchman, a stunning 3.2-mile out-and-back trail conveniently located near the visitor center. This moderate hike offers a steady climb onto a ridge composed of Kayenta Sandstone, where the journey unfolds with remarkable natural features.

As you ascend, you’ll encounter small springs and majestic cottonwood trees, which create a serene atmosphere along the trail. Upon reaching the butte, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of the canyon and the iconic Watchman formation.

b.     Emerald Pools – a captivating 4-mile loop trail situated near Zion Lodge. This moderate hike begins at the Grotto and leads you into the picturesque Kayenta Trail, following the beautiful Virgin River.

As you traverse the trail, you’ll hike along a ridge of Kayenta Sandstone, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The path guides you toward Heaps Canyon before culminating at the enchanting Emerald Pools.

c.      Scout Lookout: Challenge yourself on the Scout Lookout trail, a rewarding 4-mile out-and-back adventure located near the Grotto. This strenuous hike follows the West Rim Trail and includes the first 2 miles of the renowned Angels Landing Trail (note: permits are required to hike to Angels Landing).

As you navigate this trail, you’ll experience a series of exhilarating switchbacks that lead you into an upper canyon. The iconic Walter’s Wiggles, a steep set of 21 switchbacks, will test your stamina and determination as you make your way to the breathtaking vista at Scout Lookout. Once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding canyons and peaks, making every step worth the effort.

3.     Bonus Trail: If we have time and/or desire, we may also complete the Riverside Walk near The Narrows.

Lunch: After finishing our choice of Hike, we will catch the bus for a ride to the picnic area at The Grotto. Here we will have restrooms, water fill-up stations, and picnic tables. We will enjoy a lunch of Cured Meats (Includes Pork), cheeses, pickles, spreads, nuts, crackers, and fruit. Vegan, Vegetarian and G/F available with 48hr notice.

4.     Return to Zion Visitor Center: From the Grotto, we will catch a down-canyon shuttle back to the Visitor Center for the end of our Zion Hiking Adventure.

1:00PM Depart Zion National Park