Thanks for the compliment and the suggestion of Orderville Canyon, which is a tributary of Zion’s Narrows with more challenges than a typical dayhike; it’s more akin to The Subway, described above, with a lot of scrambling that can be wet, at least a couple of spots where you may need to rappel or use a rope to descend, and hours in water that’s probably cold (wear a dry suit). Find good info at See canyoneeringusa.com/zion/technical/orderville.

I would recommend orderville canyon in zions. This trail doesn’t require repelling just some minor technical descents that require scrambling. We spent the night at the top of the trail head then hiked the following day.

You’re welcome, Joy, and have a great trip.

Thank you, Patty, I’m glad the story has inspired you. Yes, I know the Observation Point and Hidden Canyon hikes are currently closed, as has happened before, and I’ve not yet seen any information indicating when those trails may reopen. We’ll have to be patient, I guess.

I believe the trail to Observation Point and Hidden Canyon from Weeping Rock is closed due to a rockfall, and will be for a long time.☹️

I had said I wouldn’t go back except in the winter due to the crowds the last time we were there (2017), but you’re suggestions may have changed my mind! We have hiked the Taylor Creek trail; now I want to try some of the others outside the main area of the park. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing that, Mike. Sounds like you went beyond the end of the maintained trail at Hidden Canyon and explored into the slot canyon, which does have some fun scrambling and is really pretty. We saw an owl sleeping on the branch of a tree in there. And most people won’t venture beyond the end of the trail.

Thanks for the nice words, Russ. Your question is pertinent. The crowds are greatest in Zion Canyon and the trails along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. Limiting or reducing the shuttle schedule into Zion Canyon would obviously lower the number of people in Zion Canyon at any one time, but that doesn’t stop the flow of people to the visitor center or along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Road.

Interestingly, as a response to the pandemic, some parks, like Yosemite, have instituted a day-pass permit system to enter the park, placing daily limits on the number of people allowed in. That seems also like an experiment in limiting the number of daily visitors on a permanent basis. Given the traffic levels in parks like Zion, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and others, that may be a good, workable solution.

Thanks for writing.

Interestingly, as a response to the pandemic, some parks, like Yosemite, have instituted a day-pass permit system to enter the park and place limits on the daily number of people allowed in. That seems also like a test case in limiting the number of daily visitors on a permanent basis. Given the traffic levels in parks like Zion, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and others, that may be the solution.

Thanks for writing.

Thanks for the really good suggestions, John, I agree with them all. Readers with a subscription to The Big Outside can read the other four hikes on this top-10 list, which includes details on three that you mentioned plus a fourth excellent, less-well-known trail, as well as my tips for avoiding the crowds in Zion.

I appreciate your feedback. Please keep in touch!

If I was making the same recommendation to someone who had never been, I’d recommend the Canyon Overlook Trail. Hands down the best bang for your buck in the Park, in my opinion.

Since then I’ve done some wonderful hikes and much prefer the backcountry, where you can go even in peak season and see almost no one. My two favorites of those I’ve done: Taylor Creek Trail in the Kolob Canyons area and the Hop Valley trail to La Verkin Creek—absolutely spectacular scenery that’s every but as impressive to me as the main Canyon. I’ve only gone that way once but I’ll definitely be back and will try the La Verkin Creek Trail route from Kolob Canyons.

I’d also highly recommend to anyone who is up for a full day’s strenuous hike to add on the short hike from La Verkin Creek to see the Kolob Arch. When I was there, we also went to Bear Trap Canyon, which features a slot canyon and a waterfall at the end. It was the hardest hike I’ve ever done—19 miles round-trip with plenty of elevation gain—but well worth it. We saw less than ten people the entire day.

Indeed, Pat, thanks.

Thanks, Tim. Very true. Good to hear from you!