Zion National Park lists the Watchman Trail as closed pending repairs. The park has not published the cause or the scope of the work.
Expected reopening: No announced reopening date
Confirm current status with Zion National Park (National Park Service), 435-772-3256 before visiting.
Open alternatives: Pa'rus Trail · Riverside Walk (Zion)
Zion park alert 'Watchman Trail closed' (in effect since August 31, 2026), nps.gov/zion alerts feed checked October 7, 2026; AllTrails trail page also marked closed.
Watchman Trail (Zion) Hiking Guide
The Watchman Trail climbs from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to a bench below the Watchman, with views over the lower canyon and the town of Springdale. It's normally one of the few canyon hikes you can walk to without a shuttle. Right now it's closed: the park lists it as shut pending repairs with no reopening date, so this page describes the hike for when it reopens.
Permit: When the trail is open, it needs no permit beyond Zion's entrance pass: $35 for a private vehicle (1 to 7 days), $20 per person 16 or older on foot or bike, $70 for a Zion annual pass, or an America the Beautiful pass. Non-US residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 each unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
Current Closure
The park closed the Watchman Trail at the end of August 2026 and describes it only as closed pending repairs. It hasn't said what failed or how long the work will take. Don't go around the closure; violating a posted closure can bring a fine. The Pa'rus Trail starts from the same visitor center plaza and stays open, and Riverside Walk is a shuttle ride up the canyon.
The Hike When Open
AllTrails lists the out-and-back at 3.3 miles with 551 feet of gain, roughly 90 minutes to two hours of walking. The park also gives 3.3 miles round trip and about two hours: 1.4 miles one way and about 480 feet of climbing to the overlook, plus a 0.4-mile loop around the top. The first stretch runs fairly flat beside the river, then the trail climbs to the viewpoint over sand, bare rock and uneven steps up to 2 feet tall.
What You See
From the bench at the top you look up at the Watchman and across to the Towers of the Virgin, with lower Zion Canyon and Springdale spread out below. The short loop circles the bench for views in different directions. There are moderate drop-offs near the edges.
Heat and Footing
There's little shade, and summer days at the visitor center regularly pass 100 degrees, so the park's advice to carry plenty of water applies even to this short climb. In winter and during the late-summer monsoon the trail can turn muddy or icy. Bikes aren't allowed, and neither are dogs.
Starting Point
The trailhead is a short walk from the visitor center: cross the visitor center plaza, continue beyond the bus stop to the crosswalk, then follow the river. Restrooms and bottle filling are at the visitor center. Parking there fills early in busy months; Springdale's paid lots and the free town shuttle are the fallback.
Hiking tips for Watchman Trail (Zion)
- Watch Zion's alerts and conditions listings before planning around this hike; that's where the reopening will show up.
- Walk the Pa'rus instead while the Watchman is shut; it starts from the same plaza and has its own Watchman views.
- When it reopens, go early or at golden hour; the climb is exposed and hot by midday.
- Expect mud or ice after storms and in winter; wear shoes with real tread.
- Bring a headlamp if you stay for sunset; the descent over steps and rock is slower in dim light.
Nearby trails to explore
- Pa'rus Trail
- Riverside Walk (Zion)
- Canyon Overlook Trail (Zion)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
When the Watchman Trail reopens, it's an easy hike to join from the visitor center. Use TrailMates to find Zion hikers near Springdale. Download the TrailMates app to connect.