Hiking the Watchman Trail for Sunrise (Zion National Park)

If you love sunrises and are planning a visit to Zion National Park, the Watchman Trail is a must-do hike. In the early morning, this trail offers majestic views of Zion as the sun gracefully illuminates its towering peaks. 

Unlike some of the more popular trails in the park, the Watchman Trail offers a quieter experience without excessive crowds. During my visit, I was the only hiker on the trail for sunrise! The Watchman hike conveniently begins at the Zion Visitor Center, which means you’ll get a coveted parking spot if you arrive early for sunrise. 

In this guide to the Watchman Trail in Zion National Park, I’ll provide all the information you need to plan your visit, whether you’re trying to catch sunrise in Zion or start hiking later in the day.

If you need a refresher, check out my guide to day hiking. For more places to explore in Utah, browse my Utah destination guides. 

Related Articles:
Zion Canyon Hikes
Angels Landing and West Rim Trail
Observation Point
Kolob Arch Trail
Checkerboard Mesa

Watchman Trail Map

The Watchman hike is of moderate difficulty and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. In total, the out-and-back route is 3.1 miles, with 636 feet elevation gain.

The trail is very well-maintained and easy to follow. The terrain is sandy and rocky, and the trail follows some cliffs. Since much of the hike is exposed, it’s advisable to start hiking early in the morning to avoid the sun’s intense heat. Apart from sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners with good grip, you don’t need specialized hiking equipment.

Watchman Trail Guide

The Watchman Trail hike conveniently starts from the Zion Visitor Center. If you’re able to park there, you won’t need to take a shuttle to get to the trailhead. Look for signs leading to the Pa’rus and Watchman Trails. Initially, the Watchman Trail runs alongside the river, but on the opposite side from the Pa’rus trail.

After ~0.2 miles of following the river, the trail crosses a road and heads towards Watchman Peak. The following 0.5 miles are only moderately inclined. The final half-mile of the trail is steepest, featuring a series of switchbacks that lead to the trail’s highest point.

Although the Watchman Trail hike doesn’t ascend to the summit, it provides impressive views of Watchman Peak and surrounding summits. You’ll also enjoy panoramic vistas overlooking Zion Canyon and the town of Springdale. 

From the top of the Watchman Trail, you can explore a short loop for additional viewpoints before heading back down the same way. For those hiking at sunrise, this loop offers the best vantage points. You’ll witness the sunrise casting an intense orange glow (alpenglow) that illuminates the peaks on the opposite side of the canyon.

Zion Sunrise Hike Tips

I highly recommend hiking the Watchman Trail at sunrise for unparalleled views of Zion National Park. I did this hike as a solo female and felt perfectly safe. That being said, here are some tips that will make your sunrise experience more enjoyable.

First of all, be prepared with proper day hiking equipment, including a reliable headlamp and spare batteries. I recommend downloading the trail map in advance (I use AllTrails) for help navigating in the dark. The Watchman trail follows some cliffs and ledges, so be extra cautious when hiking in the dark.

Given the added challenge of hiking in low light conditions, allocate more time than usual for the hike. Aim to reach the top of the Watchman Trail (the loop section offers the best views) 15-30 minutes before actual sunrise time to witness the vibrant colors at their peak.

Useful Tips for the Watchman Trail

Limited phone service. Expect limited to no phone service in hiking areas. Download Google Maps of the area and hiking trail GPS information in advance. 

Beat the heat. Start hiking early in the morning. If you can, visit in spring or fall over summer. The Watchman Trail can get hot since it is very exposed.

Leave no trace. Let’s make sure this place stays beautiful! 

Check trail conditions. The trail is open year-round, but be mindful of muddy conditions in winter and after periods of rain.

Zion National Park Weather and When to Go

Aim to visit Zion National Park in spring or fall. Summers are unbearably hot and pose risks of flash floods. Zion sees its highest influx of visitors between April and September. Consequently, shoulder seasons (for example, March or October) are great times to visit to avoid crowds. My last visit was in mid-October, and I appreciated the cooler temperatures and vibrant fall foliage. 

If you’re planning a spring trip to Zion, keep in mind that higher elevation trails may still have lingering snow and ice. The Narrows hike may also be closed in spring due to high water levels. 

Zion is open year-round, and it’s also possible to visit during winter. While the experience will be much quieter, be prepared to drive in winter conditions since the shuttle doesn’t operate for most of winter. Also, expect snow and ice on higher elevation trails, which will require specialized hiking gear.

Avoid visiting Zion National Park on weekends and holidays, which are usually packed with visitors. Arriving early is key, as parking lots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. You’ll also want to start hiking early in the day before it gets too hot. 

Check the National Park Services pages for more information on current conditions and weather in Zion.

Zion National Park Information

Zion National Park entrance is $35 per car, paid at the kiosk on the road leading to the park. You can use your US National Parks pass or purchase one there for $80.

There are no specific park hours. Dogs are not permitted on the Watchtower Trail, or any other trails within the park with the exception of the Pa’rus Trail. Although permits are required for other trails in the park, you don’t need one to hike the Watchtower Trail.

Zion National Park Directions and Parking

Zion National Park is located in Southwestern Utah, along State Route 9. The closest town is Springdale. The park is a ~2 hr 45 min drive from Las Vegas, and a ~4 hr 30 min drive from Salt Lake City.

To reach the Watchman Trail parking, navigate to “Zion Canyon Visitor Center”. The Watchman Trail starts from the parking lot. If you’d like to explore other trails within the canyon afterwards, you can catch the shuttle here.

The parking lot at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center fills up quickly. If you’re arriving outside of early morning or visiting during peak season, consider parking in Springdale and taking the free shuttle into Zion.

What to Bring to Hike the Zion Watchman Trail

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my complete day hiking checklist. For this hike I would stress the following:

• Trail Map. Download the map for offline navigation. 
• Day Hiking Backpack. Invest in a high-quality and durable pack that will last for years!
• Hiking Shoes. Women’s, Men’s. I do not recommend running or general athletic shoes for this hike. Their lack of traction will cause you to slip.
• Hiking Socks. Women’s, Men’s. Wool is essential to keep your feet dry and blister-free.
• Hiking Pants. Women’s, Men’s. I love these pants because they are lightweight, durable, and have pockets.
• Hiking T-Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. Quick-drying T-Shirts are ideal. Tank tops will cause your skin to rub uncomfortably against your backpack straps.
• Lightweight Long-Sleeve Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. This is the best way to protect yourself from the sun. 
• Hat. This hike is very exposed, so protect yourself from the sun.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip Balm with SPF.
• Electrolytes. These help prevent dehydration and fatigue, especially on strenuous hikes in hot weather.
• Water in a Reservoir or Bottle. 

Where to Stay Near the Watchman Trail

Within Zion National Park itself, you can either camp or stay at Zion Lodge. Staying in Springdale or nearby towns such as Hurricane opens up many more lodging options. Accommodation near Zion sells out quickly, so book as far in advance as you can!

Zion National Park Camping

Campsites within Zion include: South Campground, Watchman Campground, and Lava Point Campground. All of the Zion campsites require reservations, which can be made 6 months in advance and sell out quickly.

Accommodation in Zion National Park

The only accommodation inside the park is Zion Lodge.

Accommodation in Springdale

Splurge:
Hampton Inn & Suites
Flanigan’s Resort and Spa

Accommodation in Hurricane

Mid-range:
Hurricane Hideaway Lodging
Wingate by Wyndham
Sleep Inn & Suites
Comfort Inn & Suites

Other Things to Do in Zion National Park

You’ll need a few days to thoroughly explore all that Zion National Park has to offer. Aside from exploring more trails in the most famous section of the park, Zion Canyon, pay a visit to the lesser-known Kolob Canyons. Also check out the scenic drive along Route 9 (Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway). 

Lastly, consider adding a trip to Bryce Canyon to your Zion trip! Bryce Canyon is just a 2 hour drive away and can be explored in a day or two.

Recommended Zion Hikes:
Zion Canyon Hikes
Angels Landing and West Rim Trail
Observation Point
Kolob Arch Trail
Checkerboard Mesa

Bryce Canyon Hikes

Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide to the Watchman Trail in Zion National Park inspires you to catch a sunrise in the park! Have you done a sunrise hike before? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments. Happy trails!

For more places to explore, check out my guides to other hikes in Utah.

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