After taking my kids to Zion National Park, I think anyone with young children should skip the 2 most iconic hikes and do these 4 trails instead
Angela Repke
![After taking my kids to Zion National Park, I think anyone with young children should skip the 2 most iconic hikes and do these 4 trails instead](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-92619322%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-572002%2Fafter-taking-my-kids-to-zion-national-park-i-think-anyone-with-young-children-should-skip-the-2-most-iconic-hikes-and-do-these-4-trails-instead.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
- I went to Zion National Park for the first time with my husband and seven and nine-year old kids.
- My kids like to hike, but the most well-known trails, Angel's Landing and The Narrows, seemed risky.
My family's first trip to Zion National Park trip was a bucket list adventure, and I wanted to be sure we did all of the best hikes for families with kids.
![My family](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-92619539,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1059040/my-familyaposs-first-trip-to-zion-national-park-trip-was-a-bucket-list-adventure-and-i-wanted-to-be-sure-we-did-all-of-the-best-hikes-for-families-with-kids-.jpg)
Before our one-week trip in late March, I researched Zion National Park — a lot. My research repeatedly revealed that the two hikes that were the most popular among park visitors were The Narrows and Angels Landing.
The Narrows is a hike that requires you to wade through the Virgin River. It's not easy due to the changing current and water levels, especially for kids like mine who are seven and nine. Similarly, Angels Landing is a difficult trail that includes a treacherous rock scramble up up 1,605 feet.
During our visit, access to Angels Landing was allotted via a lottery system, but I knew right away it wasn't for us. Not only would it be crowded, but the steep ascent and unstable terrain seemed unsafe to do with young children.
The Narrows, on the other hand, I completed with my older child, but wouldn't do so again. Here's why, and the scenic hikes we did instead that are better for families with young children.
We started hiking in Kolob Canyon on the north side of Zion National Park. We chose Taylor Creek Trail, and it was our little one's favorite.
![We started hiking in Kolob Canyon on the north side of Zion National Park. We chose Taylor Creek Trail, and it was our little one](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-92619528,width-700,height-525,imgsize-61582/we-started-hiking-in-kolob-canyon-on-the-north-side-of-zion-national-park-we-chose-taylor-creek-trail-and-it-was-our-little-oneaposs-favorite-.jpg)
Taylor Creek is a five-mile hike that I found it to be less crowded compared to many of the other big hikes in Zion. It's nice and flat, making it an easier trail for the kiddos, and is also cooler because it's located in a valley, which means it is often shaded by the tall red rocks surrounding it.
For us, the biggest bonus was the creek itself. My daughter loved jumping through and over the shallow creek, and we also spotted two little abandoned homes on the trail, which the kids loved, making up ghost stories about who lived there as we hiked.
At the end was a beautiful double alcove, though we had to strap on microspikes as there were still icy and snow spots in March. But if you go in the late spring, summer, or fall, you won't need them. Overall, I thought this hike was a great introduction to Zion.
The next day, we did the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools. The kids loved it.
![The next day, we did the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools. The kids loved it.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-92619520,width-700,height-525,imgsize-60834/the-next-day-we-did-the-lower-middle-and-upper-emerald-pools-the-kids-loved-it-.jpg)
This three-mile hike is actually comprised of three hikes that many people combine because separately, they're each only one mile long.
The Lower Pools is paved and flat while the Middle and Upper trails start to incline and include some rock scrambling. This can make it difficult for toddlers or young children, but exciting for older kids.
To avoid crowds, we started at 7:30 a.m. Right away, while strolling on The Lower Falls, we saw deer grazing and a lovely waterfall. After that, the trail wound into more of a rock scramble with views of the Middle and Upper Pools.
My favorite section, however, was hiking to the top of Upper Pools where the sun beamed through the Ponderosa Pines. I stopped to admire it several times while my kids hustled me along to get to the top — their favorite part.
At the end was a large pool and waterfall where we stopped to eat lunch. The kids stomped around in the cold water and did a few rock scrambles up the sides surrounding the waterfall and pool, too.
Later, we drove onto a scenic road to hike Canyon Overlook, which was my favorite.
![Later, we drove onto a scenic road to hike Canyon Overlook, which was my favorite.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-92619516,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1133642/later-we-drove-onto-a-scenic-road-to-hike-canyon-overlook-which-was-my-favorite-.jpg)
Canyon Overlook is only a one-mile hike that leads to a grand overlook, though I thought it felt much longer because we were exposed to the sun almost the entire time. Because of its short distance and beauty, though, it's definitely worth it and doable for kids. There are also guardrails in spots to keep everyone safe.
To get to the trail head, we drove on a beautiful scenic drive surrounded by rock formations that stretched high and wide and got to drive through a couple dark tunnels, too, which the kids thought were spooky and fun.
When we started the trail, we saw a family of big horned sheep and also spotted a cave, which offered a cool reprieve to stop and drink water. Finally, we made it to the top of a vast plateau that overlooked the immense valley below. Because the area was so flat and massive, it felt safe to let the kids roam around, within an eye's shot, of course.
On the third day, we started with Scout Lookout. This was my older child's favorite hike.
![On the third day, we started with Scout Lookout. This was my older child](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-92619513,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1213128/on-the-third-day-we-started-with-scout-lookout-this-was-my-older-childaposs-favorite-hike-.jpg)
This 3.6 mile trail is entirely paved but with an elevation gain of 1,115 feet, it felt rigorous. While I do not recommend it for toddlers or young kids because of the incline, it is definitely fun for kids used to hiking and adventure. My kids liked it so much because it was hard and had a big payoff at the end.
The first part of Scout Lookout was entirely in the sun until we made it to the back where we were greeted with some shade from red rocks and Ponderosa Pines. Then came a demanding section with 21 uphill switchbacks, called Walter Wiggles. This was my kids' favorite part as they liked going back and forth, conquering the immense challenge, and easily beating Mom and Dad.
When we arrived at the top, we were greeted with an impressive view of Zion Canyon, including "the chains" that serve as the start to Angel's Landing. My son was disappointed he wasn't able to tackle Angel's Landing, but he still loved Scout Lookout all on its own.
On our last day, we attempted The Narrows. In hindsight, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with kids.
![On our last day, we attempted The Narrows. In hindsight, I wouldn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-92619510,width-700,height-525,imgsize-940134/on-our-last-day-we-attempted-the-narrows-in-hindsight-i-wouldnapost-recommend-it-to-anyone-with-kids-.jpg)
The night before hiking The Narrows, I couldn't sleep. My kids both say yes to adventure and are solid little hikers, but I was worried about the size of my youngest. As a petite seven-year-old, I was nervous the current would be too strong and the water levels too high for her.
To complete The Narrows in the late winter when the water is still cold and high from the snow melt, you need to rent dry suits, shoes, and a pole to trek through the Virgin River. This was not cheap — about $230 for all four of us.
After getting our gear, we entered the park to take a shuttle to the trail head. From there, we hiked one mile on land to the beginning of The Narrows.
As soon as we got into the water, I knew my anxiety was warranted. My daughter was clinging to rocks and my husband had to carry her in several deep areas. After only 30 minutes, we decided it was not safe for her, and she and my husband left while me and my son continued.
My son and I enjoyed our adventure and made it all the way to an area named Wall Street, where the rocks grow narrower and taller. Many people keep going from here, but our legs were ready to head back because hiking through water is tough business. But even after we hiked all the way back to land, we still had to hike the one mile to the shuttle in our wet gear. Our exhausted bodies felt so heavy with each wet step.
While The Narrows was a once in a lifetime experience, I wouldn't do it again with kids, partially because of the cost and time required to get the gear, but also the risk factor. My son and I witnessed several kids struggling and even saw a few kids and adults slip into the water. No one got hurt, but I definitely can see how it happens.
If your kids are on the taller side or perhaps older than 10, it may be something your family considers. But if I could do it over again, I would have planned a different activity for all of us and waited to try The Narrows when my kids were older.
Because when it comes down to it, Zion National Park is an awe-inspiring place with or without The Narrows — our other hikes certainly proved that.
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