Zion offers a wide variety of hiking trails and opportunities, ranging from easy half-hour walks to grueling overnight hikes. Several free brochures on hiking trails are available at the visitor centers, and the Zion Natural History Association publishes several good booklets describing established trails and off-trail routes. Hikers with a fear of heights should be especially careful when choosing trails -- many include steep, dizzying drop-offs. The authors and other experienced hikers provide the ratings here, but these are entirely subjective.
Guided hiking, rock climbing, and biking trips in the area outside the park plus shuttle services are offered by several local companies, including Zion Adventure Company, 36 Lion Blvd. (P.O. Box 523), Springdale, UT 84767 (tel. 435/772-0990; www.zionadventures.com), and Zion Rock & Mountain Guides, 1458 Zion Park Blvd. (P.O. Box 623), Springdale, UT 84767 (tel. 435/772-3303; www.zionrockguides.com). In the same building as Zion Rock & Mountain Guides, Springdale Cycle Tours, 1458 Zion Park Blvd. (P.O. Box 501), Springdale, UT 84767 (tel. 800/776-2099 or 435/772-0575; www.springdalecycles.com) does all things related to bikes.
Shuttle service for backcountry hikers and bikers is also available throughout the area from the park's shuttle service, Zion Canyon Transportation (tel. 877/635-5993 or 435/635-5993; www.nps.gov/zion/trans.htm). To try to arrange rides with fellow hikers, try the bulletin board at the visitor center.
Day Hikes -- Hikers have the chance to see the park from two completely different perspectives -- a high plateau hike affords a look down into the canyons, while a descent into the canyons provides spectacular views skyward.
