Utah · Hiking · Near Hurricane

Watchman Trail

Watchman TrailPhoto: yashima — CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.8 mi
loop
4,414 ft
high point
Loop
route
Easy
difficulty
Feb–May, Oct–Nov
best months

Is Watchman Trail open right now?

Closure reported

The National Park Service lists a closure that covers Watchman Trail.

  • Watchman Trail closed

    Park closure covering Zion National Park · NPS · Zion National Park

  • Toxic cyanobacteria in rivers, streams, and pools

    Park alert covering Zion National Park · NPS · Zion National Park

  • Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

    Park alert covering Zion National Park · NPS · Zion National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Zion National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Watchman Trail is an easy hike in Zion National Park in Utah, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is about 1.8 miles long, and it rises from roughly 3,922 feet to about 4,414 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show April highs around 73°F and October highs around 78°F, while July averages about 100°F. A fee is charged for the hike. Watchman Campground sits about half a mile away, and the Pa'rus - A Living Canyon and Pa'rus - Footprints in Time hikes are both within about half a mile. Climbers can find The Watchman about a mile off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    South Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.5 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsDon Graham from Redlands, CA, USA - God bless it!, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Zion Human History Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Don Graham from Redlands, CA, USA - God bless it!, CC BY-SA 2.0 (commons)

More in Hurricane

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit Watchman Trail

    Best months: February–May and October–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      54° / 30°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      58° / 34°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      66° / 39°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      73° / 44°

      6 wet

    5. May

      83° / 53°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      95° / 62°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      100° / 70°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      98° / 69°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      91° / 61°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      78° / 49°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 37°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 29°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Zion Np, UT, 0.7 mi away at 4,038 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Watchman Trail closed

      Zion National Park · seen Sep 1, 2026, no lift recorded · National Park Service

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors