Zion: The Watchman Trail Is Closed for Repairs Until Further Notice

If you're planning a hike in Zion, lock this in before you finalize your plans. The Watchman Trail is currently closed. The park has taken it offline for repairs, and access stays cut off while the work is underway. No reopening date has been announced yet, so treat this closure as ongoing until further notice.

The trail usually starts near the visitor center, at the park's south entrance. It's a short, easy loop, often saved for the end of the day for its views over the valley and toward the Watchman, the peak that gave the trail its name. A lot of travelers keep it as a first warm-up walk when they arrive, or as a last-minute outing once the canyon shuttles have stopped running. If that was your plan, you'll need to line up something else.

For now, don't count on this trail during your stay until the park announces it's back open. A repair closure can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and the weather. Our advice is simple. Check trail conditions the morning of your visit, straight from the rangers at the visitor center, because closures change fast in the canyons.

The good news is that Zion still has plenty of walks to offer, and you won't have any trouble finding an alternative for that window. To plan the rest of your visit and scout which trails are open, the shuttle schedule, and the best seasons, lean on the Zion park guide. And if Zion is part of a bigger loop through the American West, take a look at our road trip itinerary that runs through the park to build your stops around it.