The Watchman is the most photographed peak in the park, the great red mass that closes the southern end of Zion Canyon and dominates the view from the visitor centre. It is also one of the easier serious hikes in the park: a three-mile round trip from the visitor centre that climbs about 350 feet up the north flank to a viewpoint, with no scrambling required.
Start in the late afternoon and the entire western wall of the canyon is lit by the sinking sun as you descend. The light on the Watchman itself at sunset is what gives the rock the deep crimson colour visible from town. Allow two hours. No permit needed.