The Watchman Trail begins near the visitor centre, which makes it one of the easiest serious hikes to fit into an arrival or departure day. It climbs to a viewpoint over Springdale, the Virgin River, and the lower canyon rather than to the summit of The Watchman itself.
It is a good sunrise or late-afternoon hike, with enough effort to feel earned but without the exposure of Zion's famous cliff routes. Avoid the hottest part of summer days; the trail has limited shade.