Zion was Utah’s first national park, and its luster has endured as it continues to be the most visited park in Utah as well as one of the most visited parks in the national parks system, with over 5 million visits each year. This 148,016 acre park has range, with abounding hikes for all difficulty levels as well as canyoneering, rafting, and rock climbing. Whether you’re planning a Zion-only trip or hitting up all the parks in Utah, you won’t regret adventuring in awe as you explore the diverse topography and wilderness that make this vast park an unforgettable gem.
Not only is the canyon astounding, but there are so many adventures to be had! There’s not many guarantees in life, but Zion Canyon is almost assuredly guaranteed to knock your socks off and leave you saying “WOAH“.
Fast Facts About Zion National Park
Size: 232 square miles
Visitors: 5,039,835 visitors annually (data from 2021)
Highest elevation: 8,726 feet — Horse Ranch Mountain
Distance from St. George Airport: 45 miles — 1 hour drive
Distance from Las Vegas Airport: 170 miles — 3 hour drive
Distance from Salt Lake City Airport: 300 miles — 4.5 hour drive
National Park Initiation: November 19th, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson
Zion is truly one of our favorite national parks. You can see pictures and have some appreciation for the magnitude, but there’s nothing quite like going and experiencing it for yourself. While all land protected by the National Park Service is important and beautiful in its own way, some parks are just most engaging to visit than others. Sometimes spending just an afternoon wandering around is enough to wet your beak and feel as though you saw the gist. That will not be enough at Zion!!! Unless you grew up with technicolor canyons in your backyard, you’re going to need at least two or three days to adequately explore Zion Canyon. Below we have detailed all of our favorite hikes, where to grab a bite, how-to’s for navigating transportation, where to bunk down, and beautiful drives— as well as all the tips and tricks that will ensure you have the best time.
Top Hikes
If you’re going to Zion, crushing a few hikes is a must. The sandstone cliffs are as exhilarating to hike as they are gorgeous to observe. With over 90 miles of trails available to explore, the opportunities for exploration are endless. Below we’ve detailed a few hikes that especially stood out, but a more comprehensive list can be found here.
Angels Landing
While views abound throughout the park, there are a few hikes Zion is renowned for. The first of which is Angel’s Landing. This steep hike was once thought to be inaccessible to humans, hence its name. In the time since, it has become a well worn path, with chains for anxious hikers to hold onto as they make their accent.
Due to this trail’s popularity, crowding started to become an issue, so the park launched a lottery permit system for interested visitors to throw their hat in the ring. While this does make the hike safer by diminishing the overcrowding, it also means some hikers that truly wish to hike Angels Landing are unable to.
For those that don’t win it big in the lottery, hiking to the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail provides a pretty comparable view. If you are hiking all the way up to Angel’s Landing, you must start the hike in your given time window. For those hiking to Scout’s Lookout, we recommend getting an early start— especially if you are visiting in the summer months.
The Narrows
An equally iconic hike, the Narrows is an adventurous trek through the most narrow section of Zion Canyon. It feels surreal to hike through the gorge, with sandstone walls stretching up thousands of feet, but even more unique, over half of this hike is spent walking– or rather wading– through the Virgin River. In the spring, the melting snow can make the water flowing through the canyon too dangerous for hikers to endeavor, so be sure to check the flow rate to get an idea of the feasibility of going. The Narrows closes down if the river’s flow rate exceeds 150 cubic feet per second (CFS).
OOTD
Even when the conditions are right, you want to be dressed to impress. Regular hiking boots aren’t going to cut it here, and depending on the time of year, you might be glad to have a pair of bibs as well. Equipment rentals, such as Zion Outfitter, will provide canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, a wooden walking stick, and dry pants (as necessary). If you are considering doing any substantial portion of the water-trek, we highly recommend either packing or renting this gear as it can make or break your experience.
Hike it Out
Most park visitors hike the Narrows bottom-up, and this does not require a permit. Hiking from the bottom up means starting at Temple of Sinawava (shuttle stop #9) and hiking as far as Big Spring. The beauty of the bottom-up hike is that there is no specific viewpoint you are hiking to, because hiking through the canyon itself is the view. This means you could spend an hour hiking or you could spend all day! A true choose-you-own-adventure kind of hike.
An early start to the day is advisable. Due to the popularity of this hike, it will get crowded. The silver lining is that even in the middle of the day, the farther you hike into the canyon, the less people you will see.
Watchman Trail
Easy to access from the Visitor Center, the Watchman Trail is an excellent trail to get your feet wet with. The overlook at the top boasts 360 degree views, including Temples and Towers, the lower Zion Canyon, and Watchman Peak. The proximity to the Visitor Center is convenient to ensure bladders are empty and water bottles are full before departing. This is especially important for anyone embarking on a mid-day hike because this trail has zero shade.
The lack of shade makes The Watchman a perfect choice for an early evening hike. With sweeping views of the canyon, it makes for an awesome sunset spot. It’s not a terribly long hike, so it’s generally pretty feasible to safely descend before dark. No one knows your body like you do, so always make sure you feel safe and comfortable with your hiking plan!
Zion Canyon Campgrounds
There are two campgrounds in the Zion Canyon region of the park, which offer a combined 293 campsites for campers to choose from.
Watchman Campground
Watchman Campground, the slightly bigger of the two, is only a ¼ mile away from the South Entrance of the park. While tent and electric campsites are available year-round, group campsites are only available from March to November. Amenities anyone? All campsites have a space for a tent or RV, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Due to Zion’s illustrious draw, campsites fill up quickly and this campground requires reservations year-round. Mark your calendar if you’re keen to camp here because campsites become available six months in advance… and they will go fast!
South Campground
South Campground is similarly convenient in location, only a ½ mile from the South Entrance of the park. Available March through October, tent, dry RV, and group campsites are available by reservation. Making a reservation is important as this campground is routinely full. Taking a more spontaneous trip? These campsites become available for reservation 14 days in advance, so even if the Watchman campground is full months out, it’s possible to snag a gorgeous, centrally located campsite. Your campsite includes a space for a tent or RV, a picnic table, and a fire ring.
Both of these campgrounds are alongside the Virgin River. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center upon arrival to check the water quality as bacteria blooms can be toxic.
Zion Lodge
The Zion Lodge is located in the middle of the park, placing guests in the heart of the excitement. The longstanding lodge can be found on the National Register of Historic Places as it was built in the 1920s and has withstood the test of time… and fire! Abounding in historical character, the Zion Lodge offers 76 rooms, six suites, and 40 cabins for visitors to choose from. We loved the historic character of our little cabin abode.
The Scoop
Providing a robust experience, the Lodge also offers narrated tram ride tours late spring through fall. These tours traverse Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, showcasing keystone areas of the park with a colorful commentary throughout. As a note, this tram ride differs from the free shuttle rides.
If you’re more invested in zipping around, creating your own adventure, bikes are available to rent as well mid-March through November. Safety first, safety always! When you rent a bike, it will also include a helmet, safety vest, and bike lock. Additionally, all bikes are conveniently equipped with a front basket, safety lights, and a bell, so you will be prepared for all situations!
A huge perk of staying at the Zion Lodge is that you are permitted to drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive up to the Lodge (a restricted area to all other park visitors late spring through fall). This access is allotted via a code, which must be provided for gate entry. Why does this matter? If your Lodge reservation check-in is Monday at 4pm, but you wanted to arrive at the park and hike before your check-in time, you are able to park your car (for free) at the Lodge for that entire day. It is also convenient to be able to come and go from the park as you please without reliance on the shuttle.
The Shuttle Scuttle
To minimize traffic through the park in busy months shuttle services run from March to November both in the park itself and in the adjacent town of Springdale. Both shuttles have nine stops. The shuttle in the park takes visitors to various areas in the park itself, while the Springdale shuttle transports people staying or parking in town up to the park entrance.
The Springdale shuttle service is more necessary than one might think due to parking in Zion typically being full by 8-9am. In the months the shuttles are running, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, so using the shuttle system is the fastest way to maneuver through the park– unless you’re keen to rent a bike! There are a plethora of shuttles running, so one is never waiting too long for their ride.
Staying hydrated throughout the day is incredibly important. Water-bottle refilling stations can be found at shuttle stops 1,2,5,6, and 9.
Taking It Low & Slow
Many of Zion’s most popular hikes can be found along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive; however, this section of the park only makes up a portion of the national park. Directly after crossing over the Canyon Junction Bridge a left turn will lead to the limited access scenic drive; however, if you continue straight, the road becomes Zion Park Boulevard also known as the Mount Carmel Highway. This winding road leads to some absolutely breathtaking views of the canyon. If you have time, you will not regret taking this drive.
Good Eats
In the Park
The lodge is centrally located in the park at shuttle stop 5, and features a couple restaurant options. The Castle Dome Cafe serves coffee and light breakfast bites in the morning as well as burgers and hot dogs and french fries throughout the afternoon. Some local microbrews can be found in the beer cart on the cafe’s patio.
The Red Rock Grill can be found within the main lodge itself, and it makes for a perfect spot to rest your weary legs while you chow down, with a variety of delicious plate options. We both devoured 1/2 pound burgers after hiking Angel’s Landing, and I can honestly say a burger has never tasted better!
Zion Canyon Village
Just outside the entrance to the park, you will find the Zion Canyon Village. This locus has a handful of places certainly worth visiting either on your way into or out of the park.
Happy Camper Market is a small scale grocery store, with everything you might need for your day’s adventure. When we hiked the Narrows, we planned to hike just about the whole thing, so we knew we’d be out past lunchtime. The pre-made sandwiches were a perfect mid-day meal. They also have a wide array of sports drinks if you need a little post-hike hydration.
Right next door, the Zion Canyon Brew Pub has both a restaurant as well as a beer garden area for weary hikers to rest their bones. While we didn’t sample any food here, we can recommend stopping by for a beer.
Sunset & Stargazing
The Zion Human History Museum is just north of the Visitor Center, and its patio provides great sunset views overlooking Bridge Mountain and the East Temple. Once the sun has set, the patio continues to serve looks, with expansive night sky stretched out above you. If you’d rather take a stroll as you take in the heavens, the Pa’rus Trail is an excellent option for both sunset and star gazers. Canyon Junction Bridge was once a lovely spot to watch the sun set, but it now has signs up prohibiting pedestrian loitering (park rangers will patrol the area around sunset to make people move). As mentioned above, the Watchman trail viewpoint makes for a panoramic view of the evening sky.
Despite all the rush of snagging a top notch sunset spot, Zion’s grandiose topography prevents visitors from actually watching the sun settle into the horizon. The sunset hour still affords enviable views as the cotton candy colored clouds and watercolor sky make for a gorgeous backdrop to the tangerine canyons as the sunlight fades.
Zion goes to lengths to preserve the dark night sky that makes for excellent stargazing. Due to this dedication, there is very minimal outdoor lighting to illuminate your path, after the sun sets. If you’re planning to be out after sunset, be sure to bring a flashlight with you.
Kolob Canyon
In the northwestern corner of the park, you will find the Kolob Canyons. This part of the park clocks in at just under an hour and a half away from the southern entrance to the park, making it a less densely visited area. The Kolob Canyons are narrow slot canyons, permeating the Colorado Plateau, creating breathtaking peaks and cliff sides.
If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the Kolob Canyon experience, there is both hiking and camping available. The Lava Point Campground is open May through September, as weather permits. This campground sits over a mile high at 7890 feet elevation and has six primitive campsites available for reservation. This reservation system is newer and interested explorers should make a reservation over the phone at 877-444-6777. The campground lives up to its primitive description with only pit toilets and trash cans available to campers.
Pets
Everyone loves their furry friend, but pets can be quite disruptive upon entry into a new ecosystem. For this reason, pets must be on a leash 6 feet or less, and owners are responsible for picking up after their pet all areas in the park. The Pa’rus Trail, which begins at the Visitor Center, is the only trail that permits pets. They are not allowed on any other trails, wilderness areas, shuttles, or in public buildings in Zion. (Service animals are the exception to these location restrictions.)
It’s important to bring water for yourself, but keeping your pet hydrated is equally important. The water in Zion is not always safe to drink though, so be mindful of what your pet laps up!
Planning Ahead
The Elements
Be sure to check the weather before you go hiking– especially if you plan to hike a slot canyon, like the Narrows. Even little rain can be dangerous because water levels rise exponentially faster, making flash flooding a real risk. The National Weather Service monitors ten park areas in southern Utah for likelihood of flash flooding and issues each one a flash flood potential rating. Checking for likelihood of flooding as well as keeping an eye on imminent weather is super easy to do, and just might save your life!
If you are going to be out hiking for any length of time, you should ensure you have packed sufficient water. Doing a longer trail? It’s never a bad idea to pack a snack or two to ensure you can keep up your stamina. If you’re not used to heat and elevation changes, it can fatigue you even more quickly on an empty stomach.
Get out early to avoid the heat of the day and the crowds. If you are an early bird, the earlier the better to afford you a bit more tranquility in the park and perhaps a stunning sunrise view. For any and all that do their best work in the afternoon, heading to the park around 3pm or 4pm will allow you to miss both the strongest UV rays of the day as well as all the morning park-goers.
Come Prepared
Pack your sunscreen… and perhaps a hat as well. Even if you are getting after it before the sun has reached its peak, the rays are strong, and sustained exposure will leave you burned!
While Angels Landing is the only hike that requires a permit, activities such as canyoneering, backpacking, rock climbing, and rafting all require permits as well.
Layers, layers, layers!! Despite the scorching hot temperatures during the day, the early mornings and evenings can still be quite chilly– plus the temperature can vary by elevation or lack of sun exposure (i.e. deep in a canyon). Even when visiting the summer, be sure to pack a few warmer layers!
A walking stick or trekking poles are never a bad idea. These are beneficial for a multitude of hikes, none more-so than hiking through the Narrows. With the water moving around you, a walking stick increases your base of support and makes undesirable plops into the river less likely.
They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, but no picture truly captures how immense Zion Canyon is. The national parks system protects some of the most beautiful niches of the country, and Zion is a crown jewel in this collection. Let us know what you think of this immense testament to nature’s grandeur.
written by Hannah
Hannah has learned the hard way to be careful what you wish for— sometimes happily ever after lands you with a husband and puppy… in the Midwest. Despite leaving Florida to move to Wisconsin, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves spending weekends exploring newfound hikes.
