First Trip to Zion: 10 Things to Know (From a Frequent Visitor)

Planning your first trip to Zion? You’ve come to the right place.

We are frequent visitors to Zion National Park, and through multiple visits, we have hiked the full length of the Narrows, stood atop Angels Landing, explored Kolob Canyons, and ventured off the beaten path within the park.

With the park shuttle, trail reservations, and multiple areas of the park to explore, planning your first trip to Zion may feel overwhelming, but we are here to make this much easier for you.

In this guide, we will cover the must-have experiences in Zion National Park, what to expect on the park shuttle, if you will need a permit, how to plan your time, and where to stay.

If we missed something, feel free to ask us in the comment section at the end of this article.

Welcome to amazing Zion National Park!

The Essentials

WHERE | Utah

DON’T MISS | Zion Canyon, Angels Landing, the Narrows, Zion – Mount Carmel Highway, Canyon Overlook Trail

HOW MUCH TIME | 2 to 3 days

STAY | Springdale

RESERVATION | No reservation is needed to enter the park or ride the shuttle, but some trails, such as Angels Landing, require a permit in advance

Table of Contents

How to Plan Your First Trip to Zion

1. Zion Geography 101

There are three main sections of Zion National Park: Zion Canyon, Kolob Canyons, and East Zion.

Most visitors spend all of their time in Zion Canyon. This is where you will find Angels Landing, Emerald Pools, the Riverside Walk, the Narrows, and some of the most stunning scenery in the park. The Zion shuttle runs the full length of this canyon.

Zion Canyon (photo taken from Observation Point)

Kolob Canyons is a smaller, more remote section of the park. Located in the northwest corner of Zion, things to do here include driving the very short Kolob Canyon Drive and hiking a trail or two.

Kolob Canyons

Zion – Mount Carmel Highway (UT-9) runs through East Zion, connecting Springdale with the east entrance. Private vehicles are permitted on this road and it is a gorgeous drive. There are several trails in this part of the park, including the short but sweet Canyon Overlook Trail and one of our off-the-beaten-path favorites, the Many Pools Trail.

Canyon Overlook Trail

There are also several trails on the outskirts of the park. Some lead into Zion Canyon (the Narrows top-down, the West Rim Trail, and Observation Point from the East Mesa Trail), whereas the Subway starts and ends in west Zion.

2. Top 5 Experiences in Zion

If you are planning your first trip to Zion and just want to see the highlights, here are the top experiences we recommend:

Angels Landing: This thrilling, tough trail is popular for a reason. If you are an avid hiker, this trail should be at the top of your list. A permit is required for this hike.
The Narrows: This is another bucket list-worthy hiking trail. For the ultimate experience, hike the Narrows from the top-down (this requires a permit and can be done in one day if you are very fit and fast or in 2 to 3 days as a backpacking trip). The easier, permit-free option is to hike the Narrows from the bottom-up. This is how most people hike the Narrows, but you are limited to a short section of the trail.
Zion Canyon: Zion Canyon is a must-see, with its towering red rock walls and gorgeous valley floor. Ride the park shuttle or explore the canyon on an e-bike.
Drive Zion – Mount Carmel Highway into East Zion: This is a breathtaking drive with switchback turns, passing through a historic tunnel, and running alongside some of Utah’s most stunning red rock scenery.
Hike to an Overlook: There are two overlooks worth putting on your list. If a short, easy trail is more your speed, don’t miss the Canyon Overlook Trail. But if you don’t mind a longer, more challenging hike, the view from Observation Point is arguably one of the best views you can get in Zion National Park.

These are what we think are the absolute best experiences to have in Zion National Park. For more ideas on what to do, don’t miss our guide to the best hikes in Zion and our article about the best things to do in Zion (there’s a lot more to do in Zion than hiking!)

Best Hikes in Zion: 15 Trails from Beginner to Advanced

Zion National Park is one of the best places in the United States to go hiking. From the awe-inspiring hike up Angels Landing to the family-friendly Riverside Walk to multi-day backpacking adventures, there is something here for everyone. In this guide, we cover the best hikes in Zion National Park, from popular trails to hidden gems. […]

10 Things to Do in Zion National Park (No Hiking Required)

While Zion is world-famous for bucket list trails like Angels Landing and the Narrows, there’s a lot more to do here than hike a trail or two. Whether you’re visiting with kids, taking a rest day, or simply prefer to skip the trails, Zion offers a surprising variety of things to do that don’t involve […]

3. How Many Days Do You Need in Zion?

Ideally, plan on spending two to three days in Zion National Park. This gives you enough time to hike the longer, more popular trails, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows, and you can also add in a few of the shorter, easier trails, such as the Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook.

When deciding how much time to spend in Zion, pick the hikes you want to do. For each big hike (a hike 5 miles or longer), add one day to your itinerary. Yes, it is possible to do two big hikes in one day, but we only recommend this for those who are fit and have lots of hiking experience.

If you plan to hike Angels Landing, the Narrows, and Observation Point, you will need three days in Zion. If you like the idea of also visiting Kolob Canyons, add a fourth day onto your itinerary.

We provide suggested itineraries (based on the amount of time you have available and your interests) in our Zion Itinerary planner ↓

Zion Itinerary

The Ultimate Zion Itinerary: 1 to 6 Days of Hiking & Adventure

4. When is the Best Time to Visit Zion?

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Zion. The weather is pleasant, with warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. Just be aware that you may not be able to hike the Narrows. In the spring, flow rates in the Virgin River will be high and the trail most likely will be closed (the Narrows usually reopens in May).

During the summer months, expect big crowds and very high temperatures. Zion is the most crowded from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

Fall is a spectacular time to visit Zion. The weather will be warm during the day and cool at night. September and October are the best months to visit Zion, in my opinion. Crowds are thinning, the weather is spectacular, and in October you can see the fall colors. October is our favorite month to visit Zion.

If you don’t mind cold temperatures, winter is a very nice time to visit Zion. Crowds will be low and hiking trails will be empty. The Zion shuttle does not operate in the winter so you can drive through the park in your own vehicle.

Zion National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in January, October, November, and December.

The Narrows in October

5. Road Trip Itineraries with Zion

Zion National Park is located in southwest Utah. Many people visit Zion on a road trip through the American Southwest and/or Utah’s Mighty 5.

The closest major airport is Las Vegas, which is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the park. Salt Lake City is the next best option, followed by Phoenix.

Here are the driving distances and times from nearby destinations:

Las Vegas: 160 miles, 2.5 hours
Bryce Canyon National Park: 85 miles, 2 hours
Capitol Reef National Park: 210 miles, 3.5 hours
Moab (Arches & Canyonlands): 345 miles, 5 hours
Phoenix: 400 miles, 6.5 hours
Page: 120 miles, 2 hours 15 minutes
Salt Lake City: 315 miles, 4.5 hours

Because of its location, Zion can easily be combined with Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Kanab, and Page (Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon). An extremely popular road trip is to visit all five national parks in Utah, aka Utah’s Mighty 5.

If you are looking for road trip ideas, here are three popular road trip routes that include Zion:

Utah’s Mighty 5: How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip Itinerary

Stretching across southern and central Utah are five stunning national parks. Called the Mighty 5, these parks contain some of the most thrilling hiking trails and iconic landscapes in the United States. Stand atop Angels Landing in Zion. Gaze across a wonderland of hoodoos at Bryce Canyon. Explore the Water Pocket Fold at Capitol Reef. […]

10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip

The American southwest is one of the USA’s best road trip destinations. It’s unbelievable how much there is to see and do here. There are the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon, thrilling hiking trails in Zion National Park, and millions of hoodoos to photograph in Bryce Canyon. Are you getting excited yet? The list […]

6 Epic Utah Road Trip Routes for Your Next Adventure

Utah is home to five of the most stunning national parks in the United States. Throw in some national monuments and a few spectacular state parks and you have a extraordinary road trip destination. If you are planning a Utah road trip itinerary, we have tons of information to share with you. About Our Experiences […]

6. The Zion Park Shuttle

The Zion Shuttle is free and does not require an advance reservation. If you have plans to venture into Zion Canyon, there is a very good chance you will ride this shuttle.

For most of the year (March through November and during the winter holiday season of Christmas), the Zion Shuttle is in operation. During this time, private vehicles are not permitted to drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

From this shuttle route, you have access to Zion’s most popular hiking trails, such as the Narrows from the bottom-up, Angels Landing, the Riverside Walk, and the Emerald Pools.

The shuttle starts at the Visitor Center, which is located at the park entrance. To get here, you can either drive to the Visitor Center and park your car or ride the Springdale shuttle from town. Midday and on weekends, taking the Springdale shuttle is recommended because parking is limited at the Visitor Center.

Once at the visitor center, you will join the queue waiting to board the shuttle.

On our most recent visit (May 2025), we spoke to a park ranger and he recommended getting in line 15 minutes early to be on one of the first shuttles of the day (for example, get in line at 6:45 am if the first shuttle runs at 7 am), and be in line 30 to 45 minutes early to be on the very first shuttle of the day.

Visit the official park website for hours of the shuttle (these change by season) and a full list of shuttle stops.

Riverside Walk

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How to plan your first trip to Zion: Angels Landing, Observation Point, Zion Canyon, the Narrows, best hikes and scenic drives, where to stay, Zion itinerary.

7. Road Restrictions on Zion – Mount Carmel Highway

Zion – Mount Carmel Highway is open to standard vehicles all year (no shuttle necessary for this road). However, there is a narrow tunnel located on this road and larger vehicles are not permitted to drive through this tunnel.

Currently, if you are in a large vehicle (RV’s, trailers, and tour buses), there are specific times when you are permitted to drive through the tunnel (8:30 am to 4:30 pm every day). First, you will need to pick up a permit at one of the park entrances and then you will be permitted to drive through the tunnel.

Because of the narrow size of the tunnel, when a larger vehicle drives through the tunnel, the tunnel is closed to traffic coming from the opposite direction. This can cause long backups on both sides of the tunnel.

In response to this, beginning in 2026, all large vehicles will be prohibited from entering the tunnel. Instead, those vehicles will have to drive around the park, which adds on roughly 40 additional minutes of driving time.

So, if you plan to drive an RV or pull a trailer, there are currently limited times you can drive through the tunnel, and starting sometime in 2026, you will have to bypass Zion – Mount Carmel Highway.

Get full details on what constitutes a ‘large vehicle,’ permit fees, and updates about when the vehicle restrictions go into effect in 2026 here.

The view of the switchbacks on Zion – Mount Carmel Highway from Canyon Overlook.

8. Do You Need an Advance Reservation?

Currently, visitors do not need an advance reservation to enter the park or to ride the park shuttle.

There are several hiking trails that require an advance permit. These are:

Angels Landing: Permits are awarded by lottery, both seasonally and the day before your planned hike.
The Narrows (Top-Down only): Permits are released in advance, 4 times per year. We cover this in detail in our guide How to Hike the Narrows.
The Subway: Permits are awarded by lottery, both seasonally and the day before your planned hike. Learn more here.

9. Where is the Best Place to Stay?

It’s best to stay as close as possible to the park. Zion Lodge has an unbeatable location in Zion Canyon. The next best option is the town of Springdale, which is located next to the south entrance of Zion National Park. This small, lovely town offers quite a few hotel options, along with a nice selection of great restaurants to try.

For hotel, B&B, camping, and glamping recommendations in and around Zion, take a look at our guide Where to Stay in Zion ↓

Hotel Guide

Where to Stay in Zion: Best Hotels, Lodges & Glamping Resorts

10. Our Favorite Restaurants in Springdale

Coffee Shops

Our go-to coffee shop is Canyon Coffee but Deep Creek Coffee Company and FeelLove Coffee are great options as well.

Lunch

Oscar’s Café: Tacos, burgers, rice and beans, chicken dishes…a great spot to refuel after a morning of hiking

Hangry Goat: Pulled pork sandwiches, rice and bean bowls

Zion Canyon Brew Pub: Burgers, grilled chicken, tacos, and pasta; within walking distance of the visitor center

Dinner

King’s Landing Bistro: This is our favorite restaurant in Springdale. Seating is first-come first-served, with indoor and outdoor dining (outdoor tables have a great view of the mountains). We recommend the elk medallions.

Kings Landing Bistro

Bit & Spur Restaurant: This casual restaurant serves southwestern dishes, also with indoor and outdoor dining.

Dulivia Ristorante Italiano: This restaurant gets mixed reviews and we have to agree. If you crave Italian, this is the best option in Springdale that we are aware of. We dined here and thought the food was good but nothing special, but we did like dining outside with views of the mountains.

The outdoor terrace at Dulivia Ristorante

Speakeasy Bar

For crafted cocktails with a small, intimate setting, don’t miss Cowboys & Angels Speakeasy Cocktail Parlor. This speakeasy’s entrance is hidden inside of FeelLove Coffee. On the menu are cocktails and really good mocktails, if you prefer to stay hydrated for tomorrow’s big hike.

Trail & Road Closures

As with any national park, roads and/or trails can close due to floods, rockfalls, wildfires, etc.

The Zion Narrows can close when river flow rates are high or when there are high levels of cyanobacteria in the water.

There are several fantastic hiking trails that have long term closures due to rockfalls (Hidden Canyon and Observation Point from the Weeping Rock trailhead).

As you plan your trip, and just before your visit, take a look at the official Zion National Park website, to avoid any unfortunate surprises (this is a great thing to do when planning a visit to any of the US national parks, not just Zion).

Zion National Park

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If you have any questions about how to plan your first visit to Zion National Park, let us know in the comment section below.