Zion National Park
Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise. This relatively small park is packed with some of the most thrilling trails in the United States.
Angels Landing and the Narrows are two hikes that attract most people to Zion National Park. But there are many more trails to choose from…hikes that range from short, easy strolls to full day adventures.
Hiking definitely tops the to-do list in Zion National Park, but you can also go on a very nice scenic drive, go horseback riding, rock climbing and canyoneering, photograph the extraordinary landscapes, and get a history lesson about this park.
Zion National Park Stats
Founded: November 19, 1919
Annual Visitors: 4.6 million. This was the 3rd most visited park in the United States in 2023
Size: 150,000 acres
Location: Utah
Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Top Ten Experiences in Zion
Angels Landing. This is the most popular hike in Zion National Park. The final climb involves scaling a narrow ridge high above the valley floor. With chain-assisted rock scrambling sections and stunning views, this is one of the most exhilarating hikes in the United States.
Observation Point. For one of the best views over Zion National Park, hike to Observation Point. The entire hike is a beauty, but it is challenging. At 8 miles long and with 2300 feet of climbing, it is a steady climb to that final viewpoint.
Hike the Narrows. Hike in the Virgin River through one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the USA. There are two ways to do this hike. Start at the Riverside Walk and hike upstream. You can go as far as Big Springs without a permit. For the ultimate experience, hike the full length of the Zion Narrows on the top-down route.
Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. This winding scenic drive connects the Visitor Center to the east entrance of the park. Along the switchbacks between Canyon Junction and the tunnel you have great views of Zion National Park.
Watch the Sunset from Canyon Junction Bridge. This is the place to capture the iconic photo of the Virgin River and Watchman Peak.
Explore Kolob Canyons. Kolob Canyons is a smaller section of the park that sits to the north of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This area has a few hiking trails and its own visitor center.
Canyon Overlook Trail. For one of the best views in Zion, put this short, fun trail on your list. It is only 1-mile round trip and starts near the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel.
Emerald Pools. This short, popular hike connects two pools of water, Lower Emerald Pool and Upper Emerald Pool. This hike is 1.5 to 3 miles, depending on how far you hike and where you start.
Hidden Canyon. This is one of the most thrilling hikes in Zion. Sections of this hike are similar to Angels Landing, with vertigo-inducing trails that come with chains to help you keep your balance. This trail does not climb as high or have the panoramic views like Angels Landing, but Hidden Canyon also gets fewer visitors, which makes for pleasant, less crowded experience. Note: This trail is currently closed for a rockfall.
West Rim Trail. The West Rim Trail is a long-distance hike through Zion National Park. With amazing views, very few hikers on the trail, and a chance to walk the length of Zion National Park, this hike rewards you for your efforts. The West Rim Trail can be hiked as a long day hike or as a two-day backpacking trip.
The Subway. Similar to the Narrows, the Subway is a hike in the Left Fork of North Creek. The classic way to hike the Subway is top-down, but this is a technically challenging hike that requires canyoneering skills and exposure to cold water. A permit is required.
ULTIMATE ADVENTURE
For the ultimate adventure in Zion, hike the entire length of the Narrows from the top-down. This hike is 16-miles long and can be done as an epic day hike or a two-day backpacking trip. It’s challenging, it’s unique, and it is an experience you will never forget.
Zion Itinerary
Zion National Park Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 6 Days in Zion
In this post, get all of the information you need to plan your Zion National Park itinerary. This includes the top hikes, the best viewpoints, how to get around, where to stay, and where to eat.
Hikes in Zion
10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park: Which One Will Be Your Favorite?
Zion National Park is one of the best spots 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. Here are 10 of the best hikes in Zion National Park.
How to Hike the Watchman Trail in Zion National Park
The Watchman Trail is a relatively easy hike that offers nice views over Springdale and the southern end of Zion National Park. Since this trail starts at the visitor center, no shuttle is necessary, making this a great option if you want to go hiking in Zion without waiting in line for the shuttle. Here’s […]
Zion Narrows Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down: Which One Should You Choose?
Hiking the Zion Narrows is a very unique experience. For miles you hike through a massive slot canyon with the North Fork of the Virgin River as your hiking trail. There are two ways you can hike the Narrows. Most people hike it from the bottom-up, an out and back journey that takes you through […]
Zion Narrows Top-Down Route: Stats, Map & How to Do It
The Zion Narrows is one of Zion’s most popular hikes, for good reason. This is the quintessential slot canyon hike. For miles, you hike in the North Fork of the Virgin River, surrounded by sheer rock walls and amazing beauty. It’s challenging, it’s unique, and it makes for a very memorable experience. There are several […]
Journey through the Zion Narrows in Photos
For millions of years, the Virgin River has been carving its way through layers of rock, forming the Zion Narrows. This canyon twists and turns for miles, creating one of the most unique hiking trails in the world. There are several different ways you can hike the Narrows. Most people hike from the bottom-up, an […]
The Canyon Overlook Trail, One of Zion’s Essential Hikes
The Canyon Overlook Trail is a gem of a hike in Zion National Park. It’s short, it’s fun, and it takes you to an awesome viewpoint overlooking Zion Canyon. This is a hike that is perfect for all ages and ability levels. So if this is your first, or even your second time in Zion, […]
Hidden Canyon: An Unexpected Surprise in Zion National Park
The hike to Hidden Canyon blew away our expectations. This hike is tons of fun, with trails that cling to the side of a cliff and a scenic canyon to explore. Sections of this hike are similar to Angels Landing, with vertigo-inducing trails that come with chains to help you keep your balance. This trail […]
Hiking to Observation Point in Zion National Park
For jaw-dropping views over Zion National Park, it’s hard to beat Observation Point. The entire hike is a beauty, but it is challenging. At 8 miles long and with 2300 feet of climbing, it is a steady climb to that final viewpoint. This is a classic Zion trail and well worth your time and effort, especially if you […]
How to Day Hike the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park
The West Rim Trail is a long distance hike through Zion National Park. Starting at Lava Point, the trail slowly descends into the heart of Zion, the views getting better the farther you go. This is a beautiful hike, but it is long and requires some advance planning. With amazing views, very few hikers on […]
How to Hike Angels Landing: Trail Guide & Video
Angels Landing is the most popular hike in Zion National Park. This hike, along with The Narrows, draws thousands of visitors per year, most of them during the summer months. Why is Angels Landing so popular? This is a hike where it is more about the journey than the destination. Yes, the view from the […]
Tips for Visiting Zion
10 Things to Do in Zion if You Don’t Want to Ride the Shuttle
Zion is one of the most popular national parks to visit in the USA. In the past 4 to 5 years, this park has been drawing record numbers of visitors. Because of this, you should expect big crowds waiting to board the Zion Shuttle. By 8 am, the line to board the Zion Shuttle can […]
5 Things to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park
Zion National Park and its epic hiking trails have become an extremely popular place to visit in recent years. This is a spectacular destination and one of our favorite national parks in the USA. However, due to crowd levels, trail closures, and cyanobacteria in the Virgin River, Zion has become a challenging park to visit. […]
Hiking Permit for Angels Landing
US National Parks that Require Reservations – 2024 Guide
If you want to hike Angels Landing, you will need to apply for a permit in the lottery. We cover this in more detail in our guide to the Angels Landing Hike. We also cover the other US National Parks that require an advance reservation of some sort, in our guide to National Parks that Require Advance Reservations.
The Zion Shuttle
For most of the year (typically mid-March through November and over the Christmas holiday season), the Zion Shuttle is in operation. During this time, private vehicles are not permitted to drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
When the shuttle is not in operation (December, January, and February) you are permitted drive along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Just be aware that parking is limited so it still helps to get an early start.
For the best experience in Zion, we recommend being on one of the first shuttles of the day. This saves you valuable time waiting in line and allows you to start your hike before the trails get crowded.
Here’s a list of things you can do in Zion if you don’t want to ride the shuttle.
When To Visit Zion National Park
You can visit Zion National Park all year.
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. October is the best month to visit Zion, in my opinion. Crowds are thinning, the weather is spectacular, and in October you can see the fall colors.
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.
12 Best National Parks to Visit in January 2024 (USA)
Planning a trip to the US national parks in January but don’t know which ones to visit? In January, much of the country is cold and covered in snow, but there are plenty of parks you can visit to escape the wintry conditions. In this article, we cover the best national parks to visit in […]
13 Best National Parks to Visit in October 2024 (USA)
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12 Best National Parks to Visit in November 2024 (USA)
Planning a trip to the US national parks in November and don’t know which ones to visit? The cooler weather in November makes this one of the best times of the year to visit the parks across the southern part of the USA. Road trip through Utah’s Mighty 5, go sledding on sand as white […]
10 Best National Parks to Visit in December 2024 (USA)
Which are the best national parks to visit in December? In this guide, we list 10 beautiful national parks in the USA. Whether you are planning a family getaway during winter break or a vacation before the holiday season rolls around, we have lots of great ideas for you. Go hiking in Utah, gaze across […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in Zion?
Ideally, you need at least two to three days to visit 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 you should spend in Zion, pick out the hikes you want to do. For each big hike (a hike 5 miles or longer), add one day to your itinerary.
If you plan to hike Angels Landing, the Narrows, and Observation Point, you will need three days in Zion.
Learn how to plan your perfect itinerary with our Zion National Park Itinerary Planning Guide.
One Day in Zion
With one day in Zion, you have just enough time to hike one or two trails. Get a very early start, riding one of the first shuttles of the day, to make the most of your time and avoid the crowds, at least for your first few hours in the park.
Zion National Park Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2024 (+ Printable Checklist)
Places to Visit Near Zion
The Ultimate Arches and Canyonlands One Day Itinerary
Canyonlands and Arches are two national parks that sit side-by-side near Moab, Utah. Since these parks are neighbors, it is possible to visit both of them in one very busy day. In this guide, we cover the best way to spend one day in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. We are frequent visitors to this […]
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14 Amazing Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef, often an overlooked national park, is full of many wonderful surprises. With an amazing scenic drive, hiking trails that rival those in Zion, rugged, remote areas to explore by 4×4, short, easy slot canyons, historical landmarks, and even delicious pie, this national park is absolutely amazing. In this post, learn about the best […]
A Photojourney through Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch
If you are looking for a super fun hike to do, put Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch on your list. Just their names make this hike sound enticing. These slot canyons are located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Getting here can be a mini-adventure, driving over 25 miles down a rough, dirt road […]
One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park…a fantasyland of hoodoos, bizarre rock formations, and sandstone pillars. This is a crazy beautiful place, and its unique landscape sets it apart from other national parks. Although Bryce may not have the same sweeping, expansive vistas as the Grand Canyon, it’s still a breathtaking experience the first time you see this […]
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