Zion National Park Itinerary: 8 Best Things To Do in Zion National Park
Zion National Park in simple terms is beautiful. It is one of those places where you cannot stop looking around and need to constantly be picking up your jaw off the floor. It is absolutely beautiful and was Alex and I’s runner-up for our favorite national park in Utah!
This guide will review everything you need to know to plan an epic Zion National Park itinerary, including travel tips, where to stay, the best hikes in Zion National Park, and the best things to do in Zion National Park!
Fun Fact: Zion National Park is Utah’s first national park!
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Travel Tips for Creating a Zion National Park Itinerary
Time needed to explore
I recommend allocating 2-3 days in Zion National Park. There are a lot of hikes in Zion National Park, and even though most are not long, I still recommend allocating at least 2 days to see it all and take in the full beauty of Zion. If you plan on doing a few of the longer hikes, you may want to allocate an extra day.
Things to know before you go
Zion Nation Park is ALWAYS crowded no matter what day of the week you go. We went on Wednesday and Thursday, and it was very crowded. I don’t even want to imagine how it is on a weekend!
Also, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private cars most of the year. Because of this, you have to take the free shuttle to see all of the attractions off the road. The shuttle starts at the Visitor Center and travels to the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Tips and Tricks
As I mentioned above, Zion National Park is always crowded and the parking lot at the Visitor Center can be full by 9:00 AM. I highly recommend parking at the Visitors Center by 8:00 AM to secure a parking spot.
If you are staying in Springdale, you can also take the free shuttle from downtown Springdale to the Visitors Center and then catch the Zion shuttle from there. You can also rent bikes which is another great option for seeing the park if you don’t want to use the shuttle.
Zion National Park can also be very hot in summer, and with minimal shade in the park, the heat can be brutal. It is recommended to drink at least a gallon of water during your day in the park and wear a lot of sunscreen.
Always remember to leave no trace.
It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Closest Airport to Zion National Park
Zion National Park is located in the southwest corner of Utah on the border of Arizona and Nevada. The closest airport to Zion National Park is Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. From the airport, it is pretty much a straight shot following along I-15N for just under three hours to Zion National Park. The second closest airport is the Salt Lake City International Airport, but it is a five-hour drive to Zion National Park.
I highly recommend renting a car for the drive to Zion National Park because there is so much to see on the drive from Las Vegas, including Valley of Fire State Park, but there is also a bus that will go between Las Vegas and Zion. Since Springdale has a great shuttle system that connects with Zion National Park’s shuttle, it is possible to not rent a car for your trip to Zion!
Places to Stay Near Zion National Park
If you plan on spending a night near Zion, I recommend staying in Springdale because it has everything you need. This was our favorite town we stayed in while we were in Utah. There are a lot of great hotels, restaurants, and cute shops you will want to visit! There is also a big grocery store that has a variety of food. I was able to find plenty of food to accommodate being vegetarian and gluten-free, which I appreciated!
If you have or can rent camping gear or a campervan, I highly recommend it because there are campgrounds close to Zion National Park. If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans!
Best Hotels Near Zion National Park:
Bumbleberry Inn - We stayed at the Bumbleberry Inn loved our time there! It was within walking distance to the grocery store, restaurants, and cute shops.
Best Campgrounds Near Zion National Park:
Zion National Park Itinerary: The 8 Best Things To Do in Zion National Park
1. Canyon Overlook
Canyon Overlook is one of the first sights in Zion National Park if driving in from the east. It is right before the tunnel, and parking is VERY limited. I recommend parking in a pullover area on the road as soon as you see an opening. We walked a bit to get to the trailhead by doing this, but it was worth it because there wasn’t much parking closer.
Canyon Overlook is a 1-mile roundtrip easy hike that brings you to a breathtaking view of the canyon. Although this hike is easy, there are spots where there is a drop-off, so I recommend being cautious, especially if you are hiking with children. Canyon Overlook is one of the best hikes in Zion National Park for those looking for an easy hike with a beautiful view.
The endpoint has a fenced overlook area giving you beautiful views of the road after the tunnel. This is the easiest hike you can do to get the BEST views. It was one of our favorite spots on our Zion National Park itinerary!
2. The Narrows
The Narrows is one of the best hikes in Zion National Park because it provides a fun experience walking through an iconic canyon in the river. There are multiple ways to experience the Narrows with the most common being the “Bottom-Up” day hike. This is the ONLY way to experience the Narrows without a permit.
If you want to hike from top-down, you will have to book a permit more than 3 months in advance using the NPS scheduling tool. Hiking the Narrows is one of the best things to do in Zion National Park and should be on everyone’s Zion National Park itinerary!
The hike starts at the Riverside Walk and continues straight into the Narrows where you start to get your feet wet. You can essentially hike as far as you want and then turn around to head back. I recommend researching how far you would like to go before heading out, so you can plan accordingly!
I also recommend bringing two pairs of shoes because it’s never comfortable walking in wet shoes! The water levels in the Narrows can vary greatly depending on the season, so that is something else to consider when planning your hike.
There was trail damage, so we could not experience the Narrows. We were so bummed because this was a hike we were looking forward to.
3. Pa’rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trail is the most accessible trail in Zion National Park and the only one that allows bikes and pets! It is a beautiful and easy 3-mile roundtrip hike that can start at the Visitor Center or near Canyon Junction Bridge. It brings you along the Virgin River where you have the opportunity to see beautiful wildflowers and wildlife.
Although it is not as epic as other hikes, it is still one of the best hikes in Zion National Park to do in the evening as the day cools down and golden hour sets in!
4. Canyon Junction Bridge
If you do decide to hike the Pa’rus Trail in the evening, I recommend hiking to the Canyon Junction Bridge for sunset. Watching the sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge looking down the river to the Watchman is one of the best things to do in Zion National Park. This spot can be VERY crowded during sunset, so I highly recommend arriving at the bridge early to secure a spot. We arrived about an hour early and got the BEST spot!
Even if you aren’t into photography, I still recommend adding Canyon Junction Bridge to your Zion National Park itinerary, so you can watch the sunset here at least once. If you hiked here on the Pa’rus Trail and didn’t want to hike back after sunset, you can catch the shuttle at the Canyon Junction stop.
This is also a great spot to get some star photos at night! We sat here until it got dark and watched the stars appear. We were amazed by how many you could see!
Bonus Tip: If you want awesome star pics or to simply stargaze, head up the windy road before the tunnel. There are plenty of spots to pullover!
5. Emerald Pools
Emerald Pools is one of the best hikes in Zion National Park that brings you to small but beautiful waterfalls. The most common place to begin the hike is at the Zion Lodge which can be as long as 3 miles roundtrip if you want to hike the entire trail.
The first half-mile of the trail is fairly easy and brings you past Lower Emerald Pool. It continues beneath a tall alcove under two waterfalls. In the spring, the water flow is high, so the waterfalls are gushing. When we went in the summer, the waterfalls were nothing but trickles of water, but they were still beautiful!
Unfortunately, there was trail damage from a recent storm, so we could not go further than the lower pools. If the trail is open, it continues up more steeply to bring you above the alcove you were just under. The Middle Emerald Pools are the streams that create the waterfalls at the lower pools.
The final stretch of the hike can be grueling in the summer but highly rewarding. The trail leads to Upper Emerald Pools which are at the base of huge cliffs. I highly recommend adding the hike to your Zion National Park itinerary. I am bummed we could not experience these pools, but we will come back here in the future!
6. Observation Point
NOTE: The traditional hike to Observation Point via East Rim Trail is closed due to a rockfall and is likely not to reopen for a few years. The only way to access Observation Point is to hike the East Mesa Trail.
Observation Point is considered to be one of the best hikes in Zion National Park that leads to the most iconic viewpoint. The hike can start in two places, but the most common starting point, at the Weeping Rock Trailhead, is closed because of trail damage.
The less common starting point is at the East Mesa Trailhead and is now the only way to get to Observation Point. The East Mesa Trail is a 7-mile roundtrip trail that is actually the easier of the two trails because it gains less elevation. The only way you can get to the East Mesa Trailhead is by driving on dirt roads that tend to be washed out. I recommend renting a 4x4 if you plan on driving to this trailhead.
7. Angels Landing
Because Angels Landing is one of the most popular hikes in the Zion National Park, the park is piloting a lottery permit system to decrease the congestion on the trail. You can apply for a permit before your trip during certain windows of days or the day before.
Angels Landing is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the US and one of the best hikes in Zion National Park. It is a very rewarding 6-mile roundtrip hike that offers amazing views, BUT it is not for the faint of heart, small children, or anyone who does not do well with heights. The hike has vertical drop-offs on either side of the trail along most of the hike… Watch videos on Youtube of the hike… It’s pretty crazy!
Alex and I decided not to hike Angels Landing. To be honest, it never really interested me!
8. Kolob Canyon
I bet you have never heard of Kolob Canyon and are questioning if I have added something random into this blog post. Nope!! Kolob Canyon is tucked in the northwest corner of Zion National Park and is the least known part of the park. After braving the crowds in every other section of Zion National Park, this is a nice getaway.
Kolob Canyon is located about 45 minutes from Springdale and is an easy drive if you are looking for some peace and quiet. The 5-mile drive into the canyon is beautiful and offers many viewpoints and trailheads. At the top of the road, there is a small but awesome 1-mile hike to Timber Creek Overlook that offers views of Mount Trumbull, Shuntavi Butte, and the finger canyons. I highly recommend coming here for golden hour. It is breathtaking!
If you are looking for a longer hike, fear not my friends! Kolob Canyon has some of the best backpacking adventures with uncrowded trails. You can find just about anything you want from easy day hikes to difficult multi-day hikes. This is also a great place for canyoneering! There are many slot canyons that canyoneers LOVE. However, some of the canyoneering hikes require permits, so like I always do, I recommend doing research and planning ahead!
Alex and I visited Kolob Canyon one afternoon after being done with the crowds in Zion National Park. It was so peaceful and beautiful and well worth the 45-minute drive! Make sure to add Kolob Canyon to your Zion National Park Itinerary!
What to Pack for a Zion National Park Itinerary
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Zion National Park is an incredible national park that should be on everyone’s bucket list! This guide reviews everything you need to know to create the best Zion National Park itinerary, including travel tips, where to stay, the best hikes in Zion National Park, and the best things to do in Zion National Park.
I also recommend visiting Bryce Canyon National Park during your trip to Zion National Park since the parks are only 1.5 hours away from each other, and you can spend 3 days in Zion and Bryce Canyon!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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