North America • USA • Utah • Zion National Park
Zion National Park
Zion is Utah’s first National Park. It is known for its colorful sandstone cliffs and slot canyons.
Most people stick to Zion Canyon, but there’s so much more to explore!
Understand the area
Zion Canyon is the central and most popular part of the park with many hikes. Enter via Zion Canyon Visitor Center from Springdale or via the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel from the East.
The East side of the park is beautiful to drive through (Zion-Mount Carmel Highway) and has a popular short hike. Some hikes require leaving the park to get to the trailhead.
Kolob Canyons lies in the northwest corner of Zion and is often overlooked – great for people looking to escape the worst crowds. Enter from Kolob Canyons Visitor Center near the I-15.
Getting around
There are 2 free shuttle buses: the (red) Springdale Line brings you from different stops in Springdale to Zion Canyon Visitor Center & the (green) Canyon Line takes you from there into the park to 9 stops along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive where private vehicles are not allowed for most of the year (shuttle schedule).
You are allowed to drive past the Zion Canyon Visitor Center up to Canyon Junction to take the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to the East. Kolob Canyons is also accessible with your own vehicle.
If you’re early or lucky, you can park for free on the Zion Canyon Visitor Center parking lot. Otherwise, pay for parking in Springdale ($15-25 per day).
Want an experience even closer to nature? You can bike through Zion Canyon! Rent a bike here.
Know before you go
Angels Landing is the most popular hike in the park and requires a hiking permit which you can only obtain via a lottery. This system was put in place for safety while giving every hiker a fair chance. Make sure to apply in a timely manner, sometimes months in advance. Read on for more info on the lottery.
Activities
What to do in Zion National Park? Hiking!
Zion Canyon
The view is similar to the one from Observation Point, although lower (ranger said Observation Point is actually better). If you do it, it’s more for the experience of hiking with the chains you need to hold on to. We didn’t get a permit via the lottery (tried twice), but did hike to Scout Lookout and the first part of the West Rim Trail which was fun to do.
- Strenuous hike (out-and-back) ~4 hours over 8.7 km with 454 m elevation gain. Quite a few steep switchbacks with Walter’s Wiggles (a series of 21 switchbacks) just before reaching Scout Lookout.
- Get on the first shuttle to avoid crowds (and park for free at Zion Canyon Visitor Center).
- Permit required! Seasonal lottery (applications open sometimes months in advance) or day-before lottery (opens every day at 12h01 and closes at 15h MT). Cost is $6 application fee for max 6 people + $3 per person permit fee if you win the lottery.
- Hike part of the West Rim Trail from Scout Lookout for some bonus views.
- There’s a toilet at Scout Lookout.
- Bottom up hike (fairly to very strenuous) from the Grotto. Scout Lookout (start of Angels Landing) offers incredible views, go a bit further than Scout Lookout for some extra views. Making it all the way up to the rim and back is long and strenuous, but you can turn around whenever you like. 5-7 hours to Cabin Spring and back (13.7 km); 7-12 hours including loop on the upper plateau (21.7 km with 945 m elevation gain).
- Top down hike (fairly strenuous) from Lava Point, 9-12 hours, more remote experience, get private shuttle to trailhead.
- Hike through a river between 2000-foot canyon walls which get as narrow as 30 feet at some points.
- Takes about 4 hours over 2 miles (bottom up) from The Temple of Sinawava (last stop of shuttle) to Wall Street and back. First part is dry (Riverside Walk).
- Check water temperature and rent special gear if needed ($55 per person). Link to Zion Outfitter.
- Be aware of possible flash floods! Check weather conditions before going.
This is the first half of The Narrows hike: the paved portion. It is a busy trail as it’s accessible to everyone. There are a lot of better hikes in the park.
- 1-2 hours over 3.6 km return with 60 m elevation gain.
- You won’t get wet or have to walk in the water along this stretch.
Start at Kayenta Trailhead, then return via Emerald Pool Trail
- Kayenta Trail: 1.4 km (one way) with 63 m elevation gain.
- Middle Emerald Pool: 1.4 km (one way) with 63 m elevation gain.
- Tip: if not doing the full trail, do the start from the Kayenta Trail (north end at the Grotto trailhead) until you get above the trees for one of the best views of Zion Canyon.
Not the most interesting hike, but can be a short stop.
- Short but steep hike 15-45 min, open again as of Sep 2025.
East side
A hike to the best view of Zion National Park – confirmed by a ranger (so must be true). Similar view to the one from Angels Landing, both look into Zion Canyon. You can see the crowds (although tiny) on Angels Landing, but you’re standing much higher.
- Option 1: Moderately strenuous hike out and back from the East Mesa Trailhead, 2-4 hours over 11km with 207 m elevation gain. This trail is about the destination, not the journey; you do get some nice views if you wander slightly off path to the cliff.
- Option 2: Strenuous hike, 6 hours over 12.6 km with 442 m elevation gain. Apparently more interesting views by starting at the Stave Spring Trailhead via East Rim Trail to Observation Point (7.2 km, 314 m elevation gain), then back via East Mesa Trail (5.4 km, 128 m elevation gain). You will need the shuttle as you won’t start and end at the same point – ask about this option when booking.
East Mesa Trailhead has a very limited parking (15-20 cars) and is only accessible by a dirt road with deep ruts (Beaver / Rocky Road). If you have a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle and the road is not muddy, you should be able to get there. We did this with a Mitsubishi Outlander and had no issues (although I wonder what happens if there is oncoming traffic). We arrived mid-morning and there were still a few parking spots left.
Not feeling that adventurous? Get a shuttle from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. They bring you to 800 m from the trailhead (you walk along the dirt road). A return shuttle picks you up at the drop-off point every hour on the half hour. Book via East Zion Adventures for $8.76 per person.
- Short hike, 0.5-1 hour over 1.6 km, great viewpoint but can get very busy.
- Trailhead right before the tunnel Mt. Carmel Tunnel on Highway 9 when coming from the East.
- Not part of the shuttle system, very small parking lot to the left when coming from the East or park along the road.
- Great at sunset.
A short stop while driving along Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
Kolob Canyons
- Nice views
- Lesser trail, crosses river multiple times so can get you wet feet.
Around Zion National Park
- Geothermal, freshwater pools, saunas, cold plunges, cafe and full bar.
- 46/60 USD pp in non-peak/peak hours, up to 3 hours.
- Code “AGLAZIER10” for 10% discount.
- Link to website
- Slot canyon hike, 4 miles roundtrip, up to 4 hours
- Admission $17.05 pp (limited to 200 tickets per day)
- Broadway-quality plays and concerts that take place under the stars with a backdrop of Utah’s beautiful desert and red rock.
- Link to website
Accommodation
- Tastefully decorated rooms, in an amazing environment, surrounded by beautiful mesas.
- Well equipped with a (small) kitchen, hot tub, grill, guide for the area, …
- Very communicative and responsive local hosts.
- Located in between different parts of the park: 20 min drive to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, 26 min to Kolob Canyon Visitor Center.
- Offers free parking in Springdale.
- Link to website