The geological wonders that you see in Zion today evolved over millions of years. The land was once a shallow sea, then a marshy swamp, and then desert sand dunes that became the jutting cliffs you now stare at in awe. If you are planning to be one of the lucky millions that visit the park this year read on to learn how to get the best out of Zion in one perfect day.
With recent crowding impacting all of America’s National Parks please take a moment to read our post on Three Things to Know Before You Go to Zion National Park.
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The Human History of Zion National Park
Thousands of years ago when camels and giant sloths roamed North America the first people came to Zion. These Anasazi evolved to become farmers, the diversity of plants and animals sustaining them for a time. Paiutes followed, carving an existence out of the desert. Mormon pioneers came next to what would become Utah’s first national park.
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The Best Things to Do
Hiking is the priority for most visitors to the park. For more information on great hikes to take on a very active one-day trip to Zion, be sure to read through our hiking guide. The majority of visitors want to hike Angel’s Landing or The Narrows. But there is so much more to the trails of Zion. You have easy, moderate, and strenuous hikes that can entertain your whole tribe.
You can also go cycling in the park. Bike rentals can be done in various locations outside the park and walked in through the pedestrian entrance. Or you can grab a bike at the Zion Lodge. A half day (4 hrs) costs just $25 for adults and $15 for kids 17 and under.
Horseback riding is a fun activity from March through October. Canyon Trail Rides will get you on a horse and you can book online. If this is a last-minute addition to your trip online booking closes seven days in advance so you’ll have to call. The age limit is 7 years old and the weight limit is 220 lbs. You can ride the Sand Beach Trail for $100 per person. Or a shorter 1 hr ride along the Virgin River is $50 per person.
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Most people leave the park in the late afternoon. But you’ll catch a whole other type of beauty if you stick around after dark. Zion modified its light design around the park so visitors and wildlife were not negatively impacted by light pollution. You can take advantage of this and after the sun sets, do some star gazing before you head in for the night.
How to Get Around Zion
The first piece of advice is always to plan ahead but a very close second – get there early! You can pay to park in Springdale (still planning on that early in the morning) and take a town shuttle into the park. Or you can plan to get in the line of cars at the entrance before opening at 8 AM. We arrived at sunrise (7:30ish) in October on a non-holiday weekend and there was already a line. The parking lot by the entrance is usually full by no later than 9 AM. It’s not unheard of for the lot to fill by 8:30 AM on holidays. Recently it has been much earlier than that.
See our 3 Things to Know Before You Go to learn details about the park’s shuttle service. But let’s assume you’ve read that already. You’ve purchased your shuttle ticket two weeks in advance by going to recreation.gov. And your timed entry ticket shows your window to get on the shuttle.
The shuttle is by far the easiest way to get around in the park. Private vehicles are not allowed, unless staying at the lodge, past the Canyon Junction stop. From March through November the shuttle stops at each major trailhead along the scenic drive. But check in advance for closures and consequent shuttle limitations.
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The first shuttle will leave the Visitor Center at 8 AM and the last shuttle run is dependent upon the season so check the website. Do not wait for the last shuttle as it may be full and you’ll be walking back. If you do get stuck without a shuttle ride make your way to the Lodge and they will have a list of private companies that can provide after-hours driving services. Be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight with you just in case you get stuck out after dark.
A Sample One-Day Itinerary in Zion National Park
People may ask, “Is one day enough a Zion National Park?” If you plan well there is so much you can do that by the end of the day you will leave feeling satisfied. Hiking is the priority at Zion and many of the less strenuous hikes can be done back to back and fill your in-park hours. Here is an outline of a sample itinerary that is appropriate for a very active family with teens and tweens.
- Take the first or second shuttle all the way up to Temple of Sinawava Stop #9. Walk the Riverside trail (2.2 mi round trip) and do as much of the Narrows as you and your tribe are comfortable with. You will need to have close-toe waterproof shoes and hiking poles at the very least if you plan to tackle a bit of the bottom-up Narrows. Go as far as you like and then come back.
- Catch the next available shuttle to Big Bend Stop #8. Get out just to take pictures of the Virgin River and the canyon. You can photograph the Great White Throne and Angel’s Landing in the distance.
- Jump on the shuttle and ride to Weeping Rock Stop #7. This is a beautiful family-friendly .4 mi hike to a sandstone alcove with water heavily seeping down the arching rim.
- If you are up for another walk you can catch the next shuttle to The Grotto Stop #6 and walk the 1 mile to the Zion Lodge or you can just stay on the shuttle and conserve your energy until Stop #5 Zion Lodge. Take a break for lunch and spread out on the lawn for a bit. Just across from the lawns you’ll find Lower Emerald Pool trail. This trail, part of a larger system of Emerald Pool trails, is just 1.2 mi round trip and walks you past pools and waterfalls.
- Take the shuttle to Court of the Patriarchs Stop #4. Across the roadway, you’ll find a short (think 2 minutes) but steep viewpoint walk that takes you to the perfect photo spot. Just above the tree line, you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the three dramatic sandstone peaks that jut out on the west side of the canyon.
- Stay on the shuttle past Stop #3 – you’ll drive back to that later. And get off at the Human History Museum at Stop #2. If the museum is open then take time to enjoy it. The find Pa’rus trail. You’ll be joining it mid-way from a dirt path. The Pa’rus trail is one of the most accessible trails in the park. Easily walked by the whole family, and one of the few trails pets are allowed. You can follow this all the way back to the Visitor Center.
- Once back in your own car, drive up to Canyon Junction and turn right toward the Mt. Carmel Hwy tunnel. Because this tunnel was completed in 1930 the size of the tunnel does not accommodate today’s largest vehicles. You’ll have to check the frequently asked questions page for vehicle size guidelines to see if your car will require you to pay the $15 one-way traffic control fee to get you through the 1.1-mile tunnel.
- On the east side of the tunnel, you’ll find parking and access to the Canyon Overlook trailhead. This moderate 1 mi trail has some steep drop-offs but is mostly fenced. You are rewarded with beautiful views of the lower Zion Canyon. It is a great way to end your day.
Planning Your Trip
Review our hiking guide and things to know before you go posts if you want to tackle longer, more strenuous hikes. Check for closures and then add one day for each strenuous hike you plan to add to the trip. Remember the Narrows top-down experience and canyoneering the Subway requires a permit. Some permit processes have changed due to COVID so be sure to check the sites for updates.
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Best Time to Visit
The park is open year-round. The most popular time of the year to visit is between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But summer temperatures can be intense. Prepare for weather that tops 100F. There is also an increased chance of monsoons from July to September which increases the chance of Flash Flood Warnings such as the most recent one that had a huge impact on oversize vehicle parking. This concern can cause the Narrows to close as well. Check the park website to get the most up-to-date alerts.
Winter brings ice and snow so check for trail and road closures. If visiting during this less crowded time prepare for icy conditions and some closures.
Spring has nicer weather but snowmelt can create adverse river conditions. The Narrows closes sometimes as a result.
Fall brings an average temperature of 64 – 70 degrees and lows on average are above freezing. This is an ideal time to visit as the weather is often a pleasant complement to the lower crowd levels. You can see why in the video from More Than Just Parks.
Where to Eat
The Zion Lodge provides in-park dining for reasonable prices. There is a restaurant The Red Rock Grill, that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a kids’ menu as well.
The Castle Dome Cafe has a full menu but to go only in a more snack bar style. They have coffee shop and burger shack style items to choose from. If you are on a tighter budget or craving healthier fare then you can bring in a picnic lunch and eat on the lawns or outdoor tables by the Lodge.
Where to Stay
McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is the closest international airport. At just 2.5 hours away it is close but not close enough for a day trip.
From Las Vegas, you can drive to Saint George, UT. This town, with a ton of things to do, is a day of fun in its own right and it’s only 40 minutes from Zion National Park entrance. If you are planning to stay in Saint George and have an extra day, take a look at Snow Canyon State Park, Red Cliffs Recreation Area, Pioneer Park, and Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm for the littles in your tribe.
Springdale is as close as you’re going to get to the park without staying at the Lodge. You can literally walk to the entrance. It has its own shuttle services to the park, and tons of restaurants and places to stay. This is the most convenient spot if you want in and out privileges to the park or are planning to visit more than one day.
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The Zion Lodge is your in-park option. Cabins and hotel rooms start at less than $200 a night. The location cannot be beaten and the lodge setting is beautiful. For only one full day in Zion, this could allow you the most time. You get the bonus of being in the park after dark when nature’s quiet settles in, and you get to see the stars. But if staying in the area for multiple days you may find more to do and more variety in dining options in Springdale or Saint George.
No matter how long you choose to stay in Zion or the area at large you will not run out of things to do. The splendor of this area is something you will want to come back to again and again.
When you are ready for weekly travel tips and advice grab our weekly Travel Goals newsletter! Or if you are extending your Utah road trip to enjoy more national parks we’ve got a detailed Utah National Parks Itinerary for you!
If planning a stay in Las Vegas check out our post on what to do with kids in Vegas.
Interested in other national park itineraries check out our guide on how to avoid the crowds and get the most out of Yellowstone. Or if road trips are your thing, get a detailed guide on our California road trip from Big Sur to Redwoods National Park or consider a trip to California’s newest (read: least crowded) national park Pinnacles National Park.