OVERVIEW
Zion has become my favorite national park. It is about 6 hours away from Los Angeles, or 2 hours away from Las Vegas. We visited during summer time. I recommend staying 3-5 days to explore and enjoy! :)
HERE ARE SOME TIPS:
1. START EARLY
Zion is a popular national park and the trails tend to get packed. The earlier you start, the less crowd and the earlier you will finish. Plus, it gets super hot by noon during the warm months.
2. PARKING
There is a parking lot next to the Visitor Center. It is limited and usually gets full by 9am. There are also limited parking at the trailheads.
If the main lot is full, visitors can park in Springdale and have to walk or take a shuttle to the park.
3. SHUTTLES
The is a free shuttle service inside the park the runs thru the Canyon Scenic Drive. The shuttle ride starts at the Visitors Center with multiple stops and ends at the Temple of Sinawava.
The shuttle is only available weekends on February-March, daily on March-November and last week of November.
During winter, there is no shuttle service and visitors may drive into the Canyon Scenic Drive.
3. WHERE TO STAY
Zion Lodge- located inside the national park
Camping-Lava Point, South and Watchman campsites
Springdale- multiple hotels, Airbnbs and restaurants right outside the gate of Zion, very convenient, can be pricey
La Verkin/Hurricane- neighboring towns, 20-30min drive away from the gate, less pricey
THINGS TO DO INSIDE ZION NATIONAL PARK:
INSIDE THE SCENIC DRIVE
1.COURT OF PATRIARCH
Shuttle stop #4
0.1mi paved path up a small hill to reach this viewpoint
2..ZION LODGE
Shuttle stop #5
Lodge is open for reservations
Restaurant is open for takeout, a lot of people do picnic on the grassy area
Restrooms
Virgin River- cross the street and you will find this bridge. This is a perfect place to swim in the river as there are amenities nearby.
3. LOWER EMERALD POOL
Shuttle stop #5 (Zion Lodge), cross the street and walk over the bridge
1.2 mile paved trail along the river, easy hike
Waterfalls at the end of trail
4.WEST RIM/SCOUT'S LOOKOUT/ANGEL'S LANDING
Shuttle Stop #6 (The Grotto)
Start at West Rim Trail, a flat trail next to Virgin River
Continue to hike up the Walter's Wiggles, a set of 21 steep switchbacks
Reach the Scout's Lookout and admire the amazing viewpoint
Continue the hike up the Angel's Landing- very narrow trail, high drop-offs on both sides, hold on to the chains!
5.RIVERSIDE WALK
Shuttle stop #9 Temple of Sinawava
Waterfalls at the beginning of the trail
Paved trail (2 miles roundtrip), next to river
6.THE NARROWS
Shuttle stop #9, Temple of Sinawava
The Narrows begins at the end of the Riverside Walk
You can walk as far or as little, the whole trek is around 10miles roundtrip
Wear shoes and walking stick, the stream is rocky and can be slippery
The water can get deep (up to chest), depending on the water flow
Begin early as it gets really crowded
OUTSIDE THE SCENIC DRIVE (Park and Hike, No Shuttle neeeded)
1.WATCHMAN TRAIL
Park at Visitor Center, trail starts to the right of parking lot
3 miles roundtrip
450 ft elevation up the mountains
2. PA'RUS TRAIL
Park at Visitor Center, trail starts to the left of the parking lot
Paved 3 miles (roundtrip), flat trail
Good for walking, running and biking
The only dog-friendly trail in Zion
Nice view of mountains and rivers
3. CANYON OVERLOOK TRAIL
From Springdale/Zion gate entrance, take the Zion-Mt.Carmel Highway and go through the tunnel
Park at a small parking lot to the right at the end of the tunnel
There is also a small overflow parking lot to the left side of the road only a few feet away
Parking is very limited, try to come very early in the morning or late in the afternoon
1 mile trail, steep dropoffs but with very amazing view of the Zion Canyon
Visit the official Zion National Park website for updates on openings/closures.
Last updated Dec 2022
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