Your Ultimate Guide to Zion National Park

Named by early pioneers, Zion National Park, means a place of refuge and peace. Indeed. It’s a great place to take a break from ordinary life for a few days and find sanctuary in its massive sandstone canyons and cliffs full of beauty, truly a hiker’s paradise! 

Do “The Mighty 5”

One thing to consider if visiting Zion is to visit five of Utah’s other nearby National Parks: Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches. These are called “The Mighty 5.”

While five national parks in five days might seem ambitious, it’s remarkably doable. Go to Travel Gal team member John C. saw The Mighty 5 in less than five days over the holidays.

And the sites and vistas? Wow!  Well worth it. Watch this video from Visit Utah for a sampling. Goosebumps… 🙂

Getting to Zion National Park

Southwest Airlines flies into Zion’s nearest airport, McCarran Las Vegas, though it is still a two-and-a-half-hour drive away; however, how fun is it to hang out in Vegas for a few days before or after?!

When you use your Southwest points and Southwest Companion Pass to fly there, you’ll beat the odds indeed :), saving a boatload on your trip.

Lyn and her family spent a few days in Vegas, showing it to her kids for the first time, wandering through all the amazing hotels and swimming in Mandalay Bay’s epic waterpark!

Tip: If time permits while you’re in Las Vegas, drive over and check out Hoover Dam.

The next nearest airport accessible by Southwest would be Salt Lake City at four-and-a-half hours away. 

Driving in Zion National Park

When you drive into Zion National Park, you will be struck by its majesty. Soaring rocks and mesas with unusual patterns and varying shades of red make you feel as though you’ve arrived on another planet. Who knew the U.S. had landscapes like this?

Soon after driving into Zion, Lyn and her family came upon big-horned sheep battling in the road. It caused a back-up, of course, but the sighting was well worth it. You can see more on her family’s video below:

One of the best parts of driving into Zion are the tunnels. 

If you plan on driving an RV, which is 11’4″ tall or taller or 7’10” wide or wider, including mirrors, awnings and jacks, you will need a tunnel permit to drive through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Check the link, as there are restricted hours for this as well.

Parking is limited at Zion, and usually fills by 10 a.m. every morning. If you don’t get a spot, or arrive well after this time, head to nearby Springdale, where you can catch a Zion Shuttle Bus (more information below).

Entrance Fees

The park entrance fee is $35 per car and $30 per motorcycle for a seven-day pass. You can also purchase an annual interagency pass for $80 that allows you to visit a gazillion national parks and federal lands for one full year.

Senior citizens can purchase a lifetime senior pass that covers ALL national parks for $80 or instead choose a $20 annual pass. The best part? Everyone in your car ALSO gets in under your senior pass. Nifty… 😉

Are you an active military member? Grab a FREE annual pass. It’s good for your whole family to visit as many National Parks as you can squeeze into the year. Thank you for your service!

Your whole family can also get into National Parks free if you have a fourth grader, both during their school year and the following summer, as part of the Every Kid in a Park Program.

You can also access Zion National Park FREE in 2020 on the below days, but keep in mind these days will be even MORE BUSY than usual:

January 20	Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 18	First day of National Park Week / National Junior Ranger Day
August 25	National Park Service Anniversary
September 26	National Public Lands Day
November 11	Veterans Day

Zion National Park Weather

This National Park is far enough south that the months of June, July and August have no snow, but in return, the temperatures range from a low of 60 to a high of 100! Wowsers. You might not want to go then ;-).

For milder temps, try the shoulder seasons, which include April, May, September or October. Lyn’s family visited in April and found cool mornings but afternoons that warmed up quickly into the low 80s. Layers are key here!

It’s the wettest in March, which means snow melt through May can make the rivers dangerous, meaning The Narrows (more below) may be off limits. You’ll find lots of wildflowers in bloom April through June.

Because of the broad range of temperatures, this park has a longer season than most, which, hopefully, means that it’s a lot less crowded too!

Getting Around Zion

The best, and sometimes only, way to get around Zion (when the shuttle is running no private vehicles are allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive) is by shuttle bus.

Free shuttles leave frequently from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Shuttle buses run from early spring through late fall, which allow you to hop on and hop off at any of the stops, which is especially helpful if you’re hiking.

Depending on the time of year, the wait time can be as short as seven minutes and as long as 15. Shuttles also have room for two bicycles.

The system has two loops:

• The nine-stop loop in Springdale takes you to the pedestrian entrance at the park where you can get your park guide and map.
• The second loop runs from the visitor center to the Temple of Sinawava with nine stops total and is an 80- to 90-minute round trip.  

Some tips when taking these shuttles:

• Don’t forget to bring your park pass or receipt to get into the park if you came from outside the park in Springdale!
• Make sure you know the time of departure of the last shuttle of the day, and don’t miss it! 

Where to Stay

Zion National Park Lodge

The ONLY in-park lodge, Zion National Park Lodge, built in 1924, is close to the Lower Emerald Pool Trail. Their accommodations include hotel or suite rooms in the lodge, as well as 28 cabins within walking distance.

Checking for the summer of 2019, rooms were actually available only four months away, so don’t rule it out without checking first.

The rates for 2019 are:

Western Cabin	(1 queen bed or 2 double beds) $216.69
Hotel Rooms	(2 queen beds or 1 king bed) $226.69
Suite	(1 king bed) $279.69

The main lodge features a grill, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a seasonal cafe and a gift shop.

Even if you aren’t able to book a room here, it’s a great place to recuperate with a meal or snack before continuing your outdoor activities!

Nearby Cities

Springdale, Utah

Because parking is limited and lots are usually full by midday, the National Park Services suggest Springdale, Utah as a convenient place to stay. 

Major hotel sites list around 30 hotels in that town alone, and that doesn’t include other options such as B&Bs, private rooms, cabins and glamping. 

The advantages to staying in Springdale? Proximity to Zion and the ability to get into the park using public transportation.  

Kanab, Utah

Kanab is a bit further away, but a town filled with character! This is where Lyn and her family called home during their visit to Zion.

Fans of Westerns will love Kanab, where more than 100 movies and TV shows have been filmed. Check out the Little Hollywood Movie Museum on West Center Street to see some movie sets. You’ll also find Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, which offers free tours and opportunities to volunteer.

And in case you didn’t get enough hiking in Zion, Kanab has its own Trails System accessible from town or check out the local-favorite Peek-a-Boo slot canyon, which you can do without the hoards you’re more likely to find in Zion. 

Kanab is also conveniently located close to Pink Coral Sand Dunes State Park, which you should definitely check out when in the area. You can “sand surf,” which is SO cool! 

Holiday Inn Express-Kanab

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Lyn’s family stayed at this Holiday Inn Express, and since it was so cheap, upgraded to a suite with two bedrooms. The property is very nice, has laundry for washing your dirty hiking clothes, and offers an excellent hot filling breakfast to fuel you for a day of hikes!

Mt. Carmel, Utah

Also close to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and east of Zion is Mt. Carmel.

You’ll find plenty of outfitters here, even more slot canyons to hike, as well as Maynard Dixon Gallery, highlighting this famous artist’s work.

When you stay in Mt. Carmel, you enter Zion from its beautiful east side along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway through the historic tunnel. Your jaw will drop, we promise!

Zion Mountain Ranch

Also east of Zion National Park is Zion Mountain Ranch, which gives you the opportunity to stay on the same property as a herd of buffalo!

Choose from private cabins or large lodges for your overnight stay that will feel truly “western.”

Even if you choose not to stay here, Lyn recommends heading over to the restaurant for dinner one evening.

Things to Do in Zion National Park

Zion National Park Hikes

Here are some hikes to consider on your visit to Zion.

Upper Emerald Pool Trail

This is an easy hike taking you a little over a mile on a paved trail and should take only about one hour. It’s perfect for all ages with a great payoff: pools of water and a 30-foot waterfall.

Plus, if you have kids that like rocks, like Lyn’s son above, they can hop rocks to their heart’s content!

Angels Landing via West Rim Trail

This is a strenuous and — scary! — 5.5 mile trek with an elevation gain of almost 1,500 feet, the second-highest of Zion’s 18 listed hikes.

If you do this trail to completion, you will be taken along a portion with steep drop-offs on either side with only chains to hang on to. Not for the faint of heart or kids or anyone with a fear of heights! There’s also a section of many switch-backs famously called “Walter’s Wiggles.”

So, why list this as a best hike? It’s the most often talked about hike in Zion, and if you make it to the summit, you’ll be rewarded with outstanding views. Plus, you’ll be pretty impressed with your courage :). If you want to skip the scariest parts, you can go just that far and call it done.

Ask a ranger if you’re unsure if you should do this hike. Or just go on YouTube. Watching a video of the Angels Landing hike will help you make a prudent decision.

Lyn’s family did the Hidden Canyons hike below, which has drop-offs only on one side, again with chains to hang on to. She saw many people of all ages, pregnant and even with kids on their shoulders navigating this hike, and her family lived to tell the tale. You can see portions of it in the video above.

The Narrows

The Narrows is the other most popular hike in Zion, as this one literally takes you through a river inside a slot canyon, considered the “grandfather of all slot canyons” for its magnificence and grandeur.

While often closed during the spring due to the height of the water, those who get to hike the Narrows will wade through the knee-deep Virgin River with 2,000-foot high rock walls to either side of you. If you thought hiking was hard, try hiking through a river!! It’s described as feeling like “walking on slippery bowling balls.” 

There are two versions of this hike one going from the bottom of the river up, or you can do the full 16-mile overnight version if you dare.

Hidden Canyons Trail

Lyn’s family opted for this hike as their main hike for the day. This is a 2.5 mile hike that takes about three hours and has a mix of the best of Zion from a steep incline to start, to the sheer drop-offs as you navigate along rock cliffs to a super fun portion at the top where there’s lots of rocks to climb through, over and under (our kids favorite part!).

Again, if you’re afraid of heights, this one probably is not for you. Lyn is, but she managed the hike, though she says she was fearful the whole time that her younger, less cautious son would fall off. He didn’t ;-).

Rock “Scrambling”

A great activity in Zion is what’s called rock “scrambling.” This just means climbing over, under, through and around rocks; it’s not actually rock “climbing” as in scaling a rock. It can be quite challenging at times and test your brain power to figure out the best way through.

Lyn’s boys absolutely loved the rock scrambling (see video at the top of the post), which you can also find in abundance at Joshua Tree National Park in California.

Wildlife Spotting

Zion is home to abundant wildlife, and Lyn and her family were welcomed into the park shortly after driving in with desert bighorn sheep butting heads in the road. So cool! These are most frequently seen on the east side of the park.

Other animals include mule deer, lizards, the desert tortoise and lots of birds.

Horseback Riding

Zion offers horseback riding tours starting at the corral near the Emerald Pools Trailhead.

Stargazing

Cami’s husband has a star-gazing app on his phone, which they like to use when visiting National Parks.

When outside city limits, you’ll be among some of the darkest skies you’ve never seen. Once your eyes adjust, star formations will soon appear overhead and you’ll be able to identify, wherever you are in the world (even Australia), what you are seeing just by pointing your phone at them. How cool is that?!

Where to Eat in and Around Zion

Here are some options for dining in Zion National Park and in the surrounding towns.

• National Park Lodge
• Cordwood, Zion Mountain Ranch
• Rocking V Cafe, Kanab
• Sego Restaurant, Kanab
• Escobars Mexican, Kanab

What to Bring

Because there’s a lot of water in Zion, you may want to bring waterproof shoes for hiking or even waders if you’re going to be hiking The Narrows, which literally takes you through a river.  

Do you recall the mention above of temps soaring up to 100 degrees? You’ll need to pack sunscreen, a hat and some sunglasses to ward off those damaging rays you’ll encounter. 

But because it can be cool in the morning, be sure to bring layers. When Lyn visited they started off wearing jackets (shown above) and were sweating to death by the afternoon when it reached the low 80s.

If you decide to participate in evening ranger talks, it would be a good idea to bring along a flashlight or headlamp. The new LED flashlights are incredibly bright and very useful.

Like to stop at picnic tables or creekside for an impromptu picnic? Bring along a small throw blanket or tablecloth to ensure that only it will get dirty and not you and your food.

Remember all the rock scrambling? You’re definitely going to want a first-aid kit for those inevitable scrapes and cuts that result as you climb over and through rocks :). A little Neosporin wouldn’t hurt either!

Want more National Park tips? Check out our post on 7 Top Tips for Visiting Our National Parks.