Plan the Perfect Trip to Zion National Park: Complete Guide + One Day Itinerary
Plan the perfect trip to Zion National Park with this complete travel guide! Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including when to visit, what to bring, top things to do, & much more.
After visiting Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, & Bryce Canyon, we finally made it to the last of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, ZION!
This trip to Zion was extra special because my parents flew out to explore the park with us. We spent our days walking the parks many incredible hiking trails, taking in the views along the scenic drive, and enjoying some delicious food in Springdale.
Whether you have just one day or a few days to spare, a trip to Zion National Park is totally worth a visit!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Zion
Getting to Zion
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Top Things to Do
One Day Itinerary
ABOUT ZION
Zion is a 146,000 acre national park located in Southwest Utah. It was established in 1919 and is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. The park revolves around the Zion Canyon, a 15 mile long and nearly 3,000 feet deep canyon offering incredible hiking trails, challenging rock climbing routes, camping under the stars, and seasonal ranger programs. The parks most notable features are the strenuous climb up to Angels Landing and the river walk through The Narrows. The park receives about 4.5 million visitors per year making it Utah’s most visited national park.
Reservations aren’t needed to visit Zion National Park.
SHUTTLE SYSTEM
During the months of March to November the Zion Canyon Scenic drive is closed to private vehicles. In place is a shuttle system with 9 stops, starting at the Visitor Center and going all the way to the Temple of Sinawava which is where the Narrows is. Exact operating times vary by season so always check the park website for the current schedule. No tickets or reservations are required to ride the shuttle. It is free park transportation.
Springdale also has a shuttle system that operates March to November. There are 9 stops throughout the town with first stop at Majestic View Lodge and the last at Zion Canyon Village.
ENTRANCE FEE
$35 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They are allowed on the Par’us Trail, in developed campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, and along public roads.
GETTING TO ZION
Zion National Park is located off Utah State Highway 9 in South West Utah between St George and Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s central location to Utah’s popular attractions make Zion a great road trip stop.
St. George - 41 miles or 1 hour
Bryce Canyon National Park - 72 miles or 1 hours and 15 min.
Page, AZ - 104 miles or 1 hour and 45 min.
Las Vegas - 160 miles or 2.5 hours
Salt Lake City - 308 miles or 5 hours
There are two entrances to Zion, from the west going through Springdale and from the east through Mount Carmel Junction. If you are traveling from the east in an oversized vehicle, RV, or trailer then you will need to purchase a $15 ticket to drive through the Zion Mt. Carmel tunnel.
Check the park website for exact dimensions to see if you fall into this category.
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Cedar City Regional Airport
St. George Regional Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport
Harry Reid International Airport
WHEN TO VISIT
Zion National Park is open all year long giving you the opportunity to see this park in a variety of ways. March to September are the busiest times for the park.
SPRING & SUMMER
March to May are popular times to visit for Zion’s ideal hiking and camping weather. Summers bring extreme heat with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. Monsoon season in Zion is July to September bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash floods. Less than half an inch of rainfall within an hour can cause a flash flood.
FALL & WINTER
September to October is another popular time to visit Zion for its ideal hiking and camping weather. Winters at Zion bring fewer crowds and much colder days. Average highs are between 30 and 50 degrees with lows hanging out below freezing. Roads and trails can be impassable during this time of year.
The Narrows may be closed during Spring because of high water flow. Always Check for current conditions before exploring Zion National Park.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Zion National Park is high desert which means hot and dry especially in the summer. Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using our insulated water bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Hiking Shoes
While there are many easy paths to explore in Zion there are a few trails that are rocky, sandy, and steep. To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
Sun Protectant
There is not much shade on any trails in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring in Zion. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
ZION CANYON VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Zion National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry camping. Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip.
KOLOB VISITOR CENTER
Located off I15 in the northwest corner of Zion National Park. Open year round with possible winter closures. Park info, maps, exhibits, restrooms, and permits are available here.
WATCHMAN CAMPGROUND
Open year round and houses 95 campsites with each site offering electricity, picnic table & grill. There is no water at individual campsites however water filling stations are found throughout the campground. Restrooms and dish washing stations are available. Max RV length is 40 ft. There are 18 tent only, walk up campsites. Group campsites are available March to November.
Electric Campsites are $30 per night
Tent Only Campsites are $20 per night
Reservations are required year round can be made up to 6 months in advance at recreation.gov
Watchman Campground. Amazing.
SOUTH CAMPGROUND
Closed for a long term rehabilition project.
LAVA POINT CAMPGROUND
A small primitive 6 site campground located along Kolob Terrace Road about 1.5 hours from Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Typically open May to September, weather pending. The campground has pit toilets and trash and that’s it, no water is available. Max vehicle length is 19 ft. Reservations are required and can be made within a 2 week window.
To make a reservation, visit the park website.
Showers are available in Springdale at Zion Canyon Village.
ZION LODGE
Open year round and the only lodging available inside Zion National Park. The lodge offers motel rooms, cabins, suites, as well as Red Rock Grill Dining Room, and Castle Dome Cafe. Gift shop and post office are also available.
For more information on the Zion Lodge and to make reservations, visit the park website.
TOWNS NEARBY
SPRINGDALE
Springdale was originally settled in 1862 by a Mormon farming community. Today it’s a tourist town known as the gateway to Zion National Park. The town offers tons of charming shops, restaurants, lodging, as well as varies Zion adventure outfitters. It sits at 4,000 ft in elevation and has a population of 530 people.
LODGING
Cable Mountain Lodge
Cliffrose Springdale
Curio Collection by Hilton
Flanigans Resort & Spa
Zion Canyon Bed & Breakfast
Zion Campfire Lodge at Zion Park
Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites
Desert Pearl Inn
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham
Zion Pioneer Lodge
Zion Park Motel
Bumbleberry Inn
Red Rock Inn
Zion Canyon Lodge
Springhill Suites by Marriott
Holiday Inn Express
Hampton Inn & Suites
LaFave Luxury Rentals
The Driftwood Lodge
Montclair Inn & Suites
Canyon Vista Lodge
Majestic View Lodge
RV PARKS
Zion Canyon Campground & RV Park
FOOD
Oscars Cafe
Jack’s Sports Grill
The Park House
Camp Outpost
Anthera
Cafe Soleil
MeMe’s Cafe
Zion Canyon Brew Pub
King’s Landing Bistro
Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon
Whiptail Grill
Spotted Dog
Zion Pizza & Noodles
Thai Sapa
FeelLove Coffee & Cafe
TOP THINGS TO DO
Visitor Center Exhibit & Store
Start your exploration of Zion at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map & check out the park exhibit. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store. The visitor center is also a shuttle stop for those wishing to accessing trails along Zion Scenic Road.
Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel
If you’re not interested in hiking, then look no further than the scenic overlooks along Zion Park Blvd. The drive features the Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel, a 1 mile long tunnel built in the 1920s. If your vehicle is over 11 ft 4 in in height and 7 ft and 10 in wide then you will need to purchase a ticket to pass through the tunnel. The tunnel is so small that you will have to drive down the center, causing the rangers to stop traffic for you to go through.
Zion History Museum
To learn more about the history of Zion National Park visit the Zion Human History Museum located at stop 2 on the shuttle system. The museum features geology, plants, animals, survival and artifacts from Zion’s permanent collection. The park movie is also available here. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get on a trail
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Zion National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Zion has something for everyone. The most popular in the park are Angels Landing, Riverside Walk, and Canyon Overlook.
For easy trails consider | Par’us, Lower Emerald Pool, Grotto, Riverside Walk
For moderate trails consider | Watchman, Sandbench, Middle Emerald Pools, Kayenta Trail, Upper Emerald Pool, Canyon Overlook
For more strenuous trails consider | Angels Landing via West Rim, The Narrows via Riverside Walk
TIP | Permits to hike Angels Landing are required however you can go up to Scout’s Lookout, which is right before the chains start, without a permit.
West Rim Trail.
Parks as Classrooms
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
Backpack the Wilderness
For a more in depth exploration of Zion National Park, pick up a backpacking permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky. It’s recommended to make a reservation as early as you can. Reservations can be made online up to 1 month in advance. If available, walk up permits can be picked up at the visitor center.
For more information on backpacking in Zion, visit the park website.
Junior Ranger Program
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Zion National Park then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
Rock Climbing
During the months of March to November rock climbers can explore Zion’s towering rock walls and massive canyons. Online reservations can be made 2 months in advance.
For more info on rock climbing in Zion visit the park website.
Canyoneering
For a unique experience in Zion National Park, obtain a permit and explore the parks popular canyoneering spots such as, The Subway and Orderville Canyon.
For more information on canyoneering in Zion check out the park website.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop 1. Vistor Center
Stop 2. Zion Lodge and hike the Emerald Pools & Kayenta trails.
Stop 3. The Narrows Riverside Walk.
Stop 4. Zion Human History Museum.
Stop 5. Get on the scenic drive through Mount Carmel Tunnel.
Stop 6. Hike the Canyon Overlook trail.
Stop 7. Spend the rest of the day in Springdale, explore the shops, and grab a bite to eat. Our favorite spots are Zion Brew Pub, Thai Sapa, and FeelLove Cafe.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Zion National Park!
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HEY THERE!
WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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