Zion National Park offers endless opportunities for adventure. From Angel’s Landing to the Virgin River, this national park highlights some of America’s greatest vistas, hiking trails, and natural treasures to explore. If you’re looking to strap on a pair of hiking boots and discover one of America’s most breathtaking parks, Zion Canyon is the place to go.
Don’t know how to plan a trip to Zion National Park? I’ve got you covered. Read on to find out everything you need to know about planning your next adventure to this stunning National Park.
Where to Stay in Zion Canyon
If there is one tip you take away from this blog post it’s this: Stay at Under Canvas Zion. This elevated camping experience really was the highlight of my trip. With stunning views, nightly fireside chats, and the most welcoming staff members, this accommodation really exceeded all of my expectations.
Under Canvas Zion is a glamping experience like no other. Tucked away in the rust-colored mountains that surround Zion National Park lies this stunning sanctuary. Each canvas tent is equipped with its own wood-burning furnace, chairs, patio set, and the most comfortable king bed I’ve ever slept on. If you have trouble making your own fire (like myself), a staff member will come and build one for you upon request.
Now, I know it’s a bit expensive to stay for a week, however, definitely treat yourself for a night or two. There’s also another more affordable option called Zion Wildflower Resort, however, this one was located right off the main road which I personally wasn’t a fan of.
If glamping is not your style, there are plenty of accommodation options in Springdale. Springdale is the town right outside of the national park and has plenty of restaurants, shops, and sporting good stores to check out. Even though we stayed about 30 minutes outside the park at Under Canvas, we still came into town for dinner.
Where to Eat in Zion
As said before, Springdale is the best town for eating and drinking. Here are some of the top restaurants near Zion National Park:
- Oscars: Great TexMex restaurant right outside the park with cheap prices and huge portions.
- Embers restaurant: Embers is the only restaurant at Under Canvas. If you decide to eat here, make sure to bring your own bottle of wine.
- Zion Pizza and Noodle Company: Popular pizza restaurant with massive portions.
- River Rock Roasting Company: great quality coffee shop
- Zion Brewery: Great spot to relax after a long day of hiking. Large selection of beers with lots of food options.
Top Activities in Zion National Park
Angel’s Landing
Zion National Park is home to one of the most famous (and dangerous) hikes in all of the United States. Thousands of hopeful hikers flock to this trailhead to see what it’s really like to live on the edge. What makes this hike so unique is that halfway up the trail the wide pathway disappears and you have to follow a metal chain up a steep path that has plunging drops on both sides.
As you’re hiking along, you’ll hear many hikers coming back down telling you it was either the best or scariest thing they have ever done. In my opinion, the fear factor was overly hyped up. Sure, if you are deathly afraid of heights, this might not be the hike for you. However, being able to conquer this world-famous trail will give you a sense of accomplishment that’s deserving of an ice-cold beer when you get to the bottom!
Even if you’re scared, just do it. You can always turn around. In my opinion, the very beginning of the chains was the sketchiest area. Plus, the 360-degree view at the top is worthy of the trek itself.
The Narrows Hike
Looking for another famous hike in Zion National Park? The Narrows is by far the most traveled hiking trail in the area.This stunning hike allows you to get up close and personal with the Virgin River and is the narrowest section in the entire park. While most people choose to just do a section of the trail to make it a day hike, more ambitious adventurers can hike the entire 16-mile stretch. Keep in mind that permits are needed if you are planning on staying overnight.
When planning your trip to The Narrows, be sure to pack proper gear that can get wet. Most people suggest renting gear in Springdale to make the trek easier. If you are going during summer, rent a pair of waterproof hiking boots and a walking stick. If you are venturing to this area in the colder months, you can also rent more protective gear to keep warm.
An important note to keep in mind is that you will not be able to do this hike if rain is in the forecast. Unfortunately, the only day we had open to do The Narrows hike, it rained, which meant we couldn’t even rent the gear. Keep this in mind when planning your trip and make sure you have room to pivot your activities if necessary.
Can You Hike the Narrows and Angel’s Landing The Same Day?
If you are one of those adventure junkies who want to pack your itinerary to the brim, you may be wondering if you can combine these two hikes. While it is physically possible to do both in the same day, I highly advise against it. The tram system takes time, renting gear takes time, and the day-of planning takes time. These are also two hikes you really don’t want to rush. If I were you, I’d separate these two activities on different days and finish with shorter hikes if you have extra time.
Other Hikes in Zion National Park
- Lower Emerald Pool Trail
- Watchman Trail
- Observation Point
- Canyon Overlook Trail
- Weeping Rock
- Checkerboard Mesa
How to Get Around Zion National Park
This is one of the most important points when planning a trip to Zion National Park, so listen carefully.
Since the park receives hundreds of hopeful hikers every single day, they had to create a system to regulate the high volume of people and reduce traffic within the park.
So, how it works is every guest needs to have a park shuttle ticket in order to enter. The problem though is that they sell out months in advance and have a timeframe where you have to enter.
Even though we were a bit lit for a 30-minute window and they let us in, I would still try to stick to your time slot as much as possible. There are still several spots where you have to show your ticket and scan it, so you really can’t get away with showing an old one in hopes of making it on the train.
If you are planning your trip months in advance, you shouldn’t have any issues getting a ticket. However, if you are a last-minute planner like myself, you may find that it is impossible to get a ticket, especially if you are going on the weekends.
Don’t worry though, there’s still some good news. The website adds a handful of new tickets the day before. What you have to do is sign on at 9 am the day before you plan on going and snag a ticket for everyone in your group. If you plan on going several days in a row, you will need a new ticket for each day. Keep in mind that if you are planning on doing the 24 hours before method, you will need a good wifi connection to book your shuttle tickets (which you will not have if you are already in the park).
Luckily each ticket is only $1 USD. I suggest making your account ahead of time at NPS.gov and checking park shuttle ticket availability as soon as you can when planning your trip to Zion.
How to Enter Zion National Park Without a Shuttle Ticket
Forgot to buy a shuttle ticket? Don’t worry. There are still a few other options to help you get in. If you are planning on doing The Narrows, look for tour companies that offer transportation and gear rental. While this is not ideal because you will have to adapt your schedule and it will be more expensive, it can be a good option if you only wanted to do that hike.
Another option is to rent bikes beforehand. Now, there are several bike shops in Springdale where you can rent both regular and electric bikes. Zion Cycles, Zion Outfitter, and Zion Adventures are just a few of the most popular shops for both biking and hiking gear. While biking may be a good option if you plan on hitting a few hiking trails, I wouldn’t suggest doing this option if you are planning on doing The Narrows with all of your gear, water shoes, and walking stick.
Lastly, you can actually drive into the park with your own car, however, you will be limited on where you can park. The visitor center has a decent-sized parking lot and there are also a few spots along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. The Zion Canyon scenic drive offers stunning views of the red valley below. While there are several smaller hikes you can do from these areas, you will not be able to park at the trailhead of Angel’s Landing, the Narrows, and other more famous hikes.
Planning a Trip to Zion National Park: How to Plan Ahead
When it comes to organizing a trip to Zion, plan ahead. Unlike heading to Bryce Canyon, there are a lot of logistics you have to work out beforehand. From Zion shuttle bus times to hiking gear, make sure you plan ahead and try to organize your trip as much as you can.
Keep in mind when planning that weather can change at any moment. If you plan on doing The Narrows one day and a week before rain appears in the forecast, make sure you are able to make adjustments to our plan. I suggest getting Zion shuttle bus tickets for every day you are planning on going into the park.
Other Parks to Visit Near Zion
If you are planning on doing a road trip through Utah, try hitting up another national park or two while you’re in the area. Below are some other parks and famous landmarks you could add to your trip.
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Antelope Canyon
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Horseshoe Bend
Keep in mind that most of these parks are spread out, which means you will need to give yourself plenty of time for driving and sight-seeing.
How Many Days Do You Need When Visiting Utah?
If you’re trying to plan a trip, you might be wondering how much time you should set aside. Now, this really depends on where you are coming from, what you want to see, and how much time you want to spend in the car.
We had a full four days to explore both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. While we were able to do and see most of the things we had on our list, we still would have loved an extra day or two to explore Zion more.
When planning your trip, make sure you check the distances between each stop. While two destinations may look close on the map, the drive can still take several hours.
With just some extra research and planning, you’ll be able to plan a memorable trip to one of America’s greatest national parks.
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