Best time to visit: Year Around
Recommended Hikes: Angel's Landing, the Narrows, the Subway, Kanarra Falls (Note the East Rim Trail is closed due to rockfall. Observation Point can be reached via the East Mesa Trail)
Ideal For: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Canyoneering, Rock Climbing, Biking
Where to stay: Campgrounds in or near the park, towns of Springdale or Hurricane, UT
Useful Info:
Zion is open 24/7/365, and no reservations are currently required.
Dogs - the general rule for dogs in national parks is that they must be leashed and are only allowed on paved areas, which includes parking areas, roads, and front country campgrounds. In Zion, pets are allowed on the Pa’rus Trail, which is paved, but not on any other park trails.
Zion is less than a 3 hours drive from Las Vegas, which is the nearest major airport.
Beginning April 1, 2022, hiking Angel’s Landing will require a permit. See more info from the park website here.
The main Zion canyon is accessible via shuttle ONLY for most of the year. You can also enter on foot or on a bicycle.
Flash floods are lethal in all of Zion's slot canyons - the park monitors storms and closes the Narrows when there is flash flood potential. Check at the visitor center for the latest information about potential flash floods.
You can rent water shoes, hiking sticks, and bikes at stores just outside the park's south entrance. E-Biking the canyon is a great experience.
Highway 9, which runs from the south entrance to the east entrance of the park, goes through a low clearance tunnel. Trailers and RVs require escort which is available throughout the day, but not at night. Read more about it here.
Drinking water is available at the visitor center and other park buildings.
Zion is the most popular national park in Utah. The main canyon is the highlight of the park - towering sandstone cliffs that converge to form a massive slot canyon known as "the Narrows". Zion is a year-around destination and it’s usually crowded, especially on weekends. Winters are cold and summers are hot.
Must-See Attractions:
The entire main canyon is a must-see. All the shuttle stops are cool and worth jumping off at if you have time.
Angel's Landing - one of many famous rock formations in the main canyon. The monolith is best observed from shuttle stops 7 and 8 on the canyon floor. The hike to the summit of Angel’s Landing is outstanding - read more about it in the hiking section below.
the Narrows - a giant slot canyon more than 10 miles long, with sections that are just 30 feet wide and 1,000 feet high. Hiking up the river is the only way to see the Narrows - read more about it in the hiking section below.
Shuttle Stop 8 - the "Big Bend" shuttle stop offers views of vertical sandstone cliffs in every direction. There is a short trail between shuttle stops 8 and 7 that is incredibly beautiful and tranquil. This is the best place to see Angel's Landing and the Great White Throne from the canyon floor.
Zion High-Country - Outside of the main canyon, the landscape features colorful buttes and mesas. These make for a great scenic drive on Highway 9, and potential for bighorn sheep sightings. Attractions in this area include Checkerboard Mesa, the Canyon Overlook Trail, and the East Rim Trail.
Where to Stay:
There are two campgrounds in the park, the "Watchman" campground can be reserved online in advance here. The "South" campground is available 2 weeks in advance online here. Both campgrounds are always in high demand.
There are private campgrounds just outside the park's southern and eastern boundaries. These are great options if the Watchman and the South campgrounds are full.
There are hotel and BNB options in Springdale and Hurricane. Springdale is a tiny town just outside the park's southern boundary - the options here are nicer but more expensive. Hurricane is a larger town about 30 miles from the parks south entrance that has budget hotels.
Hiking in Zion:
Angel's Landing - The must-do hike in Zion. Angel's Landing is a challenging hike with a steep summit ascent, assisted by chains bolted to the rock for support. This hike is very crowded, especially on the steep sections near the summit. Get an early start to avoid the traffic jams! Angel’s Landing now requires a permit to hike which can be reserved here. Read more about the hike here.
the Narrows - The crown-jewel of Zion National Park. The Narrows are closed whenever the Virgin River is flowing at 150 cubic feet per second (click here for current water-flow levels). This happens throughout the spring months as winter snow melts off and occasionally in summer, fall, and winter during major rain storms. Fall and winter are great times to hike the Narrows with reduced crowds. Tough, water-friendly shoes are crucial and hiking poles or a walking stick are really helpful. You can rent all Narrows gear at stores near the park entrance.
Observation Point - This is a really popular hike to a viewpoint high above Angel's Landing. The hike is long for a single viewpoint, but there is some cool scenery on the way, especially near Echo Canyon. Due to a recent rockfall, observation Point is no longer accessible from the canyon floor. Hikers can still reach it from the Stave and East Mesa Trailheads.
the Subway - Day-hikers can access the lowest tier of the Subway with a long hike for which permits are required (reserve online here). Permits are available for the spring through fall months but they are very limited. Do not attempt this hike with shoes that can't get wet - hiking in the creek is often the easiest route. Read more about the hike here.
Zion High Country - Theres another cool canyon that runs along the park road East of the tunnel. It’s worth a hike if you are unable to get into the main canyon shuttles. Parking is along the roadside at various points.
Kanarra Falls - a really cool slot canyon with a photogenic waterfall. Kanarra Falls is outside the Zion park boundaries but its close to the Kolob Canyons section of the park. You can see Kanarra Falls and catch the Kolobs for sunset in a single day. The hike is partially in a creek so bring shoes that can get wet. Read more about the hike and finding the trailhead here. Beginning 2019, a permit is required to hike Kanarra Falls. Click here for more permit info.