Zion National Park: A Must-See Natural Wonder!
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Are you ready for an adventure? Zion National Park is one of Earth's most popular and awe-inspiring natural wonders! Located in Southwest Utah, this geological marvel stretches 229 miles and contains some of the most incredible cliffs, canyons, mesas, monoliths, and trails. Whether your hiking expertise consists of a leisurely day hike or trekking to Angel's Landing at 1,300 feet in elevation — Zion will not disappoint.
know before you go
Zion National Park is one of my all-time favorite trips. And I am not alone. More than 4.5 million people visited Zion in 2022, making it one of the more popular national parks.
Late spring and early fall are the best times to explore Zion. During this time, the weather is good, the crowds are small, and the hiking conditions are optimal. Allow at least two or three days to enjoy many aspects of the park. But once you see the beauty of the high plateaus to the narrow and deep sandstone canyons, you may want to stay even longer.
From March through late November, personal vehicles are only allowed to drive Mt. Carmel highway (Highway 9) through Zion. There are free shuttles that will take you around Zion National Park along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Arrive early to make sure you can find parking as it will fill up. Shuttle service begins at 7 a.m. There are also nine shuttle stops outside Zion in the town of Springdale. You will find all the shuttle stops and schedules on the national park website.
Zion National Park photo courtesy of Canva
What to do in zion
ZION SCENIC DRIVES
Zion National Park Photo by Todd Nighswonger.
Mount Carmel highway is a beautiful 25-mile drive that will take you through the historic 1.1-mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. As you travel up and down steep switchbacks, you will see hoodoos, hilltops, rock formations, desert pines, wildflowers, and more. The Desert will burst with rust, yellow, orange, and brown colors. It is a beautiful drive that is worth the time.
The Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive is another awe-inspiring drive worth adding to your list. Kolob Canyon is about 40 miles west of Zion and is a section of the national park that most people never visit, meaning fewer people and less traffic! The scenic drive begins at the visitor's center and ends at Kolob Canyons Viewpoint. This stunning 10-mile drive has plenty of pull-offs so that you can admire the view along the way.
If you are visiting when Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is open to personal vehicles, this drive can not be missed. This eight-mile scenic drive is dotted with epic views, pull-offs, and 11 points of interest. You can drive the route in about 30 minutes if you don't stop along the way and about six hours if you stop at everything. And you will want to stop! So give yourself plenty of time. I recommend starting early when the lighting is best, and the crowds are small. Be sure to hit the welcome center. It's loaded with great information for the drive. Click here for the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Map.
BIKING ZION
Biking through Zion is a great way to see the park. During high season the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to traffic except for the shuttles making it a perfect place for a bike ride. You can ride eight miles as an out and back, but I have a better idea. The shuttles have bike racks, so you can take the shuttle to the end of the drive and bike your way back. You can stop as often as you like and take your time. Click link above for map.
Bike rentals and bike tours are also available in the nearby town of Springdale.
Angel’s Landing Hike, Photo by Bluejayphoto via Canva
HIKING ZION
Many people come to hike the slot canyons, trails, and of course, the famous Angels Landing. So let's talk about some of those famous trails to help you find your perfect hike.
If you are not up for a strenuous hike, there are walks perfect for admiring the view throughout Zion. These hikes are 1-3 miles with magnificent views.
Pa'rus Trail – 3.5 mile paved trail, wheelchair friendly, dog friendly
Riverside Walk – 2.2 mile paved trail
Lower Emerald Pool Trail – 1.2 mile paved trail, leads to a breathtaking waterfall at the Lower Emerald Pool
Canyon Overlook Trail – 1 mile trail with incredible views (a little more difficult than those listed above)
The Narrows
The Narrows is a hike through a slot canyon. There are places where you must traverse through the water at least waist deep. It is considered a dangerous hike due to the possibility of flash floods that could trap hikers in the narrow canyon.
The Subway
The Subway often makes the "Top Natural Wonders of the World" lists. This strenuous 9.5-mile hike requires rappelling skills, at least 60 feet of rope, and route-finding experience. The trek also requires swimming through several deep pools of icy water. You need a permit to hike in this area.
The Chains section of Angel’s Landing is a permit-only trail. Photo by Todd Nighswonger.
Angel’s Landing
One of the most dangerous and challenging trails is Angel’s Landing. The Chains Section is a ½ mile route set on top of a 1,488-foot rock section. The path provides a chain to hang onto but is only a few feet wide in some places. Many people have lost their lives in that section. These days you must have a permit if you are brave enough to make this trek.
You can do a strenuous hike up to a point called Scout’s Lookout via the West Rim Trail. From there, you can go on to hike the Chain Section up to Angel’s Landing. From here we had a vantage point to watch others traverse across the chains.
Want to see what the hike is like before you commit? Check out a few of these videos by a few of our friends.
More to do in Zion
Catch a Sunset
Head to the Museum patio for great sunset views of Bridge Mountain and the East Temple. Another excellent sunset location is the Canyon Junction Bridge. From the bridge, you will have views of the Watchman as it turns brilliant reds and oranges as the sun falls. You can also enjoy the sunset along the Pa'rus Trail, which is an easy paved path. On the west side of the park, the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint offers a view of Kolob's red cliffs, which shine even brighter at sunset.
Stick around for a view of the night sky at any sunset location. And remember to bring a flashlight or headlamp for your walk back to the car.
Birdwatching
If you like to birdwatch, grab your binoculars, and look for the small Black Chinned Hummingbird or the large California Condor. There are 291 bird species found in Zion through the seasons. The park has been designated an Important Bird Area by the BirdLife International program at the state and global levels.
Still More
Zion offers so much more for you to enjoy on your trip. Check out the list below before you plan your activities in Zion.
Ranger patio talks
Ranger led walks
Watchman evening Programs (Schedule)
Horseback riding (outside vender)
Zion at sunset courtesy of Canva
zion Fun Facts
Although it is not known for its arches, Zion is home to the second-largest arch in the world.
Zion is home to more than 1,000 different species of plants.
Head to Weeping Rock and taste 1,000-year-old water. The water from the sandstone walls has taken over 1,000 years to filter down through the stone. Now that is filtered water!
Will You Choose to Visit Zion National Park?
Zion National Park has it all - from towering Horse Ranch Mountain at 8,726 feet to the tranquil Coal Pits Wash at 3,666 feet. Explore vast deserts, picturesque riverbanks, and diverse woodlands with over 1,000 plant species. Trust us! This is one destination you absolutely need to experience.
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