Towering red rock cliffs, winding slot canyons, and some of the most famous hikes in the country—Zion National Park is a must-visit destination for any outdoor lover. Whether you have just one day or a full three-day adventure planned, this guide has everything you need to create the perfect Zion National Park itinerary.
From breathtaking viewpoints and bucket-list hikes to tips on avoiding crowds and where to stay, get ready for an unforgettable trip through one of America’s most iconic national parks.
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Zion National Park at a Glance
Zion is a paradise for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers. With its awe-inspiring canyons, sandstone cliffs, and scenic drives, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re looking for an easy walk, a thrilling climb, or a peaceful sunset view.
The park is divided into two main sections: Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons. Most visitors stick to Zion Canyon, home to famous hikes like Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. Kolob Canyons is a bit more off-the-beaten-path, requiring a one-hour drive from Zion Canyon, but offers equally stunning scenery.
Do You Need a Reservation for Zion?
As of 2025, no reservation is required to enter Zion or use the shuttle. However, you do need a permit for some hikes, including Angel’s Landing.
💰 Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle | $20 per person (if entering on foot or via the Springdale Shuttle)
Traveling to more than 2 National Parks or National Forests this year? Purchase an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass for $80, which covers entrance fees at all National Parks and NPS managed sites.
Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
1️⃣ Hit the Trails: Best Hikes in Zion
Zion is home to some of the most legendary hikes in the U.S. Whether you’re up for a challenging climb or a scenic stroll, there’s a perfect trail for you.
Need a map? Don’t forget to download your map and save it to your phone or GPS device before your hike! Get AllTrails+ (the most used trail app on my phone!) to download all your trail maps for offline use. Use my promo code brookeinboots30 to get 30% off your annual AllTrails+ subscription!
Easy & Family-Friendly Hikes
- Emerald Pools Trail (1.5–2.5 miles, easy/moderate) – Visit Zion’s famous waterfalls and walk behind a cascading fall at Lower Emerald Pool.
- Weeping Rock Trail (0.4 miles, easy) – A short walk to a spring-fed alcove with stunning views.
- Pa’rus Trail (3.2 miles, easy) – A paved riverside trail perfect for biking, strollers, and even dogs (the only pet-friendly trail in Zion!).
- Riverside Walk (2 miles, easy) – A scenic trail along the Virgin River leading to The Narrows entrance.
Check out more easy and family-friendly hikes in Zion National Park, here.
Moderate Hikes
- Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile, moderate) – A must-do hike with jaw-dropping views of Zion Canyon.
- Watchman Trail (3.1 miles, moderate) – A rewarding climb with panoramic views of the Watchman rock formation.
Strenuous & Bucket-List Hikes
- The Narrows (Bottom-Up) (Up to 10 miles, strenuous) – Hike through a stunning slot canyon in the Virgin River. No permit required for day hikers.
- Observation Point (7 miles, strenuous) – Arguably the best view in Zion, looking down on Angel’s Landing and the canyon below.
- Angel’s Landing (4.3 miles, very strenuous) – One of the most famous (and nerve-wracking) hikes in the U.S., featuring steep switchbacks and chain-assisted climbs along a narrow ridge with 1,000-foot drop-offs. Permit required ⬇️
Angel’s Landing Permits
A permit is required for all hikers traveling beyond “Scout’s Lookout” to Angel’s Landing (aka all “chains” sections). A permit is NOT required to visit Scout’s Lookout. Learn more about Angel’s Landing Permits and Zion Reservations in my in-depth guide, here.
Angel’s Landing permits are issued online by lottery on recreation.gov. Most lottery permits will be issued through quarterly preseason lotteries. A select number of permits will be issued in daily day-before lotteries.
Day-before lottery applicants should apply on recration.gov between 12:01AM and and 3PM the day before they intend to hike. Applicants will be notified by 4PM.
2️⃣ Drive the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
For breathtaking views without the hiking boots, take a drive along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. This scenic route connects Zion to Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, with must-see stops like:
✅ Checkerboard Mesa
✅ The Great Arch
✅ Canyon Overlook Trail (a short but epic hike!)
✅ The historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, a 1.1-mile engineering marvel built in 1930.
3️⃣ Watch the Sunset & Stay for the Stars
Sunset in Zion is pure magic! Some of the best spots to catch the evening glow include:
🌅 Canyon Overlook – Amazing panoramic views.
🌅 Watchman Trail – Stunning foreground of the Watchman peak.
🌅 Pa’rus Trail – A peaceful riverside sunset stroll.
After sunset, stick around! Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, meaning the stargazing here is next-level. On a clear night, you can even see the Milky Way.
4️⃣ Try Canyoneering
Want to experience Zion’s slot canyons up close? Canyoneering (rappelling, scrambling, and wading through narrow canyons) is an unforgettable adventure.
🚀 Guided Canyoneering Trips: If you’re new to canyoneering, check out Zion Adventures, Zion Guru, or Rock Odysseys (women-owned!) for beginner-friendly trips.
Take this info to-go! The Zion Itinerary Guide has your perfect 1, 2, or 3 day Zion trip completely planned for you! With over 20 pages of detailed hiking guides, printable daily itineraries, lodging and dining suggestions and more, you can spend less time stressing and more time making epic memories! Check it out, here.
How Many Days Do You Need in Zion?
1 Day in Zion (Best for Quick Trips)
If you only have one day in Zion, focus on Zion Canyon, the spectacular heart of Zion National Park and the starting point for the most famous trails.
In the morning, choose from one of these epic favorite trails:
✅ Hike Angels Landing (if permitted) or to Scout’s Lookout for epic canyon views.
✅ Walk the Riverside Trail and explore The Narrows (as far as you want).
In the afternoon, drive the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and enjoy the overlooks. Take a short hike to the Canyon Overlook before returning to Springdale for dinner.
Take a look at my epic 1 day itinerary for visiting Zion National Park, here.
2 Days in Zion (Ideal for Most Visitors)
With two days, you can hike Zion’s top trails and explore more of the park.
Day 1: Angel’s Landing OR Observation Point, then Emerald Pools & sunset.
Day 2: Hike The Narrows, then take a scenic drive to Kolob Canyons or Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.
Ready to plan a perfect weekend in Zion? Check out my in-depth 2 day Zion itinerary post, here.
3 Days in Zion (For the Full Experience)
Day 1: Angel’s Landing & Emerald Pools
Day 2: The Narrows & Watchman Trail
Day 3: Canyoneering, a day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, OR explore Kolob Canyons for a quieter side of Zion.
Have more time? Extend your visit throughout the southwest, one of my favorite places in the world, with a week-long Southern Utah road trip.
Getting Around Zion National Park: Shuttle, Biking & Driving Tips
Planning a trip to Zion? Navigating the park requires some strategy. Whether you’re taking the Zion Canyon Shuttle, biking through the park, or driving the scenic roads, here’s what you need to know to get around efficiently.
Zion Canyon Shuttle: When & How to Use It
Private vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the shuttle is operating (March–November, plus select December holidays), instead visitors must use the free Zion Canyon shuttle.
The shuttle runs daily and connects the Zion Visitor Center to key trailheads and scenic spots.
If you’re staying at Zion Lodge, you can drive to the Lodge but will need to use the shuttle for everything else.
- Shuttle stops include:
- Visitor Center (Stop #1) – Park here early to secure a spot.
- Zion Lodge (#5) – Access to Emerald Pools Trail.
- The Grotto (#6) – Trailhead for Angel’s Landing.
- The Temple of Sinawava (#9) – Start of The Narrows hike.
- To board the shuttle, park at the Visitor Center parking area or take the Springdale Shuttle to the Visitor Center.
Springdale Shuttle: Getting From Town to Zion
Avoid traffic and long lines at then entrance station by taking the free shuttle into Zion from your hotel or parking area in Springdale.
Makes nine stops along Zion Park Blvd, with stops at hotels and restaurants.
If you’re not staying in Springdale, park in a paid lot and walk to the nearest shuttle stop.
Biking & eBike Rentals: A Great Alternative to the Shuttle
During peak season, shuttle wait times can be long, even hours. Renting an eBike is a great way to get around without the hassle!
Class 1 eBikes and regular bikes are allowed on all paved roads and the Pa’rus Trail. The ride from the park entrance to the Temple of Sinawava (the start of The Narrows) is eight miles.
Bike racks are available at all shuttle stops and major trailheads, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
Several shops in Springdale offer both eBike and regular bike rentals. Learn more about biking in Zion (and why its my favorite way to get around the park, especially during crowded seasons) here.
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway: Vehicle Restrictions & Tunnel Permits
If you’re driving an RV or towing a camper, special restrictions may apply when driving on the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway.
The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel was built before modern RVs and trailers, and is too narrow for oversized vehicles to safely pass through while staying in their lane. Large vehicles must have a ranger escort to pass through.
- Tunnel Permit: Required for vehicles over 7’10” wide or 11’4″ high ($15 fee).
- Large vehicles can only pass during posted seasonal hours with a ranger’s assistance.
Learn more about the tunnel permit and vehicle restrictions, here.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
Staying overnight in Zion? There are plenty of options to consider if you’re staying the night before or after visiting Zion.
Most visitors to Zion stay in the town of Springdale, which is located directly outside the Zion Canyon park entrance.
Springdale, UT (Best for Convenience)
- Springhill Suites by Marriott – Great views, a pool, and free breakfast.
- Best Western Plus – Budget-friendly with pools and free WiFi.
- Cable Mountain Lodge – A more upscale option with epic views of the sandstone and river access.
- Bumbleberry Inn – Affordable and centrally located.
Inside Zion: Zion Lodge (Best for Easy Access)
- The only hotel inside Zion, offering a prime location. No need to worry about parking—just hop on the shuttle outside your room.
Camping in Zion
- Watchman & South Campgrounds – Tent and RV sites with drinking water, fire pits, and flush toilets.
- No showers or laundry in Zion, but both can be found in Springdale.
- Reservations available on Recreation.gov.
More Resources on Visiting Zion & Bryce Canyon
Epic Zion National Park Itinerary Guide
7 Easy Family-Friendly Hikes in Zion National Park
One Epic Day in Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion Permits & Reservations: Everything You Need to Know
Adventure-Packed 7-Day Southern Utah Itinerary: Zion, Kanab & Beyond
Escaping the Crowds by E-Biking in Zion National Park
Take this info to-go! The Zion Itinerary Guide has your perfect 1, 2, or 3 day Zion trip completely planned for you! With over 20 pages of detailed hiking guides, printable daily itineraries, lodging and dining suggestions and more, you can spend less time stressing and more time making epic memories! Check it out, here.
