My first trip to Utah was part of a Southwest Road Trip with my girlfriends. We explored the Grand Canyon and Sedona before arriving in Springdale Utah late one September night. As we drove through the Zion Mt.Carmel Tunnel under a full moon, we had a small glimpse of the amazing scenery that was awaiting us the next morning. Let me say, that Zion is spectacular and it immediately became one of my favorite National Parks! However, because it’s such a popular destination, advance planning is required. Gone are the days when you could roll up to the park without planning ahead. With so many cool things to do in Zion National Park, it’s imperative to plan ahead and have reservations. Use this list of the top ten things to do in Zion to start planning your trip!

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Check out all the fun things to do in St. George, Utah!

Top 10 Things to Do in Zion

• Explore Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
• Hike the Overlook Trail
• Hike the Virgin River Narrows
• Hike Angel’s Landing
• Hike to the Emerald Pools
• Explore Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive and Taylor Creek Trail
• Check out the Visitor Centers at Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyon
• Try Glamping near Zion
• Admire the Dark Night Skies
• Refuel at Springdale restaurants

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Unless you have a hotel reservation at Zion Lodge, private vehicles are not allowed in Zion Canyon during peak season. If you are not staying at the lodge, you will need to use the National Park Service shuttle system. I actually love the shuttle system as it eliminates the worry about parking at the trailhead; you can just hop off the bus and start your hike! If you are staying in Springdale, you can explore the entire park without a car. (You will need a car to get to Springdale, however) The Springdale shuttle runs through town and drops visitors off at the entrance to Zion National Park. From there, you can hop on the Zion Park shuttle system. I highly recommend starting your trip to Zion with a ride on the park shuttle!

E-bike rentals are now everywhere in Springdale and on my last trip to Zion, I rented one for a cruise through Zion Canyon. That was a fun way to see the park (It was the off-season, so there were no shuttles on the road and very few cars.) My 1/2-day rental came with a helmet and a lock, so I was able to lock the bike at the trailhead and go for a hike. Note that there really isn’t a bike path in Zion Canyon and the road is narrow, so you have to be comfortable riding a bike in traffic. E-bike tours are also an option if you prefer to go out with a guide.

Zion National Scenic Byway is one of the best scenic drives in Utah!

Canyon Overlook Trail

One of the shorter and more popular hikes in Zion Park is the Canyon Overlook Trail. The hike takes you above Zion Canyon, so you have to drive through the Zion Mt. Carmel tunnel and look for the small parking lots after the tunnel. It gets crowded, so parking can be difficult. Even when I went late in the day, in the off-season, I barely found a parking spot. The hike itself is just one mile round-trip, but there are some narrow parts and a bit of a climb at the beginning. The reward is a magnificent view of Zion Canyon. I went near sunset and unfortunately, the sun was right in my eyes, washing everything out. I think this would be a better morning hike when the sun isn’t so harsh.

Virgin River Narrows

The beginning of this trail probably has the most visitors of any trail in Zion. The further upriver you hike, the fewer people you’ll see and the scenery just keeps getting better. I’ve always done this hike as an “out and back” so you hike in as far as you want then turn around and come back. There is an option to hike the whole thing “top down” but it’s 16 miles and requires some canyoneering. This is seriously one of the coolest hikes I’ve ever done, and you get to decide how long to hike for because you just turn around when you’re ready.

If you plan on hiking the Narrows, you’ll start at the very last Zion National Park shuttle stop: Temple of Sinawava. There is a short, paved section along the river and it ends at a “beach” of sorts. This is where you’ll start hiking in the water. There are usually hiking sticks lined up against the wall near the start of the hike, but it’s a good idea to bring your own, just in case. Deciding what to wear while hiking the Narrows will depend on the season. In the heat of summer, shorts and hiking sandals are sufficient. In colder months, I recommend renting gear from Zion Adventure Company. We hiked the Narrows in February 2018 with all of their gear and it was amazingly comfortable and way less crowded. (In many years, the Narrows will close briefly in the spring due to snow melt.)

Like all slot canyons, this hike is prone to flash flooding, which can be deadly! Check current conditions at the ranger station and if any thunderstorms are forecast for the area, do not enter the narrows!

Hike Angel’s Landing

Angel’s Landing is probably the most popular hike in Zion National Park. So much so that permits are now required for the last portion of the hike. I first attempted this hike in 2008 and turned around on the final section because it was too crowded. This was 14 years ago, and visitation to the park has probably doubled since then! I am happy to see permits in place to limit the numbers because it’s truly a special hike, but crowding on the chains section makes it frustrating and dangerous. I did return to Zion in 2015 after a few days of whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. This time, I got up before dawn and completed the trail without the crowds!

As far as hikes go, Angel’s Landing is not particularly difficult. The entire trail is just five miles round trip, with nearly 1500 feet of elevation gain. Hike time will depend on your fitness and the crowds but plan for three to five hours to hike Angel’s Landing via the West Rim trail. To reach the trail, you’ll take the Zion National Park shuttle to the Grotto stop. The first two miles gently climb through Refrigerator Canyon out of the canyon floor. After ascending a series of 21 switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles, you’ll soon reach a point called Scouts Lookout

This is a great hike up to this point, and if you’re afraid of heights or hiking with small children, this is where you should turn around. You’ll see a lot of people lounging around Scouts Lookout waiting for friends and family. If you choose to continue, you will need a permit to hike the final stretch. This is where the hike gets really interesting. It’s only another 1/2 mile to the summit of Angel’s Landing, but you are ascending a narrow spine of rock, often with the help of chains anchored into the rock. If you make it to the summit early, don’t relax too much. You’ll still have to share Angel’s Landing chains on the way down, with the crowds coming up. Despite the amazing view, I didn’t linger because I knew the crowds weren’t far behind me. Getting up before dark is the best strategy for beating the crowds on Angel’s Landing.

Angel’s Landing Permits

Starting in 2022, a pilot program for Angel’s Landing permits has been implemented to reduce crowds and improve safety. A permit is only required for the last 1/2-mile section of the hike. You can still hike to Scout’s Lookout without a permit. There are two ways to get a permit to hike Angel’s Landing.

• A Seasonal Lottery is available starting 60 days prior to the first day of the month. So, if you are hiking in September, your lottery will open on July 1 and close on July 20; permits will be issued a few days after the lottery closes. You can try for seven dates and times in your $6 lottery application. Once approved, you will be notified via email and will have to pay an additional $3 per hiker.
• A “Day Before” Lottery is also available from midnight to 3 pm on the day prior to the permit. Permits are issued by 4 pm so you can make alternate plans if needed.

iLive4Travel has the ultimate guide for what to pack for Zion National Park!

Hike to the Emerald Pools

This is one of the easiest and most popular hikes in Zion National Park. The trailhead is right across the road from Zion Lodge, and the round-trip hike to all three pools is three miles. When I visited in February, there was construction at the main trailhead, so I was rerouted to the Grotto trailhead and took the Kayenta trail to the pools. There wasn’t too much water, but I’ll trade that for the non-existent crowds this time of year!

Before you hit the trail, make sure you are prepared with these hiking essentials!

Kolob Canyon & Taylor Creek Trail

This Zion hike is located in the Kolob Canyon section of the park. This area receives far fewer visitors than Zion Canyon, and the Kolob Canyon road is closed in the winter. My last visit was mid-April and the road was only open through the Taylor Creek trailhead, so I decided to check out the 5-mile hike to the Double Arch Alcove.

At the beginning of the hike, I heard there would be 4 river crossings. I almost turned around because this was my first hike since tearing my ACL, and I wasn’t sure how I would do. Of course, I pushed through and after about 6 river crossings, I decided just to walk through the water rather than trying to hop on rocks and stay dry. In this dry climate, everything dries pretty quickly anyway. This turned out to be a good decision as there were at least 40 river crossings. You basically weave in and out of the river the entire time!

I really enjoyed this hike at Zion National Park. The scenery is spectacular, and I even had a bit of snow to hike through at the end. It’s just 2 1/2 miles round trip. While this part of the park is less visited, the trailhead parking lot is fairly small and was nearly full when I arrived on a weekday in April. The trail never felt crowded, but there were enough people around that I felt comfortable hiking it alone.

Kolob Canyon is just 20 minutes from Cedar City and there are tons of fun things to do in Cedar City!

Zion National Park Visitor Centers

I’ve always blown by the Visitor Centers in a rush to start hiking, but on my more recent trips, I’m trying to slow down a bit and learn about the parks. Zion National Park has two visitor centers, a nature center, and a museum.

• Zion Canyon Visitor Center is where you’ll start your trip to Zion Canyon. It’s mostly a huge store with books and souvenirs, and a small information desk with ranges on hand to answer questions.
• There is also a small visitor center at the Kolob Canyon entrance to the park. It’s a smaller version of the Zion Canyon Visitor Center
• The first shuttle stop in Zion Canyon is the Zion Human History Museum. This closes seasonally, so ask before you get off the shuttle!

Glamping Near Zion National Park

Glamping in Utah is all the rage now, and there are several glamping resorts near Zion! A few of the most popular Zion glamping resorts include:

• Under Canvas Zion (pictured below)
• Zion White Bison Glamping + RV Resort
• Zion Wildflower Resort
• East Zion Resort
• Open Sky Zion

Hotels Near Zion National Park

If hotels are more your style, I’m with you! There are several great places to stay in Springdale, but be prepared to pay top dollar! And if you want to be in Zion Canyon first thing in the morning, check the location of your hotel. Some are located on the road in to Springdale, which means you’ll need to drive into town and to the park. A couple of my favorite hotels near Zion are:

• My favorite hotel in Springdale is Flanigan’s Inn. It is one of the closest hotels to the park entrance. I was able to walk from Flanigan’s to the Visitor Center (in the dark) in about ten minutes. Otherwise, there is a Springdale shuttle stop right outside Flanigan’s. I can also attest to the quality spa at Flanigan’s, and I enjoyed a massage and facial after Angel’s Landing hike. The beds are super comfy, and the bath products are to die for. I hoard body wash and lotion whenever I stay here!
• I recently got an incredible rate ($113/night in February) at the new Hotel de Novo, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. It’s a bit farther from town but is the last stop for the Springdale shuttle. As a Hilton Honors member, I was upgraded to a beautiful suite with a balcony and an incredible view. The pool and hot tub were perfect after a day of hiking! (For Hilton travelers, the Cliff Rose Lodge is supposed to be fantastic and it’s walking distance to the park!)

Browse Springdale, Utah Hotels

As you leave Zion and Springdale, the next closest towns are Virgin, LaVerkin, Hurricane, then St. George. There are lots of hotels in all of these towns.

Zion National Park Restaurants

Springdale is a tourist town, so dining at any Springdale restaurant will be expensive and probably mediocre. There are some exceptions, but dining near Zion is mostly about fueling up or refueling after a day of adventure. These are the Springdale restaurants where I’ve enjoyed a pre-hike or post-hike meal.

• Zion Canyon Brew Pub is the first spot you’ll come to when leaving the park. Good burgers and local brews hit the spot after a day of hiking!
• The Spotted Dog at Flanigan’s Inn is a great spot for a nice dinner or casual lunch. I remember having a really good French Toast with prickly pear syrup there as well.
• Jack’s Sports Grill has a good menu of pub grub, and on my next trip I would like to try the restaurant next door, Switchback Grille, which is a seafood and steak restaurant.
• I had breakfast at Anu at the Hotel de Novo twice and both were delicious. Next time, I will try Anthera, their sister restaurant at the Cliff Rose Lodge.
• The Bit & Spur is another bar & restaurant; they have Tex Mex food and a variety of other options.
• Zion Pizza and Noodle is perfect if you are craving pizza or pasta.
• For Mexican food, Las Lupitas in nearby Hurricane is really good.
• The Stagecoach Grille in Hurricane is another locals’ favorite. Their burgers really hit the spot after a day of hiking!

Have you been to Zion National Park? What are your favorite things to do?