Ready for an epic adventure in Zion National Park? Established in 1919, Zion is Utah’s oldest national park. It is famous for its dramatic red and white sandstone cliffs, carved by the Virgin River into a breathtaking canyon. Whether you’re chasing epic hikes like Angels Landing, a chill stroll on the Pa’rus Trail, or unique water-wading in the Narrows, Zion has something for everyone.
Add a bonus trip to the Kolob Canyons section for less crowds and equally stunning views! We recently explored Zion, tackled parking chaos, navigated the summer shuttle system, and hiked some iconic trails. Here’s our fun, practical guide to make your Zion trip unforgettable!
Navigating Parking Chaos at Zion
Let’s talk about parking, since these are the nightmare stories everyone shares. It’s tricky, but we learned a thing or two to pass along! If you are visiting Zion any time of the year other than winter, plan to arrive early.
Parking at the Visitor Center usually fills up by 8am. We reached the east entrance well before 8am, but RV traffic at the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel slowed us down. By 8:05… that parking lot sign flipped right over to “full”. Ugh! It’s all part of the journey, right?
Don’t stress- a great backup plan is Springdale, just outside of Zion’s main entrance. The town offers plenty of paid public parking. Springdale even has its own free shuttle that runs from many of the parking areas and hotels in town, dropping visitors off at Zion Canyon Village. There you will find restrooms, restaurants, gear rental, gift shops, and Zion’s pedestrian entrance.
Next time we’ll head straight to Zion Canyon Village, pay for parking, and walk through the pedestrian entrance to the park. Easy peasy!
Tip: Lodging in Hurricane, Springdale, or St. George? Consider Springdale as your first option and skip the parking chaos altogether.
Zion Canyon Shuttle
Yay! You made it in! Let the adventure begin!
Like most national parks, Zion offers a scenic drive through the park. However, during peak season, vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Instead, hop on the free park shuttle, the Zion Canyon Line. The shuttle route covers 9 stops along the canyon from the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava.
It sounds like a hassle, but with a little planning, it’s a breeze. Have a backpack or bag with essential items for the day- sunscreen, water, snacks, and hiking gear. Consider extra shoes or clothes if you are planning to hike in the water at The Narrows.
The shuttles run very regularly, and you won’t have to wait long at any of the stops to jump on the next bus going up or down the canyon. Grab a map at the visitor center and look ahead of time to see at what stop your destination and/or trailhead are located. This will help when hopping on and off the shuttles and minimize any backtracking.
If you have a top destination in mind or are heading to one of the more popular trails, you may want to plan to visit those areas first. By lunchtime, the park is packed with visitors, and you’ll be fighting crowds for the rest of the day.
Bonus: you can bike the canyon instead! Zion’s bike path is on our list of 10 Best National Parks for Biking in the US.
Must Hike Trails in Zion
Hiking is one of the best ways to see the gorgeous features of Zion Canyon. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular trails, including a couple of our favorites.
Riverside Walk: A Family-Friendly Gem
- Shuttle Stop: #9, Temple of Sinawava
- Distance: 2.2 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy (paved section, mostly flat, some uneven areas)
This trail was our top destination for the trip, so we hopped on the shuttle bus at the Visitor Center and rode all the way to the very last stop.
The first section of the trail is easy, relatively flat, and paved. After about a half mile- the trail gets sandy, more uneven, and has a few steep slopes. This trail takes you deeper into Zion Canyon, alongside the tree-lined Virgin River and to the start of The Narrows.
As it was first thing in the morning, there were very few people on the trail with us. We spotted deer, strolled by weeping rocks and mossy canyon walls, took family pictures by the rushing river, and enjoyed the cool breeze as the sun was just starting to light up the canyon. An absolute must-do!
The Narrows were unfortunately closed during our visit, due to high water. However, we were able to walk to the end of the trail and take in the stunning views of the canyon.
The Narrows: Wade Through Zion’s Iconic Slot Canyon
- Shuttle Stop: #9, Temple of Sinawava (via Riverside Walk)
- Distance: Up to 9.4 mile roundtrip (upstream) or 16 miles (through-hike)
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
The Narrows is one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park. If conditions are right and you don’t mind getting a little wet, this hike is an incredible way to see the narrower parts of Zion Canyon while walking up the Virgin River.
Check weather conditions before and when you arrive at the park. Conditions can change very quickly, and The Narrows will close if weather conditions are poor or if the water level is too high.
There are two ways to hike the Narrows:
Hiking Upstream:
- Take the Riverside Walk at the Temple of Sinawava all the way to the end of the trail. Here you can enter the water (again, if The Narrows are open for hiking) and walk up the Virgin River as far as you want up to Big Spring (a strenuous 5 miles) and then back down.
- There is no special equipment required for hiking in the water however many hikers have hiking/trekking poles for balance and checking water depth, closed-toed shows or hiking boots for the slippery rocks, and even waders or dry suits for the deeper parts of the water further up the canyon.
- You can hike for miles upstream or just walk a few hundred yards, depending on your comfort level and time constraints. There is still so much more to see in the park after all!
Through-Hiking The Narrows:
- There is a 16-mile through hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava. This hike requires a permit which can be obtained online or from the Visitor Center. Review the park website for equipment recommendations and hiking essentials before attempting this long, strenuous hike.
Angels Landing: Zion’s Thrilling Climb
- Shuttle Stop: #6, The Grotto
- Distance: 5.4 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Strenuous
Angels Landing is another very popular trail in Zion Canyon. It is a long, strenuous hike that is not for the faint of heart (or young children, or anyone with a fear of heights for that matter).
This trail is just over 5 miles roundtrip and gains almost 1500 feet of elevation as you climb to the rim of the canyon. A permit is required for this trail and can be obtained via a lottery system on the park’s website.
Tip: If you are looking for great views of the canyon with a less strenuous trail, try the Canyon Overlook Trail. It is a moderate rated 1.0-mile trail near the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
Court of The Patriarchs
Shuttle Stop: #4
This is a very short walk up a steep hill that takes you to the viewpoint for Court of the Patriarchs. An amazing rock feature in Zion Canyon. It’s a perfect stop for a quick photo op between shuttle rides.
Pa’rus Trail
- Shuttle Stop: #3, Canyon Junction or #1, Visitor Center
- Distance: 3.2 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy (paved)
This scenic trail follows the Virgin River, connecting Stops #1-3. It’s pet-friendly, bike-friendly, and a great way to skip the shuttle on busy days. You’ll pass the Zion Human History Museum (Stop #2) and enjoy river views framed by towering cliffs.
Zion Lodge & The Grotto: Your Midday Break
Two great lunch stop options are The Grotto and Zion Lodge. Picnic tables, water stations, and restrooms are available at both stops. The Grotto features a pretty picnic area under shady trees, where you can watch local wildlife while you relax and refuel.
Zion Lodge offers cabins, rooms, a gift shop, and post office. Fuel up at the Lodge’s restaurant, the Red Rock Grill or seasonal snack shack, the Castle Dome Café.
Hike the short but scenic Grotto Trail to the Lodge to skip a shuttle ride. Trailheads at the Lodge include Emerald Pools and Sand Beach.
Camping: Zion also has three campgrounds- Watchman, South, and Lava Point. Watchman Campground and South Campground are located near the Visitor Center, reservations can be made at recreation.gov. The remote Lava Point Campground is located on Kolob Terrace Road and has 6 first-come, first-served campsites.
There is also plenty of lodging near the park in Springdale, St. George, and Hurricane.
Kolob Canyons: A Zion Hidden Gem
Don’t miss Kolob Canyons, a quieter section of Zion National Park, with its own Visitor Center, scenic drive, and epic hikes. The entrance is located off I-15 (Exit 40), about an hour from Zion Canyon.
Stop at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center for maps, gift shop, and restrooms. It’s perfect for a half-day escape from crowds. We drove the 5-mile Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive and enjoyed stopping at viewpoints of the red cliffs and box canyons. Make the journey all the way to the end to the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint and take in the panoramic views from the top.
Popular trails include:
Timber Creek Overlook Trail: 1.2 miles, easy, located at the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint. Hike up the small ridge for even more stunning views of the canyons and distant peaks.
Taylor Creek Trail: 5.2 miles roundtrip, moderate, passing historic cabins before ending at the Double Arch Alcove.
Zion National Park Wrap Up
Our Zion trip was a wonderful family adventure! After navigating the parking chaos, we were able to enjoy the beautiful canyon scenery and check off a family bucket-list trail on the Riverside Walk. A bonus to the trip was sneaking in a visit to Kolob Canyons.
We hope this guide helps you plan your own epic trip to Zion National Park. Looking for more to do in Utah? Find more incredible Utah destinations here.
Happy Travels!
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