Top Things to do in Zion National Park
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The 6 Best Scenic Drives in Zion National Park, Zion National Park
The spectacular rock formations, rugged canyons, tumbling rivers and pine-blanketed peaks of Zion National Park provide a southwestern wonderland for unparalleled camping, hiking, canyoneering and climbing. Drive Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway or get out and hike. Zion's sandstone monoliths and other geological wonders, like the Great White Throne, Grand Staircase and Checkerboard Mesa, backdrop challenging trails from The Narrows to Canyon Overlook, providing inspiration for artists and dreamers.
1. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,626 reviews
A popular drive within Zion National Park.
Reviewed By jesseo582 - Jackson, United States
Most of the year, this is a road you can’t drive your own vehicle on unless you’re staying at the Zion National Park Lodge! The road winds along the Virgin River beneath towering cliffs and buttresses of stupendous sweep and colour. The free shuttle bus from the park main visitor centre just north of Springdale Utah goes to the end of the canyon and back all day affording convenient access to each of the trailheads. Helpful taped interpretation/narration aids visitor’s appreciation of this amazing park and the road you’re on.
2. Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 853 reviews
This scenic highway offers interesting curves and tunnels.
Reviewed By TravelingSoccerLoon - Saint Paul, United States
Fun drive with some spectacular scenery. The drive out of Zion Canyon as it ascends to the tunnel offers some spectacular views with a number of pull outs to get a closer look and some great photos. The 1 mile long Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel is both historic and cool. Don't miss hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail which begins right after the exit of the tunnel when heading east. The drive east of here is not as spectacular nor does it have the grandeur of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive but it is still beautiful. You additionally may have an opportunity to spot some mountain goats as I did if you drive slow and keep your eyes peeled. I drove out to Checkerboard Mesa and turned around there. Probably the best experience would be arriving at Zion from the East Entrance as the scenery will continue to get more spectacular until you finally exit the west side of the tunnel and Zion Canyon explodes in front of your eyes.
3. Kolob Terrace Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
A winding road that climbs to a high elevation with beautiful scenery and very few visitors
Reviewed By terri19712020 - Baton Rouge, United States
If you are looking for a less touristy way to go to Zion and avoid the heavily congested entrance this is it. The scenery is beautiful and when you get to the end you get to the reservoir. Lots of kayaking and fishing going on. We went to the Wildcat Canyon trailhead which joins up with the Northgate Peaks Trailhead. The views from this trail were unreal. Absolutely stunning. We stayed at Zion Wildflowert in a “glamping” tent located at the bottom of Kolab Terrace Road. At night we saw meteor showers since there is very little light pollution in this area. Beautiful area to explore without all the people.
4. Zion Shuttle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,159 reviews
The mandatory shuttle leaves from the visitors center and travels six miles through the most popular canyon road, with seven stops in between.
Reviewed By HappyGJackson - Mount Laurel, United States
We used the shuttle for 2 days it was great . It brings you to places you cant drive too. We took it to the last stop and hiked the riverside to the narrows awesome trip.
5. Kolob Canyon Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
A five mile scenic drive with incredible canyons and cliffs.
Reviewed By StevoinMinnesoto - Cottage Grove, United States
We drove this road from beginning to end and enjoyed every bit of it. We had a clear Fall day and the colors of the rock against the blue of the sky were a terrific contrast and made for great photo opps. It was pretty busy the day we hiked here and as some parking lots with trail access that we hoped to hike were full, we decided to drive to the end and just do the hike to the overlook. The views were breathtaking and the hike was fairly easy. Highly Recommended!
6. Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 628 reviews
A spectacular entry into Zion National Park that consists of a 1.1-mile long tunnel and a highway that slowly winds down from a high plateau.
Reviewed By catupthetree23 - Rome, United States
I would totally recommend that if you've never visited Zion National Park before, enter the park from the East Entrance so you can go through the tunnel from that direction. The surprise you will get when you emerge from the tunnel and into the canyon will be something you remember for the rest of your life. I'm so glad that this is how I entered Zion my first time - it's probably why I love it more than the Grand Canyon! (This past time I went was actually back in March 2018 and I went through the tunnel from the direction of the South Entrance...still cool though!) Per the National Parks Service website: "Construction of the 1.1 mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel began in the late 1920's and was completed in 1930. At the time that the tunnel was dedicated, on July 4, 1930, it was the longest tunnel of its type in the United States. The purpose of the building the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel (and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway) was to create direct access to Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon from Zion National Park." During the busy season, the park actually controls traffic through the tunnel by allowing one direction of traffic to drive through at a time. This is in order to give larger vehicles/motor homes easier passage through the tunnel by allowing them the opportunity to use both lanes if needed. There are also "windows" carved periodically through the walls of the tunnel that provide brief glimpses of the canyon.
