Top Things to do in Zion National Park
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Top 10 Things to do 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. The Narrows
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,489 reviews
Zion's most popular hiking trail is also its most dangerous due to occasional flash floods.
Reviewed By erinmarina - Sioux Falls, United States
Awesome hike!!! Definitely spend the extra $25 to rent the wooden hiking stick and water shoes/neoprene socks from Zion Outfitters (located right outside the pedestrian entrance to the park). The stick actually provided a lot of stability when hiking through the water and the water shoes were NOT waterproof by any means, but helped support my ankles and give me better grip than my hiking shoes or tennis shoes would have. We went on October 1st, VERY EARLY in the day and we didn't encounter many people until our way back around 11. We hiked through Wall Street and then returned, Definitely recommend this hike!!
2. Angel's Landing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,899 reviews
Angel's Landing is one of Zion's most spectular scenic outlooks; it can be reached only by a very demanding hike on the West Rim Trail.
Reviewed By 322bobg - North Carolina, United States
The final ascent to Angels Landing is quite the thrill and a little scary - don't attempt if you are afraid of heights. It is also an amazing view of the Zion valley. I am over the hill age wise but I did the hike from start to finish in three hours and fifteen minutes so it is not a large investment of time but it is worth every minute. Walters Wiggle (the series of 20 some steep switchbacks) is a good cardio workout. The best part of the hike is from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing. There are numerous sections where you really need the chains that are installed. When I visited in October there was a waiting line at the base of the West Rim Trail that you need to take to get to Angels Landing and the rangers were handing out passes that you needed to ascend Angels Landing from Scout Lookout. The rangers only allowed about 10 hikers at a time to start the hike in order to control the crowds at Angels Landing.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Observation Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 746 reviews
This overlook provides a great view of southern Zion Canyon if you're willing to climb the 2200 feet of elevation to get there.
Reviewed By ankitg445 - Vienna, United States
The main trail was closed when we visited due to landslide/rockfall but we did not want to miss this point, so we visited it though East Messa trail. The drawback of East Mesa trail is that the views are left to the last and the advantage is that the hike is pretty much flat. There is some altitude change towards the end. The canyon was overcrowded when we visited due to Memorial day weekend, however, to our delight, this place was largely empty. You can see Angel's landing down below, along with the road in the canyon. Beautiful views and photo taking opportunities.
6. Canyon Overlook Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 911 reviews
This one-mile hiking trail starts just outside the east entrance to the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel, and leads to a dramatic observation point that provides impressive views of Zion's rugged landscape.
Reviewed By W2076UIrhondam - Richmond, United States
This was our first hike of our trip. Definitely a great one. The end view of the canyon will take your breath away. We saw mountain goats and mule deer along the trail as well. Very nice!
7. 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.
8. Riverside Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 460 reviews
A paved walking trail.
Reviewed By TravelingMerm - Monrovia, United States
Great little trail to start off our last day in Zion! It’s a short, flat, easy 2 mile hike on a paved trail that takes you to the entrance of The Narrows and gives you great views! At the end of this trail you’ll find the spot where the tour companies start their hikes into The Narrows. We didn’t see any tour groups - but there were individuals and couples dressed in all the waterproof gear and heading in!! The trail meanders alongside the Virgin River through the slot canyon that seems to get more narrow and close in as you go along. There are lots of little areas along the trail that open up and provide access to the riverside, which allows you to get close to the water. You could even get in the water if you want, but they did have warnings during our visit that the river was experiencing a bacterial overgrowth that is harmful. The cliffs rise up on all sides of the trail very dramatically! There’s even an area where the cliff face is entirely drenched with water seeping out and makes for some nice dripping waterfalls! We always ran into some very curious ground squirrels begging for food - but it’s a $100 fine if you feed them according to warning signs. There’s plenty of parking and even some restrooms at the trailhead. This trail is at the very end of Zion Scenic Drive so you can’t miss it Bc you can’t go any further lol!
9. Zion National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,693 reviews
Reviewed By degreenwood - Seattle, United States
Wonderful access to lower canyon hiking trails via free shuttle, spectacular and challenging hiking trails, amazing vistas for unlimited off trail hiking above the tunnel, wonderful town adjoining the park with free connecting shuttle service, and so much more.
10. Emerald Pools
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,574 reviews
A one-mile hike will bring you to this area of pools and waterfalls.
Reviewed By juliesU5320FF - Carson City, United States
We wanted to see all 3 pools in November 2019. We started from Zion Lodge up the paved (steep in sections) to the first pool. Interesting overhang with water coming out of rocks. But the trail at pool 1 was fenced off. There was a rock fall and there is a short section were the trail is covered by boulders. To legally see pool 2 and 3 you need to start from the Grotto. However, the NPS did not have clear documentation of this, so some people went around and under the fence at pool 1 to continue the walk. There is only a short section of bouldering. It is worth it to reach pool 3, it is in a canyon with the highest walls I have ever seen. The trail from the Grotto is gentler than the trail from Zion Lodge even though the Lodge trail is paved.Besides the really cool canyon walls at pool 3, there are excellent views of the valley.
