Let’s talk about Zion National Park!
Here are some of my best tips and tricks for visiting Zion National Park!
When to go:
- Fall is great! Weather was perfect and not too hot, some crowds but not bad
- The Narrows was not flooded and was perfect (more on the narrows later)
- Summer is really hard because the crowds will be horrendous and it could be really hot
- Spring can be nice because of lower temps and lower crowds but there’s a chance there may still be snow on some of the trails like Angels Landing making them potentially a little more dangerous
- The Narrows hike may also be flooded because of the snowmelt in the Virgin River. It regularly gets closed off because of this
- I really believe fall is the best time to go!
Parking/shuttle service:
- You can’t drive through the park during peak season
- You need to find parking either at the visitor center, or if it’s full you park in town
- The shuttle service in the park is free! No permit or reservation required, just hop on and hop off.
- This starts at the visitor center and goes through the whole park and stops at all the popular trailheads and scenic views along the way
- If the visitor center is full and you need to park in town you can either walk to the park or hop on a shuttle that will bring you to the visitor center, where you will hop on the Zion Canyon bus that I was just talking g about.
- So basically, if you park in town you will have to ride one shuttle from town to the park, and another trough the park to get where you want in the park
- The parking lot fills up so fast! We got there around 8am and it was full at the end of September when we went
- Literally the biggest piece of advice: get there early!!
- You can also rent bikes to ride around the park and I’ve heard that is a lot of fun. And since there’s no cars in the park it’s a pretty bike friendly place
- You can rent the bike, ride it to the trailhead where there’s usually bike racks, and lock your bike up! It’s just another great option to get around the park and a lot more immersive than the shuttles.
- But if your hiking all day and have a lot of gear it might be a bit tiring taking the bikes so keep that in mind as well!!
Hikes:
- here’s a few of the main hikes!
- Angels landing: unfortunately didn’t get to do this one, but will definitely be back to do someday in the future. Such an incredible bucket list hike. What I do know is that you need a permit to do this hike
- Zion Canyon Overlook is a great trail that’s only about a mile long and has some beautiful views of the park
- Loved Lower Emerald Trails! Great warm up hike for The Narrows (1.5 miles, easy)
The Narrows
- Hiking poles are a must have as well as good, closed toe boots. I highly recommend boots because this hike can be difficult walking up the stream and it’s really easy to slip or lose your footing
- You can rent gear at Zion Outfitters to get shoes and poles and everything you need for the hike
- If you’re kind of clumsy you may want to look into getting a dry bag to protect your stuff or don’t bring anything of too much value with you like a camera (or get a GoPro!)
- Remember there’s a mile walk to get to the beginning of the hike and to get back out. If you hate having wet feet definitely bring some dry socks and shoes to change out of. (And something to store your wet stuff in if it’s your own gear!)
- Start early if you want to avoid crowds. It’s pretty inevitable that there will be crowds on this hike (especially near the beginning of the trail). The further in you hike the less people there will be as well
- Remember that there is no “end destination” so enjoy your time throughout the hike and take it all in! And the further in you go, the less people
- This is one of my all-time favorite hikes I’ve ever done and I absolutely love it
Where to stay:
- if you plan on camping directly in the park, the main campground is Watchman Campground. Again, everything at Zion fills up fast so book this as early as you can.
- If you don’t want to camp and you want to stay directly in the park you can stay at the Zion Lodge. Book early again!
- Or you can stay right in the town of Springdale where there’s plenty of other hotels, cabins, and camping
- Then you can take the shuttle right into the park and not have to worry about parking!
- Lots to do in Springdale: eat, souvenirs, rock shops!
- We stayed at a free campsite called Twin Hallows Canyon that I found using my favorite way to find free camping which is Freecampsites.net
- It’s right near Zion and only about an hour from Bryce Canyon so it was a really convenient location to be in between the two parks
- You can’t reverse a spot here, it is first come first serve but we found a spot when we arrived around sunset
- It was a great little free spot to pop our tent up and get some sleep for the night
Hope this helps for your trip to Zion!!
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Zion National Park, located in Utah, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, including towering cliffs, slot canyons, and breathtaking vistas. Planning a visit during the fall months is advantageous due to moderate temperatures and fewer crowds, making it ideal for hiking. Be cautious of weather conditions in spring, as snow may still cover some trails, impacting accessibility. Parking can be challenging, especially during peak seasons, so arriving early is crucial. The free shuttle service within the park is a great alternative to driving, allowing visitors to explore popular trailheads without the stress of parking. Key hikes such as Angels Landing and The Narrows require planning; permits are needed for Angels Landing, and hiking poles are recommended for The Narrows to navigate rocky streams effectively. If camping is on your agenda, securing a spot at Watchman Campground well in advance is advisable, as spaces fill quickly. For those preferring a lodge experience, Zion Lodge offers comfort right in the park. Alternatively, Springdale provides numerous accommodations and dining options, enhancing your Zion experience. Enjoy the beauty and adventure that Zion National Park has to offer!
We'll definitely have to go to this one if we win the Ultimate Explorer Competition!! Thank you for sharing!!💕💜💞