The Ultimate Zion National Park Travel Guide

Welcome to the Zion National Park travel guide!

Zion is now one of the most popular national parks in the US.

Its dramatic landscape and incredible hiking, climbing, and canyoneering draw people from all over the world.

I just took my second trip to the park, and I already can’t wait to go back to explore more!

Let’s dive in.

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How To Get To Zion National Park

Las Vegas To Zion

The most direct way to get to Zion is through the closest major airport in Las Vegas.

From there, you can rent a car and road trip the 2.5 hour drive to the park.

I highly recommend booking a rental car through RentalCars.com.

Personally, I use them every time I plan a trip.

I LOVE that they compare prices across every company at once, which saves a ton of time hunting down the best deals.

Less time researching, more time exploring right??

If Vegas is your cup of tea, you could take a day or two to enjoy the festivities in the city before heading out.

Also consider checking out Valley Of Fire State Park on the way to Zion.

This Nevada gem is home to the Fire Wave– a lesser known alternative to Arizona’s crazy popular Wave.

Road Trip To Zion

Utah and Arizona have so many incredible sights!

That means another popular way to visit Zion is on a road trip through the entire region.

Consider adding Zion to a road trip with other stops like:

Grand Canyon National Park

Horseshoe Bend

Antelope Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park

Arches National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Related: 20 Best Things To Do In Utah

When To Visit Zion National Park

Summer

Summer at Zion sees the largest crowds and the hottest temperatures. This can be nice for hikes that involve crossing water, but otherwise not so much!

For that reason, I avoid Zion in the summer.

Winter

Winter is considered the off-season Zion, which comes with with its pros and cons.

It’s definitely the most quiet time at the park, which means less crowded trails. It’s also the only time of year you can access certain parts of the park with your own car, versus having to take the shuttle.

On the flip side, you’ll find some of the nearby shops and restaurants closed for the winter.

And if it happens to snow or ice during your visit, some of the higher hikes can be more dangerous.

However, don’t let that deter you- I recently visited Zion during the winter and had an incredible time!

Spring And Fall

Overall, I think visiting Zion in the spring or fall is ideal.

This is when you’ll get the most pleasant weather, with manageable crowds.

Plus, the fall colors are beautiful, and the best time for photography!

Where To Stay At Zion National Park

Inside The Park

The only hotel inside the park is Zion Lodge. It books up quickly, so plan ahead!

Other than that, camping is another option. There are three campgrounds in the park, as well as backcountry camping.

Find more info about camping in the park on the National Park Service website.

Outside The Park

The gateway town of Springdale is located at the south entrance of the park. There are plenty of accommodations there like Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Cable Mountain Lodge, or Desert Pearl Inn.

For a unique experience, look into glamping at Under Canvas Zion!

Getting Around Zion National Park

Shuttle

To mitigate traffic and parking issues, Zion has a pretty great shuttle system set up.

The shuttles leave at regular intervals, and there are multiple stops throughout the park and in Springdale.

It’s important to know that from spring through fall, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible by shuttle. (It’s also accessible by pedestrians, bicyclists, and those staying at Zion Lodge.)

This road is how you’ll access some of the best hikes, so plan accordingly!

Scenic Drive

The shuttles do not operate in the winter. This means you’re free to explore the entire park, including the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, with your own car.

The other main road in the park, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, is open to cars year-round.

Both drives feature stunning scenery, and great pullouts to admire and take pictures.

Rent A Bike

There are a few different places to rent bikes in Springdale, and I highly recommend doing that!

There are some great bike paths that follow the Virgin River, so packing a picnic and exploring the park by bike will make an amazing day.

Horseback Ride

A trail ride is one of the most unique ways to experience the beauty of Zion!

There are several companies offer guided horseback tours through the park.

Best Hikes In Zion National Park

Canyon Overlook Trail

This is one of the most popular hikes in the park as it’s not too strenuous, and it ends at the iconic Canyon Overlook.

I really loved this hike, as the views are really beautiful. Try to hike it around sunrise or sunset for the best pictures.

Angel’s Landing

Famous for its steep ascent to Angel’s Landing, this trail features switchbacks and sections of exposure, framed by sharp drop-offs.

Although this hike is “not recommended for anyone fearful of heights,” I’m afraid of heights and accomplished it.

It was scary- but incredible!

This hike is definitely a bucket list item. However, it now requires a permit, which you must win through a lottery system.

The Narrows

Named for being the narrowest part of Zion Canyon, this hike requires hiking IN the Virgin River.

Here, you’ll wade along with the river as it winds through the stunning slot canyon.

It’s definitely a crazy unique experience, but just make sure to read up on the potential hazards beforehand.

Emerald Pools

This set of trails leads to the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools.

The higher you go, the more stunning the scenery gets- but you can turn back at any pool you’d like.