10 Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
From dramatic canyons and towering cliffs to scenic drives and endless climbing, Zion National Park is renowned for its breathtaking desert landscapes, hidden waterfalls and swimming holes, and world-class hiking trails, including some of the best and most popular adventures, like the Angels Landing Trail!
That said, Zion National Park is certainly just as beautiful as it is busy, as many of the most popular destinations are centered around the narrow and congested Zion Canyon.
This is why Zion National Park can and should be planned with the idea of visiting certain areas at certain times of the day and year—and yes, I mean year, because snow, ice, and summer heat will largely determine what’s open, what is safe, and whether waterfalls will be flowing.
All this to say, I’ve been fortunate to visit Zion National Park many times over many years, since I was a little kid, and across all those visits, in every season, I believe this list truly includes some of the best recommendations and insider tips that you will find about the park—regardless of the time of year you plan to visit!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Zion National Park?
In most U.S. National Parks, I generally believe there is one clear-cut answer to this question that is largely based on snow and when certain roads open and close for the season.
However, Zion National Park is open year-round, which is why answering this question is a bit more nuanced. I like to say, Zion is a place of many extremes, and winter snow, seasonal snowmelt, and summer heat all play important roles in answering this question.
This is why I think the best way to answer this question is to talk about Zion on a season-by-season basis.
Summer
If by 'best time of year' you mean the most accessible, then the answer is easily the warmer summer months. However, summer typically brings temperatures that soar well over 100 ºF (37.8 ºC), which can make hiking far too uncomfortable—not to mention dangerous!
On top of this, the waterfalls shown throughout this article will be dry during the summer, unless Zion has experienced recent heavy monsoonal weather. That said, certain adventures—like The Narrows and the Observation Point Trail via East Mesa—are only accessible during the warmer, snow-free months, which is why I believe there isn’t one perfect answer to this question.
Winter
Snow in Zion National Park is nothing short of spectacular, but it can severely limit your ability to explore the park. Specifically, roads like Kolob Terrace Road and Lava Point Road are only plowed to a certain point, and snow and ice on exposed trails—like The Chains leading up to Angels Landing—can often make hiking steep, exposed trails far too dangerous for most hikers.
However, I would never let snowy conditions discourage visiting Zion National Park in the winter, because simple, lower-elevation trails that are accessible can be even more beautiful when the high-elevation peaks are covered in a blanket of snow!
Spring
Spring in Zion National Park is always a toss-up regarding the winter snowpack and when things will open for the season based on snowmelt.
By this, I mean that the uppermost elevations will likely hold snow through much of April, with conditions improving rapidly by early May before the warmest summer months.
During this time, The Narrows will close when the Virgin River exceeds 150 CFS. At the same time, all this melting snow creates waterfalls across Zion that are otherwise dry throughout most of the year.
The last thing to highlight when talking about spring is that snowmelt during the day often leads to black ice when temperatures dip below freezing overnight, and the park’s dramatic elevation gradients play a large role in what conditions will look like on different parts of a trail. That said, I strongly recommend visiting Zion National Park with micro-spikes during winter and spring, which is truly the best and safest way to get out and enjoy the trails!
Fall
If you were looking for the best all-around time to visit Zion National Park, I believe I saved the best for last!
I say this because peak fall colors in Zion—typically around the last week of October through early November—is when the beautiful Cottonwoods start turning yellow, cooler but not too cold temperatures begin to take over, and crowds subside considerably as kids head back to school!
This is all to say that fall is my number one recommendation when planning a trip to Zion National Park, though it certainly is a great year-round destination!
Hiking Checklist - Zion
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Zion National Park.
10 Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.
However, it’s important to come prepared for the time of year you’ll be visiting, considering that summer temperatures regularly soar above 100ºF (38ºC), and the sandstone in the winter and spring can be particularly dangerous and slippery when there’s snow and ice.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Angels Landing Trail
Distance: 5.2 miles / 8.4 km
The Angels Landing Trail is a world-renowned day hike located about halfway up Zion Canyon and is most famously known for The Chains along a dramatic, knife-edge ridge leading up to the summit, which can most closely be compared with The Cables on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
That said, the Angels Landing Trail is without a doubt the most sought-after hiking trail in Zion National Park, which is exactly why the National Park Service decided to implement a permit system in the spring of 2022 for those looking to hike higher than Scout Lookout and up The Chains to the summit.
To learn more about Angels Landing and the permit system, including detailed photos from all parts of the trail, I highly recommend checking out my separate article, as Angels Landing is easily one of the most fun and beautiful adventures in Zion National Park!
Read My Separate Post: Angels Landing Trail
2. Zion Canyon E-Bike Tour
It’s certainly no secret that Zion National Park is one of the busiest National Parks in the country, which is hopefully obvious considering that permits are required to hike Angels Landing and the Subway, parking in Zion Canyon is banned when the Zion Shuttle is operational, and parking in the main lots outside of the canyon is extremely limited and competitive!
However, renting e-bikes from one of the local operators out of Springdale can be one of the best ways to explore Zion Canyon and the trails at your own pace, which is certainly a much more relaxing way to escape the crowds and enjoy your time in the park!
3. Canyon Overlook Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Canyon Overlook Trail is a very short, easy day hike with very little elevation change off Zion–Mount Carmel Highway that leads to a stunning, dramatic overlook above Pine Creek Canyon and the greater Zion Canyon beyond!
That said, the Canyon Overlook Trail is again one of Zion’s most popular day hikes—especially at sunset, which is when this photo below was taken!
However, I have hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail at both sunrise and sunset many times, and I would say that both are equally as beautiful as the other—though sunrise is certainly the best way to avoid the vast majority of crowds that hike the trail later in the day.
Read My Separate Post: Canyon Overlook Trail
My Print - Pine Creek Canyon Overlook
4. Observation Point Trail via East Mesa
Distance: 7.0 miles / 11.3 km
The Observation Point Trail is a beautiful, uncrowded day hike in a hidden corner of Zion National Park that few go out of the way to visit, and as a result, it’s one of my personal favorite adventures, as the vast majority of park visitors never leave Zion Canyon!
This is why the Observation Point Trail via East Mesa is also one of my favorite alternatives to the much more popular Angels Landing Trail—not to mention that the summit is actually much higher than the summit of Angels Landing!
Now, all this goes without saying that the Observation Point Trail via East Mesa is not accessible throughout the year, as the upper elevations along the rim of Zion Canyon receive much more snow than the canyon floor, some 2,200 ft. (671 m) below!
To learn more, I highly recommend reading my separate article, especially considering that the trailhead is located in an area unsuspecting part of the park.
Read My Separate Post: East Mesa Trail
5. Riverside Trail (The Narrows)
Distance (One Way, Top-Down): 16 miles / 25.7 km
The Narrows in Zion National Park is a fun day hike up or down the narrowest parts of the Zion Canyon, where visitors can explore as much or as little of the rugged, winding Virgin River Canyon as you feel like seeing!
That said, the vast majority of Zion visitors hike bottom-up via the Riverside Trail in Zion Canyon and ultimately start wading up the North Fork of the Virgin River when the maintained trail ends after just 1.0 miles (1.6 km).
As a result, most of the hikers who make their way up the Riverside Walk from Zion Canyon never make it 1.0 mile (1.6 km) past the end of the maintained trail, which largely comes down to one of a few reasons.
The first is that the Virgin River is very cold! Even during the hottest summer months, the Virgin River is ice-cold, so you can only imagine how that might feel at other, much cooler times of the year.
Aside from that, The Narrows is a much slower and more tedious day hike than most visitors anticipate, meaning that making it to even the 2.0-mile (3.2 km) mark past the end of the Riverside Walk is more than a big adventure for most people.
Now, all this goes without saying that The Narrows is not open year-round, as it typically closes sometime in the middle of spring and re-opens in early summer (March–June), when snowmelt has subsided from its peak.
Considering all this, I think it’s important to mention that The Narrows is one day hike in Zion where a local guide can be the best and safest way to go—especially when considering a top-down approach or when visiting for the first time, as much of the narrow, winding canyon can be confusing when it all starts to look the same.
6. Zion Horseback Tour
Riding horseback in Zion National Park is about as old as pastimes get in southern Utah!
That said, I mention time and time again how truly busy many areas of Zion—especially Zion Canyon—really are, which is why, if you’re interested in escaping the crowds, booking one of these locally guided tours is a great way to have much quieter experience in the park and explore parts of Zion that few ever see!
7. Emerald Pools Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
The Emerald Pools Trail is a popular day hike about halfway up Zion Canyon that leads to not one, but three beautiful waterfalls that cascade their way from the uppermost elevations of the park to the Virgin River below!
That said, it is very important to keep in mind that the waterfalls on the Emerald Pools Trail—and many across Zion National Park—do not flow year-round, as they rely on seasonal snowmelt or heavy rain.
This is why I want to stress that the Emerald Pools Trail is absolutely one of the best and most beautiful hikes in Zion National Park, but I do not think it should be hiked year-round, particularly in the driest summer and fall months.
I say this because, if time is a factor during your visit and you’re coming when the waterfalls in Zion Canyon are likely to be dry, I recommend prioritizing other adventures, as the Emerald Pools Trail is certainly best enjoyed when the waterfalls in Heaps Canyon are flowing!
Read My Separate Post: Emerald Pools Trail
8. Sand Bench Trail
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
The Sand Bench Trail is a lesser-known hidden gem near the mouth of Zion Canyon, where visitors can hike a relatively flat, easy loop beneath some of the most iconic landmarks in the canyon!
What I personally think makes the Sand Bench Trail so special is that it is one of the best day hikes in Zion Canyon to get away from the crowds found at other, more popular trailheads, like Angels Landing and the Emerald Pools, just up the road.
In addition, the Sand Bench Trail can be a fun, quiet trail-running adventure, but know before visiting that the name really is indicative of the trail conditions, meaning the majority of the loop follows a very soft, sandy surface.
Read My Separate Post: Sand Bench Trail
9. Weeping Rock Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles / 0.5 km
Weeping Rock is a beautiful natural alcove and spring where underground water slowly seeps out of the sandstone and gives life to a small but thriving desert ecosystem, similar to that found on the Dripping Springs Trail in Grand Canyon National Park.
Of everything on this list thus far, the Weeping Rock Trail is the easiest hike mentioned, but the reason I don’t have it listed higher is that the waterfall flowing in the picture below does not run year-round.
However, this photo was taken during a rainy March, fed by a combination of both rain and snowmelt!
Read My Separate Post: Weeping Rock Trail
10. Grapevine Trail (Left Fork Falls)
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Grapevine Trail is a little-known day hike off Kolob Terrace Road, outside of Zion Canyon, that leads down a steep river canyon to the Left Fork of North Creek (the same river canyon as the Subway), before hiking up the creek to a hidden waterfall and swimming hole!
That said, the last time I hiked the Grapevine Trail, I was unfortunately stopped in my tracks because the Left Fork of North Creek was flash flooding! This is why my separate article stops short of the waterfall, soon after reaching the bottom of the canyon.
However, I am returning to Zion in the spring of 2026, and this article and all the photos will be updated soon after I get back home.
Read My Separate Post: Grapevine Trail (Left Fork Falls)
Why am I Recommending these Viator Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours because hiking alone in an area like The Narrows, might not be the way you want to go. The tour options I’ve listed provide a safe and amazing way to experience Zion and the greater area, and they offer the opportunity to discover nearby adventures that you may not have heard of otherwise.
15 Best Things to Do Near Zion National Park
Don’t forget to look beyond the park!
Zion is amazing, but there are tons of equally amazing adventures and restaurants located just outside of the park and across the greater Southwest!
1. Moqui Sand Caves Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Moqui Sand Caves Trail is an easy, roadside day hike just outside of Kanab, about a 30-minute drive from the East Entrance on Zion–Mount Carmel Highway.
That said, I personally like the Moqui Sand Caves as a great short adventure to escape the summer heat or when looking for something a little less crowded than all the adventures up in the park.
Either way, the Moqui Sand Caves make for a fun, quick, easy to get outside, and the trail can easily be combined with a trip to The Wave in the North Coyote Buttes area of the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness outside of Kanab.
Read My Separate Post: Moqui Sand Caves Trail
2. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Just to the south of Zion, near Kanab and the Moqui Sand Caves, is a little lesser-known state park known as the Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
In short, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes are a stunningly beautiful 5.3-square-mile (13.6-square-km) dune field that makes for a fun place to run around and explore—especially at sunset, when the golden light brings out the best of the colors on the dunes and the surrounding landscape!
Google Maps Directions: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
3. Kanarra Falls
Distance: 3.7 miles / 6.0 km
The Kanarra Falls Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike near the Kolob Canyons entrance of Zion National Park that has become a favorite among hikers for a number small waterfalls that come cascading down a very beautiful, narrow canyon!
Before visiting, keep in mind that Kanarra Falls has certainly received its fair share of attention on social media over the years, which is why I recommend hiking early, if possible, to beat the crowds and the heat during the busiest summer travel months.
Google Maps Directions: Kanarra Falls
4. Antelope Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon is a renowned slot canyon in the small town of Page in northern Arizona that is beloved by travelers from across the world!
That said, Antelope Canyon, and everything that Page, Arizona has to offer, is only a 1 hour, 45-minute drive away from the East Entrance in Zion!
If it’s your first time visiting, you may be asking one of the biggest questions regarding both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, which is: What tour is better?
Answering this question is exactly why I wrote a separate article, where I share my honest side-by-side comparison of both canyons, as I have been fortunate to visit Page and Antelope Canyon many times!
Read My Separate Post: Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
My Print - Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon
5. Horseshoe Bend
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
It’s certainly not fair to talk about Page without mentioning the iconic Horseshoe Bend and the short trail just up the road!
Horseshoe Bend is one of the best things to do in Page, Arizona, and it’s truly a must-see if you’re already making the trip to the area to see Antelope Canyon.
That said, I personally love hiking the Horseshoe Bend Trail for sunset, as the west-facing viewpoint above the Colorado River is, without a doubt, one of the best year-round sunset hikes in northern Arizona!
Read My Separate Post: Horseshoe Bend Trail
6. Big Lake Sand Cave
Distance: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km
Going along with the previous two, the Big Lake Sand Cave is another hidden gem in Page, Arizona, as it’s located in a very unsuspecting location right on the edge of town.
To learn more, including my thoughts on the best time of day to visit the Shell Gas Station Cave, I recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Big Lake Sand Cave Trail (Shell Gas Station)
7. Zion Adventure Tours
There’s certainly no shortage of adventures to get into within Zion National Park, but don’t overlook some of the many options located just beyond the park boundary!
I say this because there are amazing local guides out of Springdale, Kanab, and areas to the north that offer incredible adventure tours, many of which are hidden gems truly known only to locals!
8. Arches & Canyonlands National Park
In this part of the country, everything can feel spaced out from one another, but Zion National Park, and the parks in Moab are two places that make for a great roadtrip when put together!
This is why, if you enjoyed reading everything I’ve written about Zion, I recommend checking out my separate articles about both Arches and Canyonlands National Park, where I share the same inside information about everything there is to see and do on all sides of each park.
Read My Separate Posts: Arches National Park / Canyonlands National Park
9. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is only a 1-hour, 20-minute drive from the East Entrance in Zion to the North Entrance in Bryce, just to the south of Bryce Canyon City.
That said, I have also written a long, detailed article with all my favorite things to do in Bryce Canyon, including some of the best, uncrowded hidden gems that most first-time visitors never consider!
Read My Separate Post: Bryce Canyon National Park
My Print - Bryce Canyon National Park
10. Shop Local National Park Gear
About as local as you can get, a few of my good friends out of St. George, Utah, design their own National Park gear from all the parks around the country!
My camera strap, made by my friends at WildTree, has been my longest-standing camera strap that I’ve owned, and I encourage you to check them out over any of the overpriced souvenirs in Springdale.
Shop: WildTree
11. River Rock Roasting Company
The River Rock Roasting Company in La Verkin, one of the gateway towns outside of Zion Canyon, is a locally owned roastery that serves everything from coffee and baked goods in the morning to cold beer and amazing food come dinner!
Personally, I recommend stopping in later, after a long day exploring the park, as their beautiful outdoor patio overlooks the Virgin River Canyon, making it a great place to sit back and enjoy an evening—especially with a cold beer at sunset!
12. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, and everything there is to see and do within the beautiful Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, is only a 4-hour and 40-minute drive from the East Entrance of Zion National Park.
That said, I’ve written a detailed guide covering the best things to see and do in Sedona—including the best sunrise and sunset hikes, hidden caves, and great places to eat—linked below!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
13. Grand Canyon National Park
As if the Grand Canyon needs its own introduction, know that Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is only a four-hour-and-45-minute drive from Zion National Park.
That said, I’ve written an entirely separate article about Grand Canyon National Park, which includes my favorite sunrise and sunset spots, day hikes, backcountry adventures below the rim, and great insider advice regarding what to expect when visiting both sides of the canyon!
Read My Separate Post: Grand Canyon National Park
14. Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons
Distance: 6.0 miles / 9.7 km
The Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places to explore in southern Utah. However, don’t underestimate how much of an adventure Hole-in-the-Rock Road within the monument is on its own!
What I mean when I say this is that most adventures out of Escalante, like Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons, begin down a long, remote road, known as Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
This drive is incredibly tedious and slow, both in a two-wheel and a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which may be necessary depending on the time of year, such as during the summer monsoonal season, when rain can flood and wash out sections of the road.
For this reason, it’s important to come prepared for the current conditions, which is why I recommend calling the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center in Escalante prior to heading out.
In any case, both Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch are some of the best day hikes outside of Escalante, but if you’d like more of a guarantee on this fun but remote adventure, I recommend booking with one of the local guides out of Kanab, as a guided tour is the best and safest way to enjoy the National Monument without having to worry about your personal vehicle.
AllTrails: Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons
15. Cathedral Wash Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Cathedral Wash Trail in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of my top day hiking recommendations outside of Page and Grand Canyon National Park.
I say this because for those interested in hiking to the Colorado River, the Cathedral Wash Trail is much quicker and easier than either the Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, or the North Kaibab Trail—granted that you are comfortable with some Class 3 scrambling, which you can see and learn about in more detail in my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Cathedral Wash Trail
4 Things to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park
1. The shuttles in Zion Canyon are very consistent and reliable.
I write this because I think it’s important to mention that there is no need to rush back at the end of a hike to catch one of the canyon shuttles, unless you’re nearing the last shuttle of the day.
That said, the shuttles in Zion Canyon run very frequently, so much so that it will never be too long to wait at any of the stops stretching from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava (the Riverside Walk).
2. Leave Zion Canyon.
Saying "don’t visit Zion Canyon" would be like saying "don’t visit Yosemite Valley"!
It is stunning and should easily be enjoyed over the course of a few days, but if you don’t leave Zion Canyon, you’re missing a lot of the best of the park.
I wholeheartedly believe this because Zion National Park is truly a world-class destination, from its most popular areas to its least, which is why I recommend budgeting your time both in the canyon and beyond—or you’ll certainly miss some amazing hidden gems!
3. Come prepared with the right gear for right the right time of year.
From 100° F (37.8° C) in the summer to black ice in the winter and spring, Zion National Park requires a certain level of preparation in order to have a safe visit.
In the summer, this typically means hiking both early and late in the day, while avoiding the midday sun, but in the winter and spring, melting snow and freezing temperatures often create hazardous black ice that has proven deadly on many of Zion’s dramatic and exposed trails.
This is why it’s important to always hike within your ability, come prepared with the right gear, and, most of all, have a realistic plan for what is possible based on the season you plan to visit.
4. Parking is the hardest part about visiting Zion National Park.
During the busiest times of the year, when the Zion Canyon shuttle is running, finding parking outside of Zion Canyon and off Zion–Mount Carmel Highway is the single most difficult part of trying to enjoy Zion National Park.
This is why I continually mention that getting to the park early first thing in the morning is the best way to enjoy the park, as backed-up traffic and parking lots filled with frustrated visitors arriving around 9 a.m. and later are a common sight during the busiest times of the year.
