10 Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
I have been coming to Zion National Park since I was a little kid, and over many years in all seasons, I can give you my honest opinions and recommendations about the park.
That being said, there's something to do in every season, so don't overlook any time of year to visit. However, keep in mind that some things may be better suited for a different time of year, as there is truly too much to see in just one trip.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Zion?
There really isn’t one good answer, and let me explain why!
Summer
If by “best time of year” you are thinking most accessible, then the answer is easily mid-summer to early fall. However, hot summer days that soar well over 100°F can make hiking far too uncomfortable. Therefore, summer may not be the best choice for hiking in Zion.
On top of this, the waterfalls that you see in the post below will most likely be dry during the summer, unless Zion has seen some recent heavy monsoonal weather. That being said, certain adventures like the Narrows and Observation Point via East Mesa are only accessible during these warmer months, which is why there truly isn’t one good answer.
Winter
Snow in Zion Canyon is nothing short of amazing, but it can severely limit your ability to explore the park. For example, roads like Kolob Terrace Road are only plowed to a certain point, and snow and ice on dangerous trails like the chains up to Angels Landing make hiking these steep trails far too dangerous for most hikers.
However, I would never let this discourage a winter visit because the simple trails you will be able to hike can be even more beautiful when the canyon is covered in snow!
Spring
Spring in Zion is always a toss up for how much snow the park received over the winter. That said, spring time in the park is the best time to see waterfalls, which is exactly when the waterfall photos in this post were taken.
While the waterfalls are a plus, what’s almost always a guarantee is snow melting during the day and freezing at night, which creates black ice on trails where you cannot fall! Additionally, hikes like the Narrows will still be closed because of all the snowmelt running through the canyon.
Fall
I think I saved the best for last! Fall colors and cooler temperatures in Zion make for one of the best times of the year to visit the park. When the kids go back to school, the park becomes significantly less crowded, and the trails will still be just as open as the summer before the first snow.
However, like I said earlier, it’s likely that the waterfalls won’t be flowing during this time of year, which is again why I don’t believe there is one perfect answer to this question.
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.
What I mean is that the temperatures in the summer regularly soar above 100 ºF (38 ºC), and the sandstone in the winter/ spring can be particularly dangerous and slippery when there’s snow and ice.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you plan your adventures appropriately for the conditions, while considering the guided options when the summer heat makes hiking the most dangerous.
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
For good reason, Angels Landing is arguably the most sought after hiking trail within Zion National Park.
The views are incredible, sunrise and sunset are unimaginable, and that is why the Park Service implemented a mandatory permit system for all hikers wishing to hike Angels Landing at all times of the year.
If you’re wondering about how to get an Angels Landing permit, what are your chances at being awarded one, and any information regarding the trail, the chains, and the risks, read my full post on Angels Landing. It’s one of my most detailed hiking posts on this blog.
Read My Separate Post: Angels Landing Trail
2. Zion Canyon E-Bike Tour
Zion National Park is one of the busiest parks in the country, and as you will see in any of my separate posts within Zion Canyon, parking can be incredibly difficult at any one of the designated areas in order to take the shuttle into the Zion Canyon. Check out the end of my Angels Landing post to see what I mean.
This is why renting e-bikes to explore Zion Canyon and the trails within is one of the best ways to enjoy the park at your own pace without the need for the shuttle.
Many people love choosing this option over the busy Zion shuttle, and whether you’re planning one or multiple days in the canyon, I couldn’t recommend these bikes more highly.
3. Canyon Overlook Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Canyon Overlook Trail to the Pine Creek Canyon Overlook is again one of Zion’s most popular day hikes.
Since the trail is so short with very little elevation change, the hike attracts many visitors of all abilities, especially at sunset.
In my separate post about the trail, I have photos showing both sunrise and sunset at the overlook!
Read My Separate Post: Canyon Overlook Trail
My Print - Pine Creek Canyon Overlook
4. Observation Point via East Mesa
Distance: 7.0 miles / 11.3 km
The Observation Point Trail is one of my favorite alternatives to the popular Angels Landing hike.
East Mesa doesn’t see near the same amount of visitors as the canyon, and Observation Point is one of the best trails on that side of the park to experience the canyon on a very flat hike out to one of the most amazing viewpoints in Zion!
Read My Separate Post: East Mesa Trail
5. The Narrows (Summer Only)
Distance: Variable (Total: 16 miles / 25.7 km)
Like Angels Landing, the Narrows is one of the most sought after hikes in Zion National Park. That being said, the Narrows is closed at most times of the year because accessing the hike is entirely dependent on the water levels in the Virgin River.
Generally speaking, the Virgin River is only low enough and warm enough during the mid-summer and early fall months.
This is because there is no trail. Outside of the one mile Riverside Walk that leads to the start of the hike, the Narrows is entirely an adventure of wading in the cold water through the Virgin River.
Most people only venture up the first mile, but the Narrows can be explored in its entirety from either a bottom-up or top-down approach, covering all 16 miles (25.7 km) and typically beginning high above Zion National Park.
This is why having a guide may be the best option because the Narrows can be a long and confusing hike when all sides of the canyon start to look the same. A guide is useful for telling you where the best spots are because the total 16-mile (25.7 km) distance is only one way through the canyon.
6. Zion Horseback Tour
With options ranging from one to two hours, there are variety of different options to explore Zion’s backcountry on horseback!
All three of these tours are operated by a great local company on the east side of the park, and they are a great way to escape the busy Zion crowds on a private tour.
7. Emerald Pools Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
As mentioned earlier in the section on seasons, waterfalls in Zion, such as the Emerald Pools, will not be flowing at all times of the year.
Regardless, both the Upper and Lower Emerald Pools Trails are some of the most popular hikes in Zion Canyon.
Located across the road from the Zion National Park Lodge, the Emerald Pools Trail makes for a short easy to moderate loop hike through some of the most beautiful parts of the canyon.
To see more about making the Emerald Pools Trail into a loop hike that doesn’t add any additional distance than returning in the same direction, check out my full post on the trail below.
Read My Separate Post: Emerald Pools Trail
8. Sand Bench Trail
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
While the Sand Bench Trail may not have the same dramatic drop-offs like other hikes in the Zion Canyon, I love the hike as a great alternative to escape some of the crowds in an otherwise busy area.
Read My Separate Post: Sand Bench Trail
9. Weeping Rock Trail
Distance: 0.3 miles / 0.5 km
The Weeping Rock Trail is the easiest hike that I have on this list, but the reason why I don’t have it listed higher is because the waterfall that you see flowing in the picture below is not always guaranteed.
As previously mentioned, waterfalls in Zion are fed by heavy rains and snowmelt, meaning that during the hot summer dry season, they are likely to be dry. This photo was taken during a rainy March feeding both a combination of rain and snowmelt.
Read My Separate Post: Weeping Rock Trail
10. Grapevine Trail to Left Fork Falls
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
I don’t have great photos of the Grapevine Trail, but I think it’s worth noting that there are many beautiful areas of the park outside of the canyon that are worth visiting.
Even though I wasn’t able to finish the Grapevine Trail because the Left Fork was flooding, I felt that it was important to mention the beautiful Kolob Terrace drive in this post.
In my separate post about the trail, I’m still able show the route down to the river where I was stopped by the flooding river.
Read My Separate Post: Grapevine Trail to 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.
10 Best Things to Do Near Zion National Park
Just outside of Zion, there are tons of other destinations worth checking out, and I hope this list help you discover all that there is to do outside of the most popular adventures within the park.
1. Moqui Sand Caves
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
If you’re looking for a place to get out of the summer heat, consider venturing down to Kanab to check out the beautiful Moqui Sand Caves.
In short, the Sand Caves are a quick, easy hike off the highway that I personally think are worth the drive out of the park—especially if you’re interested in securing a permit for the nearby Wave!
Read My Separate Post: Moqui Sand Caves Trail
2. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Just south of Zion near Kanab and the Sand Caves listed above is a little lesser-known secret in this corner of the country, known as the Coral Pink Sand Dunes!
In short, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes are an amazingly beautiful 5.3-square-mile (13.6-square km) dune field that makes for a fun place to run around and explore!
This photo was taken at sunset, which is the time of day I recommend visiting for the best glowing sunset light on the beautiful dunes!
Google Maps Directions: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
3. Kanarra Falls
Distance: 3.7 miles / 6.0 km
Near the Kolob Canyons entrance of Zion National Park is a little local waterfall hike that has received its fair share of attention on social media over the years.
That being said, I recommend hiking early if you can to beat the crowds and the heat, but the crowds aside, I think that Kanarra Falls and the Spring Creek Canyon are worth the stop when you’re in the area!
Google Maps Directions: Kanarra Falls
4. Antelope Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon, and everything that Page, Arizona, has to offer, is only a two-hour drive away from Zion!
That being said, one of the biggest questions regarding both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is, which tour is better?
Personally, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy both tours. So, if you’d like to read about my honest side-by-side comparison about both canyons, I highly recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
My Print - Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon
5. Horseshoe Bend
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
You can’t talk about Page without mentioning Horseshoe Bend.
Horseshoe Bend is one of the best things to do in Page, AZ, and it’s truly a must see if you’re already making the trip to see Antelope Canyon.
I love visiting Horseshoe Bend at sunset, but the soft morning light at sunrise is equally a favorite among hikers.
6. Zion Adventure Tours
Without a doubt, some of the best things to do near Zion National Park are through one of the local guides.
That’s why I like the three options listed below because they are all great adventures to see a part of the greater Zion area that you would have never know about or experienced on your own.
7. 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 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
8. River Rock Roasting Company
La Verkin is one of the gateway towns into Zion Canyon, and located right on the main street through town, you’ll find a little locally owned roastery that serves everything from coffee and baked goods to drinks and delicious food, which can be enjoyed on their beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the Virgin River Canyon.
The River Rock Roasting Company is great stop at any time of day, which is why it easily makes my top ten list of things to do near the park!
9. Zion Helicopter Tour
No matter where you are in the world, a helicopter tour is always worth penny spent, and Zion is one of the best places in the country to see from above!
Ranging from 20 to 50 minutes, helicopter tours in Zion offer a variety of options and prices to best fit anyone’s budget.
10. Café Soleil
I have a love-hate relationship with Café Soleil.
I love their coffee, food, atmosphere, and location, but Café Soleil has a strict no laptop policy, which is hard for someone in my situation who spends so much time on the road and could use a café like this to get some work done.
However, if you’re only looking for a great place to sit and enjoy breakfast or lunch, then Café Soleil is one of my top recommendations in Springdale.
5 Things to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park
1. Don’t feel the need to rush back at the end of a hike to catch one of the canyon shuttles.
The shuttles in Zion Canyon run so frequently that it will never be too long of a wait for the next shuttle at any one of the stops in the canyon.
2. During the summer, sunrise and sunset are the best times to hike in Zion.
Summer temperatures in Zion regularly soar over 100°F by middy, meaning that the safest and most comfortable times to hike is always early and late in the day.
3. Hiking early (sunrise) is the best way to beat the crowds.
As mentioned often throughout this post, Zion is one of the busiest National Parks in the country. As a result, everything from parking to the shuttle to the trails can become insanely crowded in any season. This is something that I talk specifically about in both my Angels Landing and Canyon Overlook posts.
4. Don’t overlook adventures outside of the park.
Zion is one of the most amazing places on the planet, but that being said, there are tons of world class adventures all within two hours of the park. That’s why I include my list of nearby adventures above, so that you can enjoy some of these other gems without the same crowds.
5. Come prepared with the right gear at the right time.
By this I mean that off-season hiking in Zion may only be possible with micro-spikes because of black ice, and hot mid-summer hiking best done with a 3L water bladder and a sun shirt. Review the gear list that I have above because they are some of the most important items that you will want to have with you across seasons.
Additional Off-Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, hikes like the Angels Landing Trail can be covered in snow and ice well into March and even April. This is why micro-spikes are a must on upper elevations like Angels Landing where the consequences of falling are at their highest.
If you’re coming during the off-season (October - March), bring spikes! I personally use the Yaktrax below.
