Zion National Park is the kind of place that actually lives up to the hype. The massive sandstone cliffs rising straight out of the canyon floor are something you just have to see in person to truly understand the sheer scale of the landscape. The park sees a massive number of visitors every year, and unfortunately, most of them crowd into the exact same spots at the same time. If you want to enjoy your trip instead of standing in long lines, planning your itinerary around the best activities in Zion National Park can help you discover more while avoiding the busiest areas.
What are the absolute must do hikes for new visitors?
You really cannot talk about Zion without mentioning Angels Landing. The view from the top is unreal, but you need to know that the park now requires a permit to hike the famous chained section along the narrow ridge. You have to apply for the seasonal lottery months in advance, or try your luck with the day before the lottery. If you do not get a permit, do not sweat it. The Narrows is arguably an even better experience. You are literally walking upstream in the Virgin River through a massive slot canyon with walls towering above you. You do not need a permit for the bottom up route, but you will want to rent waterproof gear, canyon boots, and neoprene socks from one of the shops in Springdale before you go.
How do you escape the biggest crowds inside the park?
When people ask me about the best activities in zion national park, I always tell them to get off the main canyon floor. Most visitors never leave the short stretch of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If you drive a short distance up to the Kolob Canyons section in the northwest corner of the park, you will find towering cliff walls and barely any people. Kolob Canyons make up a massive section of the park’s total land but sees just a tiny portion of the total visitors. Another great insider option is the East Mesa Trail, which takes you to the famous Observation Point overlook without dealing with the massive crowds on the main canyon trails.
What is the best way to see the park if you cannot hike far?
Not everyone wants to scale a cliff wall or wade through a river, and that is completely fine. The Pa’rus Trail is a fully paved path that follows the Virgin River right from the visitor center. It is completely flat, great for strollers and wheelchairs, and arguably the best spot in the entire park to watch the sunset light up the canyon walls in shades of orange and red. You can also just take the free shuttle up the canyon and do the easy walk to the lower Emerald Pools. It is an accessible paved walk that still gets you right up next to a cascading waterfall without requiring a huge time commitment.
Where should you stay to avoid the Springdale parking nightmare?
Trying to drive into Zion in the middle of summer is a logistical headache. The town of Springdale is tiny, the parking lots fill up extremely early in the morning, and traffic backs up for miles down the highway. Staying a short drive west in Hurricane changes the entire vibe of your trip. Instead of fighting for a spot in a cramped public campground, you can set up your rig at a southern utah luxury rv resort and actually have space to breathe. You get large concrete pads, private patios, and most importantly, you completely miss out on the morning gridlock when you drive into the park.
What if your travel group does not want to sleep in an RV?
This happens all the time with larger families or groups of friends. Some people have a motorhome, but the others want to fly in and join the trip. Instead of making them get a separate hotel room miles away, look for a resort that offers Casitas. These are private, standalone units right on the property with their own bedrooms and kitchens. Finding high quality vacation rentals st george utah or booking a resort Casita means your whole group can stay in the exact same place. You get the RV lifestyle while your friends get a comfortable apartment, and all of you can meet up at the resort pool or pickleball courts after a long day of hiking.
Conclusion
A trip to Zion is something you will remember for the rest of your life, but only if you are not stressed out by parking nightmares and shoulder to shoulder crowds. Plan your hikes, book your permits early, and do yourself a huge favor by staying outside the main tourist bottleneck. If you want a comfortable, high end home base for your Southern Utah adventure, we have you covered. Contact us today to reserve your RV site or Casita.
FAQ
Q.1 Do I need a reservation just to get into the park?
During the peak spring and summer months, Zion sometimes implements a pilot reservation system to enter the park. Even if they are not requiring reservations on the day you visit, arriving before sunrise is highly recommended if you want to secure a parking spot at the visitor center.
Q.2 Can I drive my own car through the main canyon?
No. During almost the entire year, private vehicles are banned on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. You have to use the free park shuttles. You can drive your own car on the highway through the Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel, but not on the main scenic drive where all the famous hikes start.
Q.3 What is the best time of year to visit to avoid the extreme heat?
Spring and fall are generally the sweet spots. The weather is perfectly mild for hiking, and you avoid the brutal summer temperatures that bake the canyon floor during the middle of the year.
