No guide to Zion National Park would be complete without a trendy top-10 list! While the list below isn't necessarily the definitive list of what you absolutely need to do to enjoy your visit, it will hopefully get you oriented and give you good ideas for a magical visit.
1. See the sights up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive:
Popular hikes and sites include the Watchman Trail, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, and Riverside Walk. For a complete list of shuttle stops and the hikes at each trailhead, please see the Hikes in Zion Canyon page.
2. Rent a bicycle or an e-bike and ride up Zion Canyon:
3. Hike Angels Landing and/or the Zion Narrows:
Any discussion of hiking in Zion National Park will include these two massively popular hikes. Angels Landing, with its stunning views along the exposed chains section, and the Zion Narrows, with its famous river hiking within the vertical slot canyon walls, are extremely popular "bucket list" hikes, so be prepared to share the experience with many other tourists.
Due to its epic popularity, a permit system is now in place to hike Angels Landing. Apply for the seasonal lottery well in advance or the day-before lottery. Details can be found on the NPS Angels Landing Permits page.
4. Relax on the great lawn in front of the Zion Lodge:
If you need a break from hiking in Zion Canyon, the lawn in front of the Zion Lodge is a great place to sit and relax. Snacks like cheeseburgers and ice cream are available from the concessions stand at the front of the lodge, and a visit to the gift shop might be in order as well. The centerpiece of the lawn is a giant 100-year old Fremont cottonwood that provides shade to the area. It was planted in the 1920s and is one of the most recognizable living landmarks in Zion Canyon.
5. Drive through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel to visit the Upper East Canyon:
If you have a vehicle, go for a drive along Route 9 from the south entrance up through the switchbacks and the historic Zion-Mt. Carmel to see the Upper East Canyon. The road through the East Canyon is a magical scenic byway, giving tourists a closer view of the area's magical sandstone formations. There are several pullovers where you can get out of your car to take photos and explore a bit, but take great care as the road has many exposed areas with no guardrails.
One of the more famous landmarks is the Canyon Overlook Trail that starts right at the eastern entrance to the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel. There is limited parking at the trailhead, so be prepared to battle crowds to hunt for roadside parking further down the road. The effort is worth it to hike this fantastic little trail.
And with its distinctive cross-hatching patterns on a cone-shaped White Cliffs formation, Checkerboard Mesa is one of the most recognizable and photogenic landmarks in Zion National Park. A large parking area just west of the East Entrance ranger station allows tourists to stretch their legs and get a good view of the formation.
6. Visit the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park:
The Kolob Canyons is the isolated northwestern section of Zion National Park, noted for the deep pink and orange glow of the area's Navajo sandstone formations. It is roughly a 40-mile drive from Springdale to the Kolob Canyons entrance at Exit 40 off of Interstate 15. The Kolob Section has its own visitor center and a lovely five-mile scenic drive to a nice viewpoint of the Kolob finger canyons.
While the viewpoint is worthy of your drive in itself, there are also several hiking opportunities, including the short and easy Timber Creek Overlook Trail and the popular Taylor Creek Trail to the Double Arch Alcove.
7. Drive up the Kolob Terrace Road:
Also far from the crowds of Zion Canyon, the Kolob Terrace Road starts off of Route 9 in the town of Virgin and heads north up into the high country of Zion National Park. Along the way, you will pass many interesting sandstone formations on both sides of the road, as well as several trailheads for hikes, including the Left Fork Trailhead for the famous Subway hike. (Permit required.)
Casual tourists may want to stop at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead to hike the moderately strenuous Northgate Peaks Trail. Further up the road is Lava Point, the highest point in Zion National Park, which offers distant views of Zion Canyon and provides access to the long and scenic West Rim Trail. The road continues to Kolob Reservoir north of the park boundary.
8. Go tubing or horseback riding:
While tubing is prohibited in Zion National Park, for a fun and leisurely afternoon, you can go tubing down the Virgin River just outside of Zion. Several outfitters in Springdale and Virgin offer tube rentals. After you leisurely float downstream, the outfitters pick you up at a designated location and drive you back. Please check with individual outfitters for details and schedule. Tubing is limited in season to the Goldilocks water levels of the Virgin River (not too low, not too high).
If you want to go horseback riding in Zion National Park, "Canyon Trail Rides" offers guided group rides from the Zion Lodge. The 1/2 Day Trip (3 hours on the Sand Bench Trail) is a great diversion through some beautiful scenery.
9. Go on a guided canyoneering or climbing adventure:
While technical canyoneering is very popular in Zion National Park, commercial guiding within the park is prohibited, so you cannot hire somebody to take you through the Subway. But outfitters in Springdale and the greater Zion area do offer guided canyoneering and climbing adventures in public lands outside of Zion. Packages can seem a little pricey, but most families really enjoy the slot canyon rappelling experience in dramatic scenery.
10. Go for a sunset stroll on the Pa'rus Trail:
This list has already mentioned hiking quite a few times, but a leisurely stroll at sunset is something special. While everybody else is leaving the park to get dinner in the late afternoon hours, go against the crowd and park at the Visitor Center and hike the Pa'rus Trail!
With the trail in shade in the evening hours, it's a pleasant and relaxing experience even during the hottest summer days and the trail often comes alive with mule deer, birds, butterflies, and other small creatures. The multiple bridges that cross the river are wonderful places to relax and take in the views. Enjoy!!!
