Getting to Zion National Park

Staying in Zion National Park

Best Western Hotel, Springdale, UT

In terms of lodging, the town of Springdale will definitely be your best bet. Springdale offers hotels at a range of prices, so there is an option for everyone’s needs.

The town also features a Zion Shuttle Bus that takes people from the visitor center to everywhere in Springdale. This is extremely convenient because you can leave your car at the hotel and never have to look for parking.

Keep in mind that Zion National Park does not allow cars into most of the park during the peak season which is from March through late November. During this time, the shuttle bus is the only way to get through the park. 

Shuttle Bus Stops in Springdale, UT

For a mid range hotel option, we chose to stay at the Best Western Hotel in Springdale. Our cozy room came with a balcony view, pool and hot tub, and continental breakfast.

Most importantly, the hotel is directly outside a shuttle stop. To access the park, all we needed to do was walk about 2 minutes to the shuttle bus!

No matter where you stay to access Zion National Park, be aware of which entrances you are coming from. This is a big park, so each town will come with unique features and views.

Quick Facts about Zion National Park

• Zion National Park was home to an ancient civilization: The Anasazi were the original ones to occupy the park around 1,500 B.C. You can find traces of their lives through petroglyphs within the park

• The Zion Canyon was carved over millions of years. The canyon is about 2,000 feet deep.

• The Park is home to endangered species such as the California Condor. These birds can have a wingspan of up to 10 feet and can fly as fast as 55 mph.

• Zion NP attracts around 4.3 million visitors per year. 

Top Things to do in Zion National Park:Epic Adventures and Excursions 

1. Hike Scouts Lookout

Switchbacks leading up to Scouts Landing, Zion NP

Scouts Landing is a strenuous but rewarding trail that allows you to see spectacular views of Zion Canyon. The trail is a 3.6 mile out-and-back hike that features very steep elevation change and is considered quite challenging. There aren’t many shaded areas during this hike, so make sure to take water! 

To access this trail you will take the Zion Canyon Line shuttle to stop 6, The Grotto. After exiting the bus, head toward the Virgin River and take a right at the trail fork. Following this trail to the top will lead you to the base of Angels Landing.

Along the way, keep an eye out for birds! Specfiically, you may see California Condors at any point in your hike to Scouts Lookout. You also walk through an Owl habitat, so keep your eyes peeled for them

2. Hike Angels Landing

Angels Landing Warnings

If you weren’t winded by Scout’s Lookout, or just need a bit more adrenaline, why not continue the trail to take on Angels Landing. Hiking this trail will gift you (in my opinion) some of the best views in the park with the canyon visible for miles on both sides.

Warning: This trail is often considered one of the most dangerous hikes in America. As of 2024, 18 death have been confirmed on or near Angels Landing. This is definitely not a hike to bring children on as you will have to rely on chains to keep you from falling off the edge of the cliff. However, it is still a very doable trail and shouldn’t scare you if you are confident in your hiking ability!

Keep in mind that you need a reservation during summer months to hike angels landing. To do this, you can head to the NPS website and reserve a permit to hike Angels Landing. The permit works in a lottery style draw that allows you to reserve your hike either  in April or 1 day in advance.

In our group of 5, we all put entries in the day before our hike and 2 of us won the draw.  The success rate of the lottery is about 43%, so make sure your whole group applies for the permit. Also, there is a $6 dollar non-refundable fee to apply to hike Angels Landing.

Scenery from Angels Landing, Zion NP

3. Ride an E-Bike through Zion

During most of the season in Zion National Park (March through late November) cars are not allowed on the scenic drive loop. Therefore, biking is a great option to view the beauty of the park on your own pace. 

The most convenient way to rent a bike to enter the park is to head to the Springdale entrance of the park by taking the Springdale Line to stop 1, Zion Canyon Village. Right next to the park entrance is a shop called Zion Outfitters. Here you can rent an E-bike of your choice, along with hiking gear, souvenirs, and drinks.

After purchasing your E-bike rental, a staff member will direct you to the entrance to the park. It is just a quick walk across a bride, and you are into Zion NP! Here you can follow the Scenic Road Loop all the way to shuttle stop 9, Temple of Sinawava, and enjoy the nature along the way. 

When riding an E-bike through the park, keep in mind that you will be sharing the road with buses, so be sure to stay alert and always yield for shuttle buses that are passing by.

Bike Riding Through Zion NP

4. Things to do in Zion National Park Besides Hiking: Enjoy a Brew at the Zion Canyon Brew Pub

Zion Brewery at Zion National Park

Maybe you want to sit down for a nice lunch before taking in Zion NP. Or, maybe you need a nice cold beer to relax after taking on Angels Landing. Either way, Zion Canyon Brew Pub has you covered.

Zion Canyon Brew Pub is the first microbrewery in Southern Utah located very conveniently next to Zion Outfitters. This makes it very easy to visit whether you are entering or exiting the park.

The menu features a variety of dishes from small plates like pretzel sticks to unique burgers like the Elevated Elk Burger. In terms of beer, you can choose from pilsner, hefeweizen, IPA, sours, and more.

5. Watch for Wildlife

Spotting Bighorn Sheep at Zion National Park

Of course, if you travel to a National Park, you’ll want to see some of the unique wildlife that each park has to offer. Zion is no exception for spotting some animals.

For mammals, Zion NP has squirrels, Ringtails, and bats. Gray Foxes and Coyotes are also roaming around Zion NP. Although very rare to see, the park contains Bobcats and the elusive Mountain Lion. More common sightings include the Desert Bighorn Sheep and Mule Deer.

Zion National Park is home to the California Condor with is very impressive wingspan of up to 10 feet long. To see these magnificent birds, head to shuttle stop 6, The Grotto. However, the bird is commonly seen in most areas of the park. When looking into the sky, you may also see the Spotted Owl, Raven, Peregrine Falcon, or a Gambel’s Quail.

6. Hiking the Narrows

Deep in the Narrows, Zion NP

If you’ve done any research about Zion National Park or browsed Tik Tok, you’ve seen the Narrows. This trail follows the Virgin River through a winding through the narrowest part of the Zion Canyon. 

It is important to know that bad weather can close the Narrows Trail within minutes or hours. It is very important to scout out the weather before you plan on taking on this hike. Flash Floods can create a dangerous environment on the trail, possibly making you wait an extra day or 2 before coming back to the Narrows.

The total length of the path is 8.9 miles out-and-back. This trail is often underestimated for its difficulty because of the fact that you are traversing in rapid waters for 95% of the hike. Hikers are often faced with deep water, high-flowing rapids, and large, uneven rock paths. 

It is highly recommended to stop by Zion Outfitters at the southern base of the park to pick up specific shoes and a hiking stick for the Narrows. It is very easy to lose your balance while stepping on the wet rocks, and the shoes come with a neoprene sock that keep your feet warm and free from blisters. Hiking the Narrows without these shoes or a pole can be extremely challenging.

Anthony and Gianna Taking on the Narrows, Zion NP

To get to the Narrows, head to Shuttle Stop 9, The Temple of Sinawava. The trail starts out as a dirt path that follows the river for around 2 miles. After this, hikers take a small stair set to the water, where you will follow the river for the remainder of the hike.

The total distance of the Narrows within Zion National Park is around 4-5 miles one way. After this, you will need a separate permit to continue up the river. However, most people do not make it his far. However far you choose to hike, you will not be disappointed with the views.

The Narrows also becomes extremely busy around 11:00pm. If you want to hike the trail with less people, I recommend either starting very early, around 8:00am, or in the afternoon, around 2:00 or 3:00. We chose to start our hike around 2:30pm and were surprised to see most of the crowd dispersed.

Conclusion

However you choose to enjoy Zion, I hope you keep in mind the plethora of activities to experience within the park. From hiking Angels landing, to enjoying a burger at the Zion Brew Pub, the most important part is to have a great time at Zion National Park. Cheers!

If you plan on visiting other National Parks, check out my other guides!