Planning a Trip to Zion National Park
Oh Zion, you’re beautiful during all times of the year! Your captivating red canyon walls and magnificent river has my heart. Zion National Park, located in the southwest corner of Utah, is definitely the busiest during peak camping and hiking season from May through the beginning of November. I hiked around Zion during from beginning to mid-November in 2018, and I’m still shocked at the number of people still adventuring within the beautiful terrain. The shuttles even were still going in mid-November! The mass of canyon-seekers makes sense after I found out that Zion is one of the top visited National Parks in the country--made obvious by its rewarding hikes and spectacular views. Zion happens to be the fourth most visited park in the nation, just behind Rocky Mountain National Park, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains. As people’s intrigue in Zion keeps growing, so does the attendance each year.
Still accessible and nevertheless beautiful in the winter, parts of Zion are still open for hiking and sight-seeing, just be prepared for snow, frost, and ice! Driving and hiking becomes slippery in the winter months and several roads might be closed. Some of the hotels and campgrounds shut down for that part of the season as well, but it’s still really pretty during that time—and honestly just gorgeous all year ‘round. In fact, if you are thinking about getting married in the park, Zion is such a beautiful option during any time of the year. To keep the park a natural sanctuary—of course we want to respect the splendor of Zion for all to see! —there are rules and permits in place for your wedding. You can learn more here from our blog on the KLEM Studios website.
This is such a great national park (one of my all-time favorites!), and one of the most gorgeous preservation of the flora and fauna in the region. Please practice Leave No Trace (LNT) while enjoying the park by staying on the trail, picking up garbage, pack it in-pack it out, and being respectful to hikers going uphill, because they have the right of way on the trail. Be an educated citizen, aware of campsite limits, bring your backpacking permit, and know the basics to leaving no trace in the park you are in. I have further tips in my original post about traveling to Zion, that we have moved over from the KLEM Studios’ website to its new home on here on Wild Klementine!
I love exploring Zion but getting there can also be an adventure! The park is easily accessible from the Las Vegas or Salt Lake City airports; however, I love to meander there from Denver. After hopping off a plane in the Denver airport, I zip through the Rockies and then cruise into Utah on Scenic Byway 12, where the landscape and combination of colors make for some of the prettiest country I’ve ever seen. Then, just head to your campsite to set up for your stay!
Be sure to reserve your site (or hotel room) well in advance because of the vast number of people also wanting to stay in the park during peak season! The city of Springdale has a number of great lodging options, including the Cliffrose Lodge (amazing!!) if you want to pamper yourself, but the best campground I’ve stayed at is the Watchman Campground inside the park. I was incredibly impressed by how clean and updated the campground was. Fully equipped with flush toilets and running water on-site (no showers, though), it is a quiet location to enjoy the park, see the Milky Way at night, and even take the short walk into Springdale.
Definitely check out the town of Springdale while you are trekking through Zion. The town has kept its natural, homey roots even with the heavy tourism. The local shops, artists, and photographers in the area are down-to-earth, kind people who are easy to talk to. My favorite landscape artist, David J. West, owns a gallery right on the main drag (I may own 6… maybe 8 of his pieces!) with an inviting neon “Open” sign. Springdale also has some amazing places to eat, Oscar’s, Deep Creek Coffee Co, and King’s Landing Bistro are among the satisfying and delightful spots to grab breakfast, enjoy a cup of coffee, and eat with a view. I have a full review on King’s Landing Bistro here, and if you choose to include this spot for one of your meals while adventuring Zion National Park, you won’t be disappointed!
While planning your trip to Zion, I have plenty of culinary delights to mention, and excellent lodging options (feel free to contact me), but here are a few general tips traversing the canyon:
Use the shuttle system! It is free, convenient, and runs almost all year round.
Hydrate! Bring plenty of water—Zion is in a desert. Make sure to bring some snacks and treats to replenish your energy while on a hike too. This is my favorite Camelbak hydration pack because it holds 100oz of water while still having room for all my snacks, layers, and gear.
Wear layers. Remember, it is a desert, people! You may sweat on a hike, but once the sun has dipped under the horizon, the temperature plunges! This is my absolute go-to North Face zip-up that I bring everywhere, no matter the season. I’m so obsessed, I bought two of them so I always have a clean one available. I’ve worn it in winter with an active base layer underneath and been totally comfortable, and I’ve also worn it on cool summer nights gathered around the campfire. Find a layer that works for you that you don’t ever want to part with!
Make sure someone knows where you are or where you are going. It’s always a wise idea to tell someone about your hiking and travel plans in case of an emergency.
Don’t hike outside your comfort zone. Angel’s Landing is a heart-stopping hike for many reasons—it is gorgeous and tough! I attempted Angel’s Landing a few years ago and turned around at the halfway point because I wasn’t comfortable with heights.
The National Park System does a fantastic job outlining available hikes, their difficulty level, elevation gains, fun things to see, etc. You can find a park map and brief outline of the hikes here.
Here are the best hikes I’ve personally experienced in Zion National Park (in no particular order):
Weeping Wall—pretty, rewarding, and beautiful.
Canyon Overlook—near the Zion tunnel, it provides a dramatic view of the canyon!
West Rim—a longer hike, but you can turn around at any point.
Hidden Canyon—a great practice hike for getting accustomed to cliff edges and having chains available to grab onto. There is even a secret arch that you can hike into before turning around!
Watchman at sunset—not a true hike per say, but a must-see spot at sunset and a great site to snap photos.
Emerald Pools—a fair amount of elevation gain, there are three pools on different levels to explore!
Angel’s Landing—a popular hike for intermediate to advanced hikers (know your limits!). Be cautious and start early in the day.
The Narrows—possibly the second-most popular hike in Zion right along the Virgin River. Hikers hike in the chilly waters! Make sure to check with the visitor’s center for flash flood warnings and bring the proper equipment for the hike.
The Subway—starting from different ends of the canyon, the “bottom-up” route is more scenic and fun (in my opinion). Another trail where the river becomes your path, so bring proper equipment (like a headlamp if you’re out late) and take care not to slip on the algae!
Friends, Zion is a national gem to hikers worldwide, and an absolute paradise for photographers. The hikes and spots I’ve shared make up my favorite tips and adventures in such a breathtaking park. I would love to know your thoughts about these lists and if you agree with the favorites I’ve listed. Feel free to comment or contact me to let me know about your visit to Zion National Park!
Stay adventurous,
Kate
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