Zion National Park is one of the most spectacular places on earth. Seriously, it’s jaw-dropping beautiful! It should definitely be on your family’s bucket list. As Utah residents, we’ve spent a lot of time exploring this incredible park. It’s one of our favorites!
when to go
Spring and Fall are the best time to visit Zion National Park. It’s just so hot in the summer. Our recommendation is the fall because you can hike through the Narrows. (The water is too high in the spring.) However, we love the springtime too. We’ve spent many spring breaks in Zion and, even with larger crowds, it’s a wonderful time to visit. If you’re stuck with a summer trip, don’t worry. Just prepare to bring lots of water and wear a wide-brimmed hat. You’ll have a wonderful time whenever you go!
lodging
THE BEST WAY TO SEE ZION NATIONAL PARK IS TO CAMP or stay in Zion Lodge inside the park. It is a huge advantage to wake up inside the park each day of your vacation. You’ll also get to take your car into the park which will make it much easier to go to the Canyon Overlook. Usually, you’ll ride the shuttle from place to place, but there will be a few times where having a vehicle is very helpful. You can reserve a camping site six months in advance at recreation.gov. You’ll want to make your reservation as early as possible. The sites go fast! Reservations at Zion Lodge must also be made many months in advance. If you can’t get a reservation, find lodging in Springdale and ride the shuttle into the park.
Food
While you can find many restaurants outside the park in Springdale, you’ll be limited to the grill and café at Zion Lodge inside the park. Bringing a sack lunch, snacks, and water in your backpack is a really good idea. (Water is a necessity!) This is another advantage to lodging inside the park. You can go back to your campground site for food!
Our Favorite 3-Day Itinerary for Zion National Park
Day 1
AM Hikes: Angels Landing for the fit and unafraid; Junior Ranger and Emerald Pools for the rest.
Angels Landing is a strenuous 5.4 miles, 1500 ft. elevation gain, plan on 4 hours, not for young children, long drop-offs. Our rule is 8-years old and must stay with adult the whole hike. There are places where you can hold onto a chain for support. Be careful of loose sand on the trail. This is a very popular hike so get up early and get started. It’s a beauty– and a bit terrifying!
Emerald Pools is 1.2-2.5 miles depending on if you go to just lower, or both lower and upper pools. This one is considered easy. If you have time and energy, definitely go all the way to the upper pools. The kids will enjoy bouldering and wading in the water. Make sure you alert your children to the sharp drop-offs and the slipperiness of the wet rocks at the lower pools. We want everyone to be safe. After (or before) your hike, stop by the Visitor Center and get a Jr. Ranger Manual. Our kids enjoy learning about the park as they work on their badges.
Lunch
PM Hike: Canyon Overlook and Checkerboard Mesa (This includes driving through the tunnel!)
You’ll need a private vehicle to drive to the trailhead. You’ll be able to see the overlook from the switchbacks on Route 9. After going through the tunnel, the trailhead parking area is on your right. If the lot is full, drive down the road a little further for overflow lots. Canyon Overlook trail is one mile, with long drop-offs, but is fenced in many places. It’s labeled as moderate but it’s not very difficult. Even toddlers can do it with a helping hand. You might see mountain goats. You are going to love this view! It’s absolutely amazing. The tunnel is also super cool. You’ll never go through another one quite like it.
Day 2
AM Hikes: Hidden Canyon / Weeping Rock
Hidden Canyon is 2.5 miles, 850 ft. elevation, labeled as strenuous but not nearly as difficult as Angels’ Landing. We love this one but it is a challenging hike. You do have to keep a close eye on your kids in some places. There are chains along the way for support. There are great kid-climbing areas, tiny slots and caves, and extraordinary views. It really is a hidden gem.
Weeping Rock is just a short .4 mile paved path at the beginning of the Hidden Canyon trail. Stop there on your way up the canyon.
Update: Check the park website to make sure Hidden Canyon and Weeping Rock are open. They’ve been closed because of rock slides and flooding. We’ll cross our fingers for a reopening soon!
Lunch
PM Hikes: Watchman Trail
Watchman Trail is a 3.3 mile moderate hike up above the campground for great views of the park. It’s a nice length and a beautiful adventure.
Day 3
Camp Clean-Up and Pack-Up
If you are in Zion in the summer or fall, hike the Narrows. Take the Riverside walk to the opening of the Narrows.
The water is too high in the spring to hike through the Narrows but it’s amazing in the summer and fall. You can rent full waterproof gear and hiking sticks from many outfitters in Springdale. However, we would only recommend that after mid-October. We just wear shorts in the summer and early fall and turn back when we’ve had our fun. You do want good shoes that can be totally immersed in the water. We hit areas where the water was about 30-inches deep. Check out the pictures for a better idea of how it looks. Notice the level of the water by the change in color of the fabric on our shorts. You can check with the rangers for water depth and temperature information.
If you are in Zion in the Spring, you can choose to play in the water and stroll down the River Walk, explore another shuttle stop, check out the Grotto or see the Court of the Patriarchs. Another fun option is to ride bikes on the Pa’rus Bike Trail (but that means you’d have to bring or rent bicycles.)
On your way out of the park, be sure to stop and hike the Kolob Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile- easy hike, beautiful view). It’s really worth your time and it won’t take you long. You’ll be able to see a local favorite that most people miss!
Bonus Insights:
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints often refer to the term Zion. Yes, it’s a heavenly city, put it’s also any place where people are united and live in harmony. It was the ideal the early settlers were seeking as they established communities in the Utah territory. After years of persecution and fear, they came to this beautiful place. It must have felt like they had reached heaven. The name Kolob is used for the star closest to heaven, nearest to where God dwells. So, when you visit Zion and Kolob Canyon, breathe in deeply and feel the power of your Creator and His incredible love for His children. All of this was created just for you!
Check out our fun games to play at the campground during your vacation.
Find more great itineraries for other Utah National Parks.