Top 10 Things to do in Zion National Park
Written and Photographed by Randy and Caly Behymer
Known as one of the “Mighty Five” National Parks in Utah, Zion National Park needs to be on your list of must-visit parks. Filled with epic views, stunning rock formations, great hikes, two visitor centers and home to one of the world’s top hikes, this is a park that has just about something for everyone. This top ten is a great place to start your Zion National Park getaway!
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Zion National Park by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy and Caly talk about Zion NP on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Zion Human History Museum – Zion is home to the Zion Human History Museum. Guests can enjoy exhibits and artifacts from ancient peoples that used to call the canyon home. The museum brings to light the power that water had in this area, both shaping it and supporting the many forms of life that call the canyon home. The museum has exhibits on plants, survival, geology, community and animals.
9. Star Gaze – Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, lending to some spectacular stargazing! There are a few great places to catch a multitude of stars dancing across the skies across the tops of the sandstone mountains within Zion. The museum patio is the park’s official night sky viewing area. If you are lucky enough to snag a camping spot in either the South or Watchman Campgrounds, you only need to look up for some serious stargazing. Kolob Canyon Viewpoint is another great star gazing location.
8. Gear up for Two-Wheeled Fun – Zion is a bike friendly park and a great place to take a ride and enjoy the scenery. Biking is permitted on all park roadways and the Pa’rus Trail, a 3.5-mile trail near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Park shuttles have bike racks to shuttle passengers and bikes to various locations throughout the park. Bikers can be found throughout the park, enjoying the sights from two-wheels.
7. Spend a Day in Springdale – Located just outside the south entrance to Zion is the town of Springdale. Peppered with shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, art galleries and more, this town has plenty to keep visitors entertained. Spend a day walking or biking through the town or book yourself an afternoon of relaxation at one of the local spas. Finish your day with a delicious meal from options ranging from Tex-Mex to Thai, Italian to steakhouse and just about everything in between.
6. Take a Scenic Ride – Want to see the sights but aren’t fond of a lot of walking or biking? Hop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle and enjoy the stunning views of the canyon from the comfort of the shuttle. The shuttle takes visitors along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, stopping at 9 different locations. Riders can choose to hop on or off the shuttle at any of the stops, or ride the entire loop. The shuttle hugs the North Fork Virgin River and passes by the famous Court of the Patriarchs, twists through the Big Bend area and even stops at the lodge.
5. Get Some Tunnel Vision – If you have the option, enter the park for the first time through the East Entrance. This route takes drivers through a 1.1-mile-long tunnel that is carved through the Great Arch sandstone rock formation that follows the Pine Creek Canyon Wall at a perfect 21-foot of distance. While there are a few “windows” in the tunnel, try to keep from looking until you exit the tunnel for one of nature’s most awe-inspiring views. Once out of the tunnel, there are plenty of pull-offs in the many switchbacks down to the canyon floor to stop and grab an epic picture or just to stop to slow your ever-beating heart.
4. Hike, Hike, Hike – Zion is a geological wonder and offers plenty of hikes to get up close and personal with nature. Hikes range from paved, easy trails to some of the most strenuous, and dangerous, in the world. Zion is famous for its challenging Narrows and death-defying Angel’s Landing hikes, but there are plenty of other hikes to enjoy that fit every level of hiker. Some of the more popular hikes are the Emerald Pools, Left Fork (the Subway), Watchman’s Trail, Riverside Walk, Observation Point, Canyon Overlook Trail and Kolob Canyons. Some hikes do require permits so plan ahead accordingly.
3. Visitor Centers – Zion is home to two visitor centers; Zion Canyon Visitor Center at the South Entrance and the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center at the West Entrance. The larger of the two can be found South Entrance and offers a great place to start your Zion adventure. Here you can find Zion souvenirs, get your National Parks Passport book stamped, walk through the outdoor exhibits, visit the Wilderness Desk for permits or how to best plan your time in Zion. This is also one of the main parking areas for the park and shuttle stop number 1.
2. Take a Horse Back Ride – There is just one cat in town when it comes to horseback riding in Zion. Canyon Trail Rides offers 1- and 3-hour trail rides through Zion that are nothing short of incredible. For those really looking for some adventure and great back-country trail riding, take the 3-hour trail ride. The sure-footed experienced horses and mules take riders up and down rocky switchbacks, through cactus gardens and ascend a total of 500 feet for some epic views of Zion.
1. Hike Angel’s Landing – If you Google “Hardest Hikes in the World”, Angel’s landing is on that list. This hike is not for the faint of heart. But for those in good physical shape, not afraid of heights and want to check-off the most awe-inspiring, most epic hike of your life from your list, then this hike is for you. You must apply in advance for a permit, and not all who apply are granted a permit. If chosen, you will hike 2.5 miles up approximately 1,500 feet to the peak of Angel’s landing. For the last half mile of the hike up the “spine”, expect to crawl up rocks and cling to chains as the earth drops away from either side of you. For those just looking for a great workout with some epic views, non-permit holders can hike to Scout Lookout, which stops a half-mile short of the summit.
Zion National Park truly has something for everyone. Be sure to add this park to your list of National Parks you need to see!
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