By Shannon Gomes
It’s hard to explain the intense serenity and magic you feel upon entering Zion National Park. A world away, yet only a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas, there’s just something about Zion that is unlike any other National Park. Perhaps it is because you can walk miles and miles upstream in water through the Narrows or experience pure exhilaration making your way up to Angel’s Landing or the ability to bike through the Park only sharing the road with the occasional Park Shuttle Buses or the charming small town of Springdale, Utah – but I think it is a combination of all of these elements, plus a bit of Mother Nature undescribable magic mixed in. Whatever it may be, Zion is a National Park not to be missed.
☀️ Best time of year to visit? Definitely the Spring or Fall. Like most National Parks, summer is very crowded and in the Winter the Park is typically covered in snow so activities and hiking is extremely limited.
🗓️. Plan to stay at least 3-4 days in Zion to truly experience the Park and explore all it has to offer, including the quaint town of Springdale, UT.
🚗 You’ll need a car to get to Zion, so if you are flying – it is best to fly in/out of the Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) and rent a car for the 2 hour drive to Zion.
🎟️ Like most National Parks, you need to book your National Park visitors ticket in advance online prior to your trip (recommend at least 2 months in advance).
🏚️ Book a place to stay right outside the Park in the quaint small town of Springdale, UT. Depending on your budget, there are a wide range of places to stay from hotels like Best Western Plus and Hampton Inn to bed & breakfasts to lodges.
We loved staying at the Desert Pearl Inn, and loved staying in a ground level room with a view and access to the creek.
If you are into a more unique “glamping” experience, be sure to check out the AutoCamp Zion.
If you are looking for a luxury option, check out the new LaFave Resort that offers Villas, Homes, and Suites.
🥾If you want to hike to the top of Angel’s Landing (spectacular!), you will need to enter the lottery online and pick your specific date in advance. Be sure to wear hiking boots with good traction (not tennis shoes!) and bring plenty of water – this steep uphill hike, followed by holding on to chairs to reach the top of Angel’s Landing is not for the novice hiker. Be sure to note that this hike is only for the advanced adventurer who does not have a fear of heights!
💦 Prefer to cool off and hike through water? If the conditions are right (no threats of flash floods), you must hike the Narrows. Be sure to rent waterproof hiking boots and walking sticks at the rental at shop near entrance of the Park (this is critical!) before hopping on the Park Shuttle to the Narrows hike drop-off. While there is an option to get a Wilderness Permit and hike the full 16 miles through the Narrows and camp, I recommend doing the day hike through, which is around 9 miles round-trip. You can of course turn around anytime you’d like for a shorter hike experience, but once you start wading through the water with your hiking sticks you likely become totally entranced with the experience.
For a detailed guide on hiking through the Narrows, I recommend reading Park Ranger John’s Narrows Guide.
🚲 Prefer to see the beauty of the park on 2 wheels? You are in luck! Biking through Zion is an incredible way to see the Park. You can either rent a normal bicycle or an e-Bike at a place like Zion Peddler, Greater Zion Bikes or Zion Outfitter and then bike along the beautiful Pa’rus Trail and beyond. Be prepared to stop often to take photos as the scenery is just breathtaking!
🍺 Hungry or thirsty yet? You’re in luck, there are many fantastic places to enjoy good food and drink in Springdale.
☕️Start your day with a delicious cup of coffee and breakfast at FeelLove coffee shop. The vibe of FeelLove is the perfect way to start your day before heading into the Park to “Seize the Day!”
🍴Time to eat! After all that physical activity during the day in Park, you will be hungry. Fortunately Springdale offers some delicious places to eat inlcluding:
🍺 Best place to enjoy an ice cold beer after a long hike or bike ride? Be sure to visit the Zion Brewery Pub just outside the Park entrance.
🛻 In the mood to explore outside the park and enjoy an epic sunset? I highly recommend booking an Evening Jeep Tour with East Zion Adventures. Such a memorable experience!
Again, it’s hard to explain in words the beauty and mystic of Zion – you just need to experience it for yourself. Start planning your Spring or Fall trip today and escape to this natural wonderland. ✨