The first National Park in Utah, Zion National Park, is so majestic, that looks like a movie. The scenery looks so beautiful that you think it’s fake, it feels like you are in a dream. It’s indescribable and it leaves you speechless. It is located in southern Utah near the city of Springdale.
Zion National Parks covers 590 km2, it was formed around 240 million years ago when the area was covered by a relatively flat basin desert and then the large river carved out the canyon. As sands, gravels, and muds eroded from surrounding mountains, streams carried these materials into the basin and deposited them in layers.
The range of colors of the Navajo Sandstone – red, brown, pink, salmon, gold, and even white – results from varying amounts and forms of iron oxide within the rock, and in the case of the white upper portion of the Navajo, the overall lack of iron.

→Before you go

RESEARCH – Before you go, search for the places you want to see, things you want to do… Most important pieces of information you can find on a U.S. National Park Service site, a lot of interesting stuff and personal experiences from fellow travelers and bloggers, and my favorite, travel guidebooks. You never know whether you’ll have a reception on your phone, so it’s good to have some paper maps in your hand. I get most of my books from Book Depository.
     
ENTRANCE FEE – Like in other National Parks, there is also an entrance fee, 35$ per vehicle for 7 days. If you are planning to visit more National Parks or even some recreation areas, I recommend buying an Annual Pass, America the Beautiful. It costs 80$, valid for a year and covers the pass owner and three accompanying adults. You can buy it when entering the park, or online at USGS Store or at Rei.
TRANSPORTATION – Between spring and fall (mid-March to October) private vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. But the park operates two free shuttle loops. The Zion Park Shuttle makes nine stops along the canyon from the main visitor center to the Temple of Sinawava. The Springdale Shuttle makes six regular stops along Highway 9 between the park’s south entrance and the Majestic View Lodge in Springdale. There are parking lots around the Visitor’s Center in the park, and there is a small park place just before the entrance to the park. They both get full very quickly, so it’s best to come really early, before 8-9am. It’s generally easier to find parking in Springdale and then take the shuttle to the park.
WHEN TO GO – The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Spring usually have warm and sunny weather, but it can also get rainy. Dress in layers. In the Summer months can get really hot, from July to September, the monsoon season is in full swing, surprising visitors with thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rain. Beware of the flash floods. Fall is probably the best season to go there, temperatures fall, monsoons are gone, but there is still a chance for a flash flood. You have to be careful in all seasons and dress in layers again. Winter is cold and wet. Although it may look beautiful, it can be dangerous and some of the trails are closed depending on weather conditions.

→Where to stay

There are two campgrounds in Zion that take reservations, South Campground and Watchman Campground. They are near the south entrance at Springdale. You can also stay somewhere in Springdale or places a little further from the park.
SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM HURRICANE – this was the cheapest accommodation we found, but it was nice. Located in Hurricane, a bit further from the park, but still, it’s just 40 minutes drive.
RED ROCK OASIS – this family home is recommended for large groups because it can host 25 people. It’s also quite expensive, but it looks amazing. Luxurious house with a private pool located in Rockville, a short drive to Zion.
BEST WESTERN PLUS ZION CANYON INN & SUITES – Featuring an outdoor pool and a hot tub, Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites is located in Springdale, 0.9 mi from Zion National Park South Entrance Ranger Station. Free WiFi is provided. A full breakfast is served daily.
CABLE MOUNTAIN LODGE – It is the closest accommodation to Zion National Park. This beautiful Springdale lodge offers a seasonal outdoor heated pool and a hot tub with canyon views. Free Wi-Fi is provided.

→What to do & see in 1 day

It’s best to start early, first, you can go to the park’s Visitor Center to get oriented. And then take a free shuttle. The first possible stop is The Zion Human History Museum,  where are ranger presentations a great way to learn more about the park before you ride the shuttle up the canyon. The bookstore has maps and publications that can augment your visit.
Then ride the shuttle all the way up the canyon to the Temple of Sinawava. The Temple of Sinawava is the massive amphitheater that unofficially marks the beginning of the canyon.

RIVERSIDE WALK

Starting at the Temple of Sinawava, the Riverside Walk is a nice family friendly hike on a mostly flat paved trail. It offers great views of the Virgin River and you can see hanging gardens and lush trees surrounded by tall weeping walls. It takes 1-2 hours roundtrip. When you get to the end of the Riverside Walk, you get to the start of The Narrows. The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. This gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes just twenty to thirty feet wide, is one of the most popular areas in Zion National Park. So while you finish the Riverside walk, you can go near the river and see a bit of The Narrows. But if you wish to see more, you will be walking in the Virgin River. This can involve wading upstream for just a few minutes or it can be an all-day hike. To do this hike you should stay more days and be well prepared.

WEEPING ROCK

After the pleasant stroll on the Riverside walk, take a shuttle and go off on the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. This is a short, 15-minute walk, but steep climb that leads to an impressive hanging garden with water that sometimes seeps and sometimes weeps. When the water is really running it forms a veil from above. Prepare to get wet!
 

GROTTO TRAIL

From the Weeping Rock Shuttle stop, go to next shuttle stop, The Grotto. There you can start the easy Grotto Trail, it takes just 15 minutes to the Zion Lodge. The Zion Lodge is the only in-park lodging in this national park. There is a restaurant where you can get something to eat and some refreshments. You will need it by now. And there is also a gift shop. After a short stop, continue to Emerald Pools.

EMERALD POOLS

This is one of the must-see trails in Zion and there are actually three pools, Lower Emerald Pool, Middle Pool, and Upper Pool.  The whole trip can take up to 2,5h. Once you get to the Middle Pool, it’s just a must to continue a little bit higher.
Star from the Zion Lodge, cross the road and bridge to get to the trailhead. This easily rising trail leads to the Lower Emerald Pool, which looks more like refreshing water sprays cascading over the sandstone lip above. This is actually the falls from the Middle Pool. You can then continue the dirt trail to the Middle Pool. From here, you can continue a steep rocky trail to the Upper Pool. There it is, the Emerald Pool and this place feel like a secret oasis.
You can return the same way, but there is an alternative route, Kayenta Trail. This path offers spectacular views down-valley. The Kayenta Trail finishes in the Grotto shuttle stop, where you can take a bus again.

If you have a long drive to your next destination, this is probably all you can see in a day. But if you are staying somewhere near, or if you started really early, you can see some more.
PA’RUS TRAIL is an easy, paved, wheelchair-, do-, and bike-friendly trail. Starting near Zion Canyon Visitor Center and finishing in Canyon Junction it takes around 1 – 1,5 hours.
WATCHMAN TRAIL  is an easy/moderate trail which takes 1,5 – 2 hours and it’s supposed to be the best to watch the sunset.

What else is there

If you are staying more days and are in good physical condition, you shouldn’t miss the ANGELS LANDING. This is one of the most famous trails in Zion. This hike takes 3-4 hours, and it’s difficult. Grippy shoes are a must. But the view is spectacular.

An OBSERVATION POINT  is a difficult, 5 hour, hike, but intensely rewarding. Starts from the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. As mentioned before, THE NARROWS is also one of the famous hikes in Zion, but also very difficult. Sometimes more of a swim than a hike, as you hike through the Virgin River. It can take up to 8 hours. Preparation and timing are the keys to a succesful Narrows hike.
There are also many more sights to see & things to do, so there is always something to enjoy in Zion.