Located in Southern Utah, Zion National Park encompasses 229 square miles of towering cliff walls, narrow canyons, and absolutely stunning scenery. Each year, 3.66 million people visit this park to take in its natural beauty. Read on for tips on how to make the most out of your visit!
Get Wet in the Narrows
If you don’t mind getting your feet wet and are up for an adventure, then head to the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, known as The Narrows. Here, the Virgin River is sometimes just 20 to 30 feet wide and rock walls tower thousands of feet above. You can go for a short walk or spend hours making your way upstream. The water is usually cold and the rocks are slippery, but it all makes for an exhilarating experience.
Discover the Emerald Pools
There are three Emerald Pools, referred to as Upper, Middle and Lower, each found by three different trails of varying lengths and levels within Zion National Park. The paths to the Lower and Middle Pools are wide sidewalks, while the path of the Upper pool is made of uneven rock surfaces and sand. The paths run from 1.2 miles to 2.5 miles round trip. The pools may look inviting once your reach them, but in order to preserve their natural beauty, the National Park Service does not permit anyone from going in them.
Rock Climb
Inside Zion National Park, 2,000-foot sandstone cliffs can be found. These cliffs are known around the world for their big wall climbs and are popular with experienced climbers. Due to the extreme summer heat, the best times to climb are during March through May and September through early-November.
Ride a Bike
One of the best ways to see the park is on a bicycle, which is permitted inside the park on roadways and the 1.75-mile-long Pa’rus Trail, but not on park trails or off-trail. Apart from Pa’rus Trail, another great place to ride is the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Hike to the Sky
If you’re not afraid of heights and are up for a challenging, four-hour hike, then make plans to go to Angels Landing. This hike climbs more than 1,400 feet in over five miles, and features long drop-offs and a steep, narrow ridge at the summit. The views from the top are more than worth it!
Join a Ranger
The Zion National Park Rangers offer a variety of programs from April through November to help you make the most of your trip in the park. There’s a daily two-hour shuttle tour that will take visitors through the park with narration by a park ranger. Be sure to plan ahead, as seats are limited; reservations are free, but must be made in-person, and can be scheduled up to three days in advance.
Bird Watch
More than 300 bird species are found throughout the expansive park. Look for the Mexican Spotted Owl, Peregrine Falcon, California Condor, and delicate Hummingbirds, and be sure to pack your camera and binoculars!
