Visiting Zion National Park:
More than 5 million people visit Zion National park each year and for good reason, this park is home to insane red rock formations, white sandstone and the Virgin river carving through the park, making it a must visit for those who are seeking adventure! Fortunately I was able to visit the park back in May 2022 and till this day I relive the experience looking back at photos and videos, so I wanted to share my account and ideas!
Getting to Zion National Park
The most common airport that people fly into is Harry Reid International Airport which was formerly known as McCarran International Airport. We flew from JFK International Airport in New York into Harry Reid and from there it was about a three hour drive to the park. Another option is flying into Salt Lake City Airport and drive five hours to the park.
Once at the park, due to the growing number of visitors over the years, the park offers a free shuttle that runs daily between March and November and arrives as frequently as every 5-10 minutes. This service is so convenient because despite having a rental car, the official parking lot for the park is fully packed by around 9 a.m. and I experienced the frustration of circling the lot for minutes before giving up and taking the shuttle.
Where to Stay in Zion National Park
Since the park has exploded in popularity over the last decade there is no shortage of places to stay, in fact, if you do a simple Google search you’ll be overwhelmed with the number of options so to help make your life a little easier I linked some options below:
Cable Mountain Lodge - a three star hotel with a 9.8/10 rating and only a 5 minute walk from the park’s entrance.
Cliffrose Springdale - a four star hotel also with a 9.8/10 rating and 10 minute walk from the park’s entrance.
Zion Canyon Inn - a three star hotel with a 4.8/5 rating and 20 minute walk from the park’s entrance, but does have a shuttle stop right in front of the hotel.
If an Airbnb is more your vibe then check out some of these I found:
Riverside Shipping Container - A shipping container converted into a rustic home that sits right on the Virgin river and a 15 minute drive from Zion, has 4.8/5 stars and goes for around $400 a night.
Zion Luxury Loft - New construction with a very modern interior, big glass windows offering a panoramic view of the canyons and a less than 5 minute walk from the park’s entrance and 4.9/5 stars, usually goes for $500-$600 a night.
Nama-Stay Cabin - The private cabin’s/rooms are only a 5 minute drive from the park’s entrance but walking distance to some of the shops and restaurants, has a 4.9/5 stars and goes for around $180 a night.
B&B Guest Suite - Located in the town center of Springdale near shops and restaurants, only a 5-10 minute drive to the park and offers guests a rustic western vibe. They also partnered with two local restaurants to offer breakfast vouchers for guests at only $5 a person.
Jeremy’s Place - This is where my friends and I stayed when we visited the park, it was okay, nothing special and no amenities and was a 30 minute drive from the park but it was only $150 a night and for recent college grads on a budget it served it’s purpose but if and when I revisit Zion I’d look for something else.
I wanted to flag that all the rates provided for the Airbnbs were for a June stay, I used that month because it is one of the most popular times to visit the park, but of course these rates can change depending on which month you visit!
Things to do in Zion National Park
So before we actually get into Zion National Park, I thought it was worth mentioning that if you are flying into Harry Reid International Airport then consider stopping to checkout The Hoover Dam since it is only a 35-40 minute drive from the airport. My friends and I stopped by and did a little self-guided tour and thought it was worth it, Zion is about a 2 hour and 45 minute drive from the dam.
Hiking Scout Lookout
In my opinion this hike offers some of the best, if not, the best views in the entire park. This strenuous paved trail ascends about 1,000 feet and consists of 21 consecutive switchbacks. The hike is about 3.5 miles and took my friends and I about 3 hours to complete. Once at the top you are rewarded with amazing views of the park and have what feels like a bird’s eye view looking down into the canyons. This trail links up with one of the most popular hike’s in the country, Angel’s Landing, from the top of Scout Lookout you can see Angel’s Landing in the distance.
Emerald Pools Trail
This hike is one of the more family friendly hikes in Zion National Park, an easy 1.4 mile trail that only takes 30-45 minutes to complete but still offers nice views of the park.
The Narrows
This breathtaking gorge is a 16 mile hike through the Virgin river and to this day is still one of the most unforgettable things I have ever done. The hike begins at The Temple Sinawava at the paved Riverside Walk, which is a flat and paved 2 mile path that runs alongside the Virgin river but eventually transitions into the Narrows.
As you progress through the Narrows, a majority of the hike is spent wadding through the river with the water being knee to waist deep at some points and as you look up you see the soaring walls and realize you are 2,000 feet deep into a canyon which makes for a truly humbling and awesome experience. This was my favorite hike in the park and a must in my opinion, but be mindful of the weather, temperature and flash floods but the park will close this hike if the river’s flow rate reaches a certain level, you can check out current conditions of the Narrows and other hikes in the park here.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
While not being part of Zion National Park, I still think this park is worth a visit and is only an hour away in Kanab, Utah. The park is almost 4,000 acres and consists of sand dune fields as far as the eye can see. A great place for those who want some solitude away from the crowds at Zion. All the dunes are open for hiking, roaming and you can even rent sand boards and slide down the dunes so might be a good activity for kids. You can also book guided ATV tours here.
Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Located just under 2 hours from Zion, this national park is home to the greatest number of hoodoos, which are tall then rock formations that have been formed over millions of years of erosion. This park offers hikes ranging from easy to strenuous allowing hikers of all skill levels to immerse themselves in the landscape.
So there you have it! My personal experience and recommendations for visiting Zion National Park, hopefully you find this helpful and I wish you the best time!
