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Zion National Park

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Overview

Within the 229-square miles of Zion National Park, you'll find high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep, sandstone canyons, and the Virgin River and its tributaries. Zion also has 2,000-foot Navajo Sandstone cliffs, pine- and juniper-clad slopes, and seeps, springs, and waterfalls supporting colorful and lush hanging gardens. Follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, red, and pink that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Zion's unique array of plants, animals, and geology will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present day adventures.

To learn more about Zion National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
Visitor Center hours vary by season, with longer hours during the summer and reduced hours in the winter. For current operating hours, visit the park's website.
  • Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Wilderness Desk
  • Zion Human History Museum
  • Kolob Canyons Visitor Center

Visiting Tips

Zion National is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some services and facilities may close or reduce hours during parts of the year.

Fees & Passes:
To find more about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Zion has three campgrounds of varying size. Watchman Campground takes reservations from March through late November and can be made six months in advance online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. For more information and for a list of other nearby campgrounds, click here.

  • South Campground: 127 campsites available on first come, first served basis.
  • Watchman Campground: There are 176 regular sites and 6 group sites. Open year round.
  • Lavapoint Campground: Six primitive campsites available on a first come, first served basis. Open June through October, weather permitting.

Additionally, the Zion Lodge is located three miles north on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Open year-round, the lodge has motel rooms, cabins, and suites available. Reservations are recommended, and can be made online at www.zionlodge.com or by calling 1-888-297-2757.

Food & Drink

Zion National Park offers two dining options within the park. Both are located at the Zion Lodge.
  • The Red Rock Grill: Open year-round for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner reservations are advised spring through fall and can be made by calling 435-772-3213.
  • Castle Dome Cafe: A seasonal snack bar, offering patio seating for up to 100 people. Open seasonally.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Guided Tours:
Ranger-led programs are offered at Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons from April to November. Topics include geology, plants, animals, human history, and more, and are designed to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of Zion National Park.

Free Shuttles:
During the busy season, two free shuttle buses run from early morning to late evening, as often as every seven minutes. Times and intervals change with the seasons. Current schedules are posted at each shuttle stop, at park visitor centers, and online at the park's website.
  • Zion Canyon Shuttle: From April through October access into Zion Canyon is by shuttle bus only. The shuttle stops at nine locations in the park.
  • Springdale Shuttle: Parking is limited inside Zion. Visitors can park in town and take the Springdale Shuttle which stops at nine locations in Springdale.

Other Activities

The opportunities to explore Zion are endless, and planning a trip to the park can be as challenging as exploring the park itself. Other great activities to check out while visiting the park include bicycling, canyoneering, bouldering, rock climbing, birding, horseback riding, and kayaking.

Zion National Park's 2,000-foot sandstone cliffs are world-renowned for their big wall climbs. Due to their difficulty, most routes in the park are not recommended for inexperienced climbers, but there are few top roping and sport climbing areas. Or for those looking for another type of adventure, explore the wilderness and solitude of Kolob Canyons or hike the Narrows or the Subway to experience the beauty of Zion. Also, be sure to check out the park's website for a list of things to do.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a free park brochure or visitor guide, click here.

Gems in Zion National Park - 13

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Zion After Dark.

Angels Landing

(213) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite The Narrows.

The Narrows

(149) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Observation Point final view.

Observation Point

(73) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Waterfall, Zion National Park

Emerald Pools

(105) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Zion Canyon Overlook with Rainbow

Canyon Overlook

(65) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Subway

The Subway

(37) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite The first mile of the East Rim Trail is utterly stunning.

Weeping Rock

(49) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Come here in the Autumn!

Checkerboard Mesa

(31) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Kolob Arch

Kolob Arch

(16) Toquerv…, UT
gem Favorite Sunrise from the Watchman Overlook. The sun lights up the peaks on the opposite side of the valley. Definitely worth getting up there in the morning for this great view.

Watchman Viewpoint

(27) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Lava Point

Lava Point

(9) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite Cable Mountain Draw Works

Cable Mountain Draw Works

(4) Springdale, UT
gem Favorite View from the trail.

Timber Creek Overlook

(7) Toquerv…, UT

Recommended Routes in Zion National Park - 14

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Zion After Dark.
Difficult Difficult

Angels Landing

4.4 mi 7.0 km 1,390' Up 423.64 m Up 1,390' Down 423.61 m Down

Springdale, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Hiking through the Narrows
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

The Narrows - Bottom Up Route

5.1 mi 8.2 km 305' Up 92.99 m Up 305' Down 92.92 m Down

Springdale, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Traverse Echo Canyon's tunnel of color along the East Rim Trail.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Observation Point

6.7 mi 10.8 km 2,131' Up 649.48 m Up 2,130' Down 649.21 m Down

Springdale, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Zion Canyon Overlook with Rainbow
Intermediate Intermediate

Canyon Overlook Trail

0.7 mi 1.2 km 101' Up 30.81 m Up 101' Down 30.78 m Down

Springdale, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite The first mile of the East Rim Trail is utterly stunning.
Difficult Difficult

Hidden Canyon

3.2 mi 5.2 km 859' Up 261.96 m Up 859' Down 261.8 m Down

Springdale, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite The Narrows, Zion National Park
Easy Easy

Riverside Walk

1.9 mi 3.1 km 75' Up 22.91 m Up 75' Down 22.91 m Down

Springdale, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Zion National Park
Intermediate Intermediate

Emerald Pools

2.0 mi 3.3 km 457' Up 139.35 m Up 458' Down 139.63 m Down

Springdale, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Traverse Echo Canyon's tunnel of color along the East Rim Trail.
Difficult Difficult

Zion Traverse

48.7 mi 78.4 km 6,279' Up 1913.97 m Up 6,582' Down 2006.3 m Down

Toquerv…, UT
Explore in 3D
Favorite Kolob Arch
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Kolob Arch via La Verkin Creek

14.1 mi 22.7 km 1,431' Up 436.03 m Up 1,432' Down 436.33 m Down

Toquerv…, UT
Explore in 3D

Zion National Park Hiking

  • 90 Miles 144 Kilometers of Trail
  • 14 Recommended Routes
  • 13 Gems Gems
  • 11 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 25 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 13 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Zion National Park

Weather Averages


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Trails in Zion National Park - 35

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

1.8 mi 2.9 km #1Watchman Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Springdale, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Springdale, UT 95 
0.8 mi 1.3 km #2Lower Emerald Pools Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Springdale, UT
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Springdale, UT 81 
14.7 mi 23.6 km #3West Rim Trail
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT 54 
0.2 mi 0.3 km #4Weeping Rock Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Springdale, UT
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Springdale, UT 64 
0.4 mi 0.7 km #5Upper Emerald Pools Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Springdale, UT
Intermediate Intermediate
Springdale, UT 57 
0.5 mi 0.8 km #6Angel's Landing Trail
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT 37 
3.9 mi 6.4 km #7Left Fork (The Subway)
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT 27 
0.6 mi 1.0 km #8Kayenta Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Springdale, UT
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Springdale, UT 43 
2.1 mi 3.4 km #9The Narrows - Wall Street to Big Springs Route
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT
Difficult Difficult
Springdale, UT 21 
10.3 mi 16.6 km #10East Rim Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Springdale, UT
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Springdale, UT 27 

Photos of Zion National Park - 508

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Subway
Aug 18, 2015 near Springdale, UT
Zion Canyon Overlook with Rainbow
Aug 25, 2015 near Springdale, UT
Looking down over the trail to Angels Landing.
Dec 19, 2015 near Springdale, UT
On the Edge.
Jan 15, 2016 near Springdale, UT
Zion After Dark.
Jan 15, 2016 near Springdale, UT
Hiking through the Narrows
Jan 18, 2016 near Springdale, UT
Traverse Echo Canyon's tunnel of color along the East Rim Trail.
Mar 18, 2017 near Springdale, UT
There's a reason Angel's Landing is so popular – you just can't beat the view.
Apr 27, 2017 near Springdale, UT

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