Discover the best things to do in Zion National Park whether you’re traveling with kids, going in the winter, or arriving during busy season.
Looking for unforgettable things to do in Zion National Park? This stunning Utah destination is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, offering everything from thrilling hikes to serene views. With its towering red cliffs, emerald pools, and winding canyons, Zion National Park is a nature lover’s paradise.
When I did a road trip from Las Vegas to Zion with my husband and two kids, we all had a blast! We hiked through a river, peered down into canyons, went glamping for the first time, and met fellow family travelers. It’s a trip that we’ll all remember for years to come. And so will you.
As a professional travel writer with over 10 years of experience writing for magazines, I’ve explored incredible destinations across the United States. My mission is to help people plan unforgettable vacations. Get my Zion Road Trip Guide – it has everything you need to quickly plan an amazing trip!
My Top 3 Picks
1. Go on the unforgettable hike through the Virgin River following The Narrows trail, on your own or with a guide.
2. See gorgeous Zion scenery the way pioneers did by horseback riding to a slot canyon.
3. Take a scenic drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which offers breathtaking red rock views.
What to Know Before You Go to Zion
To fully enjoy your trip and explore all the things to do in Zion National Park, it’s helpful to plan ahead. Here’s what you need to know:
Best time to visit
Spring and fall are the most popular times for visiting Zion, thanks to the mild weather perfect for hiking (though mornings can be very nippy).
Summer is beautiful but hot and crowded—plan adventures in the cooler morning and evening hours. Zion is open 24 hours a day.
Winter offers a quieter experience with snow-dusted cliffs.
Since Utah has 255 sunny days a year, no matter what season you visit, you’ll probably get see those gorgeous red rocks against a blue sky. Wow!
How to Avoid Crowds
Zion is one of the busiest national parks, so arrive early (before 8 a.m.). Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends too.
Most people visit the park through the south entrance. But you can avoid crowds by going to the quieter sections of the park—Kolob Canyons (west entrance) and Kolob Terrace (east entrance). Note there are only visitor centers at the south entrance and the Kolob Canyons entrances.
Getting Around Zion
There are three entrances to the park:
- South entrance (Zion Canyon) near the town of Springdale – this is the main entry point
- West entrance (Kolob Canyons) near the town of New Harmony – this is a quieter section of the park
- East entrance (Kolob Terrace)
To avoid traffic jams, Zion doesn’t allow visitors to drive their vehicles in the park during the busiest times of the year. Instead, the park offers a free shuttle from spring to fall. It has 9 drop-off and pick-up points. You can expect the shuttle to visit a stop about every 15 minutes.
Best Hikes: Top Things to Do in Zion National Park
For hikers, Zion National Park’s trails are among the best in the world. They range from easy and paved to death-defying. These are the most popular hikes:
1. The Narrows
If there’s one hike you won’t forget, it’s this one! You trek in the Virgin River through a towering, but narrow canyon. There isn’t any elevation to speak of, but you’ll be walking against a light current and navigating river rocks.
Hike it on your own in warm weather (but wear water shoes), rent gear from a local outfitter (walking stick, waterproof jumpsuit, water hiking shoes), or go on a tour and they’ll supply the gear plus lunch.
✅ Click here to check availability and price for The Narrows Tour!
2. Angel’s Landing
This trail is a thrilling challenge with panoramic views that make it worth the effort for experienced hikers. It’s one of the most popular hikes in the world but also dangerous, which is why it was said that only an angel could land there.
It has 21 switchbacks and at the end, you’ll have to hang on to an anchored chain rope to stay on the very narrow path along a steep cliff. Also, you have to get a permit in order to hike this trail.
Play it safe and go with a guide who can get the necessary permits and lead the way.
✅ Click here to check availability and price for the Angel’s Landing Tour!
3. Emerald Pools Trail
For those of us who like a more leisurely hike, the popular Emerald Pools Trail is one that’s easy to do. See slim waterfalls and three picturesque pools—lower, middle, and upper.
4. The Watchman Trail
The moderate Watchman Trail offers sweeping views of Zion Canyon and Springdale. The trail starts just across from the visitor center shuttle stop, so it’s one of the first trails in the park from the main entrance (south entrance). It doesn’t get as many visitors as the others mentioned on this list, so it’s a great choice if you want to get away from the crowds.
5. Riverside Walk
The paved Riverside Walk is flat and family-friendly. It leads to the beginning of the Narrows slot canyon, where the Virgin River cuts through two cliffs (and The Narrows trail begins). It’s an easy stroll for everyone.
6. Canyon Overlook Trail
Follow the easy, 30-minute Canyon Overlook Trail with one of the best views of Zion. In fact, the view at the end of the trail is the iconic image you see on Zion marketing material everywhere. It’s located on the east end of the park and you’ll need to drive there (no shuttle stops). There is a small parking lot.
7. Kolob Canyons Trails
Escape the crowds and explore the trails in Kolob Canyons area of Zion National Park. The La Verkin Creek Trail is a hidden gem for those who crave a longer hike. The trail is 7 miles and leads to one of the largest stone arches in North America.
Fun Things to Do in Zion National Park Besides Hiking
There’s more to Zion than just hiking! Here are other things to do in Zion National Park:
8. Biking in Zion Canyon
Rent an e-bike or regular bike and cruise along the scenic roads, with only the shuttles passing by during high season. It’s a fun, eco-friendly way to explore Zion Canyon. There’s also one dirt path designated for biking, the Pa’rus Trail. Rent bikes from a local outfitter or go on a biking tour of Zion.
✅ Click here to check availability and price for biking tours!
9. Bird watching
Zion is home to almost 300 bird species. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons nesting in cliffs, the rare California condor flying overhead, and hummingbirds near the flowers along the banks of the Virgin River. Check in with the park’s visitor center to see if they’re offering any ranger-led bird walks during your visit too.
10. Scenic drives
Choose from two scenic roadways—the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway through Zion Canyon, and the Kolob Canyons Road on the quieter, northwest section of the park. Both offer jaw-dropping views of red rock formations, pullouts, and trailheads.
11. Horseback riding
Experience Zion like a pioneer on a guided horseback tour through scenic trails. In the southern, most popular section of the park, you can go for a one-hour ride along the Virgin River or a three-hour ride that gains more elevation with the park’s company, Canyon Trail Rides. On the quieter east end of the park, you can take a guided horseback tour that includes a slot canyon.
✅ Click here to check availability and price for the horseback riding and slot canyon tour!
12. Wildlife watching
Spot mule deer, bighorn sheep, wild turkeys, and more. Early morning and evening are prime times for wildlife viewing. The east side of the park (particularly between the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and the park’s east entrance) is where bighorn sheep hang out. You’re most likely to find mule deer near the Virgin River and Zion Lodge.
13. Stargazing
If you’ve never seen the Milky Way, this could be the place to do it! Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, which means its nighttime skies are perfect for stargazing especially on the east side of the park. Find a quiet spot on your own, join a ranger-led program, or go with a guide to explore the constellations.
✅ Click here to check availability and price for a stargazing tour!
14. Sunrise at Canyon Overlook
Start your day with the magic of a Zion sunrise. The view from Canyon Overlook is hard to beat. The bonus? You’re more likely to snag a spot in the small parking lot if you get there this early.
15. Sunset at the Watchman
End your day with a colorful sunset over one of Zion’s most iconic peaks, the Watchman. It’s also a great trail to spot wildlife in the cooler part of the day.
16. Overnight in an Airstream
Have you always wanted to see what it was like to stay in an Airstream? This is your chance to check it out at Autocamp Zion. The Airstreams have sleek, modern décor, full baths, and private patios. The resort is parked next to the Virgin River and has a small, but beautiful pool. In the mornings, there’s free morning yoga, granola, and coffee.
✅ Click here to check availability and the price to stay at Autocamp Zion!
17. Take pictures
Visiting Zion National Park in the winter is an ideal time for taking pictures. You’ll get stunning shots of snow-capped red cliffs against a bright blue sky. You’re also more likely to spot wildlife in the cooler weather, especially near watering holes like the Emerald Pools.
Family-Friendly Fun: Things to Do in Zion National Park With Kids
Zion is fun for the whole family, especially if you work in some activities that the kids are sure to love. Here are some fun things for kids to do:
18. Become a junior ranger
Kids ages 4 and up can pick up an activity booklet at the visitor center. Once they complete the activities and attend a ranger-led program to learn about Zion’s wildlife and geology, children earn their junior ranger badge.
19. See a crying rock
Weeping Rock Trail is a short but steep trail with minor drop-offs. It leads to a dripping cliff. Kids will get a kick out of seeing a rock that looks like it’s crying while parents enjoy views of Angel’s Landing and Cable Mountain from here.
20. Learn about nature
The Nature Center at Zion National Park is located just inside the south (main) entrance of the park. Here, kids can listen to tree frog and bird calls, dress up like a park ranger, check out dinosaur tracks, and more.
21. Take a stroller-friendly walk
The Riverside Walk is a paved, stroller-friendly trail perfect for little adventurers. It ends at the Virgin River so you can let kiddos splash around a bit too.
22. Explore Kolob Canyons
Wide-open spaces and fewer crowds make the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park ideal for families. It’s the northwest area of the park and has its own entrance and visitor center. Timber Creek Overlook Trail is pretty flat and has sweeping canyon views—on a clear day, you can see out to the Grand Canyon.
23. Go glamping
For maximum nature with minimum stress, stay in a temperature-controlled tent with beds. Wake up to gorgeous red rock views and hot pancakes and coffee, made by the host at Zion Glamping Adventures. Hot showers and flush toilets make this kind of camping so easy, and you can sign up for one of their several guided adventures.
✅ Click here to check availability and the price to stay at Zion Glamping Adventures!
Where to Stay
Zion Lodge is the only place to stay within the park itself and it’s hard to secure a room—they start booking 12 months out. But don’t worry, there are a ton of great places to stay near the park entrance too. Check out this guide to lodging near Zion for my recommendations.
Check out my recommendations on where to stay in Springdale (near the park’s main entrance). Click here to see all the options, including my top three picks for budget, mid-range, and luxury stays.
FAQS
Are There Guided Tours in Zion?
Yes! From Jeep tours and canyoneering to guided hikes and horseback riding, there are plenty of options to make your Zion experience amazing. For tour guides you can trust, check out Viator or Get Your Guide.
What Should I Bring to Zion National Park?
Essentials include good walking or hiking shoes, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, snacks, and layers for changing weather. For The Narrows Trail, consider renting water shoes and a hiking stick. Click here to get my National Parks Essentials packing list.
The Takeaway
With so many things to do in Zion National Park, it’s easy to see why this destination tops so many travelers’ lists. From epic hikes to serene stargazing, Zion offers something for everyone.
Be sure to grab my Ultimate Zion Adventures checklist for even more ideas in and around the park. Start planning your trip now, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Want all the joy and none of the stress of planning an epic vacation? Check out my Zion National Park Road Trip Itinerary Guide to quickly plan an amazing trip!
