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Your #1 Zion National Park Itinerary
About Zion National Park
This is a must-see national park with gigantic sandstone cliffs and green vegetation. Zion was Utah’s first National Park. It has a Jurassic Park feel with how large and steep the rock walls are. Zion is not just all sandstone and trees, Virgin River intersects with the park and is home to the famous Narrows. This national park has flourishing vegetation and wildlife.
When To Visit Zion National Park
Fall and Spring months are the best times to visit Zion National Park. (March-May / September-October) Temperatures will range from 60°F – 90°F with mostly sunny days. Summer months (May – July) are very warm with temperatures over 100°F and a lot of summer travelers.
Zion National Park Entrance Fee
- Private Vehicle – $35
- Motorcycle – $30
- Per Person with no vehicle – $20
All national parks require purchase of an entrance ticket or park pass. Credit cards are accepted at the entrance gates. I highly recommend purchasing the Annual America the Beautiful Pass. It is good for one year and gets you into all national parks and more for free!
America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass
We purchased our National Park Annual Pass through REI. Have an REI Account and get points for your park pass purchase! National Park Annual Pass – $79.99
Personalized Trip Planner
If you are interested in a more tailored and detailed Travel Itinerary, I am happy to help. With my Custom Travel Itineraries you will receive a full travel consultation with me and a full Itinerary that is fit to your travel style and needs!
Getting to Zion National Park & Parking
The Visitor Center parking lot fills up quickly so you must arrive early if you want free parking. If you miss out on free parking you will have to pay to park in Springdale. Our drive into Zion was gorgeous, along the way you will drive through a large blackout tunnel. There is no stopping throughout the tunnel. Be sure to keep your eyes on the road because the tunnel is narrow and can get a little scary with oncoming traffic.
Zion Shuttle
During peak season, there are no cars allowed to drive into the national park area. Once you have parked at the visitor center you must take a shuttle into the actual national park area. Zion shuttle tickets can only be purchased online. Tickets cost $1 per day for each visitor. You can purchase your tickets a month in advance on specific ticket release days or the day before at 5:00 PM.
We purchased our tickets the night before and boy, do they go fast! Make sure to make your account prior and log in right at 5:00 PM to ensure your spot. If you do not see tickets available for the time wanted, just refresh the page and wait for your tickets to become available. Each time I refreshed the page there were different ticket times available.
Zion National Park Itinerary – Accommodation
Stay inside the National Park at the One and Only Hotel!
- Zion National Park Lodge: The experience is worth the Money!
Springdale Hotels
- Holiday Inn Express
- Cable Mountain Lodge
- Quality Inn & Suites Montclair
- Flanigan’s Inn – 15-minute walk to Zion Visitor Center
Camping Options
- South Campground: $20/Night, No Hook-ups Available
- Watchman Campground: $20 – $30, Hook-ups Available
- Zion Canyon Campground: $59 – $109, Hook-ups Available
Zion National Park Itinerary – Food
Located inside the National Park
- Red Rock Grill – American ($$)
- Castle Dome Cafe – Seasonal Snack Bar ($)
Springdale Restaurants
- Spotted Dog Cafe – American, located inside Flanigan’s Inn ($$)
- Whiptail Grill – Mexican ($$) ~ My Favorite!
Springdale is located right outside the National Park and offers a great selection of coffee shops, restaurants, and bars.
Zion National Park Itinerary – Top Things To Do in Zion
- Hike – Zion has many amazing hikes around the national park. Whether you are looking for easy, moderate, or advanced hikes you will find the perfect hike for you.
- Rock Climbing
- The Narrows*
- Travel to see the many Bird Species – Grab a checklist at the Visitor Center!
- Ranger Programs for Kids – Tours, Talks, and Walks!
- Horseback Riding
- Star Gazing
Zion National Park Itinerary – Top Zion Hikes
Zion National Park Itinerary – Angels Landing via West Rim Trail (3-6 hours) 5 miles
Angel’s Landing is a great hike that gets you out of your comfort zone and exposes you to new ways of hiking… or should I say climbing. The top of Angel’s Landing sits on a 1,488-foot tall rock formation in the middle of Zion National Park. The trail is listed as one of the most dangerous hikes in the country because of how trafficked it is and exposed the rocks are.
Good hiking boots are vital for this rocky steep hike. The trail runs along the spine of this tall rock formation and is lined with metal chains for added safety. Do not be scared to do this hike, many people do it every day just take your time and enjoy the journey!
At the top of Angel’s Landing, I enjoyed a Think! Creamy Peanut Butter Protein Bar. I paired it with a crisp apple for the ultimate flavor duo. Think! Bars are the perfect snack to take on your adventures. They are high in protein with 20g per bar, low in sugar, and are delicious. Get your variety pack today using the link above and comment below your favorite flavor!
Zion National Park Itinerary – Lower Narrows Hike
One of my favorite adventures on our 10-day southwest road trip was wading through the Narrows’ Virgin River. After our long trek to the top of Angel’s Landing, we were hot and tired but could not pass up the opportunity to experience Narrows. We jumped on the shuttle and made our way to Stop 9.
While many people rented waterproof wading gear, we decided not to and it was not a problem at all. The water was cool and refreshing on our hot feet. You will have to brace yourself as the water runs quickly and can interrupt your balance. The water is bright blue and green and contrasts gorgeously against the red narrow canyon. The Narrows hike is an absolute must activity when visiting Zion National Park!
*Due to toxic cyanobacteria bloom in the Virgin River we were unable to do the full Narrows Overnight hike.
Zion National Park Itinerary – What to Pack
- Osprey Hydration Pack
- Rain Coat
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp
- Hiking Boots
- Food/Snacks – Think! High Protein Bar
- Extra pair of Socks
- Map
- Camera
- Toilet Paper
- Hat/Sunglass
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