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Zion National Park is full of memorable and enjoyable things to do. Whether you’re planning your first trip to the park or you’re looking for new things to do or places to visit in the park, here are 10 suggestions for your next trip.
1. Take A Shuttle Tour
Enjoy a scenic drive through the park in one of the park’s shuttle buses! As it is now off-season, tickets aren’t currently required for a shuttle ride, making this an easy to access option. You can look forward to seeing areas such as Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Masks are currently required on the buses.
2. Go Camping
Zion National Park is a great spot to go camping! The park is home to three campsites. Two of the campsites, South Campground and Watchman Campground, are within the Zion Canyon. Both accept reservations and generally fill up quickly until late November. The third campground, Lava Point Campground, is first come first serve and open through September.
3. Explore The Backcountry
Backpacking is another great recreational activity that Zion National Park offers! If you’re looking to really get away from it all, and you have amole experience with hiking and camping, you may want to consider a backcountry trip to see the various hidden gems the park has to offer. A Wilderness permit is required for this type of trip.
4. View Wildlife
The park is home to all sorts of interesting wildlife, including mountain lions, bobcats, and a variety of small animals! It may be difficult to spot the more nocturnal animals of the park, but looking for prints or other signs they have been there the night before can be a fun activity in itself! Emerald Pool and Angel’s Landing are both popular spots to look for such things.
5. Go On A Day Hike
A backcountry backpacking trip is far from the only way to take in the scenery of this scenic park! Zion has many shorter, front country trails that are perfect for nature walks or day hikes. You may want to check out the East Rim Trails for some stunning views of the Canyon below. Canyon Overlook Trail is a great option for those looking for a short but sweet hike. Zion Canyon also offers several great trails within it. Consider checking out Riverside Walk, a 2-mile trail that follows the Virgin River for a beginner-friendly hike. If you’re up for more of a challenge, consider Angel’s Landing via West Rim Trail, a 5.4-mile hike with some steeper sections.
6. See The Emerald Pools And Falls
The Emerald Pools are a set of three stunning pools, connected by some equally beautiful waterfalls. Access to the pools varies in difficulty, with the lower pool accessible via easy hike and the upper pool requiring the most strenuous hike to reach.
7. Go On A Trail Ride
Experience Zion National Park in a unique way with a trail ride! No horseback riding experience is required, and trail rides typically run from spring through fall. This is a great option for visitors of all ages – kids will love getting to ride a horse and so will adults!
8. Get Artistic
One of the best reasons to visit a national park is to make memories that will last a lifetime, and creating some art on your trip is a great way to further cement those memories! A couple of fun ideas: document your trip via disposable camera. This could be an especially great option for couples, who could both take photos of what they find special during the trip and compare them at the end. For more artistically inclined folks, or those willing to try something new, why not give landscape painting a try? The park is home to several scenic overlooks that are perfect for such a piece!
9. Go Rock Climbing
Zion National Park offers some fantastic rock climbing areas! Fall is also one of the best times to rock climb, as high desert temperatures gave begun to cool off at this time. Permits are not required for day climbs in the park, but are needed for any overnight climbs.
10. Learn More With A Ranger-Led Program
Zion National Park offers several ranger-led programs, including drop-in programs, walks, and evening activities. You can learn more about the Emerald Pools, go on a riverside walk, or get a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the various features of the park with such a program!
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