Zion National Park
Zion National Park in southwestern Utah has become one of my favorite National Parks in the U.S. In the Park, the main road from east to west goes through a 1.1 mile solid sandstone tunnel that opens up to the most magnificent scene, which is one of my top breath-taking moments. Don’t forget to stop and take pictures! Also, one of the best hikes I have ever done is on Angels Landing which is also in this incredible park. I visited here for my first cross-country road trip, and I also explored it multiple times while living in Salt Lake City for three months!
Tips for Exploring Zion National Park
From midnight to 3pm (Mountain Time) the day before you plan to go to Zion National Park, click on this link to get a permit for Angels Landing. More info below on one of my favorite all-time hikes.
If possible with your route, take your first drive through the park from east to west. I’ve taken many visitors this way and 10/10 times it will easily impress!
Book your hotel as early as possible so you can stay at Zion Lodge. It is an amazing experience to stay there in the park. If you can’t stay here, I recommend finding a hotel in Springdale as it is closeby. See more info below on hotel recommendations.
Bring a hat, lots of sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. Fill up your bottle at Zion Lodge and many other places in the National Park, as these filling stations are supposed to have the purest water you’ll ever encounter in the U.S. There are no water bottles for sale in the Park to reduce waste.
Traffic congestion used to be an issue in this park until a shuttle system came into effect in the year 2000. This peak-season shuttle takes you from the visitors center (next to the town of Springdale) through the Park. You can freely access the black road (as seen on the map below) with your own vehicle. The brown road (as seen on the map north-south) is only accessible with the shuttle during peak season. If you are staying at Zion National Park Lodge, you can drive your own vehicle to the Lodge as well, but not any further.
FUN FACT: Locals pronounce the national park “ZY-IN.” I learned while living in Salt Lake City that they know you’re not from Utah if you pronounce the national park “ZY-ON”
What to Do
Angels Landing
This was one of the most impressive hikes I have ever experienced. It starts off with a pathway slowly getting you up to a higher elevation, and then you will encounter “Walter’s Wiggles,” a short but steep series of switchbacks. We had some neat pictures taken here when we just happened upon a photographer! If you were unable to get the permit for Angels Landing, you will then continue on to Scout Lookout, which gives other incredible views of Angels Landing and other parts of Zion National Park. However if you are lucky enough to get the permit, you will continue on a narrow rocky trail to the landing. This part of the hike tests many of your abilities including climbing up a steep terrain, your upper body strength with needing to use chains to get up some of the rock scrambles, and most importantly your fear of heights. The drop off is intense. Luckily my stomach never dropped but I did have to stop and take a deep breath throughout many parts of the trail to make sure I would take the proper footing. The view the entire way will take your breath away but the pictures you will take at the very end are well-worth your efforts to enter the lottery system and the hike itself. The hike is 4.3 miles and takes you up past 1800 ft of elevation gain.
You can get a permit months ahead of time online, or you can get yourself in the day-before lottery system. I attempted to get the permit for Angels Landing twice and got it on the second try! To access this hike, you will get off at shuttle stop #6 called The Grotto.
Seth on our way up to the Landing
Walter’s Wiggles
On top of Angels Landing
Canyon Overlook Trail
Short but sweet, and moderately challenging, this 1-mile trail was recommended by one of my coworkers. The scenery at the very end is mind-blowing, and is a higher elevation view of what you will see at the end of the 1.1 mile Tunnel.
The first time I went to Zion I saw how difficult the parking situation was for this hike as there were only three parking spots when going from east to west through the Park. So the second time, I knew to either wait for someone to leave their parking spot, or park on the side of the road if there was an opening.
Drive Through the 1.1 mile Tunnel
Zion became a National Park in 1919. In 1927-1930, the 1.1 mile tunnel was made by blasting the sandstone. This tunnel has galleries, or look-out points for you to take a glimpse of the incredible scenery as you drive through it. I recommend driving this from the east to the west for the “wow” moment at the end!
Emerald Pools
The Emerald Pools’ 3 mile moderately challenging hike starts across the street from Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5). Here you will see the lower, middle, and upper pools, which are formed from waterfalls. You will also see more epic views of sandstone cliffs. Personally, the upper pool was the best, followed by the lower pool.
The Zion Narrows Riverside Walk (and the Narrows if you dare!)
The Narrows Riverside Walk is an easy 1.9 mile trek along the Virgin River as the giant sandstone rocks close in beside you, until there is only river to walk through. Then, you can walk through water along The Narrows as far as you would like to go. If you do this, you will need water shoes and a bathing suit. Sometimes throughout the year The Narrows trail is closed due to dangerous river conditions. Be prepared for this and check the National Park Service website for more information.
Where to Eat
Red Rock Grill
The restaurant at Zion Lodge is open for breakfast lunch and dinner. If you are staying at the Lodge, this is a very convenient place for dinner as the shuttles stop running at 7pm; it will not be as crowded as downtown Springdale restaurants.
Oscar’s
Springdale is the closest town to the park. We recommend dining at Oscar's as it has some good views of the cliffs as well as good Mexican food and burgers. (Thanks to my friend Ellen for suggestions!).
Deep Creek Coffee Company
In Maryland, Deep Creek is the state’s largest lake and one of the most popular recreational parks in the area. In Utah, Deep Creek is a delicious little coffee place in the small touristy town of Springdale, which is nestled right next to the west park entrance of Zion.
Where to Stay
Zion Lodge
This perfectly-located lodge is nestled in the gated part of the Park, right across from the Emerald Pools trail. It is cozy and offers the best views at a hotel, similar to those at Yosemite National Park.
Bumbleberry Inn
This hotel is located in Springdale, the town neighboring Zion National Park. You still get the views of the giant sandstone in this town and some really great dining and shopping spots. At this hotel they sell bumbleberry pie which is melt-in-your-mouth worthy! They also have great ice cream. After the long laborious hikes at the Park, we were pleased to find out that this hotel also has a pool and hot tub.
*Road trip route from here: Prior to Zion we were in Page, Arizona. After Zion, we headed diagonally northwest through Nevada. We stayed in Ely, NV, and then went through Fallon, NV to Reno!
View after the tunnel