As a 19-year Los Angeles resident and a diehard national parks–goer, I’ve logged thousands of hours on nature-filled road trips to every park within a reasonable driving distance. One of my all-time faves? Zion National Park.
For better or worse, this spellbinding enclave of rugged sandstone cliffs, scrubby pinyon pines, and brilliant orange hoodoos has also captured the imagination of just about everyone on the planet, too, routinely making it into the top three most-visited national parks, year after year.
That means you’ll need to have a solid game plan when visiting Zion. I’ve successfully tackled trips to this natural wonder in every season, both solo and with groups of friends (it’s striking any time of year, but spring is best for beating the heat and the summer crowds). From navigating the park’s camping reservations to grabbing post-hike beers in town, I’ve pulled together everything I recommend to first-time travelers to Zion’s breathtaking canyons.
Stay as close to the park as possible
Since the park implements a free-but-mandatory shuttle system for most of the year, it’s crucial to stay nearby so that hopping on and off the bus to get in and our of the park is a simple task, not a headache-inducing chore.
Those who’d like a dose of century-old history with their stay should book early and snooze at the only in-park hotel, Zion Lodge, which sits at the center of the most famous hikes and shuttle stops. Another great in-park spot to catch some Zs (and pitch your tent) is Watchman Campground, a short stroll to both the visitor center and the stunning three-mile Watchman Trail. Pro tip: Go at sunrise to catch the surreal, warm glow on the sandstone cliffs.
There are loads of fabulous stays in nearby Springdale, too, especially if you’re seeking luxe amenities or want more room to stretch out. Desert Pearl Inn offers bright, modern studios and one-bedrooms with kitchenettes, or you could go ham with your Hilton points at Cliffrose Springdale.
Tip: If escaping crowds is your top priority, stay in less-crowded East Zion, at glamping retreats like Zion Ponderosa Ranch or the remote, elegant cabins of Zion Mountain Ranch. Personally, I love the throng-free Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which you can explore in your own car, and its kooky rock formations like Checkerboard Mesa.
Embrace the shuttle system
Unless you’re visiting the park in the frigid winter months (early December through February), you’ll need to take the aforementioned shuttle from Zion Canyon Visitor Center to venture deeper into the park to must-see stops like Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge, and The Grotto. Sure, it’s a smidge annoying that most travelers won’t be able to drive into the main canyon on their own, but the park’s shuttles help minimize traffic and mitigate damage from people parking improperly.
The good news: If you surrender control to Zion’s well-run shuttle system, you can map out a stress- and car-free trip to tons of great trails. Depending on the month, shuttles embark every 5-10 minutes, beginning at either 6 or 7 a.m. Get up and out early and you can easily beat the crowds on a morning hike.
Staying in the nearby town of Springdale? The park also operates a nine-stop shuttle that goes between Majestic View Lodge and Zion Canyon Village, stopping at the most popular hotels and restaurants along the way.
Know whether your dream hike requires a permit
It’s becoming increasingly common for national parks to require permits for their most popular trails. Since 2022, Zion has employed a reservation system for its death-defying Angels Landing hike, which steeply gains 1,488 feet in just 5.4 miles. Be forewarned if you have a fear of heights: I scampered up this trail several years ago, and the only people in my group who weren’t terrified were avid rock climbers and mountaineers.
The park also requires a thru-hiking permit for those wishing to trek through The Narrows past Big Spring (a shorter, “bottom-up” day hike does not require a permit or reservation). Looking for a family-friendly, no-permit hike? Head to the one-mile Canyon Overlook Trail for second-to-none views down into the canyon’s maw.
Tip: If you’re comfortable backpacking into Zion’s wilderness, the park has plenty of designated backcountry campsites for the intrepid hiker. Make an online reservation to spend the night along the vista-filled La Verkin Creek Trail or West Rim Trail.
Get thee to Kolob Canyons
I once met a Zion National Park ranger while backpacking through India, of all places; he told me that, of all the soul-stirring sites in the park, Kolob Canyons is the most underrated. Home to hanging gardens, trickling waterfalls, a massive stone arch, and even more of that Technicolor-red Navajo sandstone, Kolob offers a wealth of day hiking and backpacking trails (plus a short, scenic drive). It’s where I go to escape the crowds when I’ve had enough of Zion’s stunning main canyon.
Decompress and refuel in Springdale
Some gateway towns can feel like blah tourist traps. Not so with adorable Springdale, which is tucked right against the edge of Zion Canyon. Get your pre-hike grub and coffee fix with a greasy-spoon breakfast at MeMe’s Café, then grab a post-park pint at Zion Canyon Brew Pub, just a stone’s throw from the south entrance. A final pointers for those visiting over the winter holidays: I once had a Christmas Eve meal while marveling at rust-red cliffs from a window seat at Thai Sapa—it was lovely, and the tom kha was excellent.
