How to Spend One Day in Zion National Park

10 Shares

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Here is how to spend one day in Zion National Park. This park is a natural marvel calling adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking an escape into the wild beauty of the American Southwest. It boasts breathtaking landscapes, stunning vistas, and an array of outdoor activities. In this guide, we’ll dive into a detailed itinerary, highlighting the must-see attractions and activities, providing tips, and insights to make your experience at Zion unforgettable. Before jumping into the itinerary we did want to make note that from March to late November the Scenic drive in Zion is closed to personal vehicles and is required to take the shuttle. Parking can fill up fast so be sure to get into the park early so you can beat the crowds in the park and in the parking lots.

A less dog-friendly park

Pets are welcome in the park, however, they must be leashed at all times and remain only on paved portions of the park. This means for the most part, only parking lots. They are not allowed on trails (with the exception of Pa’rus Trail starting at the Visitor Center) or inside of buildings. So if you are visiting Zion National Park and you do not have an insulated van or camper with air conditioning and pet monitors, please consider boarding your pets outside of the park for the day as temperatures in Zion can be extremely dangerous for pets left in vehicles, especially during the summer months with temperatures often reaching over 100ºF. We visited in October when the highs were in the upper 70s and only felt comfortable leaving Chloe with the air conditioner on.

When to Visit

In our opinion, the best time to visit would be April-October. The summer months will be BUSY as this is one of the most visited National Parks in the US so be prepared to arrive early and have your timed entry ready. If you’re looking for milder temperatures, Spring and Fall would be the best time to visit. We visited in October and the morning was pretty cool (~40ºF) but it warmed up in the afternoon.

Things to Consider

Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, this pass grants you access to all U.S. National Parks for a year. Since most National Parks charge a $30-40 entrance fee, purchase the America the Beautiful Pass could pay for itself when you visit just two to three parks!

You can purchase the America the Beautiful pass below from REI!

Download The Park Map Before Entering The Park!

What to Pack

Keith’s Recommendations:

Hannah’s Recommendations

(in addition to what Keith has)

How to get there

The closest major airport to Zion is actually Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (2 hours 45 minutes). There is also a Regional Airport in St George, Utah. From the airport you could rent a car or camper. You can find rental vans on platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy. Taking your own camper or renting one would be our top recommendation, especially if you plan on visiting all 5 Utah National Parks.

Where to Stay

There are 3 campgrounds in Zion National Park: Watchman Campground, South Campground, and Lava Point Campground. You can make reservations for these campgrounds on recreation.gov. There is also BLM land about 20 minutes outside of the park if you’re able to dry camp and an AutoCamp nearby! If camping isn’t your thing, you could consider staying at the Zion National Park Lodge in the park or if you prefer chain hotels, you can find those here!

The Perfect One-Day Itinerary for Zion National Park

If you can get a permit – start your day at Angel’s Landing

Angel’s Landing: For the adventurous at heart, this is a challenging but rewarding Angel’s Landing trail. Climb to the summit (5 miles out and back and 1500 feet of elevation gain) for unparalleled panoramic views of the entire park. Exercise caution and follow safety guidelines on this trail as this is one of the most dangerous hikes in the US. This is one of the two things that Zion is most known for and you must have a permit to go on this hike.
How to get a permit:
There are two kinds of lotteries for the Angels Landing Permit: seasonal lottery & day before lottery
The seasonal lottery happens four times each year, once each season and costs $6 (nonrefundable). You can find those critical dates here: Angels Landing Lottery
The day before lottery means you apply the day before you want to hike. The lottery opens at 12:01 a.m., closes at 3 p.m. MT. and costs $6 to apply, also non-refundable.
For both lotteries, you will enter on recreation.gov
When we were visiting the park we were unable to secure a permit to go on the hike but if you are visiting it’s definitely a bucket-list hike to do!

If you’re unable to secure a permit, you can still have a great time at Zion!
Instead, start your day with:

Sunrise at Canyon Overlook: Begin your day with an awe-inspiring sunrise at Canyon Overlook. This short trail offers an unmissable vantage point to witness the park as the sun is lighting up the rock formations.

Shuttle to Zion Canyon: Utilize the park’s shuttle system to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The park implemented this shuttle to eliminate traffic and offers visitors stunning views and a chance to hop on and off at various trailheads for ease of getting through the park. For an even more fun adventure, consider renting an e-bike to ride around the park for the day! There are multiple e-bike rental companies right outside of the park.

Ride the shuttle (or your e-bike) all the way to the end and start the day at the Riverside Walk which begins at the Temple of Sinawava. This is a paved trail along the Virgin River and you can even see the start of the Narrows in the distance!

Speaking of the Narrows – if you plan on hiking here at the beginning of your day instead of Angels Landing getting on that first shuttle of the day will really help to beat the crowds!

Hiking the Narrows is one of the most well known and highly rated things to do while visiting Zion National Park. This hike starts at the end of the Riverside walk and you are completely in water the entire hike. You can hike as far as 16 miles but many people just hike in a couple of miles and turn around. The water level fluctuates so this can determine how far you can hike into the narrows and you should check with park rangers before starting out on this hike to ensure that it is open and there is no risk of a dangerous flash flood. When starting this hike, it is about ankle deep but can get up as far as chest deep (or deeper depending on your height). This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience!

Pro tip: it is highly recommended (not required) to rent water shoes, waders, and all other necessary gear to stay somewhat dry in the river, from the visitor center or Zion outfitters before going on this hike. The cost averages about $55 a day depending on the time of year and package you choose. Keep in mind the water, even in the summer, can be cold.

When we were visiting in October it was only 40ºF in the morning so given the temperature and that Chloe was waiting for us back in the van we decided we didn’t want to rent the gear, get into the cold water, and risk leaving her for too long but we will definitely plan a trip back in the summer for this hike.

Shuttle Stops & Must Do Hikes

Big Bend: this is a viewpoint stop, not a hike. Here we were able to see hikers climbing Angel’s Landing and multiple mule deer!

Weeping Rock Trail: Unwind with a short walk along the Weeping Rock Trail, marvel at the unique geological formations and the serene beauty of hanging gardens. This hike is less than a half mile out and back and is very cool to see the water coming out of this rock and the vegetation that has grown off it.

The Grotto: Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, West Rim Trail, The Grotto Trail

We took the Grotto Trail to Zion Lodge at this stop, but we would highly recommend doing the Emerald Pools Trail from here!

Emerald Pools Trail: Embark on the Emerald Pools Trail, a moderate hike leading to shimmering pools and striking waterfalls, offering a refreshing oasis amidst the desert landscape. This is something highly recommended to see while visiting as it is a moderate trail at only 2.2 miles out and back. At the time of visiting the actual Emerald Pools trailhead at Zion Lodge was closed and we took the shuttle too far past the alternative trailhead so we were unable to do the hike but from the pictures we have seen it is definitely worth it!
Lunch Break at Zion Lodge: Before or after hiking Emerald Pools, refuel at the historic Zion Lodge, amid towering cliffs. At this stop you’ll find the Castle Dome Cafe and the Red Rock Grill, but there’s plenty of seating outside in the big lawn area so you could also pack a picnic!

Court of the Patriarchs

To get to the overlook, there is a short (less than 0.5 mile) but steep hike up Sand Bench Trail, however you can still see this from the shuttle stop. If you go to the overlook, you will also have views of The Sentinel and Mount Moroni!

What to do when you’ve arrive back at the Visitor Center

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Drive Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and take in sweeping views of the park before reaching the mile long tunnel! After the tunnel, if you can find parking, the Canyon Overlook Trail would be a great stop. However, we went back and forth and couldn’t find anywhere to park in the van, so this may be a better stop if you’re in a normal vehicle. From here, you can either head onto Bryce Canyon National Park on or turn around and head back into Zion!

Sunset at Watchman Trail: Conclude your day with a hike to the Watchman Trail, this 3.1 mile round trip, moderate hike is renowned for its spectacular sunset views. Capture the changing colors as the sun sets behind the Watchman peak, painting the sky before heading out of the park

Final Tips:

Plan your visit in advance, especially during peak seasons, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Stay hydrated and carry sufficient water, especially during hikes.
Respect the park rules and guidelines, including wildlife safety and Leave No Trace principles.

Embrace the beauty of Zion, immerse yourself in its wonders, and let this guide be your compass to an unforgettable day in this natural wonderland. A day in Zion National Park is a glimpse into its diverse and awe-inspiring offerings. With its geological wonders, captivating hiking trails, and natural beauty from the first viewpoint, Zion leaves an incredible mark on all who visit. Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast, a nature photographer, or someone seeking tranquility, Zion National Park has something extraordinary to offer for everyone.

Want more travel itineraries?