5 Things to do in Zion National Park

By Jacob

Zion National Park may be one of the smaller national parks but that does not mean there is not plenty to do. The park contains arches, canyons and monoliths of red rock. This article will just scratch the surface on things to do in this amazing park. These are some great things to do for first timers to Zion.

1. Visitor Center

Any trip to a national park, monument or any other national park site should start with a trip to the park visitor center. Zion National Park has two visitor centers in the two areas of the park, Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons. Both park visitor centers have rangers stationed to help park guests with current park information. This is important especially for hikes like the narrows as well as exploring the slot canyons of the park. In Zion Canyon the nearby Zion Human History Museum contains exhibits about the park's history. Be sure to make a stop at one of the visitor centers before any adventures into the park. The Zion Canyon visitor center is where the shuttle into the canyon starts and ends. This is the only way to get back to hikes like Angels Landing in the summer without a reservation at Zion Lodge.

2. Kolob Canyons

Kolob Canyons is a less visited section of the park compared to the tourist heavy Zion Canyon. The area is located along Interstate 15 exit 40. The Kolob Canyons Road takes you as far as you can go with a vehicle into this district. This section of the park is for people who like to hike. The trails in this section are less traveled but just as beautiful as the rest of the park. There are 5 trails in this section 3 of which can be accessed from the Kolob Canyons Road. The Taylor Creek Trail is 5 miles roundtrip and leads to a narrow canyon and the spectacular Double Arch Alcove. The Timber Creek trail is 1 mile round trip and leads to a stunning overlook of the monoliths of Zion. You can access the massive Kolob Arch via the Lee Pass Trail to see one of the largest natural arches in the world.

3. Mount Carmel Highway

The Mount Carmel Highway is a road going from the east entrance of the park to the south entrance in the town of Springdale, Utah. This scenic highway waves its way through the white mesas of the eastern part of the park. There are many pullouts leading to slot canyons for skilled canyoners to explore at will. The road goes through two tunnels one of which is the historic Zion tunnel. This long tunnel opens up into Zion Canyon, it is an overwhelming sight so be sure to stop at the overlooks along the switchbacks. For another perspective take the canyon overlook trail on the east side of the tunnel. The Mount Carmel Highway should not be missed for any first time visit to Zion National Park.

4. Angels Landing

Angels Landing is located in Zion Canyon and is one of the most popular trails in the park. The trail is a strenuous but rewarding hike to a monolith called Angels Landing that juts out into the canyon. From the top you have a unique central view of Zion National Park all around you. If you have just ½ a day in the park this is the trail to do. The trail goes up several switchbacks enters a smaller canyon and goes up more switchbacks to the base of the chain section. The chain section is the hardest part of the hike requiring hikers to hold on to chains to help them get to the top of the monolith. This trail is hard but in a fun way. You can physically and mentally challenge yourself to get a commanding view of Zion Canyon.

5. Narrows

Perhaps the most unique trail in all of the national parks is the Narrows Hike. This trail begins at the end of the scenic drive through Zion Canyon at the Temple of Sinawava. The trail is actually through the Virgin River. For this you need special equipment that you can rent from the outfitters just outside the south entrance of the park. You can go as far as you want up river going up the river into a narrow canyon that may be 20 ft wide in some places but thousands of feet tall. If you are spending multiple days in Zion National Park I would highly recommend this hike.

There is so much to do in Zion National Park and this article just scratches the surface of things to do. Visit the Zion page on our website for more information about the park including details of things listed above.

Tags

Zion

Utah