The red coloured towering monoliths of Zion National Park inspired visitors and Utah inhabitants for centuries. Representing a place of peace and a refuge, the park was named by the Mormon settlers who called this beautiful but harsh environment their home. Today, Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. Plenty of hiking opportunities for all fitness levels, dramatic landscape, stunning panoramas, ease of access from Las Vegas and close proximity to other famous attractions such as Grand Canyon National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, make the Zion National Park a perfect destination to explore the USA’s wilderness.
Zion Canyon
Zion Canyon is the main highlight of the Zion National Park and can be conveniently explored with the shuttle that stops at all the famous sights. The ride is most scenic after the rains, when numerous waterfalls flow down the red canyon walls (however, rains also bring some troubles). Unless you have more than just a few days here, it will be hard to explore all the stops, so below are some of the best hikes and viewpoints not to miss.
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Angels Landing
Angels Landing is the most famous (and crowded) hike in the park and is a true test of courage. The 5-mile trail takes you to the top of a 450-meter high upright rock formation with some of the most breath-taking views down the canyon. However, the trail is steep and requires moderate physical condition. It also has many sheer vertical drops, so the trail can be challenging for those afraid of heights. For the last 30-minutes of the trail you have to walk on a really narrow path with a few hundred meters drops on both sides. Although in person this part does not look so scary as it sounds, the huge crowds make it quite uncomfortable. For this reason, it’s best to start the hike as early as possible (well before sunrise). But if crowds do not bother you, try to reach Angels Landing in the afternoon for the best light for photography.
A great alternative viewpoint is the Western Rim Trail. For this trail, you can take the same path as to Angels Landing but instead of heading right for the last narrow ascent, you head left (there are many signs so it’s hard to get lost). After a 20-30-minute walk, you will reach a point that is even higher than Angels Landing. From here, the views of the canyon and Angels Landing are truly phenomenal. This is a safer, far less crowded path than Angels Landing. On the way up, look out for the many squirrels living in the rocks. In spring, baby squirrels will come right to your feet.
Tip: Another great alternative to Angels Landing is Observation Point trail that also offers amazing views of the canyon. However, this trail is longer and more strenuous than Angels Landing trail.
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The Narrows
The Narrows at the end of the canyon is another famous hike in the Zion National Park. This is definitely a unique hike, as you have to wade through knee-deep water in the vertical slot canyon. The Narrows are closed during the winter months and after rains as water is too cold or the water level is too high, making it unsafe to hike. This usually means that only summer visitors are able to enjoy this hike. Nevertheless, the Riverside Walk trail that leads to the Narrows is open all year around and is an easy 1-hour stroll that takes you on the path along the river.
Tip: In the early morning it is easy to see pheasants in the meadows along the Riverside Walk trail.
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Emerald Pools
Emerald Pools is a moderate hike that leads you to a few small waterfalls and pools, which are not particularly unique but do make for a nice hike if you have a few extra hours at hand. The trail starts next to Angels Landing trail and it does get crowded during weekends and holidays. However, during and after heavy rains, try to avoid this trail as it gets very muddy and slippery.
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Other quick stops
Weeping Rock is famous for water seeping through the rock, making a waterfall curtain that can be best observed after winter when snow is melting or after the rains.
To fill up your camera with a few more amazing shots from Zion Canyon, we recommend two more stops. The Court of Patriarchs consists of three red steep cliffs, peeking out of the contrasting green foliage, providing a great photo opportunity. The second stop is the Big Bend just under the Angels Landing rock formation. Here the Virgin river makes a big turn around this imposing rock, making it another prime spot for photography.
Mount Carmel Highway
The landscape along the Mount Carmel Highway or Highway 9 on the eastern entrance of Zion National Park dramatically changes – the iconic red cliffs give way to white(ish) layered cone hills with small pine trees growing from the cracks. The most famous mountain in this area is the Checkerboard Mesa with its cross-hatching pattern.
There are no official trails in this part of the park, except for a short 1-hour long hike on the Canyon Overlook Trail just east of the tunnel. The overlook provides great panoramic views over the canyon and is a great introduction to Zion. The small parking at the start of the trail gets really crowded during busy hours of the day, so make sure to arrive early in the day. Another great option is to stop at any other parking in this part of the canyon and explore the surrounding landscapes. Keep your eyes open, as mountain goats frequently visit this part of the park. A family of jumping mountain goats almost landed on our car roof!
Springdale
If you are visiting Zion National Park for more than a day and camping is just not your cup of tea, it is worth to stay in the lovely town of Springdale just next to the west entrance into the park. There is a free shuttle connecting the town to the park, but can get delayed during weekends and holidays due to the long lines of cars trying to enter the park. Besides adventures in the park, there is much to do in Springdale, from numerous excellent dining opportunities to unique shopping delights. Make sure to stop in Zion Prospector store to check out exclusive gems and stones such as the beautiful violet Tiffany Stone and the layered Wonderstone which can only be found in Utah.
Tip: Hotels in Springdale are not cheap and tend to get booked fast, so the town of Hurricane – 30 minutes away from Zion – is another great alternative.
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