Morning of day2 of a road trip with my son from AZ to WA. We stopped in Hurricane, UT overnight so we could visit Zion National Park the next morning. It was a beautiful overcast day in the park where we got a few short showers. We parked in the visitor lot just early enough to find a few open parking spots (when we returned the lot was full and cars were everywhere trying to usher people out so they could take their spot). We took the shuttle to the stop at the end and did a casual hike along the river and the canyon walls. It was an amazing spot and we wished we had time for the 7-hour experience but was had to get to Boise before the end of the day. After about 1 hour we arrived back at the first stop and did another 1 hour hike around one of the main intermediate trails. The beauty of Zion is everywhere- the rock formations, the rivers, the waterfalls, the vegetation, the animals and more. We spent an hour more than we planned just to soak as much in as we could! I'm definitely coming back here in the future to spend a full day or more with the family. We only saw the tip of the iceberg and it was amazing! read more

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If you ever get the chance to go to Zion, take it! Zion is such a beautiful place with so many destinations to offer. My friends and I did a weekend trip here, and got to do two hikes and stargaze. The Narrows: I've watched videos and did some research before the trip. Highly recommend getting the $35 hiking set with shoes, stick, and socks from Zion Outfitters. To get to the narrows, you'll take the shuttle to the last stop, and hike the Riverside Walk trail to the end. The Narrows goes pretty far, and there are no restrooms once you get off the shuttles. The hike is very rocky, and you're essentially in the water most of the time. The water is absolutely gorgeous, and I'd recommend starting as early as 8am! Water is very cold, and cools down throughout the day. There's no real "end" so you kind of keep going until you're ready to turn out. Our friends and I, medium-hikers, spent about 6 hours and walked 8 miles round trip. The hike is mostly shaded, and only very few parts of the water went up to about chest level. For reference, I'm 5 feet. I'd recommend spending a full day for this hike to really enjoy it and a relaxing pace. We also did the Watchman trail on a beautiful morning, and it was so cool getting to go from bottom to top of the mountains. The hike was approximately 3 miles and took us 3 hours with the inclines. We also got to see a sheep along the way! At night, we stargazed right by shuttle stop 2, aka the museum. Because it is nearly pitch black out there, you could see so many stars and constellations. I don't personally know any other than the big and small dippers, but it was really cool to check it out! read more

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Zion National Park covers nearly 150,000 acres. Most people will go the most popular area in Springdale, but there's a separate area known as Kolob Canyons which is located in a different area of the park about an hour's drive away. Kolob Canyons is a very pretty area, but less developed than Zion Canyon. Anyway, Zion has steep and sheer cliffs that leave you breathless. It also has a river and swampland, as well as emerald pools and waterfalls. It is so varied in its landscape, I really can't compare it to anything else. I hiked a whole bunch here: Angel's Landing, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Riverside Walk, Canyon Overlook, even a bit of the Narrows. I want to do a through hike of the Narrows next time - I didn't have enough time in my schedule this time unfortunately. I saw more wildlife than expected too. I think a lot of the animals are habituated to humans, and aren't frightened at all. I also love how well run the shuttle system is. The bus drivers will radio to each other if there's a long line at any stop, and they will send an empty bus there to help avoid extended waits. It's so thoughtful. I stayed in the Zion Lodge, but I'm sure that the gateway town of Springdale has a similarly efficiently run shuttle system as well. read more

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Bucket list . Zion canyon was worth every penny. We decided to not do the narrows but we did the Emerald Pools (lower). We got a chance to walk under the waterfalls and hike up the middle pools. This hike is moderate. The views are amazing and being able to see the scenery was worth the soreness the next Day. Forewarning we went in September so it's less people and we found parking with no problem. read more

Zion National Park - Parks Near Me

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We visited on a busy Friday in early June. Arrive right when the park opens for easier parking. The bus system is seamless with buses every 5 minutes, no stress getting around. The drives and hikes are absolutely breathtaking. Early June meant warm temps, but the park is well-planned with water stops, restaurants, and stores throughout. The Narrows trail was crowded even in early season, curious what peak summer looks like there. Bring hiking shoes, plenty of water, and sunscreen. It's a lot of work while you're doing it, but the payoff is incredible. The photos you get are unbelievable. A must-see experience. read more

Zion National Park - Parks Near Me

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We drove about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas to get to Zion. We spent 1.5 days here and were able to do their most iconic hikes, Angels Landing and the Narrows. We tried to go to the Canyon Overlook trail, which is known as the trail with the best views in the park. We unfortunately could not find any parking before sunset as the very small lot was full, and all the parallel parking was full as well. It was a disappointment driving all the way there and back to see extreme crowds and no parking. It was also dangerous to turn back around as the roads are windy and narrow. We liked Angels Landing and the Narrows, and I have written separate reviews for those hikes. Otherwise, we had a decent experience with the shuttle inside the park, except for the fact that some shuttles only stop at specific stops, which was super confusing as it doesn't say before you board the shuttle. We parked on the street in Springdale and took the free city bus to the Zion entrance. This bus was so crowded that it was a challenge to get off. The visitor center was okay with some educational signage outside and no exhibits inside. read more

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What a gorgeous NP! I took my 5 year old and there was so much to do, from Jr Ranger to Emerald pools. I think our favorite was hiking the Narrows. I loved that they had cafes/pubs throughout the park so we could take a break and hydrate when needed. The shuttles came quickly and the drivers were very kind and informative. Lastly, we lost a coat on the shuttle and the information desk was extremely helpful! They said all items found would be in by 8 AM the next day, luckily we were planning to return again. We came back at 8:30 AM and sure enough they had found our coat!! There isn't a bad view in this park. We can't wait to return!! read more

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Deducted one star as this place gets super crowded - like HUGE crowds My husband and I went to Zion National park in 2021 and absolutely loved our trip but Zion was overrated due to the crowds, and it's wild. Wait times are crazy, hiking places are LOUD, and people are loud in general, which is why I deducted 1 star. The park itself is beautiful, love nature so much but I wish it wasn't as crowded (reminded me of Disneyland crowds or other places). We did angels landing hike, it's tough but gorgeous and a few other hiking trails which we enjoyed, but they do get crowded so it's tough on narrow hikes due to a lot of people and I feel it's a safety hazard. read more

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Our nation's history has many stories of early settlers, trappers and traulblazers feeling stifled when newcomers arrive. I never imagined I was of those staunch, groundbreaking human beings. My first driveinto this canyon was 1977. Sweet D, the early 1960's. I have been in this canyon summer and fall, several times. Drive in, see my sights, venture about. Not crowded. Our National Parks are really Earth Parks, Global Parks, Our Family Human Parks. Dude Larson rode his horse out of this region long ago. His art is 70, 80, 90 years past. Hoke Denetsosie will never cartoon in his mid-century "cowboy-indian" style, as visiting Africans commented about Apache stickmen. Everything is all slick, shiny, capitalized, monetized, browserized. Our wait to enter the park on a Saturday 2 weeks before Memoial Day was 40 minutes. We waited another batch of minutes down the road waiting for the US Border Patrol and Ark Law Enforcement completed an action. Thrn parking lots, fleets of shuttles. latte houses, etc. filled our view.Shuttle said, :Condors now in Zion!. The land the land, the lovely land is present in it's majestic, breath catchubg beauty. It gets 5 stars, 24/7/365 until Old Sol explodes, making our world dust. I love you people! I love counting languages at hotel breakfasts, walks and hikes. My family does not thrive in crowds, at least I do not thrive in crowds. My heart is rustic, full of desert silence challenging mountais, vistas further than I can see. When a newcomer to the rural west arrived. "What's up Slick?" was often heard. Slick, capitalized, monetized, modernized is not for me. Zion's trappings get 1 star. read more

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One of Utah's awesome 5 national parks and one that you should check out. Zion is super busy. Parking is so limited that you'll likely need to park in the town (which is not free) and take in the shuttle bus to the entrance, after which you'll likely need to take another shuttle into the actual park. But it's worth it. There are incredible hiking trails here and amazing sights. I'm not much of a hiker but there are some easier trails that even beginners should be able to handle at a reasonable pace. Good facilities throughout and even a lodge restaurant within. Check this place out. read more

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Was in Utah for Memorial weekend & this was my first time at Zion National Park, absolutely beautiful views, the scene just doesn't even look real. Such a beautiful sight, weather was perfect, took a little hike down to where the water was at, cooled off a little bit there. There wasn't very very much people which was nice road wasn't too hectic. Over all a 10/10 experience. read more

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Zion is one of my favorite place to visit while vacationing in Las Vegas. This was my second time visiting Zion today. It was about 2hour and 45 minutes or so each direction from our hotel room at the Bellagio. We came here around 8 am Utah time. We left Las Vegas around 5am. The entrance had a line forming already when we got here. The parking at the visitor center was already beginning to fill up. We took the Zion south entrance. There were already alot of people lining up for the shuttle. We took the shuttle to stop 9 Temple of Sinawava, we hike the trail to the narrows. Then we went back in the shuttle to stop #5. We did more hiking and somehow ended up at the Grotto, stop #6. We then took the shuttle back to the visitor center. The shuttles were super crowded today, Tuesday. read more

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"I'm gonna be iron like a lion in Zion" (Bob Marley) There's plenty of reasons why Zion National Park is one of the most popular National Parks. The scenery is spectacular! It has soaring red and white rock monoliths, vast canyons with 3,000-foot vertical walls, rivers and water views, and fantastic hiking trails. We were so impressed by the color palette we saw. Zion is a true multi-color experience with layered rock walls, and cream, pink and red cliffs, blue rushing waters, and greenery wherever you look. We saw plenty of Zion's famous red cliffs and stopped for lunch at the Zion Lodge. Zion was the first National Park we saw on our tour. It was amazing and simply beautiful. Zion Facts Zion is the nation's 16th national park and was established on November 19, 1919. It is considered to be a relatively small national park with around 149,000 acres. It gets around 5 million visitors per year and is the country's second busiest National Park. read more

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Zion is my favorite of the Might 5 parks. It's definitely the most touristy. But it's so so beautiful. And there are all kinds of different trails and views. There's so much variety here. This is also where I saw the most wildlife. I highly recommend anyone stop here if they can. We did the Narrows hike up Virgin River. We rented our boots and walking stick and were so glad for it. This was an incredibly tedious hike. Every step you have to be careful and look for the best footing. All the rocks are smooth and slick. It's not difficult, but it's very exhausting and lengthy. Hiking up to the narrows was 100% worth it. Be careful out there and bring lots of water. It was 90 degrees out, but the river was about 65-70 degrees. You'll still get dehydrated even though you don't feel hot. And bring snacks too! read more

Zion National Park - Zion sign - Parks Near Me

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We arrived on Thursday May 14 around 11am. From past experience we decided to skip stopping at the Visitor Center for now (finding parking at this part of the day might involve circling the parking lot several times). So we drove out to the East side of the park via the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and tunnel and took in the scenery, looked for bighorn sheep, and pulled over occasionally to get more photos and stretch. At this time they were still doing a one-way traffic control through the 1930's tunnel (to manage large vehicles passing through without incident). That ends June 7, 2026 and specific large vehicle sizes will have to take an alternative route - no tunnel for you! See their website for details and updates. We only waited about 7 minutes to pass to the East and only about 2 minutes to return on the West side. Just good timing on our departure - nothing you can control to shorten the wait. While on the East side of the tunnel we were fortunate to find a parking space in the limited areas so we could get out and walk the Canyon Overlook trail. It was easy walking but considered a moderate hike due to the drop-offs along the trail (handrails and plenty of space on the trail to feel safe going single file through a couple areas.) Most sections you can pass hikers coming back and have plenty of trail space. There were a couple of rock overhang, cave-like sections that provided a cool break from the sun. The trail end viewpoint overlooks the highway below and in the left bluff you can find one of the windows of the tunnel. Then we headed to the Visitor Center (around 2pm) and had no issues finding multiple parking spots were open. We sat at a picnic table on the Watchman side of the lots and enjoyed the sandwiches we brought for lunch. We did then go into the Visitor Center and it was crowded. A quick look around and I didn't find much new that I was interested in since we were there a couple years ago - until I saw an art book on Wildflowers of the West by Molly Hashimoto. Since I had bought her Trees of the West at Cedar Breaks Nat'l Monument a couple years ago I really wanted this new book. The checkout line was well organized and in 2 minutes I had paid for the book and was heading out to the informational side of the building where the crowd was not! We could have waited until after our final hike to go in, but I didn't want to be time constrained while on the trail just to and make it back before VC closed at 5pm. We boarded the shuttle before 3pm and made our way to Stop 9 - Temple of Sinawava where we undertook the Riverside Walk. Shuttle seemed to take about 20+ minutes to get up its route to reach this final stop. (Restrooms at the Temple stop were temporarily closed for renovation. Can't recall seeing notice of this prior to arriving at that stop). We'd been on the Riverside Walk during a previous visit and wanted to show our visiting relatives this easy, pleasant trail that takes you up to where those more adventuresome (and prepared with proper wading equipment) head into The Narrows. The main paved trail was busy but not too packed. We were still able to be alone on the path and experience the quiet forest and spot mule deer, lots of squirrels and see and hear little yellow goldfinches singing. On a previous trip we were more ambitious and exited the paved path to walk along the Virgin River on the dirt trail. I think we had to scramble up/down/over/around some boulders occasionally to stay along that river trail but there were a few cutovers to get back up on the easier paved main path if needed. We jumped back on the shuttle service in the 5:30 - 6pm timeframe and had time to stop at Zion Lodge (Stop 5). There were several turkeys strolling casually around the grounds looking amused (or annoyed, who can really read a turkey's face?) at the humans on their land. We used the restrooms, checked out the gift shop and then headed back over to catch the shuttle back to the VC. The park was already running extra shuttles at this hour of the day so no one would be stranded at any of the 9 stops along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. I think the next time I come to Zion it will be during the off-season when cars are allowed on the Scenic Drive - that will be a new experience. read more

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We visited Zion National Park today. The Park is beautiful but a staff member at the gate was rude. When we entered the park with our pickup truck we observed the signs that trailers and RVs could not go on some roads. There were no signs and no mention that pickup trucks couldn't go on the road. When we got to the other side of the park a very rude woman named Brenda sharply told us that our truck was 8ft wide and the maximum width to go through the park is 7ft 10". (she didn't measure it, just rudely informed us) i have looked on line since then and a Dodge RAM 3500 is between 7'10" and 7'11" wide. It's an older truck so it's not as wide as newer trucks. I asked her how we were supposed to get back to our camper on the other side of the park and she laughed and said we better turn around and use a map to find a way because we can't go back in the park. GPS routed us over 100 miles around to get back to our camper. So, because our pickup truck might be 1" wider than what is allowed we were laughed at and not allowed to drive on a road that we were just on and saw many other pickup trucks. The worst part about it is that she took so much joy in our dilemma and seemed to enjoy being able to turn us away. She stated that she can't help that we didn't read the signs when in fact we did. Not one sign showed a pickup truck and a lot of pickup trucks were on the road. There was no indication that we shouldn't be on the road and not one other person told us that our pickup was 1" too wide. This new rule began in Jun 2026 and was very poorly handled. The worst part is that it was inferred that we did something wrong on purpose and that we didn't read the signs. I would never visit this park again, it's not worth it. Brenda is not a nice woman. She shouldn't have a job where she communicates with people. I guess we should have measured our truck before entering it. I will be measuring when I get home and it will surprise me if it's over 7'10". Google search says the older dodge Rams are 7'10" - 7'11". Brenda should get a different job. read more

Zion National Park - This is a picture of the notice that Brenda gave us letting us know that our truck could not go back into the park - Parks Near Me

After Capitol Reef's stunning colored, sculpted mountains and Bryce Canyon's hoodoo amphitheater, Zion offer s soaring mountains on each side of you, river, and many more non-hiker friendly trails besides the deadly Angel's Landing. It is an exceptionally well designed park with the free town and park shuttle system that centers at the Visitor Center and has many paved trails. - As you drive into Zion, you will go through the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel - a 1.1 mile pitch black dark tunnel with no lighting, just a few windows of the stunning mountains as you drive through - The park and shuttles are free! Stay in Springdale for the closest location. The Best Western was very nice and Shuttle stop 4 - Favorite easy trails in my order of preference: -- Riverside Walk (2.2 miles, 57 ft elevation change, 1.5 hours) - paved path along the Virgin River in a Canyon -- Pa'rus Trail (1.7 or 3.5 miles, 50 ft elevation change, 1-2 hours) - start at park shuttle stop #3 (Canyon Junction-shuttle only stops going downhill - Not from the Visitor Center) for a 1.7 mile walk on a paved trail near the Human History museum, past the campgrounds and to the visitor center. If you start at the Visitor Center, then you will have to turnaround at Canyon Junction and it is 3.5 miles. - The Grotto Trail (1 miles, 35 ft, 0.5 hour) - dirt trail paralleling the road from Stop 6 (Grotto) to Stop 5 (Zion lodge) - saw and heard a wild turkey. - Weeping Rock Trail (0.4 miles, 98 ft, 0.5 hour) - short but steep paved trail ends at a rock alcove with dripping water - Lower Emerald Pool (2 miles, 150 ft, 1.5 hours) - paved trail to a small pool. It had been dry, so it was underwhelming but if it had rained more, it might have been better. If you are adventurous and like a good view and danger, then try to get a permit to hike Angel's Landing. Someone died the week before we arrived. In the park, there are 9 shuttle stops where you can get off to hike. The following stops have toilets (may be a pit toilet or flush toilet): stop 1 Visitor center - flush, 2 Zion Human History Museum - flush - but you have to walk a bit to get to the museum where the toilet are located outside, 5 Zion Lodge - flush -inside the lodge, 6 Grotto-pit?, 7 Weeping Rock-pit?, 9 Temple of Sinawava - pit. read more

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Zion National Park was the first of Utah's Mighty 5 that my husband got to visit. We spent 1.5 days in the park, hiking most of the easy and moderate trails. We got to park at the Visitor Center on our first day since we drove from Las Vegas and got there at lunchtime. On the next day, we parked at the overpriced Springdale Zone A parking. We did as much as we could of the easy and moderate trails within the park. The blue sky and puffy white clouds were perfect complements to the beautiful views and trails. They provided a very good contrast to the red rocks. We also did a little bit of The Narrows. It was not as busy as we thought it would be so navigating around the park was manageable. This is definitely a bucket list item as most, if not all, of the national parks. One Mighty 5 down, 4 more to go... read more

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I'm trying to see all the National Parks. I've been to Zion twice now and it ranks near my least favorite park (it still gets a 4 star because the Parks are National Treasures). Zion. It's so beautiful. It's glorious, for real, that's why the Mormons named it as they did. But good grief, this park needs to get on with timed entry. There are WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE in this tiny park. They use shuttle buses to get folks around, which helps with the congestion on the roads, but it does not help with congestion on the trails, in the lodge, the shuttles, in the restrooms, in the gift shop and just every single moment you are trying to breathe. There are many beautiful hikes to do here, some very interesting geological formations (See Weeping Rock, if it's open). The cafeteria at the lodge is shameful. The food is terrible, the options are extremely limited and the service is nonexistent. Except for the people pouring beers at the biergarten, they are friendly and kind. Should you see Zion? yes. I spent a full day and that was enough. read more

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Incredible park - must do in your lifetime. Would recommend doing the scouts landing trail and the narrows. You can rent narrows equipment in the little town outside of the park. Emerald pools trails were underwhelming for what you hike to but the views on the way are beautiful. read more

Hiked the Emerald Pools Trails and it was fairly easy, the trails are pretty wide and it allows for people to pass comfortably and wasn't overly crowded. The views are amazing and each time we stopped to see the waterfalls was magical! We hiked to the highest level and what made it even more worth it was the shade the mountains give so we had time to sit on a rock have a snack and cool down. After the hike we went to their pub and had a beer, so rewarding after. The buses come often and get you around pretty quick. It was a great weekend and glad we came here! read more

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We only had two days in Zion and it wasn't nearly enough time to see everything--we're already planning a return trip! The park is absolutely stunning and, if you take the time to really take it in, it can feel life-changing. The towering cliffs, colors, and sheer scale are truly spectacular. We stayed nearby at a Marriott property, which was a perfect location with great views and easy access to the park. One of our favorite moments was doing our own stargazing at night--peaceful, beautiful, and unforgettable. Highly recommend putting Zion on your bucket list. Attached pictures do NOT show the beauty. Can't wait to go back and explore more! read more

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On a two day road trip from CA to CO, decided to take the scenic route thru Zion National Park. There's a $35 private vehicle fee to enter the National park, fortunately hubby is over 62 so only $20 for us. Busy wait line getting into the park but after that smooth sailing. Incredible views and vistas! read more

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Driving into Zion was awe inspiring. This iconic National Park stands at the intersection of three major ecosystems--the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin. No wonder it is one of the most visited national parks, year after year. It's a true geographic phenomenon.  Within this colossal park, you could find recreation ranging from leisurely hiking, intense rock climbing, and canyoneering.  Standing on roadways, with no obstructions, was like a dream. Gazing up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky left everyone breathless and, for minutes at a time... speechless. The Visitor Center is a must stop, as well. There, you will have a chance to rest, purchase merchandise, and ask questions about any portion of the park. The best months to visit Zion National Park are April, May, October, and November, as they offer a balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds than the peak summer months. For wildflowers and waterfalls, spring is ideal, while fall provides beautiful foliage and cooler temperatures. read more

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Words cannot describe the beauty of this national park. From breathtaking views of its natural beauty, I'm so happy I got to cross this park off of my bucket list. Thankfully, I came to the park after the storms had passed so it was cool but the sun was out making it an enjoyable visit in early May. To get to Zion, it was a 2 1/2 hour drive from Vegas on some curvy roads through the mountains which coming from Florida was an experience. Springdale is a cute town and driving through I would love to stay one night at one of the hotels or "glamp" to see the charm of the town. The park fee was $35 and it's good for a week from your initial visit. There's shuttles that take you to each trail/point of interest which makes it very easy. The park is very clean and the rangers and staff are very helpful. I had the chance to hike in the Emerald Pool trail which is considered a moderate hike. The hike felt longer than a mile and has steep and narrow pathways at time so be careful. Each view of this hike was picturesque. The Emerald Pools were nice and had fresh water flowing through, which had some people taking off their shoes to feel the water. For me, I think closer to the end of May/early June I would consider it. The wildlife we encountered were wild turkeys and a few long haired deer! Once we returned the visitor center, we got a chance to go into the gift shop and I picked up some souvenirs for my family. For a future return, I would love to go to the Narrows and other trails to check out other areas of this beautiful park. read more

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Came here during October and really felt this was the best time out of the year. It was a little chilly in the morning, but you'll get hot fast hiking these trails. We were able to find parking inside the park because it was a weekday and we came before 8 AM. Definitely by 9 AM there wouldn't be any parking available. Their isn't any vehicle access for most parts of the park getting to the trails so you need to rely on the buses, but I think they open it up in the winter time when buses aren't running. Was able to do the pre-hike for angels landing and also did the narrows. So memorable and relaxing to be surrounded my nature. Next time I go, will definitely put my name in the lottery to hike Angels Landing. read more

Zion National Park - The pre-hike before Angel's Landing - Parks Near Me

LOVE LOVE LOVE Zion! Everyone needs to come visit Zion! Truly beautiful and relaxing here! Def would go back read more

Absolutely worth the trip, views are unreal, and every trail offers something different. Spent several days exploring and barely scratched the surface. If you're planning a visit give yourself time, there's way more to see than you might expect. Definitely make sure to take advantage of the free shuttle system. It's the easiest way to get to many of the most popular trails and scenic areas without the hassle of parking or traffic. Also, on the drive in, there are plenty of food options, shops, and hotels, so it's easy to plan a comfortable stay nearby. Whether you're going for the hikes, the photography, or just to experience the beauty, Zion doesn't disappoint. read more

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Wow- that's about all I can say. The park was amazing. So many sights and things to see and do. Don't miss this spot. read more

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Just want to start this off by saying we visited here during summer, peak season, on a weekday, and with two children. Coming on a weekday was a great choice, we entered right before noon and the line was no more than 5 cars ahead of us to the front. Do your research before coming here. We did not and we weren't too prepared. Entry for a car is $35. I thought from the maps I would be able to drive both Mt Carmel Highway and Zion Canyon Road for the price, but alas I wasn't able to drive the latter, it is shuttle season and you'd have to park somewhere and get on a shuttle. While in the park during season, while there wasn't much of a line outside the park, most of the parking areas were full. There were a few areas to park and take in some views but not much. I'm kind of bummed we basically missed half of the park since we were unable to get on a shuttle. I've seen so many photos of people in the river and I was really looking forward to taking my kids out there. The river was dried up on the Mt Carmel Highway side. Anyway, the views on Mt Carmel Highway are gorgeous! I believe the more scenic area of the drive is on the Springdale side of the tunnel instead of the Mt Carmel side. But, we did not get to hike or really even park and get out, so there is a LOT I'm missing out on. Bring lots of water, put on your hiking shoes, and come out here for some breathtaking views. read more

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In visiting the second most visited national park in the US, I was ready for it to be packed. I went during the weekdays and on a sporadically drizzly day in early May and it was manageable. I had to let people walk through on the popular trails because most areas are only able to fit 1-2 people across, but other trails had moments of not a person in sight. Most of the year you have to get around via the shuttle which come very frequently and are free! I am moderately fit and spent 1.5 days exploring the highlights (Watchman trail, kayenta/upper and lower emerald pools, the canyon overlook and drive, riverside walk/the view of the narrows, the museum and visitor center exhibits/talks, and the most intense and rewarding hike, Angel's landing). Here is my review of each. Watchman trail - I did this first thing in the morning and could easily find parking at the visitor center. The views were great, and in the morning, most of the trail is shaded. Also saw a roadrunner which was cool! (5/5) Angel's landing - I also did this first thing in the morning which I'm very thankful I did because I was able to finish it around mid-morning just as it was starting to get extremely crowded. I would be more terrified if there were more people because of how narrow the trail is. The trail is very steep though, and going down is just as challenging as going up, if not more so, so definitely plan accordingly. Pushing through it though, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the canyon 360 degrees around you. (500/5) Riverside walk/view of the Narrows - I was advised by the staff to avoid the narrows after any recent rainfall given the possibility of sudden flash floods which can be fatal. Since it rained the first day I was there, I went on the 2nd day. I wasn't planning to wade--just to take in the views. The trail is flat and simple, and the entry to the narrows was crowded. It was nice being near the water, but it was a bit overrated since there are river and canyon views throughout the park. (4/5) Kayenta trail/upper and lower emerald pools/section of the sandy beach trail: because of construction near the Zion lodge, there's no easy way to see the pools without either having to go back the way you came or to go along the sandy beach trail. Since going back the way I came was not as interesting, and also involved elevation change, I went with the sandy beach trail which was longer in distance, but flatter and allowed me to see the court of patriarchs as well. I think you can do this trail any time during the day. (4.5/5) Museum and visitor center: the exhibits were very informative, and of course there are plenty of souvenirs. The staff were doing a great job of replenishing items. Great activity for anytime during the day when they're open. (5/5) Canyon overlook: I saw this closer to sunset and parking was a bit challenging, but the views are so worth it! Short and not a difficult hike either. (5/5) read more

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It was so peaceful and calming while walking along the trail. The sounds of the water and being outside breathing the fresh air allowed us to just be one with nature. read more

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Just over three hours from Vegas, we have been amazed by the beauty of this park. Shuttles aren't running in mid January, but it's well marked, well maintained, and easy to navigate the roads and trails. Rangers we encountered were friendly and knowledgeable. The Visitor Center outdoor exhibits aren't to be missed. Stop at the Lodge for a nibble and their fabulous gift shop while you are here. We will definitely be back to explore more of over 90 miles of hiking trails and stunning geology. Keep a look out for local mule deer and other critters while here. ‍Do yourself a favor and get that NPS park pass, day use was $35 if I saw that correctly at the entrance. Check their website for weather and other important details before heading in. read more

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Incredible national park in the quaint and charming town of Springdale. Came the weekend after Christmas and it was packed but apparently it's not usually like this. I wouldn't recommend going at this time although the park managed it very well with shuttles coming every 10 or less minutes. No cars allowed in the park during this week because it's so busy. We did wait an hour in line for the first shuttle bus but after that we didn't have to wait very long and the trails itself weren't too crowded. Stunning national park. Many levels of hikes not too strenuous if that's not what you're looking for but also some more challenging ones. read more

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Lots of waterfalls, rivers, creeks, and greenery with the red rock. March was a nice time to visit but was chilly (40's to 50's), and crowded, park away from the park entrance near a shuttle stop and then shuttle into Zion. Once you get to Zion get a map from the Visitor's Center and speak to a ranger of a good trail or two that's at your difficulty level then get on a shuttle and head to that stop. We really enjoyed The Grotto Trail which had the Lower Emerald Pools (Stop 5 & Stop 6). Moderate difficulty with waterfalls you can walk under. We liked the Riverside Trail (Stop 9). Very easy along a river, with waterfalls. We only had 1 day here, I would recommend staying for 2-3 days minimum within Springdale and trying to hit all of the Zion stops with at least doing 1 trail per stop. read more

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One of the best national parks no need to explain why. I went during off season when the shuttle was not in service and had to drive around. You have to drive to the canyon overlook anyway and there are about a dozen parking places nearby. I definitely recommend doing that hike it was the highlight. The rest of the park was difficult to find parking. I went near the grotto and to some of the waterfalls. I also parked near the visitor center and walked along the paved flat pathways. A lot of people go on e bikes. That's a good way to get around when it's busy. Just make sure you plan ahead for your visit it is an amazing park worth visiting. read more

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Great jaw dropping views. Seeing the top of Angel's Landing was an unforgettable experience. read more

Zion National Park - Parks Near Me

Zion National Park is beautiful, the facilities are maintained, and the Staff & Rangers are polite and helpful. We visited Zion in Late May and the park shuttles were running. The shuttles are convenient but were extremely crowded with very long lines. The only negative of the experience were the crowds. Unless you arrive right before the park opens, you will not find parking in the park. I have attached a Timelapse video of me walking past the line for the park shuttle for context. read more

Zion National Park completely lived up to the hype. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, with towering cliffs, incredible overlooks, and beautiful hiking trails everywhere you look. The park is well maintained, the shuttle system makes getting around easy, and everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Every trail felt like a new adventure, and the views were unforgettable. If you're visiting Utah, Zion is an absolute must-see--I can't wait to come back and explore even more! read more

Zion National Park was our first stop in Utah, and it instantly impressed us. We arrived around 1 PM, paid the $35 entrance fee per vehicle, and explored what we could in the afternoon. Since it was cold, we chose the Canyon Overlook Trail, and it was the perfect short hike. It's about a mile to the top and took us around an hour and a half because we went slowly and stopped to enjoy the views. The trail felt safe with rails to hold onto, and the ground wasn't too slippery, so sneakers worked fine. Because it was winter vacation, there were a lot of families and visitors, but it didn't take away from the beauty. Everywhere felt like a photo spot, and the mountain views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. We didn't have enough time to explore everything, but Zion clearly has so much to offer like The Narrows, Angel's Landing, Emerald Pools, and the scenic shuttle stops. Even seeing a small part of the park was already very satisfying, and we're definitely planning to come back to explore more. Highly recommend adding Zion to your travel list! read more

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