The Happiness Function

This guide is structured around outdoor activities in Zion National Park and what to do over a period of 2-days. It includes our favorite day hikes, where to camp or stay in Springdale, and guidance on the best time of year to visit.

If you plan to visit for at least two days, you can experience the magic that the park has to offer.

We have visited Zion many times, and we want to help you plan an awesome trip.

Introduction to Zion National Park

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Upon entering Zion National Park, the massive high desert, red rock mountains, and canyons against the blue sky will make you think you have been transported to another world.

The area is famous for hiking, rock climbing, camping, whitewater kayaking, sightseeing, and canyoneering.

An entrance fee is required to enter the park; you can purchase that at the gate. Or, you can purchase an annual national park pass ahead of time online from places like REI.

☀️ Buy your annual national park pass here from REI.

2-Day Itinerary + Adventure Guide

Day 1:

If it’s your first or second time visiting the park, here is what you should do:

• Hike Angels Landing.
• Check out the lower section of the Narrows.
• Explore the Visitor Center.
• Visit Springdale, Utah.

Shuttle Update: The Zion Shuttle does not require a permit, ticket, or reservation.

Day 2:

• Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail.
• Check out some easy hikes in Zion.
• Sight-see from the shuttle or take the scenic drive.
• Go stargazing at night.

Day 1 Details:

Hiking Angels Landing

Kick your day off by hiking Angels Landing. This iconic hike is a great way to see Zion.

A permit is required to hike this trail.

When to Hike

If possible, start your hike first thing in the morning. It is an awesome trail in the late spring, summer, and fall. However, we wouldn’t recommend hiking when it is wet or there is snow.

Keep in mind that a permit is issued by a lottery. Here is more information on how to apply for the lottery.

Angels Landing Trail Details:

• Rating: Strenuous and difficult rating with heights and rock scrambling (chain to assist)
• Elevation Gain: 1,488 ft elevation change
• Shuttle Stop: #6 The Grotto
• Distance: 5.4 miles round trip
• Estimated time to hike: 4 hours

Angels Landing has incredible views. You don’t have to do the chain-link rock scrambling section if you don’t want to towards the end. But if you are up for an adventure, go for it. Just know your limits.

Your safety is your responsibility.

How To Get to the Trailhead

Parking can be scarce at the Visitor Center, so the earlier you arrive, the better. Zion National Park has a shuttle service that will take you to the trailhead.

Get off the shuttle at stop #6, The Grotto. After you hike Angels Landing, if you’re up for more adventure, get back on the shuttle and head to the lower section of the Narrows via Riverside Walk.

Hike the Lower Section of the Narrows via Riverside Walk

A lot of people see incredible photos of people hiking the infamous Narrows down the Virgin River.

When to Hike the Narrows via Riverside Walk

We recommend hiking the Narrows via Riverside Walk in the summer or early fall when it is still warm. The high canyon walls make for a shaded journey, so you don’t want to get cold if you are wet. 

Bring a wetsuit.

Springtime has high water levels, and this area is often closed in the spring due to high water levels. Zion National Park is also known for flash floods. For your safety, be sure to be in the know about storms and flash floods.

How To Get to the Trailhead

Get off the shuttle at stop #9, Temple of Sinawava. The Narrows bus shuttle area has bathrooms. You’ll see the paved trail along the river. You can walk the trail until it stops and keep going upstream if you wish.

The Narrows via Riverside Walk Hike Details:

• Rating: Strenuous and difficult rating walking in a river + wading in water
• Shuttle Stop: #9 Temple of Sinawava
• Distance: up to 9.4 miles (before needing a canyoneering backcountry permit)
• Estimated time to hike: 1 to 8 hours (before needing a permit)

You do NOT need a permit to hike the lower section of the Narrows.

To hike the Narrows top-down, you need a wilderness backcountry permit (but that isn’t the section we are writing about now).

Visitors can walk the lower section of the Narrows, where the shuttles drop everyone off via Riverside Walk, shuttle stop #9, Temple of Sinawava. You can hike from the bottom up from here, but that is it.

Since you are walking and wading upstream, it is fun to check out for a while, maybe a quarter mile or so, but we do not recommend spending all day going that far upstream.

Upstream travel past Big Spring and Orderville Canyon is not allowed without a backcountry wilderness permit, so the distance and time are stated as “up to.”

It is still great to see this lower section. Take pictures. Have fun.

Watch the cliffs and rock walls. You will probably be able to see rock climbers.

Check Out the Visitor Center

After hiking all day, head back to the visitor center and mosey around. There is quite a bit to see.

Explore Springdale, Utah

When you are ready, head to Springdale, which is the town near the south entrance to the park.

Walk around, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy your hotel or campsite for the rest of the evening.

Day 2 Details:

Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail to Observation Point

When to Hike Canyon Overlook Trail

Go early in the morning. The entire 8-mile round trip will take you about 6 hours. Try to beat the crowds and the heat. There is shade at the hike’s beginning but not much shade towards the top.

It is a nice trek to do later in the spring, early summer, and late fall. Depending on weather conditions, we wouldn’t recommend hiking when it is wet or there is snow.

Canyon Overlook Trail to Observation Point Hike Details:

• Rating: Strenuous and difficult rating with heights and rock scrambling
• Elevation Gain: 2,148 ft elevation change
• Shuttle Stop: #7 Weeping Rock
• Distance: 8 miles round trip
• Estimated time to hike: 6 hours

How To Get to the Trailhead

From the shuttle stop, head to the East Rim Trailhead. You have to walk over the bridge adjacent to the shuttle parking lot. The Observation Point Trail will branch off the East Rim Trail 2.5 miles into the hike. The trails are marked well.

Other Easy Day Hike Options

Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise. If you have more time, here are more popular hikes.

Sight-Seeing From the Shuttle or Scenic Drive

Sightseeing from the shuttle is an easy activity after hiking all day. After all, most of the hikes you will do require you to be shuttled around in the park.

If you’re going to continue on and drive towards Bryce Canyon or the North Rim, you can enjoy the scenic drive through the remainder of the park.

Stargazing

Don’t forget to watch the skies at night in Zion, especially if you are camping at Lava Point. The night sky here is unforgettable. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Where To Stay

Depending on how outdoorsy you feel, there are several accommodation options, from camping to hotels and lodges.

Springdale has plenty of hotels to choose from.

If you visit in the high seasons, such as summer and early fall, plan to pay high season rates for any place you stay. However, rates will be much lower if you visit in the off-season and shoulder seasons, like winter and early spring.

We recommend booking your stay well ahead of time. Hotels and campsites fill up quickly as millions of people visit Zion National Park annually.

Camping

• Watchman Campground
• South Campground
• Lava Point Campground

Mid-Range

• The Lodge at Zion Country
• Holiday Inn Express Springdale

More Expensive

• Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
• Zion National Park Lodge
• Zion Mountain Ranch

Where We Have Stayed

We have camped at Lava Point and stayed at the Lodge at Zion Country (when it was La Quinta Inn & Suites) in Springdale. We like walking around Springdale to explore and eat.

Camping

Lava Point: is about an hour to an hour and a half drive from the visitor center and is at a much higher elevation. Temperatures can be slightly cooler in the summertime.

If you’d like to get away from the crowds and enjoy primitive camping, we highly recommend Lava Point. Be sure to check out campground conditions before planning a trip, as Lava Point Campground is only open seasonally.

You can also camp at Watchman Campground or the South Campground.

Reservations are required and can be made on recreation.gov.

Getting Around

Depending on where you are coming from, getting to and from Zion National Park requires your own car or a rental car.

Once you get to the park, park at the visitor center or in Springdale.

Most of the hikes and sightseeing require being shuttled from the Visitor Center.

Here is more information on how the shuttle works.

Zion National Park Map

Check out the Zion Wilderness Map for an overview of the park, places, and hikes mentioned.

Is the Park Dog Friendly?

Depending on what you plan on doing, Zion can be dog-friendly.

For example, if you want to drive the scenic drive and walk the Pa’rus Trail, you can make your trip dog friendly.

The Pa’rus Trail starts at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

Dogs are not allowed on any other trails, buildings, or the shuttle, so you will be limited in the types of activities you can do if you’re traveling with your pet.

Best Time To Visit

As we said earlier, Zion National Park has extremely high visitor numbers: millions visit the park annually.

It’s best not to visit during a national holiday weekend unless you don’t mind waiting in long lines or risking your chance of not being able to truly see the park.

When we would go, we would avoid weekends.

Summer

Summer is peak season in Zion, with Americans on summer break and international tourists coming from all over. June, July, and August are great times to visit, but keep the desert heat in mind. It can easily be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so you’ll want to hike earlier in the day and wear breathable clothing.

Early summer is one of our favorite times to visit.

Fall

Fall is another peak season since it is not as hot (as summer). Temperatures start to get cooler, including the nights. Still, pack lots of layers.

Late fall is another one of our favorite times to visit.

Winter

December is quieter. Zion does get snow, and it can get pretty cold. Pack lots of layers. However, you are sure to beat the crowds.

Spring

Spring can still be cold, but fewer people are visiting the park. The crowds tend to pick up some in late February and March, depending on the weather.

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