Do you love nature and adventure? Do you want to discover one of the best natural parks in the United States? Go and spend at least one day in Zion National Park!
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Zion National Park is one of the largest and most famous National Parks in the United States, and every year, millions of visitors come from around the world to visit it. It’s truly a unique sight, with its towering red sandstone cliffs, deep canyon, and the diverse ecosystem of the Southwestern side of Utah. If you’re visiting Nevada, you could even do a road trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, as the route has a lot of charming sights and interesting sites.
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One Day in Zion National Park
In Zion National Park, especially if you’ll be spending only one day, there’s no one-size-fits-all route. That’s why we’ve prepared a total of four routes that adapt to different objectives and energy levels, without failing to give you a good idea of the nature and wonders of the park.
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Classic Explorer Route
If you’re an adventurer and want to capture the park’s essence in just one day without overtiring yourself, here’s the itinerary for you.
Let’s start early in the morning and beat the crowds at the Canyon Overlook. It’s a short trail, so it shouldn’t take you more than an hour and a half, which is ideal as a warm-up. At the end of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views. From that point, as you admire the beautiful Zion Canyon’s towering cliffs and narrow gorges, you can start to get an idea of the extent of the park and the natural wonders that it hides.
From there, our trip continues and we head to the Narrows Entrance. Just take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava stop, and then you’ll be on the Riverside Walk. This is an easy walk alongside the Virgin River that will take you to the start of the Narrows, a slot canyon that you hike through the river itself. You can even take off your shoes and wade for a little; the water is not that deep in that area, and it’s surely refreshing.
To end the day, go to the Angels Landing Hike. Now this is a more challenging trip, partly because it’s longer, usually taking 3-4 hours to complete and get back, and also because there are steep switchbacks and narrow ridges. But you don’t have to reach the end to enjoy the views; you can stop at Scout Lookout, where you can breathe in the fresh air and admire the amazing views of Zion Canyon.
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The Family Plan
Maybe back in your day, you could tackle one day in Zion National Park in a more adventurous way, like the last great explorer. And maybe one day in the future you’ll get back to it, but right now your priority is to keep your little explorers entertained but safe. For that, let’s plan an easier day. As you don’t want to overdo it, tired kids are fussy kids, and you can do without an unnecessary tantrum during your vacation.
You can start your day with the Riverside Walk, and get all the way following the Virgin River to the Narrow Entrance. It’s pretty popular for families, as it fits a stroller with ease. Let the kids play in the water for a little while; they’ll love it, and it’s a great time to teach them about the local fauna, as you’ll probably see plenty of frogs, birds, insects, and even mule deer.
Afterwards, with a little snack in the middle, you can do the Lower Emerald Pools Trail. To get to the start of the trail, you’ll have to wait for the shuttle to take you to the Zion Lodge Stop. From there, it’s a 1.2-mile round-trip trail, perfect for little kids as it has barely any elevation and lots of shade. At the end, behind a soft curtain of falling water, you’ll find a quiet pool beneath an overhanging cliff. Looking straight out of a fairy tale.
To finish the day, before the little ones are too tired, you can do the Pa’rus Trail. Another walk that you can do with a stroller, or even on a bicycle if you want. It’s one of Zion’s most peaceful and scenic. It starts near the Visitor Center, and it goes north following the Virgin River. Along the way, there are meadows, lots of wildlife, and if you go during sunset, you’ll get beautiful views of the canyon under the golden light.
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The Scenic Soul
Let’s focus now on the most scenic routes you can make in only one day in Zion National Park to get the best photos. Whether you’re an enthusiast of photography or a professional, there are lots of spots you can explore and tranquil trails.
Just as the adventurer did, you can start at the Canyon Overlook Trail, but if you’re looking for the best light conditions, try to do it as early in the morning as you can. It’s a short trip after all, so if you can reach the viewpoint while the sky is still in that unique color that’s yellow, orange, blue, pink, purple, gray, all at once and not at all, you’ll get beautiful photos. Even a little afterwards, when the sky turns a very bright blue in contrast with the red cliffs, but the sun is still soft, you’ll get layered and dramatic pictures.
Afterwards, with the sun higher in the sky, you can head to the Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint. The shuttle will leave from that stop, and from there you just have to walk a little to get a better view of the three massive peaks. They are called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and certainly look impressive up close. From there, you can take the shuttle once more and make quick scenic stops in Big Bend, The Grotto, and Weeping Rock.
Don’t rush from one place to another, take your time discovering each one and trying to find what makes it so unique and beautiful, and translate that into a photo. To end your trip, the best spot is the Pa’rus Trail, especially at sunset, when the shadows are long and the setting sun makes the canyon walls look more colorful than ever.
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The Active Explorer
Now, you have energy to spare, and the short trails are like a snack that you finish up too quickly to enjoy. So let’s be serious and find the longer and more physically demanding hikes and trails.
To start the day, you can do the Angels Landing Hike, but, unlike the adventurer, this time we’ll reach the end. For that, you’ll need a permit, as that final half-mile is a narrow spine of rocks, with some chains as the only barrier between you and a 300m drop-off on both sides. But it’s worth it, not only for the adrenaline, but also for the views from the summit. Not everyone gets to that 360° view over Zion Canyon.
Take a quick snack, and let’s head to The Narrows now, but again, since you have the endurance and energy, you can hike upstream through the canyon, wading directly into the Virgin River, until you reach Wall Street. This is the narrowest section, and it’s a very unique view, but it’s also a 5-mile round trip from the shuttle stop. The good news is that you’ll be pretty refreshed from walking knee-to-waist-deep in the river.
To finish your day, you can do the Watchman Trail, which is another heart-pumping climb that rewards you with gorgeous views, especially if you do it at sunset. The ascent starts near the Visitor Center, and it’s steady enough to run if you have energy to burn.
FAQs about Zion National Park
Is one day enough in the Park?
Yes, it can be, especially if you’re in the middle of a more extended trip in the U.S. and don’t have that much time to spare. However, one day is barely enough to scratch the surface of Zion National Park. After all, we’re talking about a 146,000-acre park, filled with multiple distinct areas that are impossible to explore in only a day. But you can totally choose a route, do it, and enjoy the park with the rest of the visitors, so don’t be discouraged. After all, 10-12 hours is a long time, and it’s enough for multiple hikes, lunch, and relaxation.
How does the shuttle system work?
You’ll notice that we haven’t mentioned anything about riding from one place to the other in the park, and that’s because cars are banned during peak season. This is mainly to prevent congestion, as the canyon is narrow and there are many visitors, but also to protect the environment. As a plus, the shuttle allows you to move more freely, without hunting for parking or losing time in traffic jams.
The shuttle system is a pretty efficient way to move through the park, and even from the nearby city of Springdale. Inside the park, the route starts at the Visitor Center and goes until the Temple of Sinawava, stopping at each of the key trailheads. During the peak hours, it runs every 6-10 minutes, and a little less frequently early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
What to pack for one day in Zion National Park
To start, you can get water and snacks for the day. Keep in mind that the food options inside the park are limited, so you might as well plan and pack a picnic. Sunscreen and a hat are indispensable, after all, you’re basically in the desert, and the sun is strong by midday. In the Visitor Center, you can get a map of the area to plan your hikes better and mark all the interesting things you want to see.
When is the best time to visit?
Autumn is definitely the best season to visit Zion National Park. By that time, the crowds of the summer are mostly gone, but the weather remains perfect for long excursions and hikes. In particular, November is the preferred month for experienced travelers, as the crowds are at a minimum but the snow and cold of winter haven’t come yet. Spring is the second-best season, with mild temperatures and flowers blooming everywhere, but the snowmelt means that the Virgin River can have high water levels, so the Narrows hike can be closed.
On the other hand, there’s summer, with terrible heat, crowds, and frequent thunderstorms, increasing the risk of the river flooding. If you want to go in summer, do it as early as May, when those conditions are more manageable. Winter is a hard season to visit, with the weather all cold and wet, but it doesn’t lack beauty, with the snow dusting the red rocks. Just keep in mind that some trails remained closed because of the risk of falling ice.