Things to do in Zion National Park
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The Narrows
If there's one hike that's made Zion famous, it's this 26km/16mi waltz down the Virgin River, through the thousand-foot sheer gorge known as the Narrows. Overnight camping promises the best experience, though you can hike from the top in one very strenuous, long day. (You can also day hike the Narrows from the bottom, the only approach that doesn't require a permit.) This is the easiest and busiest of the backcountry hikes, and is unforgettable.
Plan on getting wet: about 50% of the hike is in the river. The trip takes 12 hours; split it into two days, spending the night at one of the designated campsites. This hike is possible between June and October, and may close…
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Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Zion's three main roads - Kolob Canyons Rd to the northwest, Kolob Terrace Rd in the middle, and Hwy 9 to the south - pass through fabulous scenery. But the most spectacular is the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which pierces the heart of Zion Canyon. This is most visitors' primary destination; if you've time for only one activity, tour this road (only possible by park-operated shuttle from April to October; cars permitted November to March).
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Zion Human History Museum
A half-mile from the park’s southern entrance station, the Zion Human History Museum presents the geological and human history of Zion and its birth as a park. A good introductory video is shown every half hour. The paved Pa’rus Trail parallels the road for 2 miles from South Campground to the main canyon junction, passing the museum on the way.
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Canyon Trail Rides
Zion's official horseback-riding concessionaire operates across from Zion Lodge. Take a one-hour ($40) or three-hour ($75) ride on the Sand Bench Trail along the Virgin River.
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Spotted Dog
For dinner, you don't have to gussy up too much for the Spotted Dog but it might be nice to look fresh while people-watching on the patio. The seasonal, mostly regional menu has included wild game meatloaf and golden rainbow trout. There's also a breakfast buffet.
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Zion National Park
If possible, enter Zion from the east, following Hwy 9 west from Hwy 89. The route is jaw-droppingly scenic as it rolls through colorful red rocks and a gallery-dotted tunnel before switchbacking 3.5 miles into the canyon.
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Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau
The Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau offers comprehensive accommodations listings of family-friendly motels and hotels, as well as boutique inns and B&Bs, in the gateway town of Springdale, on UT 9 west of the park.
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Mean Bean Coffee House
Probably the town's best brew. This great local hangout attracts outdoorsy types for their first cup of organic java, soy latte or chai of the day. Take your breakfast burrito or panini up to the roof deck.
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Zion Adventure Company & Zion Outdoor Center
Leads rock-climbing and canyoneering trips and classes and guided cycling tours. Pre-trip planning info and shuttle service for The Narrows. The shop sells outdoor-activity gear, clothing, guidebooks and maps.
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Cafe Oscars
Rastafarian hangout with friendly staff. Try the garlic burger with sweet-potato fries or veggie-friendly Mexican fare.
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Castle Dome Café
This counter-service cafe serves sandwiches, pizza, salads, soups, Asian-ish rice bowls and ice cream.
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Zion Natural History Association
Nonprofit organization; runs field institute classes and sells maps, books and gifts at the visitor center.
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Zion Pizza & Noodle Co
Utah microbrews and fully-loaded pizzas, calzones, salads and pasta bowls for hungry hikers.
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Cafe Soleil
Southwestern wraps, salads, panini sandwiches, espresso drinks and fresh-fruit smoothies.
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Sol Foods Market & Deli
Supermarket selling made-to-order take-out lunches.
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Zion Tubing
Two-hour tubing float trips on the Virgin River.
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Backcountry
Zion has hundreds of miles of backcountry hiking trails, wilderness camping and enough quiet to hear the whoosh of soaring ravens overhead. The most famous route is the unforgettable Narrows, a 16-mile journey into skinny canyons along the Virgin River's north fork (June through October). Plan on getting wet: at least 50% of the hike is in the river. The trip takes 12 hours; split it into two days, spending the night at one of the designated campsites you reserved or finish the hike in time to catch the last park shuttle. The trail ends among the throngs of day hikers on Riverside Walk at the north end of Zion Canyon. A trailhead shuttle is necessary for this and other…
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Zion Canyon Field Institute
Explore Zion by moonlight, take a wildflower photography class, investigate Kolob Canyon's geology or help clean up the Narrows. All courses and tours include some hiking.
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Zion Canyon
Spring to fall, the mandatory shuttle stops at all major trailheads along Zion Canyon Scenic Dr, allowing one-way hikes. In low season you can park at these stops, but you'll have to hike back to your car.
Of the easy-to-moderate trails, the paved, mile-long Riverside Walk (1 mile) at the end of the road is a good place to start. When the trail ends, you can continue along in the Virgin River for 5 miles to Big Springs; this is the bottom portion of the Narrows – a difficult backpacking trip. Yes, you'll be hiking in the water (June through October), so be prepared.
A steep, but paved, half-mile trail leads to the lower of the Emerald Pools. Here water tumbles from above…
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Subway
This incredibly popular route (9.5 miles, 1850ft elevation change) has four or five rappels of 20ft or less, and the namesake tube-looking slickrock formation. Start at the Wildcat Canyon trailhead off Kolob Terrace Rd. Hiker shuttle required.
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Ride Along With A Ranger
Reservations are usually required for the entertaining 90-minute, ranger-led Zion Canyon shuttle tour that makes stops not on the regular route. It's a great non-hiking alternative for those with limited mobility.
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Red Rock Shuttle & Tours
Private van tours of Zion, $100 per person for six hours.
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Pine Creek Canyon
A popular route with moderate challenges and rappels of 50ft to 100ft, Pine Creek has easy access from near the Canyon Overlook Trail. A backcountry permit is required.
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Mystery Canyon
Mystery Canyon lets you be a rock star: the last rappel drops into the Virgin River before admiring crowds hiking the Narrows. It's accessed off Zion Ponderosa Ranch roads in East Zion; ask rangers for more information. Backcountry permit required; hiker shuttle necessary.
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Kolob Terrace Road
Fourteen miles west of Springdale, Kolob Terrace Rd takes off north from Hwy 9, weaving in and out of BLM and national park highlands. (The road is closed due to snow from at least November to March.) Wildcat Canyon Trailhead lies about 28 miles north, after a hairpin turn. From here, follow the Wildcat Canyon Trail till you get to the turnoff for Northgate Peaks Trail. You'll traipse through meadows, filled with wildflowers in spring, and pine forests before you descend to the viewpoint overlooking the peaks. It's a whole different – and much less visited – side of Zion. Wildcat Canyon to Northgate Peaks overlook is 2.2 miles one-way. About 5 miles north of Wildcat…
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