Trip to Zion National Park
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
Additional articles: ♦ Itinerary from Las Vegas to nature parks ♦ Lake Powell ♦ Bryce and Zion ♦ Capitol Reef National Park in Utah
Zion Park is located in southwestern Utah. The park covers an area of about 600 square kilometers and features cliffs and canyons impressive in height and beauty, extremely rich vegetation (over 800 species of wild plants) including hanging gardens and forests along the canyon sides, and many wild animals (75 types of mammals, 270 types of birds, and more).
The park is home to the world's largest natural arch: Kolob Arch, with a span of 95 meters.
The elevation in the park ranges from 1,128 meters at the lowest point to 2,660 meters at the highest. Mormon pioneers gave the park its name "Zion" because they believed it possessed celestial beauty, serving as a natural temple.
Zion was declared a national park in November 1919.
Recommended visit duration: a full day.
Staying in the town of Springdale near the park
It is recommended to stay in the town of Springdale, located adjacent to the park. It is a small, picturesque town with charming views of mountains and cliffs. The town offers nice hotels, small motels, many restaurants, and all necessary services. There are frequent shuttles from the town to the Zion Park visitor center, from which shuttles depart to the park's hiking trails. This way, you do not need to look for parking at the visitor center inside the park, which is often full. (Private vehicles are not allowed in the main park canyon).
♦ Recommended Hotels in Springdale
♦ SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale Zion National Park
An excellent 3-star suite hotel in Springdale. Features a microwave and a small refrigerator. Includes breakfast. Outdoor pool. Free internet and parking.
♦ Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites
A recommended 3-star hotel with rooms and suites for up to 6 guests. Includes breakfast, pool, and jacuzzi. Microwave and refrigerator. Free parking and internet.
Holiday Inn Express Springdale - Zion National Park Area, an IHG Hotel
A recommended 3-star hotel. Features breakfast, a pool, microwave, refrigerator, and a desk. Free internet and parking.
Inside the park itself, there is one hotel: Zion Lodge, which is open year-round. Besides motel rooms, it also features a restaurant and a gift shop. As in all national parks, it is necessary to book well in advance, but as mentioned, it is preferable to stay in Springdale, which is very close to the park, due to the variety of hotels, restaurants, and surrounding services.
Guided tours in Zion Park from GetYourGuide:
Park Location and Transportation:
Zion Park is located in southwestern Utah. The town of Springdale is located 8 km from its southern end.
The nearest airport is in the city of St. George, located on I-15 at a distance of 70 km from the park.
The distance between Zion and Bryce is about 140 km, but when planning your trip schedule, take into account that part of the road passes through a canyon and is winding and steep, requiring careful and slow driving. It is recommended not to drive it after dark, both for safety reasons and because you will miss the impressive and grand scenery.
The road connecting Mt. Carmel Jct. to Springdale passes through the bottom of Zion Canyon, with massive mountains rising on both sides, described by visitors as palaces and temples. The road crossing the park is about 20 km long and includes two tunnels carved into the cliffs, one of which is about 2 km long.
The visitor center is located a short distance from the park's southern entrance (adjacent to the town of Springdale). It is open year-round. Summer hours: 8:00-19:00, with shorter hours in other seasons.
Park Entry and Touring
Private vehicles are not allowed to enter the park canyon. You can drive your vehicle only as far as the visitor center at the park entrance, where there is a free shuttle into the park that stops at several points from which hiking trails begin. Often, parking at the visitor center is full, and then you must park in the nearby town of Springdale, from which there is also a paid shuttle (from 9 stops) to the visitor center. Shuttles from the visitor center into the park are free and run from 6 AM to 5 PM. The last shuttle from inside the park returns to the visitor center at 6:15 PM. Shuttles run at least every 10 minutes.
Weather
In the summer months, it is hot in the park. Temperatures range from 37 degrees Celsius during the day to 20 degrees at night. Quick thunderstorms are typical in July-August during the afternoon. Winter in the park is mild, and temperatures are usually above 5 degrees Celsius. A little snow may fall during winter months, but it only accumulates on the high peaks. The ideal seasons for touring the park are spring and autumn, with maximum temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures of 8 degrees. However, there can be sharp fluctuations in weather during these transition seasons. The annual precipitation is 380 mm, with the wettest months being March and September. Wildflower blooming occurs between April and June, peaking in May. In October-November, tree leaves turn into amazing autumn colors in a variety of shades.
Short video of Zion Park:
Recommended Activities in and Around the Park:
It is best to start your visit at the visitor center, which features displays, films, and information about the park.
In summer, many guided activities are also held by the Rangers. These activities include guided hikes, short lectures at the visitor center, and evening programs. All activities can be joined for free.
Hiking Trails
The park has many interesting and diverse hiking trails at all difficulty levels. Trails especially suitable for families include:
1. Riverside Walk – Trail length: about 3 km, duration: about an hour and a half. The route follows the Virgin River at the bottom of a fairly narrow canyon. Many hanging plants and flowers are on the canyon cliffs, and along the way, you will encounter squirrels and other small animals. This is a comfortable walking path that is even accessible.
The end of the paved trail where the trail continues inside the stream (waterproof equipment required):
2. Lower Emerald Pools – Trail length: about 2 km, duration: about an hour. The trail begins across from Zion Lodge. The route passes by a natural pool and three waterfalls. This trail is also easy to walk, without steep climbs, and is accessible.
3. Weeping Rock – Trail length: 0.8 km, duration: about half an hour. At the end of a paved path, you will reach a rock wall from which spring water drips and rich vegetation hangs from it. In spring and summer, wildflowers decorate the wall.
The scenery viewed while driving from one end of the park to the other is very impressive and diverse. Drive slowly and stop at the viewpoints located along the way. During the drive or while walking the trails, you can spot wildlife. The best opportunity to see wildlife is in the early morning, evening, and at night. These are the animals' main activity hours. Remember not to get too close to them and not to feed them.