Visiting Zion National Park
A Landscape Dominated by Steep Red Cliffs & The Virgin River
Zion holds a special place in the heart of Utahans. It is the oldest and most visited park in the state and one of the most incredible.
The park is dominated by Navajo sandstone rock in deep shades of fiery red. The canyon itself was carved by the Virgin River, a deep chasm with nearly vertical walls that tower high above you as you wander along the river’s edge. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll along the riverbank or a rigorous hike up sheer cliff walls to vantage points with sweeping views overlooking the valley below. You can hike the infamous Narrows in waste high water or take a scenic drive to the east end of the park with its checkerboard mesas where you will undoubtedly spot the park’s native agile climbers, the big horn sheep, scaling the steep rocky slopes.
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Brief History
The Mormon pioneers were the first anglo-European settlers arriving in the area surrounding Zion Canyon in the late 1800s. They named it Zion meaning sanctuary of refuge in ancient Hebrew.
However, this was not the park’s original name. In 1909. President Howard Taft first protected Zion Canyon using the Antiquities Act to establish “Mukuntuweap National Monument.” It was called Mukuntuweap, meaning “straight canyon” (what explorer John Wesley Powell believed was the Paiute name for the area) from 1909 to 1918. Then, in 1919, Congress “upgraded” the monument to national park status, renaming it Zion National Park.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Operating Hours & Fees
Zion is open year-round with its peak season starting in spring and ending in fall. For Visitor Center and store hours, click here.
Entrance fees (subject to change) are as follows:
Private Vehicle - $35
Motorcycle - $30
Pedestrian or Bicycle - $20 per person
If you’re planning on visiting more than one park, you should consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass which gives you access to all national parks for an entire year.
There is also a free annual 4th Grade National Park Pass that provides admission to 4th graders and their family to all national parks and other lands for an entire year.
Weather
Zion is known for hot summers and cold winters where the difference between day and night can vary as much as 30°F on any given day. The weather also varies greatly depending on elevation so be sure to dress in layers.
Below is an NPS chart of Zion’s typical climate.
Visitor Guide
Be sure to pick up the park newspaper or print a copy off the NPS website before you go. The guide will provide you with valuable up-to-date information on park shuttles, trails and advisories.
The Park Gets Extremely Crowded
Zion attracts 4.3 million visitors each year and ranks number four among America’s most visited national parks. In the last decade alone, visitor numbers have climbed 60%, and its peak season has now been extended from early spring to late fall as more and more people swarm to experience its beauty. It’s not uncommon to wait over an hour to enter the park or to catch the shuttle from the Visitor’s Center. Be prepared for large crowds and bring plenty of patience.
Zion Canyon Shuttle System
Private vehicles are not allowed to enter the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
A free shuttle runs from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center up the Scenic Drive to Zion Lodge, Emerald Pools, West Rim Trail and Temple of Sinawava (the entrance to The Narrows). Although the park was requiring shuttle tickets during the pandemic, they were discontinued on May 28, 2021. They are currently operating on a first come, first serve basis at full capacity again. Face mask are required.
At this time, the Human History Museum, Canyon Junction, Court of the Patriarchs and Weeping Rock shuttle stops are closed.
Did you know that Zion National Park is known for being one of the world’s most climate friendly parks having won several prestigious awards for its efforts in the fight against global warming?
Shuttles typically start at 6:00 a.m., operating 6-10 minutes apart. For an up-to-date guide, download the Park Newspaper. The last shuttle of the day usually leaves Temple of Sinawava at 8:15 p.m. (May 9 through September 19) arriving back at the Visitor’s Center around 9:00 p.m. Due to limited capacity, you may risk missing the shuttle if you wait for the last one. This means you will have to walk up to 8 miles back and it gets very dark at night. Although you can walk to Zion Lodge and ask the front desk to call an after-hours shuttle van ride for you, it can still be an extremely far walk and costly.
Zion is home to the largest flying bird in North America, the California Condor, which has an impressive wingspan up to 10 feet and can reach flight speeds of up to 55 mph.
All shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. You can also bring strollers and bicycles but they must fit on the bike rack at the front of the shuttle.
Be sure to check the current schedule for any changes since this article was written.
THINGS TO DO
1. Weeping Rock
Weeping Rock is just a short hike to a beautiful area with lush hanging gardens. It’s a fascinating spot because the water you see dripping from the rock surfaces like tears has taken more than 1,000 years to percolate down through the porous, permeable Navajo sandstone. It starts high above from its source in a natural, underground spring down to where you are standing.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit as the water flow will be at its peak. It gets crowded in summer and even though it’s open year round, it sometimes closes in winter due to icy conditions.
2. Pa’rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trail is a 3.5 mile roundtrip trail that runs from the Visitor’s Center to Canyon Junction. The paved trail follows the Virgin River and is great for bicycle riding or a leisurely stroll with minimal incline. It’s also a lot of fun to veer off the main trail and hike down to the water for a quick swim along the way. There are several trail side exhibits and it’s one of the few places pets are allowed.
3. Angel’s Landing
Angel’s Landing is known as one of North America’s most “dangerous hikes” which takes you high above the canyon floor on a narrow trail of switchbacks that traverse across exposed ledges with sheer cliff drop offs with stunning viewpoints. If you’re afraid of heights, this is not the hike for you. Know your limitations. Photo: Sapan Patel, Unsplash.
Angel’s Landing is a hike through a hanging valley in the heart of the park up steep cliffs with sheer drop-offs to stunning 360-degree views of the canyon below. It is one of the most impressive hikes but also one of the most dangerous in all of North America.
Once known as the Temple of Aeolus, the trail was cut into this 1,488-foot tall solid rock formation back in the 1920s. Although there are no permits or special instruction required to hike Angel’s Landing, it is important to use caution. Thirteen hikers have fallen to their deaths since 2000. One of the reasons it’s so dangerous is that there is exposed rock ledges and vertical drop offs, often with no guard rails. Some sections are extremely narrow with 1,000 foot drop-offs on both sides of the trail so be sure to use extra caution when passing slower hikers and take your time. Always be alert and cautious.
The hike is 2.4 miles each way, strenuous and will take approximately 3-6 hours. You can catch the trail from the Grotto Trailhead, the 6th stop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle.
Photo: David Waite, Unsplash
This hike is not recommended for children or anyone with a fear of heights. Mid-mornings on weekends and holidays get extremely crowded which can make the hike much more dangerous. Try to hike during non-peak times.
4. The Narrows
The Narrows was created when uplift gave water running through the North Fork of the Virgin River the force needed to cut through rock as it made its way to the ocean. The way Zion sits on the western edge of the uplift caused the water to tumble so rapidly off the plateau that it carried sediment and huge boulders down with it forming the deep, narrow canyon we find today. Photo: Karan Chawla, Unsplash.
The Narrows is one of the most popular hikes in the park. Appropriately named, it’s the narrowest portion of Zion Canyon where walls can reach over a thousand feet above the river in spots where the water is only 20-30 feet wide. It’s deepest point is 2,640 feet down. As you travel through the iconic slot canyon, you will hike through an incredible gorge full of sandstone grottos, natural springs and hanging gardens.
Me and my incredible fun-loving siblings, circa 2014.
There are two ways to hike the Narrows. Regardless of which you choose, your feet are going to get wet as you literally hike in the Virgin River. The river is the trail.
Hike from the Temple of Sinawava
Most people hike the bottom up from the Temple of Sinawava. There is a shuttle station here that puts you right at the beginning of your hike. Just take the Riverside Walk to the end and head upstream in the water. You can hike in just a few hundred yards or you can make it a 9.4-mile strenuous round-trip adventure all the way to Big Spring. It’s up to you.
The hike this direction takes you to some of the most spectacular sections of the Narrows and is absolutely beautiful. However, you are not allowed to hike upstream past Big Spring and cannot access the campsites this direction. All overnight backpackers must start at Chamberlain Ranch and end at Temple of Sinawava.
Top-Down 16 Mile Hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch
If you are up for an even bigger adventure, you can hike down the Narrows starting at Chamberlain’s Ranch. From the trailhead, you make your way 16 miles down 1,300 feet through to the Temple of Sinawava. Permits are required. You can make it one very long day hike or a single overnight backpacking trip, but you are not allowed to stay multiple nights.
Wilderness permit fees:
$15 for 1-2 people
$20 for 3-7 people
$25 for 8-12 people
Chamberlain’s Ranch where you begin the 16 mile hike down through the Narrows to the Temple of Sinawava.
Reservations are required when hiking down and can be made online starting at 10:00 a.m. mountain time on the 5th of each month, when they become available for the following month. Most spots get booked in just minutes so be prepared. You can check availability ahead of time here.
Tips for Hiking The Narrows
Never hike The Narrows if there is a flash flood warning. It’s extremely dangerous as you can get trapped in high water and floods that come out of nowhere even in just light rain. Be sure to check the weather forecast and flash flood potential before heading out. Note that the Narrows is often closed during spring snowmelt in April and May for this very reason.
Travel is rough and slippery through water that can be cold and fast-moving. Much of the hike is wading, walking or even swimming in the river. You will find yourself in chest deep or waist high water about 5% of the time and knee deep or less water about 45% of the time. Specialized water shoes, neoprene socks, walking sticks, dry suits and other dry gear are recommended. If you don’t want to purchase gear, you can rent it at local shops like Zion Outfitter or Zion Adventures. Most stores also offer essential risk management education.
There is currently a cyanobacteria warning in Zion National Park which poses risks to humans. Cyanobacteria come from algae blooms and produce a cyanotoxin that impacts the nervous system. You will not be able to use standard recreational water filtration or disinfection techniques at this time so bring plenty of drinking water and use extra care not to submerge your head in water. Read more in my article, Climate Change Endangers Beloved Zion National Park.
Always check current conditions for critical safety alerts.
5. East Side of Zion and Scenic Drive
At the time of its completion in 1930, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel was the United States’ longest tunnel at 1.1 miles long.
If you plan on driving a vehicle through the tunnel that’s 11’4” tall or taller and/or 7’10” wide or wider, including all awnings, racks and mirrors, you must obtain a tunnel permit at the entrance station and pay a $15.00 permit fee. The pass is good for up to two trips within 7 days from the purchase date.
Many visitors never leave Zion Canyon where the trams run and have no idea what they’re missing. Although, the trams takes you to some of the most incredible viewpoints and must-sees in the park, everyone visiting really should take a leisurely drive down the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, one of my favorite byways and the gateway to exploring places like neighboring Bryce Canyon, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and other parts of Utah.
The 12-mile switchback scenic highway takes you through some of Zion’s most impressive landscapes and allows you to explore the east side of the park full of checker board mesas, hoodoos and other unique geological features.
It’s also the best chance you have of spotting Zion’s big horn sheep which roam the area. Thanks to their split hooves and amazing balance, these impressive animals can stand on ledges only 2-inches wide, jump 20 feet at a time and scale up rocky mountain slopes and outcrops at up to 15 mph.
Read More…
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