Zion National Park Hotels, Tours & Visitor Info

There are several ways to explore this Utah National Park: biking, horseback riding and pleasant strolls through the canyon while gazing upward and majestic monoliths. You will find deep gorges in the pink, red and white sandstone, carved by the Virgin River. Lovely shaded, park-like areas are found along the canyon floor, while drier desert-like vegetation dots the higher ground accessible by several hiking trails. To the visitor, it becomes very clear why canyon walls and mountain formations bear names like the Court of the Patriarchs and the Temple of Sinawava; you can't help feeling that you're being watched over by ancient gods.

Driving, Bicycling & Horseback Riding at Zion Canyon
If you want to experience Zion Canyon without pulling on your hiking boots, try a scenic drive, bicycle ride or horseback adventure.

Scenic Drives:

Zion Canyon Drive — This six-mile drive stretches up the main part of Zion National Park from the Visitors Center to the Temple of Sinawava.

Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway — Also known as Highway 9 (and the east-bound route out of Zion National Park and headed to the Grand Canyon) the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is a beautiful 10-mile scenic drive ending in the small town of Mt. Carmel at the junction of Highways 9 and 89. For many, the highlight of the drive is the 1.1 mile-long tunnel through the mountain.

Bicycling:

Thanks to the new park shuttle system, auto traffic has been reduced, making Zion National Park much more rider-friendly. Favorite paths for bicyclists are the Pa'rus Trail and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Shuttle buses are equipped with bike racks for those who want to ride a little or a lot.

Horseback Riding:

Guided horseback rides are available from March through October from Canyon Trail Rides. Reservations are strongly encouraged — (435) 772-3810. Tours can be purchased at the Zion Lodge trail rides desk. Off season, please call (435) 679-8665.

Most Popular Hikes at Zion National Park

There are several easy-to-moderate, paved and unguided day hikes in Zion National Park. For good "leg-stretcher" walks or hikes, try the following:

• Pa'rus Trail - Easy - 3.5 miles (5.6 km) - 1.5 hours - Paved & Wheelchair Accessible
• Easy, paved trail follows the Virgin River from the South Campground to the Zion Canyon junction. Sights to see: Zion Canyon Visitors Center and the Canyon Junction.
• Riverside Walk - Easy - 2 miles (3.3 km) - 1.5 hours - Paved & Wheelchair Accessible
• Easy, paved trail follows the Virgin River along the bottom of a narrow canyon. Located in the area known as the Temple of Sinawava. Sights to see: hanging gardens of wildflowers in spring & summer; trailside exhibits.
• Weeping Rock - Moderate (short but steep) - 0.5 miles (0.8 km) - 30 minutes - Paved
• Short but steep paved trail with minor drop-offs ends at a rock alcove with dripping springs. Hanging gardens of wildflowers decorate the walls in spring and summer. Sights to see: Trailside exhibits.

Here, three of our favorite more-strenuous day hikes that are highly recommended for intermediate to advanced hikers.

• The Narrows - Difficult - 2 to 16 miles (3.3 to 25.7 km) — In the water
• Perhaps the most famous - and due to flash flood danger, treacherous - hikes in Zion National Park is called The Narrows. For the casual day hiker or families or those looking for a relatively easy hike, drive and park or take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawa and walk the one-mile paved Riverside Walk to the trailhead. The "trail" for The Narrows IS the Virgin River, so be prepared to hike in the water up the river between the narrow canyon walls. Casual hikers may hike up the river a mile or two enjoying the cool, clear waters. No backcountry permit is required for this limited hike length.
• For advanced hikers, The Narrows is a 16-mile hike and under the best conditions can take up to 12 grueling hours to complete from the bottom of the river canyon to the top. At points, The Narrows lives up to its name, at times allowing just 20 — 30 feet between canyon walls. The hike in its entirety is quite advanced and dangerous and is not recommended for casual hikers. A backcountry permit is required.
• Sights to see: Beauty around each new bend in the river.
• Safety warning: Even day hikers must be cognizant of the sudden and unpredictable flash floods that can occur; the flash flood danger peaks from mid-summer through mid-fall but can happen anytime. Hike at your own risk.
• Sturdy shoes, preferably with ankle support, are absolutely essential for hiking The Narrows. You'll be hiking against a swiftly moving river, whose bottom is covered in smooth, algae-covered and thus very slippery river rocks. Hiking the Narrows is akin to hiking on bowling balls. Bare feet, water shoes and sandals are insufficient and can result in serious injury. For more detailed lists of what to bring, especially for those embarking on the full 16-mile hike, see Zion National Park site's article on The Narrows.

• Angel's Landing — Difficult — 5 miles (8 km) — 4 hours
• This strenuous hike, with its long drop-offs and narrow trail is not for the faint of heart of those afraid of heights. However, the reward is certainly worth the effort. After a steep hike, the last half-mile of which follows a steep, narrow ridge flanked with a chain railing to aid hikers, the trail ends at summit high above Zion Canyon appropriately named Angel's Landing.

• Emerald Pools Complex (includes Lower, Middle & Upper Emerald Pools) — Partially Paved & Wheelchair Accessible
• Lower Pools — Easy — 1.2 miles (1.9 km) — 50 minutes  — Paved
• Middle Pools — Moderate — 2 miles (3.3 km) — 2 hours — Unpaved
• Upper Pools — Difficult — 2.5 miles (4 km) — 2.5 hours — Unpaved
• All ability levels love this trail network leading to exquisite Lower and Upper Emerald Pools and small waterfalls. The .6-mile paved trail to Lower Emerald Pool is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs with assistance. From there a steeper trail with steps, continues .25 mile to Middle Emerald Pool. The trail to the Upper Pool experienced a severe flash flood in 1987. As a result, the trail is loosely compacted. Please stay on the designated trail to minimize erosion. Sights to see: Two small waterfalls with pools below (Upper and Lower Emerald Pools); Views of Lady Mountain, the Great White Throne, Red Arch Mountain and other majestic cliffs in all directions; cottonwood, box elder and Gambel oak trees as well as yucca, cacti, scrub oak and pinyon-juniper.