Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is a canyon carved in red, orange, and white Navajo sandstone — a vertical world where 2,000-foot cliffs tower over the Virgin River and narrow slot canyons filter sunlight into ribbons of gold. It's consistently ranked among the most dramatic landscapes in the American West, and for good reason.
The park centers on Zion Canyon, a 15-mile gorge accessible by a free shuttle (private vehicles are not allowed in peak season). From the canyon floor, trails climb the canyon walls to hanging gardens, slot canyon narrows, and exposed ridgelines. This 3-day itinerary covers the canyon's greatest hits plus the less-visited Kolob Canyons section.
Most Iconic Hike
Angels Landing
Permit required · ~$6 lottery fee
A 5.4-mile round-trip trail that ascends 1,488 feet via steep switchbacks (Walter's Wiggles) before a half-mile chain-assisted ridge walk to a narrow rock fin above the canyon. The views are staggering — the Virgin River 1,500 feet below, canyon walls on every side. A permit lottery is now required to access the final section. Apply at recreation.gov.
Zion National Park Trip Overview
- Duration: 3 days
- Base town: Springdale, UT (outside park entrance)
- Entry fee: $35/vehicle (7-day pass)
- Best months: March–May and September–November
- Drive from Las Vegas: ~2.5 hours · Salt Lake City: ~4.5 hours
Day 1 — Emerald Pools & Riverside Walk
Arrive in Springdale and take the free park shuttle into Zion Canyon. Start with the Emerald Pools Trail — a 3-mile loop (moderate) that passes three pools fed by waterfalls dripping from the canyon walls. The Upper Emerald Pool has the most dramatic setting, tucked beneath overhanging cliffs draped with hanging gardens of columbine and maidenhair fern.
In the afternoon, walk the Riverside Walk (2.2 miles round trip, easy) at the canyon's end — a paved path that follows the Virgin River past towering walls that narrow overhead. This trail leads directly into the Narrows and is stunning even if you don't wade in.
Day 2 — Angels Landing or The Narrows
If you have an Angels Landing permit, start early — the chains section gets crowded by 10am. The Walter's Wiggles switchbacks are steep but safe; the final half-mile to the summit requires grip, balance, and comfort with exposure. The views are worth every step.
Without a permit (or as an alternative), hike The Narrows — wading up the Virgin River through a slot canyon with walls that rise 1,000 feet and narrow to 20 feet apart. Rent water shoes and a dry bag in Springdale. You can wade as far as Orderville Canyon (3.5 miles one-way) without a permit. Go early to avoid afternoon crowds and check flash flood forecasts before entering.
Day 3 — Canyon Overlook & Kolob Canyons
Start with the Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile round trip, easy) just inside the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel — a short walk to a dramatic overlook of the main canyon and East Temple. Then drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (UT-9) through slickrock terrain and sandstone checkerboard mesas to the park's east side.
In the afternoon, drive 40 minutes north on I-15 to Kolob Canyons — a separate section of Zion that most visitors skip entirely. The 5-mile Kolob Canyons Road ends at a sweeping overlook of red finger canyons. For a hike, the Taylor Creek Trail (5 miles round trip) passes two historic homesteads and ends below Double Arch Alcove — a massive sandstone overhang.
