Zion

Overview

Zion National Park centers on a canyon carved by the Virgin River into 2,000-foot walls of Navajo sandstone that glow in shades of cream, pink, and red. The canyon is narrow enough that in places the walls nearly touch overhead, and tall enough that the rim seems impossibly high above the river. This combination of scale and intimacy makes Zion feel different from the wide-open vistas of other Utah parks — here, the grandeur is vertical, pressing in from both sides. The Narrows, where hikers wade upstream through the Virgin River between 1,000-foot walls that narrow to 20 feet apart, is the park's most famous trail and one of the premier canyon hikes in the world. Angels Landing, a knife-edge ridge with 1,500-foot drop-offs on both sides reached by climbing a chain-assisted trail, delivers the park's most adrenaline-charged viewpoint. Both trails require permits during peak season and attract serious hikers from around the globe. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, accessible only by shuttle from April through November, runs six miles along the canyon floor past trailheads and viewpoints. The Emerald Pools trails, Riverside Walk (the gentle lead-in to the Narrows), and Weeping Rock are accessible to most visitors. Beyond the main canyon, Kolob Canyons in the park's northwest corner holds finger canyons of red rock and the Kolob Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world.

Things to Do

• Hike the Narrows upstream through the Virgin River
• Climb Angels Landing via the chain trail (permit required)
• Ride the Zion Canyon shuttle to all trailheads
• Walk the Riverside Walk to the Narrows entrance
• Hike to the Emerald Pools
• Explore Kolob Canyons for fewer crowds
• Canyoneer through a technical slot canyon
• Photograph the Watchman at sunset from the bridge

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Hot summers with canyon temperatures exceeding 100°F. Spring and fall are ideal for hiking (60-80°F). Winter brings occasional snow and cold temperatures but far fewer crowds. Flash flood risk during monsoon season.