Zion National Park is absolutely of the US’s iconic sites. Angels Landing tops many lists of most beautiful and/or most treacherous hiking lists and the stunning red walls that create the canyon. Zion is actually the place that I fell in love with travel at the ripe old age of 9. I have had the pleasure of visiting two other times since then, and these are the things to know before visiting Zion National Park.
If You’re Visiting Between March and November You’ll Have to Take a Shuttle Inside Zion Canyon
If the shuttles are running in Zion National Park, there are no private vehicles allowed to drive inside Zion Canyon, which is where the majority (but not all) of the park’s most popular trailheads are like Angels Landing and Emerald Pools. Instead, you’ll have to ride the shuttles. Or if you want a little more independence, you can ride a bike or walk into the park. Shuttles run pretty consistently, though, but do have limited hours that vary based on the season. It is a free shuttle, though, so at least that’s a perk, and no reservations or tickets are required.
But There are Hikes Along the Tunnel That You Don’t Want to Miss
While you do have to take the shuttle most of the year inside of Zion Canyon, the road that goes through the famous 1.1 mile Mount Carmel Tunnel is part of the park that you can drive through independently. There are parking areas and even trails to check out along this road. The most popular of these is Canyon Overlook Trail because it’s so short and relatively easy! Parking can be difficult and take several passes to get a spot. I recommend getting up early to get a parking spot easily.
Angels Landing Now Requires a Permit 24/7
To hike the iconic Angels Landing, you have to have a permit. There are no exceptions to this, regardless of the time of day. As someone who hiked this trail in 2021 just before the permits were put in place, you should be grateful for this. The reckless behavior I saw in the crowds of this trail were downright frightening. But, be aware that you might not get to tackle this hike on your trip to Zion, even if you plan ahead. Permits can be purchased on Recreation.gov and are available for seasonal lottery systems.
This Park is Busy
Like, really busy. Like, millions of people visit annually kind of busy. Its popularity is the reason that you can’t drive in Zion Canyon and now need permits for Angels Landing. It’s so busy that I wrote a post about how I felt Zion was potentially losing its magic for me. This was pre-Angels Landing permit, though. So, maybe I could enjoy it a little more now, and we plan to try it again soon. But, go into your visit with the expectation that there are going to be lots of people there. Be patient and try to research less popular trails ahead of time.
Visit During Shoulder Seasons if Possible
And, if you’re able to, travel during shoulder seasons. Obviously, things like the Narrows and even Angels Landing may not be as easily traversed during these times due to cold, snow or ice, but if you’re looking to enjoy the park with significantly fewer travelers, this makes that much easier.
Check for Trail Closures
For some reason, this park seems to have closures of trails more than most other parks I’ve visited. It seems that almost every time I’m on the NPS website for Zion, there are trail closures for landslides, trail maintenance or another reason. Just be sure to check out their site for closures if not getting to do a particular trail would be make or break for your trip.
Don’t Sleep on Kolob Canyon
I visited this park 3 times before every visiting Kolob Canyon, and I had no idea what I was missing out on! This section of the park has a totally different look to it, but it has an incredibly scenic drive, a handful of miles of hiking trails and unbelievable beauty. Don’t miss out on the Timber Creek Overlook Trail – we did this hike three times in a week because it was just so beautiful!
Get Out Early for the Best Experiences
In the summer it can be very hot by midday, so the early start helps prevent draining yourself. Plus, Zion is an exceptionally crowded park, so getting an early jump start means that you will beat the crowds on the trails and the shuttles and you’ll be much more likely to find one of the limited parking spots as well!
What to Know About the Toxic Cyanobacteria Bloom
There is a warning issued for toxic cyanobacteria bloom inside Zion National Park, including The Narrows. This can be dangerous, even deadly, especially in pets and children. This water is not safe for drinking, even if boiled. Check for more updates on the Zion website HERE.
Gear We Recommend for Your Trip to Zion
PROPER FOOTWEAR: Hiking definitely requires proper footwear. My two favorite shoes for hiking in Yosemite are my teva sandals and my Merrell hiking boots. I love these boots so much because I like the ankle support, but the tevas are really nice for shorter hikes, hikes with river crossings and to wear around camp. Also, I think these Merrell hiking socks are the best socks I’ve ever put on my feet. Matt has also become obsessed with these socks for hiking! Other people swear by trail runners, but ultimately, you’ll need to find the perfect shoes for you.
A DAYPACK: A well-fitting daypack that’s the appropriate size for the adventure you’re about to go on is so important. I love my Osprey Daylite because it fits me super well, it’s perfect for day hikes. I like that it’s on the small side because it means that I won’t overstuff it, but it’s also big enough for all my day hike needs. If I’m going on an all-day or 2-day hike I recently got this 28L Deuter pack for hikes that will require a little more distance, like 12+ miles.
WHAT’S IN MY DAYPACK? On a day of adventure you’ll find a water bottle or two, We personally love these 32 ounce widemouth Nalgene bottles because they’re easy to clean and also fit into the bottle-holder pouch of most everybackpack I’ve ever bought including my Osprey Daylite, snacks (my go-to’s are beef jerky, peanut butter and honey crackers, granola bars, peanut M&Ms, and fresh fruit), a reusable stasher bag for all my trash and some sort of layer – rain jacket, flannel or jacket.
NEED A PLACE TO KEEP YOUR MEMORIES? I wrote a national park journal with fun facts and tips for visiting each of the 63 Parks. I love that I get to fill this out with my family as we travel across the country.
CARRYING KIDS ON A HIKE? We cannot recommend the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier enough for little ones who can independently sit up. (Want to know more why, here’s our in-depth review of it!) However, if your baby is too young for a Deuter, we loved our LILLEBaby carrier and carried both kids in the same one for hundreds of miles.
TRAVELERS INSURANCE: If you’re planning to have an adventurous trip you might look into travel insurance.
Zion National Park is incredibly popular and that can take some of the magic away if you let it. But, also, it’s popular for a reason. The beauty of this park is really special and it’s worth visiting. Hopefully these tips will help you have the best experience possible in Zion National Park.
Did You Enjoy This Post? PIN IT So Others Can Too!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a reservation with Booking.com, a travel insurance policy with World Nomads or a purchase with Amazon through For the Love of Wanderlust, you will help me stay on the road + keep my site running at no additional cost for you.
Be sure to read the terms + conditions of these sites when booking or purchasing!
No Comments