Things to do nearZion National Park
Zion National Park in Utah is a dramatic landscape of soaring red cliffs, slot canyons, and the emerald Virgin River winding through its heart.
Zion National Park sits in the southwestern corner of Utah, carved over millions of years by the relentless work of the Virgin River cutting through layer upon layer of ancient sandstone and limestone. The park was established in 1919, making it Utah's oldest national park, and its name reflects the reverence early settlers felt for the landscape. The main corridor, Zion Canyon, stretches roughly fifteen miles and is flanked by named formations that have become iconic in American landscape photography, including the Great White Throne, Angels Landing, and the Court of the Patriarchs.
Hikers of all experience levels find something here, from paved riverside walks beneath cottonwood trees to the exposed chain-assisted ascent of Angels Landing, which requires a permit and rewards those who complete it with panoramic views across the entire canyon. The Narrows, where the canyon walls narrow to as little as twenty feet apart while the river fills the floor, is among the most distinctive hikes in the American Southwest. Beyond the main canyon, the Kolob Canyons section in the park's northwest corner offers dramatic finger canyons with far fewer visitors.
Wildlife including mule deer, California condors, and canyon wrens are regularly spotted throughout the park. The town of Springdale sits just outside the south entrance and provides a range of dining options, lodging, and outfitters. Zion rewards visitors who slow down, look closely at the canyon walls, and let the scale of the geology settle into perspective.
7-day forecast
Tips for visiting Zion National Park
Visit during spring or fall to avoid peak summer crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures ideal for strenuous hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows.
Try the lower Emerald Pools trail for a shorter, rewarding walk that delivers waterfall views and lush riparian scenery without a strenuous climb.
Bring water shoes or neoprene socks if you plan to hike The Narrows, as you will be wading through the Virgin River for much of the route.
Take the free park shuttle rather than driving, as private vehicles are restricted on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during peak season and parking fills early.
Arrive at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center before 8 a.m. to secure a parking spot, pick up a trail map, and get current conditions from a ranger.
Top tours & experiences near Zion National Park
Guided Paddleboard & Kayak Eco Tour at Quail Creek
Paddle Quail Creek with a certified guide and explore desert lake cliffs and coves
Kayak & SUP Rental at Quail Creek State Park
Rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or fat bike right on the lake
Guided Jeep Off-Road Tour in Sand Hollow State Park
Private guided Jeep tour on Sand Hollow’s challenging off-road trails
5-Seat UTV Rental in Sand Hollow State Park
Drive a 5-seat Polaris Xpedition across Sand Hollow’s red rocks and dunes
Ride a Sea-Doo Spark Trixx Jet Ski in St. George
Rent a 3-seat Sea-Doo Spark Trixx for 5.5 or 8.5 hours
Horseback Riding Trail in Gunlock, St. George
Experience a scenic ride designed for all ages and skill levels in Gunlock, UT.
4-Hour ATV Or UTV Guided Tour Near Sand Hollow
Ride to Southern Utah sand dunes and red rock views on a beginner-friendly guided tour
Ride a 3-Hour ATV or UTV Tour Near Sand Hollow
Choose an ATV or UTV ride to red rock overlooks and sand dunes near Sand Hollow
Southern Utah Sunset ATV & UTV Tour
Ride desert trails, red sand dunes and canyon routes as the sun sets
Ride an ATV or UTV Guided Tour Near Sand Hollow
Explore red rock formations and sand dunes by ATV or UTV near Sand Hollow
Southern Utah Backcountry ATV & UTV Guided Tour
Ride the Southern Utah backcountry by ATV or UTV with a guide
Upper Water Canyon Canyoneering & Rappelling Tour
Tackle 10+ rappels and a steep 5-mile approach on a private Upper Water Canyon descent
Canyoneering & Rappelling Private Tour Near Zion
Private Middle Water Canyon canyoneering with big rappels and tailored instruction
Ladder Canyon Canyoneering & Rappelling Guided Tour
Private Ladder Canyon canyoneering with 4 rappels up to 80 ft
Guided 4-Hour Utah Slot Canyon Hike
Private 4-hour slot canyon hike with routes tailored to you
4-Hour Private Family Adventure Tour Near Zion
Build a private 4-hour family adventure near Zion National Park
4-Hour Private Rappelling Tour in Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Private rappelling and sand dune ride at Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Private Guided Hike in Zion National Park
Explore Zion's front-country trails at a pace tailored to you
Drive a Guided UTV Tour to Peekaboo & Great Chamber
Drive your own UTV to Peekaboo Slot Canyon and The Great Chamber
6-Hour Via Ferrata Guided Tour in Zion
Build technical climbing skills on a guided sandstone cliff route
2-Hour Guided Sand Hollow ATV & UTV Tour
Ride red sand dunes and desert trails with a guide near Sand Hollow State Park
Canyoneering Tour in Huntress Canyon With Photographer
Private Huntress Canyon rappels with a professional photographer
Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon & Great Chamber 4WD Tour
Private 4WD and short hike to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon and the Great Chamber
Explore East Zion on a 4-Hour Private 4WD Tour
Private 4WD geology tour with 3–5 stops in East Zion
Private 7-Hour Family Adventure Tour Near Zion
Build a private 7-hour family adventure near Zion National Park
South Fork Indian Canyon Private Guided Hike
Hike into South Fork Indian Canyon to a pictograph alcove with 4WD access
Guided Zion Narrows Hike in Zion National Park
Private guided hike through the Zion Narrows with gear provided
4-Hour Private Guided Tour in Zion National Park
Private 4-hour guide-recommended tour tailored to your group
Private Rock Climbing Tour Near Zion National Park
Climb Sugar Knoll on a private guided multi-pitch route near Zion National Park
Guided Angels Landing Hike in Zion National Park
Private guided Angels Landing hike with your permit included
Guided 6+ Hour Angels Landing Hike in Zion National Park
Private Angels Landing hike with a guide who matches your pace
Guided Zion Family Adventure With Photographer
Build a private Zion adventure with a dedicated photographer
Explore Zion National Park on an 8-Hour Guided Tour
Guided Zion day trip with Emerald Pools, Narrows Riverside Walk, and lunch at Zion Lodge
Sand Hollow 2-Hour UTV Rental
Self-guide a UTV across Sand Hollow's red rocks, dunes, and trails
3-Hour UTV Rental in Sand Hollow
Ride red rocks and dunes straight from the Sand Hollow trailhead
4-Hour UTV Rental at Sand Hollow State Park
Ride from the trailhead across Sand Hollow's red rocks and dunes
6-Hour Sand Hollow UTV Rental
Self-guided off-road access to Sand Hollow's red rocks and dunes
8-Hour UTV Rental at Sand Hollow State Park
Explore Sand Hollow’s red rocks, dunes, and off-road trails by UTV
24-Hour UTV Rental in Sand Hollow State Park
Explore Sand Hollow's red rocks and dunes with a trailhead-ready UTV
2-Seat UTV Rental in Sand Hollow State Park
Tackle Sand Hollow's dunes and red rock in a high-performance 2-seat Polaris
2-Seat UTV Rental Sand Hollow State Park
Ride a Polaris XP 1000 straight from the Sand Hollow trailhead
4-Seat UTV Rental at Sand Hollow State Park
Ride red rocks and dunes with GPS navigation from the Sand Hollow trailhead
Sunset ATV & Rappelling Tour Near Zion National Park
Ride rugged desert trails and descend a cliffside rappel near Zion
2-Hour Sand Hollow UTV Adventure
Explore Sand Hollow’s dunes and red-rock trails near Zion
2-Seat ATV Rental in Sand Hollow State Park
Ride Sand Hollow's red rocks and dunes straight from the trailhead
4-Seat UTV Rental at Sand Hollow State Park
Tackle Sand Hollow's red rocks and dunes in a 4-seat Polaris
Sunset ATV & Rappelling Tour Near Zion
Ride Box Canyon trails and descend a cliffside on rappel
Sunset UTV Tour Near Zion National Park
Ride Southern Utah’s red rocks and dunes at sunset
2-Hour ATV Tour of Sand Hollow Dunes
Ride Southern Utah's dunes and red-rock trails from the trailhead
2-Hour Self-Guided UTV Tour in Sand Hollow
Navigate Southern Utah's red rock and sand dunes at your own pace
Guided 2-Hour UTV Tour Near Zion National Park
Drive a UTV across West Rim trails with Greater Zion views
Sunrise UTV Tour in Hurricane
Navigate Greater Zion’s dunes and red rock trails at first light
Guided UTV & Rappel Tour Near Zion National Park
Pair guided UTV off-roading with a canyon rappel near Zion
2-Hour Guided UTV Tour at Sand Hollow
Drive West Rim trails for Zion and Sand Hollow views
3-Hour Guided UTV Tour at Sand Hollow
Drive West Rim trails with guided views across Greater Zion
Ride a UTV & Rappel a Slot Canyon Near Zion
Ride a Can-Am UTV to a slot canyon and rappel 10–110 feet
Egypt Slot Canyon Rappelling In Escalante
Rappel through Egypt 1 slot canyon narrows with a guide
Sandboard & UTV Tour to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
Ride a UTV to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon and hike sandstone walls over 100 ft high
Explore Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon UTV Tour From Kanab
Ride a UTV through sand dunes to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon near Zion
Tallest In Utah Via Ferrata & Rappelling Near Zion
Climb 3 via ferrata pitches and rappel 220 ft near Zion National Park
Via Ferrata Climb & Rappel Tour Near Zion National Park
Climb a via ferrata and rappel 220 ft into a mini slot canyon near Zion
Guided UTV Tour in Bryce Canyon to Grand Overlook
Ride a guided UTV to the Grand to Bryce Overlook
Climb Via Ferrata & Rappel in Kanab
Climb the Iron Path, then rappel 180 ft in Cave Lakes Canyon
Guided Half-Day Huntress Slot Canyon Rappel In Kanab
Hike into The Huntress slot canyon and complete 4 guided rappels
Explore The Great Chamber UTV Tour Near Zion
Ride a UTV to the 200-foot Great Chamber near Zion National Park
Explore Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon & Hoodoos Near Zion
Ride to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon, the Great Chamber, and Hoodoos in 5 hours
Ride a Guided UTV Tour in Hurricane Sand Dunes
Tour-guide driven Can-Am X3 UTV ride on Hurricane Sand Dunes
Ride a 2-Hour UTV Tour in Hurricane Sand Dunes
Ride with a guide on a 2-hour Hurricane Sand Dunes UTV tour for up to 3 riders
Zion National Park Full-Day Guided Tour
Private Zion vistas with a guide and Polaris vehicle
Guided West Rim UTV Tour in Hurricane
Drive West Rim trails with a guide and Zion-area views
Yant Flats Guided Electric Dirt Bike Tour
Ride firm, beginner-friendly trails to Yant Flats sandstone views
4-Hour Slot Canyon Canyoneering Tour in Springdale
Rappel and scramble through sandstone slots with professional guide instruction
Zion National Park E-Bike & Narrows Footwear Rental
Pedal to the Narrows with footwear and current-conditions guidance
2-Hour Guided Stargazing Tour Near Zion National Park
Stargaze with telescopes, stories, and s'mores near Zion
Bison Preserve Horseback Ride in Mt Carmel
Ride rolling preserve hills with views of Zion's entrance
Family ATV & UTV Desert Tour in Hurricane
Ride red rock trails with family-friendly instruction and your choice of ATV or UTV
Guided Paddle & Hot Springs Tour Near Zion
Paddle Quail Creek, Then Soak at Zion Canyon Hot Springs
Sunset Horseback Ride Near Zion National Park
Follow a rugged mountain trail as the sun sets over Zion National Park
Sunset Bison Feeding Wagon Ride Near Zion
Feed bison from a sunset wagon with Zion National Park views
Zion National Park 1-Hour Horseback Ride
Ride high above Zion National Park on a trail for adventurous riders