Zion National Park Travel Guide

The Zion Short List

Stay

• Zion Canyon Lodge $

Hike

• Pa’rus Trail (Easy)
• Lower Emerald Pool Trail (Easy)
• Riverside Walk (Easy)
• Kayenta Trail (Moderate)
• Angel’s Landing (Hard)
• Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (best scenic drive)

Eat

• Meme’s Cafe $$
• Jack’s Sports Grill $$
• Oscar’s Cafe $$$

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

Zion Canyon Lodge ($)

Zion Canyon Lodge was my favorite hotel stay during my southwest road trip! The staff is so hospitable, the rooms are beautifully renovated and you can see Zion just outside your window. Rooms here are extremely affordable and breakfast is also included. The lodge is located in Springdale, Utah about 5 minutes from the entrance to Zion National Park. You can book your stay at Zion Canyon Lodge here.

What to Wear

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Zion National Park Tips

• Visit during the winter (off-season) for spectacular snowy views and the ability to explore on your own. Shuttle service is closed during the winter, which means you can drive your car on the canyon floor instead of riding on a bus with other tourists.
• Stay in Springdale! This cute mountain village town is right at the base of Zion and is oh so charming. The lodging, cafes and shopping here make you feel like you’re on a mountain retreat. Springdale is also only 5 minutes from the park while St. George (the usual lodging spot for Zion visitors) is an hour away.
• I recommend spending 2-3 days at Zion National Park to fit in the highlights for hiking, exploring and photographing. Admission to Zion National Park is $35 for unlimited entry for one week.

Best Hikes in Zion National Park

Kayenta Trail (Moderate)

1.5 hours | 2 miles

Kayenta Trail is a scenic and moderate hike that follows the path of the Virgin River before gently climbing the foothills at the base of Zion Canyon. This is a beautiful trail for photography and is an ideal hike for those looking for a slightly challenging hike that’s not too strenuous. Map out your hiking route here.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail (Easy)

1 hour | 1.2 miles

This hike offers beautiful views for very little effort! The Lower Emerald Pools are surrounded by greenery and the stunning scenery of Zion National Park. View the trail route here.

Riverside Walk — Gateway to the Narrows (Easy)

1.5 hours | 2.2 miles

This hike runs parallel to the Virgin River flowing through the Zion Canyon floor. At the end of this hike, you may be met with the rare and beautiful sight of Mystery Falls. These falls are stunning, but only flow if the canyon has recently experienced snowy or rainy weather. View the Riverside Walk route here.

Angel’s Landing (Hard)

5 hours | 5 miles

Angel’s Landing is the most famous hike in Zion National Park with a legendary view that attracts hikers from across the globe. Although this hike is extremely popular, I don’t recommend it to anyone who is afraid of heights. You should also be physically fit with a great sense of balance to endure the hike to Angel’s Landing—it’s not for the faint of heart. This hike offers stunning views of Zion Canyon from above, but it can also be extremely dangerous.

The trail winds 1500 feet high above the canyon without guard rails to keep you from falling. Deaths are still quite rare on this trail, but I would only recommend it to the brave. During my visit to Zion, Angel’s Landing was closed due to icy conditions. Even if the trail would have been open, heights and lack of safety measures make me very nervous—I would have skipped this one regardless. Make your own judgement call on if it’s worth the photo op to you or not!

Springdale Utah Restaurants

Meme’s Cafe

Meme’s is one of my favorite brunch spots I’ve ever visited. The crepes are absolutely delicious and the vibe of the cafe is so warm and welcoming. You can view the Meme’s menu here.

Oscar’s

This is the most notable restaurant in Springfield and a very popular spot for dinner—reservations are usually recommended. Fresh seafood and gourmet burgers are the highlights here. View the Oscars menu here.

Jack’s Sports Grill

I stopped in here on a whim to watch a Chiefs game during a snowstorm and was so pleasantly surprised. The wings are delicious, the ambiance was so cozy and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. If you’re looking for a fun sports bar during your trip to Zion, I highly recommend stopping for lunch at Jack’s. Access the menu here.

Pin It!