Zion National Park: A 3-Day Itinerary

Best Hikes In and Around Zion National Park

First off, when you plan a trip to Zion, give yourself a few days (at least two full days).  There are too many great hikes to feel like you’ve fully explored the park in just one day.  If you’ve got more time, you could easily spend three days, unless you are travelling with small children and are limited to the shorter hikes.

Hidden Canyon

There are three park entrances: Kolob Canyon (Northwest side of the park), South Entrance, and East Entrance.  The most popular entrance is the South Entrance, next to Springdale, UT.  If you are looking to spend a few nights at the same hotel, I’d recommend staying in Springdale.  If you plan to move around a bit to see other things in Utah, then I’d recommend the first night in Cedar City, UT (closer to the Kolob Canyon entrance), the second night in Springdale, and if you have a third night, Kanab.  The decision comes down to if you’d rather spend your time in the car driving (this is what you get when you want to explore further away from your hotel) or if you want to spend your time unpacking and packing your hotel room. 

Canyon Overlook Trail

The entrance to Kolob Canyon is in and out.  This is not a thru road.  The benefit of going Kolob Canyon is being able to view Zion in a less crowded environment.  The hikes are more spread out and there are fewer people that travel through this entrance.  It is a two-hour drive between the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center and the South Entrance Visitor Center, which is why less people are at the northern part of the park.

Angel’s Landing

The more popular hikes in Zion National Park (Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools, Angel’s Landing, and the Narrows) are through Zion Canyon.  To minimize the impact of the number of people that visit these trailheads, you need to take a shuttle bus.  Park at the visitor center near the South Entrance and hop on one of the shuttles.  Take a look at a map to figure out which stop you need to get off at.  The maps are well marked and the buses run frequently.  If you’re confused, ask any of the numerous park rangers or volunteers.  This is a very easy part of the park to navigate through.

You can also drive your car through Zion from the South Entrance to the East Entrance along the Zion Mount Carmel Highway.  The road goes through an impressive tunnel, and I would recommend heading out this way if only to hike the Canyon Overlook Trail (one of my favorites).

Favorite hikes in and around Zion National Park

Below is a proposed 3-Day Itinerary.  We’ve been to Zion National Parks twice over the past year, so my stories from our hikes are from two different trips.

Cedar City - Day 1

Head out to Kolob Canyons.  Stop at the Visitor Center first to get a park map.

Kolob Canyon - March Snow Storm

Drive towards the end of the road.  It’s about 5 miles from the Visitor Center to the end of the road.  There is a parking lot here and a trail out to Timber Creek Overlook.  This is a short hike (1/2 mile from the parking lot to the viewpoint).  Alas, when we visited Zion this past March, it was snowing in the morning.  Although the pictures of the snow-covered trees are beautiful, it was difficult to see the rock walls, which I know are spectacular even if I couldn’t see them.  <sigh>  Next time…

Timber Creek Overlook

There are a few longer hikes from nearby trailheads along the road, but I was traveling with a 6 and 10-year old, and I was more interested in saving their limited number of steps in a day for other places (we only had one day in the park on this trip – didn’t I just say spend more than one?  I need to take follow my own advice better…).

Kolob Canyon - March Snow Storm

Next, head back out of the park the way you came in.  Before you get to I-15 though, turn left onto Old U.S. 91 (N. Main Street) and drive into the town of Kanarraville.  There is a parking lot at the end of E 100 St.  This is the trailhead to Kanarraville Falls.  The hike is 3.8 miles from the parking lot to the last of the waterfalls and back.  Unfortunately, you’ll have to google this for images.  We were going to hike this slot canyon on our trip this March, but it rained the entire day before, and rain and slot canyons don’t mix…  So, this will have to be a future hike for us.  But, in my planning for this hike, I’ll share what I learned.  This is outside of Zion National Park, and due to its popularity, you need to buy permits for every person hiking.  There are two ways to buy a permit.  1) Visit https://www.kanarrafalls.com/.  Luckily for me, the website wasn’t working and I couldn’t purchase our permits (since they are non-refundable).  I did call the phone number listed though trying to figure out how to purchase them with the website not working.  I was told that there is a person in the parking lot that will sell permits for the day starting at 10am.  Note though that in the more popular months, there is a limited number of permits and it might be better to reserve yours in advance online.

Pa’rus Trail

Spend your late afternoon at the South Entrance.  It’s an hour-drive from Kanarraville.  Catch a movie at the visitor center or watch a ranger program.  Make sure if you’re travelling with kids to pick up a Junior Ranger workbook to earn a badge.  If you have extra time and aren’t ready to call it quits yet with hiking, Pa’rus Trail is a nice quiet sunset hike along the Virgin River.  This trailhead starts at the Visitor Center. You can make this hike as long as you want and then head back.  This trail is not as popular as others. We did this one when we were at Zion last year, and it felt like we had the river to ourselves.

Pa’rus Trail

Pa’rus Trail

Springdale - Day 2

If you are traveling with kids, do not take them to Angel’s Landing.  Also, if you are afraid of heights, this would not be a hike that you would enjoy.  If you decide to brave Angel’s Landing, hit this trail early in the morning.  The later you go, the busier this trail gets.  As there are cables that you need to hold on to, this is a really difficult place to hike with lots of people. 

Kayenta Trail

When I hiked this trail two years ago, my husband took the boys to the Upper and Lower Emerald Pools along the Kayenta Trail, which shared the same trailhead as Angel’s Landing.  It took us about the same time for each hike and we joined up for an early picnic afterwards.  You are looking for the Grotto as your bus stop for both hikes.  If you want to go to the Emerald pools, head left.  If you are hiking Angel’s Landing, head to the right along the West Rim Trail.

Emerald Pools Hike

West Rim Trail - Beginning of Angel’s Landing

The trail to Angel’s Landing follows the river for a moment and then starts gaining in elevation.  Pretty much the whole hike to Angel’s Landing is uphill.  The hike itself is 5.5 miles round trip, and the elevation gain is approximately 1,500ft.  The views along the West Rim Trail are beautiful.  Even if you have no desire to go all the way to the edge of Angel’s Landing, this is nice hike up to Walter’s Wiggles.

Angel’s Landing

Walter’s Wiggles, are 21 very steep and short switchbacks up to Scout’s Landing.  They are named after the superintendent of Zion National Park when the trail was constructed. 

Walter’s Wiggles - Angel’s Landing

If you are scared of heights, you will do fine on the hike up to Scout’s Landing at the top of Walter’s Wiggles.  Honestly, the view from Angel’s Landing is better, but it isn’t that different than just stopping at Scout’s Landing. 

Looking up to Angel’s Landing from Scout’s Lookout

The trail continues past Scout’s Lookout for another ½ mile to Angel’s Landing.  This part of the trail is the portion with the 1000ft drop off on both sides of you.  There are cables to hold for stability.  Yes, it is scary.  In addition to holding onto the cables, there are times you will need to use your arms to pull you up small distances.  I put my camera away in order to keep my hands free during this part of the hike.  When I finally made it to the edge, I was shaking.  I’m not sure if it was the strenuous nature of the hike or the dramatic distance of the ground below me.  Probably both.  Again, please don’t take your children on this part of the hike. 

More cables up to Angel’s Landing

It is an incredible feeling at the end of this trail though.  Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings before turning around.  The way back is phenomenally easier.  Even though it’s the same trail, it won’t seem as scary on the way back.  I have no idea why though as it’s the same trail.  I’ve read this from other hikers as well.  And the rest of the trail is downhill, so it won’t take you near as long to return back to the trailhead.

I’m going to re-iterate my point above – this trail gets really busy the later in the day you hike.  The cables are tough to share with crowds.  It’s worth your time to get up early the morning you plan on this hike.

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 Re-stock with a picnic, and then I would suggest catching the shuttle to the next stop at Weeping Rock.  If you have younger children, Weeping Rock is a great short hike.  My family likes the longer hikes though, in which case I would skip that and head instead to Hidden Canyon.  This trail branches off to Observation Point.  If heights were something that kept you from Angel’s Landing, Observation Point can get you to a similar viewpoint.  This hike is 8 miles roundtrip from the Weeping Rock trailhead.  It branches from the Hidden Canyon Trail onto the East Rim Trail.

View from Hidden Canyon Trailhead

As I’d already hiked Angel’s Landing, we skipped the Observation Trail and instead headed to Hidden Canyon.  My boys were with us on this hike (ages 5 and 9 at the time).  The trail round trip is 2.5 miles with a climb of 850ft.  There are some cables to hold onto as there are some steep drop offs, but the trail here is much wider than Angel’s Landing, and the drop-off is only on one side.  Full disclosure, there were tears from my boys when we got to the cable section as they were afraid of heights.  With some coaxing though, and of course we held their hands and walked with them along this portion of the trail, both boys named this as their favorite hike in Zion once we got through this portion. 

Hiking the cables together at Hidden Canyon

The hike opens up into this small canyon with obstacles that are fun to figure out how to maneuver past.  There are tight spots, fallen logs, arches, etc.  It feels very adventurous.  We wondered along the canyon a little past this arch and then turned around. 

Hidden Canyon

My family in Hidden Canyon

Just like Angel’s Landing, the cables weren’t as scary for the kids on the way back – no tears.  And this was one of my favorite hikes on our trip that Spring Break as my 5-year-old wanted to hold my hand the majority of the way back.  I love hiking with my boys!  I love spending time with them.  I love hearing all of the stories they come up with over the course of a multi-hour hike.  I love getting to hold their hands through the scary parts. 

Hidden Canyon

 If you are up to hiking the Narrows (through the river) this would be my day 3 proposed hike.  If you have little kids like me, this just isn’t an option yet.  But you can take the bus all the way to the end at Temple of Sinawava, and hike the Riverside Walk – a gentle hike with no elevation gain (1.8 miles round trip).  This takes you to the beginning of the Narrows, and at least you can imagine what the rest of the Narrows might look like.  We will be back in a few years, as my youngest works on getting some longer legs. 

Riverside Walk

Springdale - Day 3

As I mentioned, if you’re able to hike through the river, I would suggest spending your day in the Narrows, which I haven’t yet had the opportunity to do.

If you have kids, here’s an off-the beaten path plan for your day. 

Canyon Overlook Trail

Canyon Overlook Trail – Take your car along the Zion Mount Carmel Highway.  Your kids will love getting to go through the amazing tunnel built through the rocks of Zion.  Just on the other side of the tunnel are two parking lots for the Canyon Overlook Trail.  If the parking lots are full, just pull over and wait.  This is a short trail (1 mile round trip) so people are constantly returning to their cars and a space will free up.  This is a busy hike, but one of my favorites in the park.  There isn’t too much of an elevation gain and the obstacles are not difficult to get around, but it feels like you are going on an adventure with the steps cut out of rock and short bridges to go across.  The view at the end is pretty incredible too.

Canyon Overlook Trail

Canyon Overlook Trail

Sand Dunes State Park – Trust me on this.  Head out of Zion National Park.  I know there are tons of hikes still to do, but your kids will love this state park.  And it’s just a little over a half hour outside of the park to get there.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Head out of Zion’s East Entrance and follow UT-9 E.  You will follow this 13 miles to US-89S.  Go 3.5 miles and turn right onto County Road 43 for another 11 miles.  Signs will guide you the whole way. 

Coral Pink Sand Dues State Park

It’s an $8/car fee to enter the park.  If the sand is dry, you can rent sleds from the state park office.  If the sand is wet, sleds won’t work, but it is still really fun to climb the sand dunes and roll down them.  We easily spent two hours at this park.  There’s no official trails.  You just wander around the dunes and climb the ones that are calling to you.  The parking lot is well marked with a fence that can be seen no matter where you are so it’s easy to aim for when you’re ready to call it quits for the day.

Playing on the sand dunes

We also had fun making sand angels and sand sculptures.  Huge giant sandbox – what more could kids ask for???  For just $8!  It’s a steal!  And the park is not near as busy as Zion.

I’ll recommend one more place to try not too far way: Moqui Caverns.

Moqui Caverns

Not to be confused with Moqui Caves, Moqui Caverns are free and unmarked.  They are tiny caves in the sandstone, just visible from US 89.  When you are returning from the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, turn right onto Hwy 89.  About 2 miles down Hwy 89, you will see a sign for Moqui Cave.  Keep going for about 300 yards.  There is a small unmarked pull off from the highway (it’s the first pull off that you will see after Moqui Cave).  Park here.  Look across the highway and off to the right just slightly and you’ll see the caves. 

Moqui Caverns

Carefully cross the highway, and you’ll see a trail that takes you to the base of the sandstone.  You are going to need to climb up the sandstone.  This is a really short hike (< ¼ mile round trip), but I would not recommend this for super small children as they will need to climb up this sandstone.  Walk along the sandstone until you get into the caves and have fun exploring!  This is best in the later afternoon as the sun will come into the caverns.

From here – you could go to Page, AZ, Bryce Canyon National Park, or Escalante National Monument to continue your vacation adventure.

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