There are a lot of guides to Zion National Park online, but after spending several days exploring the park ourselves, I found plenty of little things I wish I had known before we arrived. If you’re planning a trip to Zion, this guide covers exactly what we did, where we stayed, what we’d do again, what we’d skip, and the small tips that made our trip so much easier. Here’s everything I learned.
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Day One: Exploring Zion by E-Bike
If I could recommend one thing to every first-time visitor, it would be to rent e-bikes.
We rented ours for four hours, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. It gave us plenty of time to ride the entire scenic drive, stop for pictures whenever we wanted, watch wildlife, and even fit in a short hike.
I actually think this is the best way to start your trip because it lets you see almost the entire canyon before deciding which hikes you want to come back to.
Day Two: Bryce Canyon National Park
We decided to dedicate one day to Bryce Canyon, and I’m so glad we did.
The drive itself is stunning, with countless scenic overlooks and rock formations right along the highway. Even if you’re not planning to hike much, the drive alone is worth making.
One stop I wish we had made was the Canyon Overlook Trail near Red Canyon. It’s only about a mile round trip and is easy to miss because it’s just after the tunnel. It’ll definitely be on our list next time.
My absolute favorite hike was the Navajo Loop Trail. Pictures simply don’t do it justice. Walking through the bright orange hoodoos felt like being on another planet. The trail is only about 1.6 miles, but the switchbacks can definitely get your heart pumping on the way back up. Just take your time and enjoy every view because you’ll probably stop every few minutes for another picture anyway.
We also stopped at Natural Bridge, which is only a short walk from the parking area, and finished the day at Yovimpa Point. Sitting over 9,000 feet above sea level, the views across Bryce Canyon are incredible and absolutely worth the drive to the end of the park.
Day Three: Hiking The Narrows
This was the hike I had been looking forward to the most.
Walking through the Virgin River surrounded by towering canyon walls is something everyone should experience at least once.
Before heading into the water, we rented water shoes, neoprene socks, and walking sticks. If you’re wondering whether the walking stick is worth it…It absolutely is. The riverbed is full of slippery rocks, and that extra support made a huge difference throughout the hike.
One thing we hadn’t really considered before arriving was flash flood warnings. When we went to rent our gear around 9:00 that morning, the employees recommended everyone be out of The Narrows by noon due to weather conditions. Since you have to ride the shuttle into the park and then hike about a mile before you even reach the river, we realized we’d barely have any time to enjoy the hike.
Instead, we came back the next day. Honestly, it worked out perfectly. One reason I wouldn’t reserve your rental gear too far in advance is because weather conditions can change quickly. Waiting until you’re there gives you much more flexibility.
One mistake we made was leaving our regular shoes in the car. I highly recommend carrying them with you so you can change after leaving the river. The rental shoes are perfect in the water, but after several hours my feet were definitely ready for dry shoes.
Also…your feet will be incredibly pruney afterward. There’s just no avoiding that.
One final thing to remember is that The Narrows isn’t a loop. Every step you take upstream is another step you’ll have to hike back, so don’t push yourself too far.
Day Four: Rockhounding Adventure
After hiking The Narrows, our legs were ready for a break. Instead of another strenuous hike, we decided to explore some of the area’s geology.
Our first stop was Glitter Mountain, located just over the Arizona border.
The last several miles are gravel, so I’d definitely recommend a vehicle with four-wheel drive. As soon as we arrived, the ground sparkled with thousands of tiny selenite crystals reflecting the sunlight. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. One thing to keep in mind, the mineral rights belong to a private owner so payments for any collected material are handled by a honor system through Venmo/PayPal.
Later, we explored Flying Monkey Mesa Road, where the roads became much rougher. This definitely isn’t a drive for regular passenger cars, but if you have a capable off-road vehicle, it’s a fun adventure. We spent time searching for petrified wood and other unique rocks, which ended up being a surprisingly relaxing way to spend the day. You may be able to find petrified wood with uranium here!!
Our Favorite Places to Eat
One of our favorite restaurants was River Rock Roasting Company. The coffee was fantastic, the food was delicious, and the patio overlooks the canyon. It quickly became one of those places we wished we had discovered sooner. (Link)
Another favorite was The Pizza Wagon. After hiking all day, pizza was exactly what we were craving, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. (Link)
Wildlife We Saw
One thing that surprised me about Zion was just how much wildlife we saw.
The deer were everywhere and seemed completely comfortable around people. We also spotted chipmunks, squirrels, and even spotted desert bighorn sheep.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a California condor soaring overhead!
Final Thoughts
Zion quickly became one of my favorite national parks we’ve visited.
Between exploring the canyon on e-bikes, hiking through the Virgin River, taking a day trip to Bryce Canyon, and ending our vacation searching for petrified wood and sparkling crystals in the desert, every day brought something completely different.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t try to cram everything into one trip. Slow down, take in the views, stop for the unexpected overlooks, and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.
Getting There
Every great adventure starts with the journey, and ours began with a road trip from Northern California to Zion National Park.
The drive was beautiful, but I’ll be honest, it was much longer than we expected. Once you get into Nevada, there are long stretches of open highway with very few places to stop, so be sure to fuel up, pack plenty of snacks, and download your favorite playlists or podcasts before you hit the road!
As the miles passed, the scenery slowly transformed from lush pine forests to wide-open desert landscapes before the towering red cliffs of southern Utah finally came into view. After hours in the car, seeing Zion for the first time made every mile worth it. Looking back, if we were planning this trip again, we’d probably fly into Las Vegas. It’s only about a 2 hour drive to Zion, which means less time on the road and more time exploring the park. But if you enjoy road trips like we do, the changing scenery along the way is all part of the adventure.
One thing that almost caught us off guard was the time change. Since we drove from Northern California, we had to remember that Utah is an hour ahead. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you have bike rentals, shuttle times, or dinner reservations. Double-check the local time before your trip so you don’t accidentally show up an hour late or an hour early!
Where We Stayed
After comparing hotels, cabins, and glamping options, we decided on the Best Western Plus Zion West in La Verkin. And honestly, I’d stay there again in a heartbeat.
It was about half the price of many of the cabins and yurts we looked at, and unlike some of those options, we had a private room, private bathroom, and didn’t have to worry about bringing our own bedding. After spending all day hiking in the summer heat, having a comfortable bed and a hot shower felt like a luxury.
Another huge bonus was the complimentary breakfast each morning. They hade eggs, potatoes, sausage, waffles, pancakes, bagels, parfaits, cereals, fruit, juice, and of course coffee!
The location was fantastic too. We were only 20 minutes from the park entrance, making it easy to get an early start before the crowds.
Day One: Exploring Zion by E-Bike
If I could recommend one thing to every first time visitor, it would be to rent e-bikes.
We rented ours for four hours, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. It gave us plenty of time to ride the entire scenic drive, stop for pictures whenever we wanted, watch wildlife, and even fit in a short hike.I actually think this is the best way to start your trip because it lets you see almost the entire canyon before deciding which hikes you want to come back to.
