Zion National Park
About Zion National Park
Zion National Park is located in southwest Utah, just 70 miles away from Bryce Canyon. Like other Utah parks Zion is an example of how geologic processes can create beautiful rock features. Zion is separated into two sections: the Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons. These two sections are not connected by road, but you are still able to drive through sections of both. The most popular section of the park — Zion Canyon — has very distinct and colorful canyon walls that are separated by the Virgin River that carves its way through.
What to Do?
Hiking in Zion
The hiking in Zion is absolutely incredible. It does not matter which hikes you choose every trail has beautiful views. All of the trails I have listed below are located in the Zion Canyon, as I have yet to go on any in the Kolob Canyons.
Riverside Walk: 2.2 miles roundtrip. This is a paved trail that brings you to the trailhead for the Narrows (mentioned below).
Pa’rus Trail: 1.75 miles point to point. This trail is a flat trail that follows along the Virgin River. Bikes and pets are allowed on this paved trail.
Canyon Overlook Trail: 1 mile roundtrip. Elevation gain of 163 feet on this trail that brings to one of the overlooks for the canyon.
Watchman Trail: 3.3 miles roundtrip. You gain 368 feet as you climb up part of the canyon wall. This a moderate hike that takes you to a small overlook of the canyon.
Emerald Pool Hikes:
Lower Emerald Pool: 1.2 miles roundtrip. 150 feet elevation gain.
Middle Emerald Pool: 2 miles roundtrip (including the Lower Pool). 150 feet elevation gain.
Upper Emerald Pool: 2.5 miles roundtrip (including Lower and Middle Pool). 200 feet elevation gain.
The Narrows
The Narrows is one of the most popular hikes in Zion. This is the narrowest section of the canyon, hence its name. This is an unusual trail that instead of walking on land you actually walk through the Virgin river. The trail is open year round except when the river exceeds 150 CFS (cubic feet per second). If you wish to hike the narrows I would check the current conditions on the nps website before going.
This is a point to point hike that is 16 miles in length and can be done in two different ways. Most people choose to hike this from the bottom up (starting at the Temple of Sinawava) and go as far in as they want before turning around. This way also does not require a permit. If you want to hike Chamberlain Ranch down to the Temple of Sinawava you will need a wilderness permit. This way closes more than the bottom up way due to the river exceeding 150 CFS.
Depending on which season you are planning to hike the Narrows can decide what equipment you should bring with you from boots to a full dry suit. Equipment can be rented at several different outlets in Springdale, which is just south of the park. The hike you experience will be different based on the season you visit.
Angels Landing
This is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion and it definitely lives up to its reputation. This hike is 5.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,488 feet. It starts pretty gradual, slowly working your way up the canyon before reaching Walter’s Wiggles. This section of the trail is comprised of 21 short switchbacks in which you gain around 250 feet very quickly. The section of the trail that is the most recognizable is the Angel’s Landing itself. Located at the top of the trail, the Landing is accessed by following a very narrow trail with steep drop offs of at least 1000 feet on either side. Along this section there are chains fixed into the rock to use as support as you climb up and down. If you are afraid of heights I do not recommend attempting this hike. The trail itself if scary enough even before you have to maneuver around people due to its narrowness.
Due to its popularity and to keep the trail safe, permits are now required to hike the Angels Landing section of the trail. There are two different ways to apply for permits, either seasonally or the day before. Permits can be for up to 6 people.
For seasonal permits the days that they open are listed below. You can apply online at recreation.gov.
You can also apply for the permit the day before you want to hike Angels Landing. The lottery opens at recreation.gov from12:01 am (MT) to 3:00 pm. An email will be sent out at 4:00 pm letting you know whether you received a permit or not.
Shuttle
Due to the business of Zion and the narrowness of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive you are not able to drive your own car through it for the whole year. The shuttle normally runs from March until December (during the months of January and February you are able to take your own car on the drive). The shuttle is free for visitors and comes every 10-15 minutes within the park and every 15 minutes for the Springdale shuttle. The current schedules for the shuttles is posted down below.
Where to Stay?
The best and closest place to stay for Zion National Park is Springdale, Utah. This quaint town functions hand in hand with the national park. Located just south of the entrance to the Zion Canyon, there are plenty of hotels to stay and restaurants to eat at. As mentioned above the shuttle even ventures into Springdale to pick up guests so no driving is required.
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