Everyone should experience the majestic views of Zion National Park at least once. Follow the paths people have walked for thousands of years, gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs and discover the great outdoors at every turn. Whether you stay for the weekend or an entire week, experience this park’s past and the excitement of present-day adventures with this Zion National Park travel guide.
Zion National Park 3-Day Itinerary
The best itinerary for Zion National Park includes exploring all the hikes this area offers while enjoying good food and gorgeous sunsets. Whether traversing a deep, narrow canyon or climbing cliffs for panoramic views, you are bound to have an unforgettable trip with this sample three-day itinerary to Zion National Park.
Day 1
Your first-day Zion National Park family itinerary includes the following activities:
- Check into your campsite: After a long day of traveling, check in at St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey. The campground is just 20 minutes from Zion National Park and offers a respite after taking in the beautiful red-rock scenery of southern Utah.
- Scope out the area: Get acquainted with the different areas of the park. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is the main road, beginning at the visitor center and ending at the Temple of Sinawava. Kolob Canyons is the smaller section that sits north of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
- Hike Watchman Trail: You can hike the Watchman Trail first, a short hike that begins at the visitor center and overlooks the entire Springdale area. The entire trail is over 3 miles, but the trailhead to the mountain’s overlook is a short distance from the park’s South Entrance, making this hike ideal for a first-time visitor.
Day 2
Here is a Zion National Park visitor guide for day two:
- Stop at the market: Pick up water and snacks from the Sol Foods Supermarket. Bring a backpack to carry your food and water since you will be gone all day.
- Hike the Pa’rus Trail: This wide concrete sidewalk might be the easiest hike in Zion. It is also a great way to access many sites in the park, including the Zion Human History Museum, without riding the shuttle. Plus, you will get views of the Virgin River and the popular Canyon Junction Bridge along the way.
- Stop for a picnic: You will find plenty of benches to stop at, but the best picnic areas are along river access trails. Look for signs pointing out places to leave the trail and walk by the river.
- Hike Weeping Rock: Weeping Rock is a brief but demanding hike that ends with a large overhang of rock dripping with water. The hike makes a short but sweet ending to your second day in Zion.
Day 3
On your final day in Zion, go out with a bang by visiting the most popular trails in the park:
- Stop at The Grotto Shop: Stop at this local market for water and snacks. Pack at least two liters of water and a lunch in a small backpack, as you will be taking the Zion shuttle to reach several hikes.
- Hike Angels Landing: Almost every Zion National Park hiking guide will include Angels Landing toward the top of the list. After fueling up for the day, make your way to this trail. Its final climb scales a narrow ridge high above the valley floor, revealing stunning views of Zion for a well-worth payoff. Just remember to get your permit for Angels Landing before hiking.
- Hike Hidden Canyon: Hidden Canyon is thrilling and typically not crowded. If you are hoping for a less busy experience than Angels Landing, this trail features similar sights without as many visitors.
- Watch the sunset: After a long day, head to your campground around sunset and watch as the night climbs along the eastern face of the nearby cliffs.
Zion National Park 4-Day Itinerary
Four-day Zion National Park trips offer ample time to take in the sights and hikes of the area. You might go on a multiple-day backpacking journey of The Narrows or travel north to Bryce Canyon. Use this Zion National Park guide for your excursion.
Day 1
The first day of your trip will include checking into your lodging and hiking popular trails:
- Hike the Emerald Pool Trail: The Emerald Pool Trail is a short trail that connects two pools of water — the Lower Emerald Pool and the Upper Emerald Pool. The trail features waterfalls and showstopping views.
- Hike Riverside Walk: This beautiful hike includes a paved walking path suitable for most ages and ability levels, making it a great way to end your day. The trail ends at the Virgin River, featuring beautiful hanging gardens along the way.
- Get dinner at Red Rock Grill: The Red Rock Grill is one of two restaurants inside the park. Get dinner after a long day and enjoy steak, grilled chicken or pecan-crusted trout.
Day 2
Here’s a sample itinerary for your second day:
- Get breakfast: Fuel up with coffee and breakfast at Cafe Soleil. The cafe has vegan and vegetarian options, breakfast burritos, tomato spinach melts and superfood wraps that will have you trail-ready.
- Hike to Observation Point: For stunning views over Zion National Park, look no further than Observation Point. To get to it, you might take East Mesa Trail or the Weeping Rock Trailhead.
- Explore Harrisburg Ghost Town: Just 20 minutes from Zion, the town of Harrisburg was flooded by the Virgin River in 1862, forcing residents from their homes. Today, little remains of the old town, but you can still spot remnants, from the historic cemetery to the many sandstone houses. Make a stop at this fascinating ghost town on your way back to your campground.
Day 3
Up the ante on your third day with a Zion National Park Trail guide:
- Hike The Narrows: Follow the Virgin River through The Narrows — one of the most gorgeous slot canyons in the country. For the bottom-up version of the hike, start at the Riverside Walk and hike until you feel like turning around. If you choose the top-down version, an epic 16-mile journey, you will need to apply for a permit.
- Hike Canyon Overlook Trail: For one of the best views in Zion, head to Canyon Overlook Trail next. The hike starts at the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel and ends with a spectacular view of the canyon. This easy trip is beautiful at sunset, making it a climactic end to your third day in Zion.
Day 4
On your final day, use this Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park itinerary for an exciting combined excursion. Bryce Canyon is located just two hours northeast of Zion, and in just one day, you can discover fascinating rock formations, take in views from multiple points and thoroughly explore all this park has to offer:
- Start driving early: Get on the road by sunrise to make the most of your trip. If you arrive in Bryce Canyon after 8 a.m., stop by the visitor center for a free map of the park or to discuss the trails with rangers.
- Walk the Rim Trail: Next, park in the lot labeled for Sunset Point and enjoy the view. Walk the Rim Trail toward Sunrise Point, a flat and easy walkway that offers stunning views over Bryce.
- Hike the Queens Garden Trail: After taking in the sights of Sunrise Point, it is time to start hiking. The Queens Garden Trail is one of the most popular trails in Bryce, descending into a valley among gardens of hoodoos and rock formations. The easy walk is perfect for all ages and ability levels, and you can head to the Navajo Loop Trail from here, a strenuous but gorgeous hike through a forest.
- Eat in Bryce: Depending on what time it is after completing your first few hikes, stop for lunch or dinner in the town of Bryce. The General Store, located near Sunrise Point, offers grab-and-go food options you can take on the trails, while Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop includes options like pizza, salads, beer, wine and coffee.
- Visit Inspiration Point and Bryce Point: End your trip in Bryce Canyon with two last stops — Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. The uphill walk of Inspiration Point offers some of the best views of the park, while Bryce Point gives similar views a little farther down the road.
Zion National Park 5-Day Itinerary
A five-day journey to the park might include taking on various trails and exploring nearby Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Use this guide to Zion National Park and Page, Arizona.
Day 1
On your first day, take on the most popular areas in the park, hit up a breakfast spot and stop for a scenic picnic between hikes:
- Drive to Canyon Overlook Trail: Start your trip right with the best views of Zion on Canyon Overlook Trail. The trailhead is on Mount Carmel Highway, so you will need to drive. Parking is limited, so try to arrive early to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous sunrise over the canyon.
- Drive Zion-Mount Carmel Highway: On your way back from Canyon Overlook Trail, take in the spectacular views of Mount Carmel Highway, which winds through a tunnel and showcases Zion in all its glory.
- Explore Checkerboard Mesa: Located near Zion Visitor Center, Checkerboard Mesa is worth a quick stop due to its unique rock texture and color gradient. The stretch of land is also known for its bighorn sheep sightings. Stop along the trail for a picnic while taking in the sights.
- Check-in at your campsite: At the end of your first day, head back to St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey to rest your head. The campground features plenty of tent, RV and cabin sites, and there are exciting attractions nearby, including Quail Creek and Snow Canyon State Park.
Day 2
Hike the entirety of The Narrows, a must-see attraction just a 30-minute shuttle drive from Zion Visitor Center. The Narrows is the skinniest section of Zion Canyon, with walls as tall as 1,000 feet high and as narrow as 20 feet wide.
Here is your itinerary for the day:
- Grab food: Stop at Sol Foods Supermarket to pack your food essentials. Pack a bag with trail mix, food bars, wraps, sandwiches and plenty of water since you will be hiking the entire day.
- Stop at the visitor center: Be sure to check at the visitor center or online for trail conditions. If water levels are too high, the trail may close due to a risk of flash floods. If things are clear, hop on the shuttle and get off at The Narrows trailhead.
- Hike The Narrows from the bottom-up: The most popular way to hike The Narrows is to start at Zion Canyon and take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava. Hiking this way does not require a permit. The bottom-up version of this hike starts at a riverside path before entering The Narrows.
- Hike The Narrows from the top-down: Hiking The Narrows from the top-down is around 16 miles and requires a permit. You might hike it as a long day journey or an overnight camping trip split into two days. Start at Chamberlain’s Ranch — an hour-and-a-half drive from Zion.
Day 3
Hike the West Rim Trail, a long-distance trail with sweeping views and very few hikers. Taking this long-distance hike means you get the opportunity to scale all of Zion, whether you make it a day hike or a two-day backpacking excursion.
Days 4 and 5
On day four, make the two-and-a-half hour drive from St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey to Horseshoe Bend. Use this itinerary to get the most out of your journey:
- Get on the road early: Upon waking up, make the drive to Arizona.
- Stop in Kanab: On your way to Horseshoe Bend, you will pass through the town of Kanab, which features a famous slot canyon called Peek-a-Boo Canyon, or Red Canyon. It is an easy and short hike into the canyon, with beautiful scenery rivaling that of Antelope Canyon. You might also hike the famous Wave, a hike famous for its beautiful, natural wave pattern.
- Visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes: Make a stop at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes just 30 minutes south of Kanab. The cost is $15 per vehicle, and you can enjoy popular activities like hiking, sand boarding, sledding or ATV’ing.
- Stop at Horseshoe Bend: Horseshoe Bend is a must-see stop for its stunning sunset views. It costs $10 per vehicle to enter and enjoy this easygoing hike that features an exposed overlook of the gorgeous desert that dips into the Colorado River.
Antelope Canyon is about 15 minutes from Horseshoe Bend. You can tackle it on day four or come back the next day. Here is what you can do:
- Do a waterside tour: Book an Antelope Canyon Waterside tour with Hidden Canyon Kayak. The four-hour journey will immerse you in the beauty of Lake Powell and the complexity of the Antelope Canyon. Your tour guide will take you through towering sandstone cliffs into the most northern portion of Antelope Canyon.
- Tour Antelope Canyon: Upon leaving your watercraft, hike the world-famous Antelope Canyon, known for its surrealistic colors and shapes. Decide ahead whether you will tour the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Note that the Lower is slightly more physical, requiring stair climbing and boulder scrambling.
- Grab lunch or early dinner: After your tour of the canyon, grab lunch at nearby Antelope Point Marina, which offers gorgeous views and delicious eats, or The Deli at Big Lake Trading Post for their hearty, hand-made sandwiches.
If you explore both sites in one day, you can take day five to relax and explore the amenities at your campground.
Book Your National Park Stay at KOA
Whether planning three days of family fun or a week-long excursion, use this guide to plan your trip to Zion National Park, and book your stay at Kampgrounds of America. Located just over 20 minutes from Zion National Park, St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey is open all year long and offers a respite after a long day of hiking and taking in the spectacular sights of southern Utah.
You can relax by the pool, play mini golf and enjoy seasonal clubhouse activities. Swimming, fishing and boating are also close by. After you have explored Zion National Park, take a scenic drive by Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend — all within a few hours of your campground.
When planning a trip to Zion National Park, book your stay at St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
