Best One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary for Your First Visit
This one day in Zion National Park itinerary will help you plan the perfect vacation to Utah’s most popular national park.
Soaring canyons in shades of pink and orange, gushing waterfalls and rivers, epic hikes packed with stunning scenery — this one day in Zion itinerary has it all. The breathtaking landscape in southern Utah consists of towering sandstone cliffs and a slot canyon sliced through by the Virgin River.
If you’re up for some adventures in Zion, the park has a couple of heart-pumping treks through the river and up ridges with sweeping views. And for everyone else, there’s nature trails, scenic drives, bike paths, ranger programs for kids, a museum, and much more.
While you won’t be able to do it all with just a day in Zion National Park, you should have time for a couple of trails, a sightseeing shuttle ride, and a picnic in the shadow of the mighty cliffs.
I’ve visited Zion National Park twice now and the activities below are my favorites that I always recommend to others planning a trip. Keep reading for the top things to put on your Zion National Park bucket list and scroll to the end for tips for visiting.
One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary
These are the best things to do on a one day in Zion National Park itinerary. We’ve included the top hikes, scenic drives and views on this Zion bucket list!
The Narrows Hike in Zion
With the Virgin River narrowing to just 20 to 30 feet in some parts, and canyon walls soaring hundreds of feet above, this epic hike certainly belongs on every Zion National Park bucket list. The most popular route is the Bottom Up hike which starts with the easy Riverside Walk trailhead. At the end of that, you’ll be hopping right into the water for the rest of the hike.
A little walking, a little wading, and some swimming are required for the entire 9.4-mile roundtrip, strenuous hike. But, since it’s an out-and-back path, you can turn around at any point if you don’t want to spend your whole day in Zion National Park here.
Since river conditions and flash flooding can make The Narrows dangerous, be sure to check conditions before taking off. It’s mostly recommended only for late spring through summer when the water isn’t as frigid, but even then you’ll want the right gear for a safe trip.
Read up about it on the NPS website before penciling this one into your Zion National Park itinerary. Local outfitters in Springdale rent the gear you’ll need, like canyoneering boots, dry pants, waterproof backpacks, and hiking sticks.
The Narrows is one of the most popular things to do in Zion National Park, but if you’re only visiting for a day, this can take up a good chunk of time. If your heart is set on this hike, I recommend setting aside no more than 3 to 4 hours for the hike so you have time to do other things as well. Just hike in as far as you can for half the time and then turn around to start making your way back.
Trail to Angels Landing
You’ve likely seen photos of the daring final climb of Angels Landing on Instagram, and the dramatic heights and narrow footpath certainly make this hike one for the most adventurous of spirits. With one day in Zion National Park, you’ll probably want to pick between either this hike or the Narrows if you’re looking for a strenuous trek since both take a few hours.
The West Rim Trail to Angels Landing is about 5.4 miles roundtrip, with 1,488 feet of elevation change and switchbacks. The most heart-pumping section is at the end, where a skinny little ridge with big drops and only a chain to cling to guides hikers up to a canyon lookout.
You need a permit to hike the final portion of the trail on Angel’s Landing. Permit lotteries are done seasonally, so check here for how to apply.
Emerald Pool Trails
With lower, middle and upper tiers, the Emerald Pools and their waterfalls make for a fun and scenic hike that can be easy to moderately challenging, depending on how far you trek.
The paved Lower Emerald Pools Trail is just 1.2 miles round trip and leads to a waterfall that you can walk under. The middle pool sits just above the lower, but it takes a bit of a steep climb to reach.
The upper is some 200 feet higher and turns the whole thing into about a 3-mile excursion. It also connects to the Kayenta Trail, which means you can make a loop instead of climbing back down the exact same way. Check the park maps to plot your course.
Canyon Overlook Trail
For a quick walk with a pretty viewpoint, hop on the Canyon Overlook Trail. Unlike the other paths on this list that start from spots along the canyon floor, this one is higher up, so you won’t have to do much climbing for the vista.
Spanning just a mile round trip and considered moderately difficult, the route leads to a lookout of lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon.
The trailhead is just before the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel on the east side, but parking is limited and the shuttle doesn’t come up this way, so it might be hard to find a spot during busy times.
Riverside Walk
This easy trail runs alongside the Virgin River with canyon walls rising above. A total of 2.2 miles out and back, the Riverside Walk is at the last shuttle stop on Floor of the Valley Road, so you’ll get to do some sightseeing along the way.
The Riverside Walk is a family-friendly option, with a paved and mostly flat route and restrooms and water at the trailhead. If you continue past the end of the trail into the river, you’ll be on the Narrows hike, detailed above.
Pa’rus Trail
The paved, multi-use Pa’rus Trail is the only one in the park to allow leashed pets and bikes. It runs alongside the Virgin River for 3.5 miles roundtrip, though you can turn back at any point for a shorter jaunt.
Along the way, there are some exhibits, but the main attraction is the multi-hued canyon walls hovering overhead in the distance and the river gushing by.
Ranger Walks and Talks
The Zion park rangers offer a few different programs that visitors might want to check out, especially with family in tow. Most happen primarily through the summer months.
Rangers lead daily walks along the riverside Pa’rus Trail in summer, give short presentations outside the Zion Human History Museum, and narrate Floor of the Valley Road shuttle tours.
For kids, there are youth programs daily in summer at the Nature Center and a few of the trailheads to learn about the park’s rocks and wildlife, and fun games and stories at the Zion Lodge. Children can also earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing certain Zion National Park activities.
Zion Human History Museum
The Zion Human History Museum near the park’s south entrance is full of exhibits on the people, plants and animals native to this part of Utah, and displays about the power of water and how it’s shaped the canyon. There’s also a video presentation shown throughout the day and rangers on hand to answer questions.
Scenic Drives in Zion National Park
There are a couple of spots in and around the park where you can take in the beauty of Zion while cruising down the highway.
The six-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in the park follows the Virgin River through the canyon before ending at the Temple of Sinawava and the trailhead for the Narrows hike. Also known as Floor of the Valley Road, the route offers unparalleled views of the sandstone mountains rising up overhead to either side.
Private vehicles can only access this road between December and February when the park shuttles aren’t running, or with a special pass for overnight guests of the Zion Lodge. The rest of the time, you’ll either have to hop on a Zion shuttle or cycle down the road.
The best sightseeing drive for private vehicles is along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, the eastern route into the park from Highway 89 and the community of Mt. Carmel. Completed in 1930, the 25-mile road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a 1.1-mile tunnel through the cliffs with cut-out windows offering views into the canyon. The road also includes a series of switchbacks and hairpin turns as it descends to the floor.
The east entrance to the national park is about midway along the drive, so you will have to pay admission even if you’re just passing through on a Utah road trip. There are a few places to stop and hike along the way, including the Canyon Overlook trail detailed above, but you’ll see plenty of colorful sandstone formations without ever leaving the car.
Zion Camping and Stargazing
Since most park-goers filter out after sunset, staying for nightfall in Zion can be a peaceful and rewarding experience, when the dark skies fill with stars. The park works to prevent light pollution with LED bulbs and shaded lamps.
One of the best ways to experience the scenery after dark is by staying overnight at one of the Zion National Park campgrounds. There are two options in the canyon zone. The Watchman Campground near the visitor center has tent, group and RVs sites with electric hookups, plus toilets, drinking water and a dump station.
The South Campground by the Zion Nature Center is more primitive. There are additional campgrounds and RV resorts in Springdale.
Tips for Visiting Zion National Park
Read over these tips before heading out on your one day in Zion National Park itinerary. I’ve included my recommendations for where to stay, what weather to expect, and how to save on admission.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
This guide has 10 of the best towns near Zion National Park with hotels, lodges and vacation rentals.
Within the park, visitors can stay at a pair of campgrounds near the south entrance or the Zion Lodge inside the canyon. The Watchman Campground has tent, electric and group sites, plus restrooms, while the South Campground is more bare-bones, with no facilities or hookups, just potable water.
Zion Lodge is tucked into the canyon, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs and hiking trails. The property has cozy rooms with balconies, larger suites with sitting areas and wet bars, and cabins with fireplaces and porches. A restaurant and cafe are also on site.
Check out this Zion and Bryce Canyon road trip and this Zion and Grand Canyon itinerary to combine the most popular parks in Utah and Arizona.
How to Get to Zion National Park
The nearest major airport to Zion National Park is Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, about 175 miles away. Since getting here requires a bit of a drive, it fits perfectly into a short Utah road trip or a longer Arizona and Utah road trip.
Traffic is typically heavy and parking busy in Zion, even outside the prime summer season. The park’s website says that spots are often full by 8 or 9 a.m. The neighboring town of Springdale has paid lots and a free shuttle into Zion National Park.
Zion Tickets and Passes
Zion National Park sells tickets by the week, with 7-day admission per person or vehicle ranging from $20 to $35. If your travel plans include other national parks in Utah or nearby Arizona, like Grand Canyon National Park, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful pass instead for entrance to more than 2,000 parks and federal recreation sites. Find more details on the annual pass here.
If you plan to hike the Angel’s Landing trail, you need to have a permit. Permits are distributed through a seasonal lottery system.
Zion Seasons and Weather
Zion is the most popular national park in Utah and one of the top visited national parks in the U.S., with a busy season from May through September. The hottest summer days can be over 100 degrees. All park programs, services, shuttle routes and campgrounds will be open, but crowds can be high and parking lots full by mid-morning.
Spring and fall are a bit calmer (apart from spring break), with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 30s and 40s in Zion in April, March, November and October.
Shuttles run during this time to access the Zion Scenic Drive and the Human History Museum will be open, but some services and amenities operate under more limited hours in these seasons, so be sure to check and plan ahead. Spring snowmelt also means the famous Narrows hike may be off-limits.
In winter, the park and Zion Canyon Visitor Center remain open but services are severely limited and some trails closed. Highs in these months typically average in the 50s and lows below freezing, with snow accumulating at the higher elevations but melting quickly at the floor.
The pros to a winter visit are far fewer crowds and private vehicle access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the shuttle isn’t running.
