Utah, United States
Zion
Plan 2 days in Springdale: one for Angels Landing or the Narrows, one for shorter canyon hikes and the east side. Below: 1 sight, 3 activities and 3 outdoor spots, plus how Zion fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- December
- Wettest month
- February
1 See · 3 Do · 3 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Utah Mighty Five
from our route notes
32°C / 89°F avg high
5°C / 41°F avg high
about 36 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Zion
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Zion in Zion Canyon.
Photo: Mercedes F · GoogleSeeZion Canyon Visitor Center
Hub for the free canyon shuttle and ranger trail conditions.
Tip Shuttle lines build by 8am; park in Springdale and walk in.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Zion across Zion Canyon and Springdale. 2 of them are free.
Photo: Óðinn · CC BY-SA 2.5 caDoAngels Landing
Chain-assisted ridge hike to a narrow summit 1,500 ft above the canyon.
Tip Permit required via recreation.gov lottery; start early to avoid heat.
Photo: Thanh Nguyen · GoogleDoZion Outfitter
Rents canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks and drysuits for the Narrows, next to the park entrance.
Tip Rent the day before so you can start the Narrows early.
Photo: Jon Sullivan · Public domainDoThe Narrows
Wade the Virgin River upstream through a slot canyon from the Riverside Walk.
Tip Closed when flow is above 150 cfs; check flash-flood forecast.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Zion. All 3 are free to visit.
Photo: Violet Olivo · GoogleOutdoorsPa'rus Trail
Easy paved riverside path from the visitor center with views of the Watchman.
Tip Good sunset walk; bikes allowed.
Photo: Alison Carter · GoogleOutdoorsEmerald Pools Trail
Short hikes to pools and seasonal waterfalls below cliffs, starting at Zion Lodge.
Tip Lower pool is easy; continue to Upper for fewer people.
Photo: Sujeeth P · GoogleOutdoorsCanyon Overlook Trail
One-mile hike on the east side to a view down Pine Creek and switchbacks.
Tip Parking is tiny; arrive early or late.
Eat
2 places to eat in Springdale, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Ira Porter · GoogleEatOscar's Cafe
Springdale café for big breakfast burritos and Mexican plates on a patio.
Tip Breakfast before the shuttle works well.
Photo: FLParadise · GoogleEatBit & Spur Restaurant
Long-running Southwestern restaurant with a garden patio and red-rock views.
Tip Reserve dinner in peak season.
Drink
1 bar or café in Springdale for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Zion Canyon Brew Pub · GoogleDrinkZion Canyon Brew Pub
Zion Brewery's pub right outside the park gate with a riverside patio.
Tip Walk over from the park entrance after a hike.
How to fit Zion into a trip
Zion is stop 1 of 5 on our Utah Mighty Five route. Follow it as-is or lift Zion into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 5
Utah Mighty Five
Red rock national parks loop
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Pace
- challenging
- Next: Bryce Canyon
Getting here and onward
- Zion to Bryce CanyonBryce Canyon is about 81 km / 50 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Zion month by month
Average daily highs run from 5°C / 41°F in December to 32°C / 89°F in July. February is the wettest month, with about 36 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan6° / 42°F average high
- Feb7° / 44°F average high
- Mar12° / 53°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr16° / 61°F average high, in our recommended season
- May22° / 72°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun30° / 85°F average high
- Jul32° / 89°F average high
- Aug30° / 86°F average high
- Sep26° / 79°F average high
- Oct18° / 65°F average high
- Nov11° / 52°F average high
- Dec5° / 41°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Zion weather and the best time to visit →
Near Zion
8 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.
- Zion NPUtah, United States0 km / 0 mi
- Bryce CanyonUtah, United States81 km / 50 mi
- Grand CanyonArizona, United States155 km / 97 mi
- Capitol ReefUtah, United States190 km / 118 mi
- Las VegasNevada, United States226 km / 141 mi
- The StripNevada, United States232 km / 144 mi
- Red Rock CanyonNevada, United States250 km / 155 mi
- SedonaArizona, United States293 km / 182 mi
Zion questions, answered
How many days do you need in Zion?
Our route notes suggest 2 days in Zion. On our Utah Mighty Five route it is stop 1 of 5 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 19 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Zion best known for?
Plan 2 days in Springdale: one for Angels Landing or the Narrows, one for shorter canyon hikes and the east side. Standouts on our list: Zion Canyon Visitor Center (Hub for the free canyon shuttle and ranger trail conditions); Pa'rus Trail (Easy paved riverside path from the visitor center with views of the Watchman); Emerald Pools Trail (Short hikes to pools and seasonal waterfalls below cliffs, starting at Zion Lodge).
When is the best time to visit Zion?
Our Utah Mighty Five route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (32°C / 89°F), the coolest in December (5°C / 41°F) and the most rain in February (about 36 mm).
What are the best things to do in Zion?
Start with Zion Canyon Visitor Center, Pa'rus Trail, Angels Landing, Zion Outfitter and The Narrows. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 1 sight, 3 activities, 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Zion?
Our picks: Oscar's Cafe (Springdale); Bit & Spur Restaurant (Springdale). Breakfast before the shuttle works well (Oscar's Cafe).
What is near Zion?
The closest destinations in our guides are Zion NP (about 0 km / 0 mi), Bryce Canyon (about 81 km / 50 mi) and Grand Canyon (about 155 km / 97 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Zion with your crew
Open the Utah Mighty Five route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around Zion
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