Author:
Jen Rogers @jen33travel and Jenrogers33.com
Zion holds a special place in the heart of Utahans. It is the oldest and most visited park in the state and one of the most incredible. Here’s my top 5 things to do:
1. Weeping Rock
Weeping Rock is just a short hike to a beautiful area with lush hanging gardens. It’s a fascinating spot because the water you see dripping from the rock surfaces like tears has taken more than 1,000 years to percolate down through the porous, permeable Navajo sandstone. It starts high above from its source in a natural, underground spring down to where you are standing.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit as the water flow will be at its peak. It gets crowded in summer and even though it’s open year round, it sometimes closes in winter due to icy conditions.
2. Pa’rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trial is a 3.5 mile roundtrip trail that runs from the Visitor’s Center to Canyon Junction. The paved trail follows the Virgin River and is great for bicycle riding or a leisurely stroll with minimal incline.
It’s also a lot of fun to veer off the main trail and hike down to the water for a quick swim along the way. There are several trail side exhibits and it’s one of the few places pets are allowed.
3. Angel’s Landing
Angel’s Landing is a hike through a hanging valley in the heart of the park up steep cliffs with sheer drop-offs to stunning 360-degree views of the canyon below.
It is one of the most impressive hikes but also one of the most dangerous in all of North America.
Once known as the Temple of Aeolus, the trail was cut into this 1,488-foot tall solid rock formation back in the 1920s. Although there are no permits or special instruction required to hike Angel’s Landing, it is important to use caution. Thirteen hikers have fallen to their deaths since 2000. One of the reasons it’s so dangerous is that there are exposed rock ledges and vertical drop offs, often with no guard rails. Some sections are extremely narrow with 1,000 foot drop-offs on both sides of the trail so be sure to use extra caution when passing slower hikers and take your time. Always be alert and cautious.
The hike is 2.4 miles each way, strenuous and will take approximately 3-6 hours. You can catch the trail from the Grotto Trailhead, the 6th stop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle.
This hike is not recommended for children or anyone with a fear of heights. Mid-mornings on weekends and holidays get extremely crowded which can make the hike much more dangerous. Try to hike during non-peak times.
4. The Narrows
The Narrows is one of the most popular hikes in the park. Appropriately named, it’s the narrowest portion of Zion Canyon where walls can reach over a thousand feet above the river in spots where the water is only 20-30 feet wide. Its deepest point is 2,640 feet down. As you travel through the iconic slot canyon, you will hike through an incredible gorge full of sandstone grottos, natural springs and hanging gardens.
There are two ways to hike the Narrows. Regardless of which you choose, your feet are going to get wet as you literally hike in the Virgin River. The river is the trail
A. Hike from the Temple of Sinawava
Most people hike the bottom up from the Temple of Sinawava. There is a shuttle station here that puts you right at the beginning of your hike. Just take the Riverside Walk to the end and head upstream in the water. You can hike in just a few hundred yards or you can make it a 9.4-mile strenuous round-trip adventure all the way to Big Spring. It’s up to you.
The hike this direction takes you to some of the most spectacular sections of the Narrows and is absolutely beautiful. However, you are not allowed to hike upstream past Big Spring and cannot access the campsites this direction. All overnight backpackers must start at Chamberlain Ranch and end at Temple of Sinawava.
B. Top-Down 16 Mile Hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch
If you are up for an even bigger adventure, you can hike down the Narrows starting at Chamberlain’s Ranch. From the trailhead, you make your way 16 miles down 1,300 feet through to the Temple of Sinawava. Permits are required. You can make it one very long day hike or a single overnight backpacking trip, but you are not allowed to stay multiple nights.
Reservations are required when hiking down and can be made online starting at 10:00 a.m. mountain time on the 5th of each month, when they become available for the following month. Most spots get booked in just minutes so be prepared. You can check availability ahead of time here.
For safety tips on hiking the Narrows, including flooding, weather and clothing check out Jen’s in depth guide here.
5. East Side of Zion and Scenic Drive
Many visitors never leave Zion Canyon where the trams run and have no idea what they’re missing. Although, the trams takes you to some of the most incredible viewpoints and must-sees in the park, everyone visiting really should take a leisurely drive down the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, one of my favorite byways and the gateway to exploring places like neighboring Bryce Canyon, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and other parts of Utah.
The 12-mile switchback scenic highway takes you through some of Zion’s most impressive landscapes and allows you to explore the east side of the park full of checker board mesas, hoodoos and other unique geological features. It’s also the best chance you have of spotting Zion’s big horn sheep which roam the area. Thanks to their split hooves and amazing balance, these impressive animals can stand on ledges only 2-inches wide, jump 20 feet at a time and scale up rocky mountain slopes and outcrops at up to 15 mph.
For more in depth information on where to stay, permits, transport, the shuttle system, weather and safety click here.
Check out how Zion is tackling climate change here.
Jen:
“Nothing I’d rather do than escape into the wild, lose cell service and sleep in a tent under the stars”,
My love and passion for travel started as a child. My grandparents traveled to many remote exotic places bringing me postcards and stamps that stirred my imagination. My parents and other family participated in foreign exchange student programs and I was always fascinated by these interesting visitors sharing stories of far-away lands. This sparked my curiosity and passion to see those places for myself. I spend as much time as my work schedule allows camping and exploring remote spots. Join me on my adventures as I share my stories and travel tips @jen33travel and Jenrogers33.com.
I love Jennifers knowledge and style of writing, often making things very personal. Thank you for including her here.
Thanks Jo – we are huge fans of Jen.
Thank you so much Jo!
Jen Rogers
Thank you so much for featuring this!
We love your expert knowledge! Thanks again!