Zion National Park Vacation Ideas to Plan the Perfect Trip
Looking for Zion National Park vacation ideas? We’ve got a TON of information to share to help you plan your trip!
Use this Zion National Park travel guide to plan your vacation: what to pack, where to stay, best time to visit, and things to do on your trip.
Take a look at the Zion travel guides below detailing activities like hiking, photography, scenic drives, and more to help you plan an amazing vacation.
You’ll need to read about the shuttle system and parking at Zion. And be aware of weather and services depending on the time of year you visit.
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What to Pack for Zion National Park
DOWNLOAD: Zion National Park packing list for summer and winter!
- Hiking shoes – waterproof hiking shoes for winter
- Darn Tough hiking socks
- Water – carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack
- Healthy food that’s portable and filling!
- Columbia fleece jacket – insulated coat in the winter
- Wicking, quick-drying clothing – base layers in the winter
- Lip balm with UV protection – summer and winter
- Sunscreen (even in the winter) and a sunhat
- Hand lotion
- UV sunglasses – summer and winter
- Travel hand sanitizer
- Flashlight or headlamp
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Camera gear – DOWNLOAD the free checklist!
A Photo Tour of Zion National Park
Take a visual tour through Zion National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Visiting Zion National Park
Use this list of travel guides to plan your Zion vacation:
- Zion National Park Shuttle
- Parking at Zion National Park
- Things to do at Zion National Park
- Zion National Park Activities
Best Time to Visit Zion National Park
While there isn’t a bad time to explore Zion, some seasons make visiting more enjoyable than others since most of your time will be outdoors.
- Zion National Park in the Spring
- Zion National Park in the Summer
- Zion National Park in the Fall
- Zion National Park in the Winter
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
- Places to Stay at Zion National Park (lodges, campgrounds and more!)
- Camping in Zion National Park
- RV parks near Zion National Park
If you’re not staying in Zion, you definitely want to stay in Springdale which borders the entrance to the park. Here are a few of our favorite places to stay close to Zion:
- Holiday Inn Express – our favorite place to stay with an outdoor pool and amenities you’d find in a high end hotel
- Zion Lodge – we haven’t had a chance to stay here yet, but you can’t go wrong staying right IN the park!
- Under Canvas Zion – if you want to experience a less crowded part of Zion, this is the place! It’s in the Kolob section of the park.
- VRBO Rentals in Springdale – you’ll want to stay in Springdale so you’re close to the park entrance and can walk to shopping and restaurants.
Zion National Park Vacation Ideas
In this guide, we will be exploring Zion National Park and providing helpful hints and tips for planning a trip to Zion. We will help you avoid the crowds as well as find the best Zion hikes, and where to stay.
Everything you need to know about hikes and things to do in and around Zion. We also created a Zion Bingo sheet for our kids that they used while exploring the park, and surrounding area.
Although you could easily spend three days, it only takes one day in Zion National Park to see the main sites. Located in Southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale, Zion National Park has a variety of hikes and sites to offer. The park contains unique geography due to its location at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert.
No matter the physical ability of your group, everyone will find a way to explore Zion National Park. We’ll cover some of the easier and more family-friendly hikes below. Scenic drives are a great way to take in the views of the park if hiking isn’t your thing.
Best hikes in Zion National Park, and everything you need to know about the trails. Whether you are an advanced hiker, or only just starting out on your journey, this National Park offers a bit of everything. The list will be split into strenuous, moderate, and easy hikes so you know exactly which part of the article you need.
If you’re looking for Zion hikes without the shuttle, check out this list! There are amazing Zion hikes to be found in all these parts of the park: Zion Canyon, Kolob Terrace, Kolob Canyon and along Highway 9.
One advantage to being a local is knowing all about Zion National Park photography during every season and all types of weather and lighting conditions. We share our favorite photo spots at Zion, tips for taking pictures at Zion, and the camera gear you'll need.
Did you know there are actually four Zion National Park scenic drives to enjoy? The landscape and views you’ll see along each scenic drive is breathtaking! Use this guide for tips and things to do at the roadside stops along the routes for you to explore Zion on foot or by bike.
The hikes and towering canyon walls may be what Zion is most well-known for, not everyone can (or wants to) hike to see it. And sometimes you’re just limited on time making hiking not as possible. Good thing there are plenty of things to do in Zion National Park that aren’t hiking that still let you enjoy the beauty of the park.
All about visiting this smaller section of Zion National Park - there is no road connecting it with the main part of Zion.
21 Things To Do Outside Zion: Easy Places To Escape The Crowds Of Zion National Park
List of things to do near Zion that aren’t in the park. Because sometimes you want to get away from the Zion crowds and there are plenty of other great things to see in this area: national parks, state parks, specific hikes, and more on this list anywhere from 20 minutes away to two hours away.
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