Did you know that over 4 million people visit Zion National Park every year? This summer we decided to join the masses and see what all the fuss is about. Part of a larger loop, Zion National Park was our second stop, which included stops in Nevada, Utah and Arizona, over the course of two weeks.
Located in Springdale, Utah, Zion is a very manageable 2.5 or 3-hour drive from Las Vegas (our first stop). We arrived in the mid-afternoon and there was plenty of daylight left, so we went straight to the Park.
We completed two “hikes” this was taken on the Riverside Walk.
There are many walks and hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. We chose “hikes” that would suit everyone in our group, which was made up of all ages and fitness levels. Strenuous or more challenging hikes weren’t ever on our agenda, however with temperatures soaring into the hundreds even the easiest hikes can feel challenging.
Along the Lower Emerald Pools walk.
During our visit we completed two hikes, both of which were paved and felt more like walks, and both would be suitable for all ages, The River Walk, which leads to The Narrows, and the Lower Emerald Pools Walk. During our visit we saw wild turkeys and their babies, countless squirrels, and many deer.
The Riverside Walk (Shuttle Stop 9)
The Riverside walk is an easy 2.2-mile paved path, which follows alongside the Virgin River. This is also the access point for one of the Park’s most popular hikes, The Narrows, a strenuous 8+ hour, 9.4 mile hike through the river.
This is where the Riverside Walk ends and The Narrows hike begins.
The Riverside walk was perfect compromise for our group! We saw wildlife, hanging gardens, and cooled off by dipping our feet in the river. We felt like we got a small taste of the Park and even saw the famous Narrows!
The Lower Emerald Pools Trail (Shuttle stop 5)
Much of the Lower Emerald Pools trail is without shade.
The Emerald Pools Trail consists of three parts. Parts two and three are more strenuous, with a moderate rating, while part one The Lower Emerald Pool Trail is listed as easy, making it a perfect choice for our second walk in the Park.
Standing under the waterfall was a welcome reward!
The 1.2-mile trail is paved and leads to a waterfall, which is a very rewarding end to this 1-hour walk with a slight elevation and limited shade.
Once you reach the waterfall you can continue on and complete the entire Emerald Pools trail, or like us, you can turn around and head back. Keep in mind there are some very steep drop offs. If you look carefully at the photos below you can spot some tiny people up on the ledge, which is located just above the waterfall where we ended our walk!
With temperatures well over 100 degrees, not everyone in our group wanted to participate, so we dropped them at the Zion Lodge, a lovely place to take a break and relax. If you’re looking for a souvenir there is a lovely gift shop inside as well. You know I stopped there!
Navigating within Zion:
It’s important to note that vehicles aren’t allowed within Zion National Park. The Park Service operates a free shuttle bus, which takes visitors throughout the Park, stopping at 9 different designated stops starting at the Visitor Center and ending at stop 9 The Temple of Sinawava. The ride takes about 40 minutes from start to finish, and its not only incredibly scenic, but informative as well. Shuttles come about every 10 minutes*.
Waiting for the shuttle outside our hotel The Desert Pearl Inn.
As I mentioned above, 4 million people visit Zion every year, so you can imagine that at times the park will be very crowded. Because the shuttles are the only way into the park consider arriving on the earlier side, or at off times to keep your wait times down.
For example, our wait time in the late afternoon was nonexistent, but on our second day we attempted to ride during a peak time, and we were met with an hour + line, just to get on board. After all that waiting we still had to contend with multiple shuttle stops, a long hot ride and 108-degree temperatures. An earlier start might have saved us as much as two hours!
Practical Information:
Zion is an oasis in the desert, but it is still a desert. Bring water everywhere. I really can’t stress this enough. It’s important to bring enough water for everyone in your group. Temperatures can and do reach well over 100 degrees.
Accommodations:
View of the pool from our room’s balcony
I admit I didn’t research accommodations in Zion, I didn’t have to! My fellow blogger, Oregon Girl around the World, suggested The Desert Pearl Inn, and we couldn’t have been more pleased! However, we weren’t the only ones happy with this choice, it was completely booked, so planning ahead is a good idea.
This is the view of the Park from the front door of our room.
The property is conveniently located within walking distance to the Park’s entrance, but if you prefer a ride there is a separate town shuttle which stops right out front of the Inn.
The service, pool and grounds were all lovely. The room was spacious, the beds were comfortable, and even with a full kitchen two double beds and a sitting area our group of five had plenty of room to spread out.
Tips & Advice:
- Check the weather and possibilty of flash flooding before you go, especially for The Narrows.
- Bring lots of water and snacks for everyone in your group.
- Wear appropriate clothing, hats, and shoes.
- Heed the signs. People have died on these trails, and many more have been injured, or suffered heat related illness.
- The Visitor Center doesn’t sell food or drinks, but there is a little grocery just outside the park gate.
Pin for later:
Adventure 57
This is one of our favorite parks in Utah! So pretty and it’s so fun to be surrounded by gigantic red rock cliffs!
Hilary
It was so beautiful, I definitely hope to go back someday and spend more time!
jessofearth
Beautiful post and your pictures are amazing! Definitely adding Zion to my list of places to see one day~
Jess~
Hilary
Thank you so much! You should definitely add it, but I highly suggest spring or early fall, as July was super hot! 😘
Anonymous
i loved that place so much that I am going back in October to see the fall colors and hike when the temperatures are cooler
Hilary
Sounds like a good plan!
Stephen Aprill
informative, positive and the photos are professional in quality
Hilary
Thanks!! xx
danniijane
This looks gorgeous😍 xc
Hilary
Thank you! It was really pretty!
joylovestravel
The views from your room are just incredible, looks like it was the perfect place to stay. What a gorgeous place.
California Globetrotter
I’d really love to visit now that I’ve read your post. Zion NP always caught my eye but I wasn’t in any rush to visit…. until NOW! With views like that, I could spend forever there! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It truly was spectacular, although I wish we could have visited when the temperature was a bit more manageable!
Allison
I lived in Utah for two years but never went to Zion. Sad, I know. I definitely regret not taking advantage of it being so nearby. And I haven’t really been back to Utah since I moved away six years ago. One day I’ll go back just to visit. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I know how you feel. I’ve lived in a number of cities and there are so many things I wish I had done… I’m making up for that now in my current city!
Clare Thomson
Oh my goodness Hilary, that heat! I can’t imagine hiking, let alone waiting in a queue in that kind of temperature. No wonder it takes eight hours to walk nine miles!! You’ve come up with some great easy walks for families here and your stunning photos always inspire me to follow in your travelling footsteps. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Four Acorns
Amazing photos, Hilary, I am speechless! I became fascinated with Nevada and its national parks as a teenager growing up in France, but I have never visited this part of the world. Now I know my kids would love to walk in your footsteps and explore those cliffs, gorges and emerald rivers. Stunning!
#FarawayFiles
Hilary
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! It truly is a spectacular place and definitely worth a visit! This was part of a two week adventure through Nevada, Utah and Arizona, so stay tuned for more from the amazing Southwest!
Ruth
Oh HIlary, your post about Zion brings back so many beautiful memories! This was the first National Park I visited. I remember the visit took place in April 2014. I can’t believe so much time has passed since that visit. My husband and I really want to go back. We need to take a break from international travel and start exploring our backyard. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I’m so happy this post made you so happy! I know what you mean about trying to explore a bit closer to home. It’s tough to decide when there is so much beauty in the world!
amar rathore
post brings back memories! I visited here as a teen and loved exploring
Hilary
It’s wonderful how much this particular park means to so many people!! It’s certainly a stunner!
Trish @ Mum's Gone To
Oh my goodness, this is spectacular. I love the way they have made clear definitions of the trails and that even the easy ones pass some wonderful scenery. It’s wonder anyone can tackle the more strenuous trails in that heat.
#FarawayFiles
Hilary
The trail guides were excellent and honestly a must as one couldn’t navigate without them. The Narrows is a hike in a river so that one is probably a good choice on a hot day if you’re geared up properly… 😳
Anisa & Katherine (@2travelingtxns)
So nice to know there are some easier hikes that are so scenic. Your pictures turned out beautiful. I do like it warm but sounds almost unbearable! I think I will try to go in either the spring or fall. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Hilary
To be honest It would be hard to find a viewpoint in Zion that wasn’t scenic, but yes, there are definitely beautiful options that don’t require extreme levels of fitness!
adventuredawg79
We haven’t made the Utah 5, yet and this post makes me want to get back out there even more! Utah is an incredible state. Your photos from Zion are gorgeous, and I love that you include the shuttle stops. I like the parks that don’t allow cars because it helps preserve the amazing environments that the parks protect. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hilary
I’m so happy you enjoyed the post/photos! We made it to four of the five Big 5 and they were all beautiful! I also loved the no cars rule! Although the shuttles were guide crowded!
Edith Rodriguez
Beautiful pictures! Isn’t Zion such a beautiful park!? We went only a few months ago to Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. We loved this places so much. Glad you and your family also got to enjoy the beauty of this place! #theweeklypostcard
Hilary
Thank you! Yes, it’s a beautiful place! If I find my way back I’ll be attempting The Narrows!
Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats
Looks beautiful – I haven’t been but it is definitely a park I like to visit on a trip to Utah! Love the NPS 😉 Best, Jessica
Anda
What a beautiful trip! It’s been so long since I’ve been to Zion, I can’t even remember it. Our son was only 5 years old at the time (now he is 33!). I miss this place and your post brought back so good memories. I’d love to go back and revisit it. You took so great pictures there, I’m envious. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hilary
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! Wow, that is a long time 😘 a return trip is definitely in order!
Satpura Tiger Reserve
It was so lovely, I unquestionably plan to backpedal some time or another and spend more time!…
Hilary
Yes, I feel the same way, as out visit was entirely way too short.
Danielle Wisniewski
Gorgeous pictures! Looked like you guys had a blast! We’re thinking about heading here next fall so saving this for later! Thanks for sharing! #farawayfiles
Hilary
We really enjoyed this park!! I’d definitively go back especially in the fall after the heat and before the snows!
oregongirlaroundtheworld
So happy you loved The Desert Pearl! We had a blast there as well! I absolutely loved Zion and hiking up the river in the Narrows on a HOT day was the perfect place to hang out. We all had sturdy water shoes, but other than that, no special gear to tackle walking in the river. Now we didn’t do the whole thing as we had littles along at the time. Oh Zion – what a stunner! Great post Hilary! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Thank you so much for the recommendation! Everything you’ve suggested has turned out beautifully! Next time I hope to attempt The Narrows!
mommyvillejourney
I’m an
Avid hiker and I have been itching to go to Zion. Thank you for
Sharing.
Hilary
Ooh! If you’re an avid hiker, Zion is the place for you!!
malaysianmeanders
Over dinner last night, I was just saying that I wanted to visit Zion one Thanksgiving (when it’s not so hot), and then I came across your post. Looks like a great visit and one that suits the adventure level of my family. While I’d love to do the Narrows, we’re probably not up to it. I’m glad there are easier hikes that are still scenic. Your photos are picture perfect with the contrast between the red crock, the blue sky, and the greenery.