Carved by the Virgin River over millions of years, Zion Canyon shines with unparalleled beauty.
This geological formation is the main attraction of Zion National Park, located in the far southwest of Utah, less than an hour's drive from the city of St. George.
This park strikes the perfect balance between the red, arid earth of the Grand Canyon and the lush vegetation nurtured by the many rivers that flow through it.
 đŁïžTHE ROUTE
The park has two entrances: one from the south and one from the east. If youâre coming from St. George, youâll arrive from the south and enter through the town of Springdaleâa picturesque tourist village nestled right inside the canyon. It has everything you need for days of adventure: shops, cafes, restaurants, lodging, bars, spas, a museum, and more.
Zion Canyon is 24 kilometers long and 800 meters deep, offering a wide range of activities and spectacular landscapes through guided bus tours, bike paths, hiking, backpacking, camping spots, horseback riding, off-road excursions, and more.
One activity you canât miss is hiking one of the parkâs many trails. Itâs the simplest way to explore and enjoy incredible views of both the horizon and the stunning rock formations towering above you.
For a panoramic view of the valley, you must ascend to Angelâs Landing via the West Rim Trail. This 7-kilometer round-trip journey requires effort and a head for heights, with its zigzagging paths and steep drops.
Note: Currently, you need a permit to hike this trail, which can be obtained online.
If heights aren't your thing, don't worry; there are several trails you can take at ground level to explore and enjoy the park. Some of the trails considered "easy" include: Pa'rus Trail (5.6 km), The Grotto Trail (1.6 km), Lower Esmerald Pool Trail (1.9 km), or Riverside Walk (3.5 km).
If you consider yourself an adventurer who likes to test your limits and, above all, loves adrenaline, we recommend diving into the narrow canyons of The Narrows, a strenuous 15.1 km (9.4 mi) route where you'll explore the entire park and walk along narrow dirt paths.
The round trip takes about 8 hours and rewards you with immersive landscapes that will make you feel like you're on another planet.
To do this route, it is extremely important, in addition to being in good physical condition and hydrated, to check the weather before entering, since almost the entire route is within the river and if there is a risk of rapid flooding, it is NOT recommended to do so.
On this trip, we had the chance to enjoy the park for 4 days. On the first day, we arrived very late and only had time to set up camp at Watchman Campground, located inside the park (weâll tell you all about it in our next blog).
On our second day, we hiked half of the Angelâs Landing trail, considered the most dangerous hike in the United States.
We donât recommend this trail for children or people with certain medical conditions, but itâs perfect for anyone looking for a good workout, a bit of sweat, and no fear of heights.
This hike is what weâd call âshort but intense,â with steep elevations and narrow, zigzagging paths that make you feel like youâre on the edge of a cliff the entire time.
Unfortunately, we couldnât reach the summit this time because a special permit (obtained online) is required. We werenât aware of this, as it wasnât needed when we first visited two years ago.
So if youâre planning to visit Zion National Park soon and hike the famous Angelâs Landing trail, remember to get your permit online so you donât miss out!
The Narrows was another trail we couldnât complete, as it was closed most of the time due to flash flood risks. But weâre sure weâll be back soon to conquer it and share our experience with you.
In our next blog, weâll tell you all about Watchman Campground, where we spent four special nights, and the Watchman Trail, another magical hike in Zion National Park.
PARKING/ENTRY PASS
Vehicle admission costs $35 and is valid for an additional 7 days. If you're an adventurer who wants to enter the park on foot or by bike, you'll need to pay an admission fee of $20 per person, which is also valid for 7 days.
It's important to note that none of these passes are transferable to another person or vehicle.
If youâre a frequent adventurer who loves exploring U.S. parks, we recommend buying the Annual pass or $80. It grants you access to all national parks across the country with no additional cost. Thatâs what we did this time, and it was the best decision.
âïžCURRENT WEATHER
Zion National Park Weather Forecast
â°ïžMY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Check the weather before heading out and verify flash flood risks.
- Visit on weekdays if possible to avoid crowds.
- Pick up detailed trail maps at the Visitor Center.
- Carry plenty of waterâ4 liters per person is recommended for many trails.
- Many areas have no cell service, so plan accordingly.
- In summer, wear comfortable, light clothing that protects you from the intense sun.
- Donât forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (youâll need them!).
- Use the Alltrails app for digital maps (works offline).