Zion National Parks Hike and Tour Package

Zion National Park Overview

Nestled at the intersection of the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin lies the iconic Zion National Park. The park revolves around Zion Canyon—a 2,500-foot (750 mt) deep gorge carved by the Virgin River and featuring red-colored monoliths and canyon walls.

Over the years, Zion has become a well-known trekking destination thanks to its unique geographical traits and rich biodiversity. While traversing the Zion National Park trail, you’ll encounter a diverse landscape at every corner—from high plateaus to deep canyons, vast deserts to lush jungles, steep hills to sparkling rivers, and more.

Book your Zion National Park tour today and escape to this adventure oasis.

Zion National Park Location

Zion National Park is located in the southwestern state of Utah in the United States. Sprawled across 229 square miles (593 sq km), the park is just 250 miles (402 km) from the Grand Canyon South Rim. 

Best Zion National Park Hikes

Angels Landing

Distance Covered: 5.5 miles (9 km) roundtrip

Hike Duration: 3-4 hours

Difficulty Level: Challenging

Starting from Grotto Trailhead, this hike follows the Virgin River along the West Rim Trail before reaching the top of the Angels Landing—a 1,488-foot (454 mt) tall rock formation. Angels Landing hike is famous for its high elevations and chain-assisted trails along with stunning aerial views of the Zion Canyon.

The Narrows

Distance Covered: 3.6 miles (6 km) for bottom-up hike and 16 miles (26 km) for top-down hike

Hike Duration: 3-7 hours

Difficulty Level: Moderately challenging

In contrast to the Angles Landing’s uphill adventure, the Narrows takes you through the lower sections of the park. In both bottom-up (from Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs) and top-down (from Chamberlain's Ranch to the Temple of Sinawava) hikes, you’ll walk along the Virgin River in the narrowest part of the Zion Canyon.

Emerald Pools

Distance Covered: 2.5 miles (4 km) roundtrip for all the three pools

Hike Duration: 1-2 hours

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

This Zion National Park trail follows a small stream leading to three Emerald Pools—Lower, Middle, and Upper. Hiking around the lower pool is quite easy. As you move toward the middle and upper pools, the hike gets strenuous with uneven rocks and surfaces. The stunning views of rocks and waterfalls along the trail make it worthwhile.

Zion Canyon Overlook Trail

Distance Covered: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip

Hike Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Although the trail is even less than one mile long, it offers some of the best views of the park including the Bridge Mountain and the Towers of the Virgin. The Zion Canyon Overlook Trail takes you through a hilltop covered with hoodoos (thin pillars of rock) before reaching a cliff facing Zion Canyon.

Top Attractions in Zion National Park

Navajo Sandstone: Zion National Park is known for its unique red and tan-colored Navajo sandstone rock formations. These ancient rocks display distinguished patterns carved by erosion for centuries.

Checkerboard Mesa: Known for its unique checkerboard patterns, this 6,520-foot (1,990 mt) high rock summit stands out with its stunning texture and design.

Natural Arches: Zion is home to a number of natural rock arches including Kolob Arch and Crawford Arch.

Kolob Canyons: A quieter region in the northern part of the park, Kolob Canyons features impressive red rock cliffs and serene landscapes. 

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive: This drive offers breathtaking views and easy access to popular trailheads. It's a great way to see some of Zion National Park’s most iconic views.

Adventure Activities to Do in Zion National Park

Other than hiking, you can enjoy a variety of adventure activities on your Zion National Park trip:

Canyoneering: Explore slot canyons in the Narrows and Subway. The routes are well-defined for beginners as well as experienced adventurers. A Wilderness Permit is required for all technical canyoneering in Zion.

Cycling: Enjoy stunning views while cycling along Pa’rus Trail, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, and other paved paths in the park.

Rockclimbing: The park is known for its challenging cliffs and stunning rock formations that are perfect for climbing popular locations like Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons.

Camping: Stay in camps and enjoy a close-to-nature encounter in campgrounds like Zion Canyon, Watchman, and Lava Point in Zion National Park. 

Stargazing: Zion is a haven for stargazers. Timber Creek Parking Lot, Lava Point, Pa’rus Trail, and Checkerboard Mesa Pullout are some popular night viewing areas where you can see the Milky Way filled with thousands of stars.

Best Time to Visit Zion National Park

Zion National Park is open throughout the year. However, if you want to visit the park when the weather is pleasant and it’s less crowded, plan your trip during spring (April to June) and fall (September to November). An added bonus is the free shuttle service that operates during these months.

Important Tip: If you’re planning to hike The Narrows, avoid visiting in Spring due to high water levels. The best seasons to hike The Narrows are in the fall and summer (July to mid-September).

Zion National Park Tour Cost

Zion National Park guided tours can cost anywhere between $700 and $3,000 depending on the services you choose. At AdventureTripr, we create customized packages with expertly designed itineraries at affordable costs. 

Zion National Park Accommodation

Depending on the package you choose, many accommodation options are available for your Zion National Park trip: 

Zion Lodge: The only hotel within the park, Zion Lodge offers direct access to Zion National Park hikes.

Luxury Resorts: Right outside the park’s entrance in Springdale, you can find a number of luxury resorts and hotels with top-notch facilities.

Motels and Vacation Rentals: More budget-friendly options near the park within the Greater Zion area.

Camping: Both tents and RV parks are available with limited amenities but outstanding views.

Glamping: Luxury camping where you can enjoy luxury amenities amid the park’s wilderness.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Question: Do I need permits for hiking in Zion National Park?

Answer: Yes. Permits are required for some Zion National Park hiking trails like Angels Landing and the Narrows and for overnight backpacking trips. You don’t need a permit to hike the Narrows if you start at the Temple of Sinawava and hike upstream in the Virgin River.

Question: Are 2 days enough to explore Zion National Park?

Answer: You can hike the park’s most popular trails and explore its major attractions in two days. However, we recommend you plan your trip for at least three days so you won’t feel rushed. Many travelers visit both Zion and Bryce National Parks together and the trip can take between 3 to 5 days.

Question: Can I drive my private vehicle on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive? Answer: From March to November, the only way to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by the park’s shuttle bus. During the winter season (December to February), the shuttle service is non-operational and private vehicles are allowed.