Last updated on February 24th, 2026
Will you be visiting Zion National Park soon? This perfect 2 day Zion National Park itinerary will show you the best way to see as much of the beautiful park as possible in just 2 days. Plus we include tons of suggestions of additional things to do, places to eat and all of the tips that you need to know before visiting Zion National Park!
After two incredible trips to Zion National Park, we have seen almost everything there is to see within the park. If you only have 2 days in the park, it can be pretty hard to decide what to see and when the best time is to see it. So we have done the hard work for you!
This 2 day Zion National Park itinerary will tell you exactly where and when you should start and end each day, plus every detail in between. Need a reservation or permit? We will make sure you know any of those kinds of tips so that you have a perfect (and relaxing) few days in the park.
About Zion National Park
The state of Utah offers five incredible National Parks to visit, and they are affectionately nicknamed the Mighty Five. The parks are Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Zion and Bryce Canyon. Located in southern Utah, these five parks are all easy to include in one amazing 10 day Utah National Park road trip, while still each offering their own different and unique landscapes!
But if you have less time, Zion is a great park to tackle on its own! With bright orange canyons, the rushing Virgin River, and unique and epic hikes, it has plenty to keep you busy. It’s the third most visited national park in the country for a reason! But if you do have a third day, we recommend combining Zion and Bryce Canyon for the ultimate adventure.
There are five main hiking areas in Zion National Park, three of which we will be focusing on in this 2 day Zion National Park Itinerary. These include Zion Canyon (the most popular), Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace, which offer the most things to do! But if you have more than 2 days in Zion National Park, please explore the East Rim and Southwest Desert areas of the park too.
Throughout the 2 day Zion National Park itinerary, we’ve noted when a hike does or does not require a shuttle to access. Be sure to check out the bottom of this post for all of the tips you’ll need to visit Zion National park including permits and fees, shuttles, parking, places to eat and the best places to stay nearby!
Want to Learn More as you explore?
We highly suggest downloading the Guide Along – Zion & Bryce Canyon or the Utah Bundle (totally worth the cost!!) audio tours to navigate you on the road. Even when you don’t have service it knows where you are and provides commentary and history about the area. As well as alerts you when to stop for specific sights. These guides are fun to listen to and the narrator feels like a fun friend in the car with you!
2 Day Zion National Park Itinerary
Day 1 in Zion National Park
Watch the sunrise
Start off your 2 days in Zion National Park with an incredible sunrise! Start the short one mile Canyon Overlook Trail in the dark to get to the viewpoint before the sky turns all sorts of colors. There is no shuttle required to get to this trailhead, but parking can be super limited, which is another great reason to head here before sunrise.
Get breakfast
Enjoy a yummy breakfast and coffee at Deep Creek Coffee Co. This spot has an amazing upstairs deck to relax on, plus delicious coffee and food! They use local ingredients in their dishes, and some of the best options include the BRO-rito, quinoa breakfast bowls and local bagels.
A+K Tip: Depending on which hike you choose to do next, park at the Visitor Center and take the free shuttle to Springdale, so you don’t have to worry about parking later.
Explore some of the best trails in Zion
Spend most of your first day hiking! Pack a picnic lunch to bring along and choose some trails that are a good fit for your athletic ability. There really is something for everyone at Zion!
All of these trails listed below will offer great views of the park and range in length and difficulty. You can find more trails on the official Zion map, or in our post about the 12 best hikes in Zion National Park!
Observation Point via East Mesa
No shuttle required– 6.7 miles, 695 ft elevation gain
We think that Observation Point via East Mesa is the one of the must-do trails while spending 2 days in Zion National Park. The viewpoint offers similar (but better) views of Zion Canyon as the famous Angels Landing trail, but without the scary cliffs and hoards of tourists. Unfortunately the original trail to Observation point is closed from rock slides, but don’t worry because there’s another way!
East Mesa trail leads you to the same point, and we have hiked it ourselves to confirm that this is one of the best hikes in the park!
Be sure to read our guide to hiking to Observation Point before you hit the trail.
A+K Tip: The East Mesa trail is located outside of the Zion Canyon area, so you will need to plan for some extra time to get in and out of the park. The road to the parking lot is very rutted (4×4 or AWD recommended), and the lot is also small. If you don’t have the right vehicle or plan to arrive later, when the main lot may be full, you can park at the Zion Ponderosa Resort and take a shuttle to the trailhead for $7 per person.
Angels Landing
Shuttle & PERMIT required– 5 miles, 1,630 ft elevation gain
A famous and incredibly popular hike in Zion is Angels Landing. Because of its popularity, it can get very crowded (there is sometimes an hour wait to get to the top). This trail has you walk along very narrow cliffside trails with chains to hold onto, so it can be quite scary if you have any fear of heights!
The lottery permit system for Angels Landing means you need to have a permit to hike the final section of this trail. To learn more about how to get a permit, please visit the Zion National Park website.
Watchman Trail
No shuttle required– 3.1 miles, 646 ft elevation gain
The shortest option of the three is the Watchman Trail, which still offers beautiful views of the area. Plus, the trailhead is located by the visitor’s center so it does not require a shuttle. This trail is not super busy, but it doesn’t have much shade, so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. We have hiked this trail three times now and it never gets old!
Visit the Town of Springdale
After you’re done hiking for the afternoon, head into town and enjoy some time in Springdale! There are different shops to explore, plus we’d bet you have worked up an appetite. For dinner, head to Oscar’s Cafe. We love Mexican food, so this is one of our favorite spots in the area to eat!
Pickup Equipment
While in Springdale, go to Zion Outfitter to grab the equipment for the Narrows hike tomorrow. You’ll want to make a reservation in advance for this gear!
If you’re hiking in the late spring and summer months, the package will include canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, and a hiking stick, and in the winter and early spring months you’ll also need waders to stay warm! We have hiked in both mid April and late May and both times we were very glad to spend the money on the rental gear.
Watch the Sunset from the Pa’rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trail is the perfect place to watch the sunset! The trail is a 3.2 mile round trip paved walk along the Virgin River and does not require the shuttle to get to the trailhead. Plus, it offers great views for sunset. If you have your furry friends with you, then make sure to bring them along since this is the only dog friendly trail in the park!
Day 2 in Zion National Park
Have A Quick Breakfast
Grab coffee and a quick bite to eat at Perks or Canyon Coffee, which are both open early. Plan to get there when they open and be on your way for a long and exciting day in Zion National Park!
Hike the Narrows
Hike the Narrows as close to sunrise as possible to beat the crowds. This is a popular trail and it does require taking the park shuttle! The Narrows hike is incredibly unique, as it takes you through a river. Yes, you’ll be hiking IN the water! Read our guide to hiking the Narrows for all of the best tips and information you need for this fun experience.
We recommend going 3-4 miles in (6-8 miles round trip) to the famous Wall Street section. Make sure to pack a lunch to enjoy on the rocks during the hike!
Note: Sometimes the Narrows is closed due to flash flooding or high water. You can check the status here!
Don’t want to deal with the shuttle and crowds? Kanarra Falls, located about 50 minutes northwest of Zion Canyon is an AWESOME mini Narrows alternative hike, where you hike through a creek and slot canyon to a waterfall. It costs $12/person and they only allow 150 people a day, so book your tickets early!
Stop by the Scenic Viewpoints
After your hike, you’ll have to take the Zion shuttle back towards the visitor center. So take this opportunity to stop to see some of the scenic viewpoints around the park! We recommend stopping at the Court of the Patriarchs at minimum.
Explore Other Areas of the Park
Use the rest of your afternoon to explore a less visited part of the park, like Kolob Canyons or Kolob Terrace (Northgate Peaks). In Kolob Canyons you can hike either the Timber Creek Overlook trail or the Middle Fork Taylor Creek trail. At Kolob Terrace, we recommend the Northgate Peaks Trail. The views it offered were so different from the rest of this 2 day Zion National Park itinerary!
Eat Dinner
On your way back to your lodging for the night, grab dinner at Main Street Cafe, The Pizza Wagon, River Rock Roasting Company, or Red Fort Cuisine Of India.
How to Get to Zion National Park
Zion National Park is located in Springdale, Utah. It’s only about 2.5 hours northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. We love the little town of Springdale since it has many restaurants and coffee shops, outdoor stores. Plus, you have access to anything you’ll need for your time in the park! Not all National Parks are lucky to have a town like this so close.
When we visited Zion National Park we flew into Las Vegas and spent some time there doing the best things in Vegas! Then we rented a car, and drove to Zion. We highly recommend spending an afternoon in the Las Vegas area, since there is a lot to do there!
Alternatively, you can also fly into Salt Lake City, but it’s 4.5 hours away. But if you are going to be visiting the Mighty Five and doing a Southern Utah Road Trip, then Salt Lake City could be a good option to fly in or out of.
When to Visit for a 2 Day Zion National Park Itinerary
You can visit Zion National Park year round, but each season brings its own pros and cons to consider before planning your visit.
Summer
The busiest time of the year at Zion National Park is the summer. Teachers and kids are off of school, so it’s when the majority of the families will travel. Besides the crowds, it can also be EXTREMELY hot during the summer months with average highs in the upper 90s to 100! Recent years they have seen highs well into the 100s. So definitely not the ideal weather to hike in. Plus, flash floods are more common due to summer rain storms.
Winter
Winters in Zion National Park will see snow, so plan to bring microspikes if you’re visiting this time of year. However, the average highs are actually pretty comfortable compared to some areas of the country, with highs in the 50s and 60s! You’ll also see way less people along your hikes because there are much fewer people here in the winter. This is also a great time to visit if you don’t want to deal with the shuttle.
Fall & Spring
In our opinion, the best times to visit for this 2 day Zion National Park itinerary are either in the early spring or late fall! You’ll avoid most of the crowds and have the best weather, with highs in the 60s and 70s. Just be sure to plan around spring break times and holidays, if at all possible!
Cost to Enter Zion National Park
Entering Zion National Park will cost $35 per vehicle ($30 for motorcycles), which covers 7 consecutive days of entry. However, we highly recommend getting theAmerica the Beautiful pass, which is $80 per year and will get you into any National Park, monument, or forest for free.
Tips for Visiting for a 2 Day Zion National Park Itinerary
Where to park
The Visitor Center parking lot fills up fast, so if you want to get a spot then be sure to get there early each day! But there are other options, so if you can’t get a spot in the park, you can pay to park in Springdale and take the free Springdale shuttle to the park entrance. This free shuttle is also a great option to use in the middle of the day to go into town to grab food or coffee. We did this so that we didn’t have to give up our precious spot at the visitor center.
A shuttle is sometimes required
From March and November, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (the road to Angels Landing and the Narrows and many other hikes) is only accessible by the park shuttle and Zion Lodge guests (only to the lodge and then the shuttle is required further down the road). So in order to access many of the places in Zion Canyon, you’ll have to take the park’s FREE shuttle. You’ll hop on at the Visitor Center to get to these hikes and scenic viewpoints. But be prepared, the lines can get pretty long, so arrive early and be prepared to wait a bit.
Don’t want to wait around for the shuttle? We are noting which hikes require the shuttle and which do not in this 2 day Zion National Park itinerary and guide.
Arrive early!
We highly recommend starting your hikes before or as close to sunrise as possible. Especially in the warmer months you’ll want to do this to avoid the major crowds and get some cooler weather.
Angels Landing requires a permit
Angels Landing has a lottery permit system due to how busy the trail gets. It costs $6 (non-refundable) to enter the lottery. Plus, if you are lucky enough to get a permit, it also costs $3 per person for the permit. There are a couple ways to enter the lottery, both months in advance and the day before. Learn more about getting a permit here.
Don’t just stick to Zion Canyon
Kolob Terrace and Kolob Canyons will give you more solitude. If you want to avoid the mid-day Zion Canyon crowds, we suggest going to these areas instead during the afternoon and then returning to Zion Canyon for sunset.
Large vehicles, beware!
Driving a large vehicle? If your vehicle is over 11’4″ tall, 7’10” wide, heavier than 50,000 pounds or longer than 35ft 9in, you will not be allowed to drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Studies have concluded that large vehicles over these limits cannot safely traverse this road. Unfortunately you’ll have to take alternative routes. Visit the NPS website for more information.
Where to Stay in Zion National Park
Glamping
One of the coolest places to stay at Zion is Under Canvas, which is a glamping campground with luxurious tents (some have bathrooms too!) and a chef on-site.
The Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort also has some glamping tents and wagons that are available to rent.
Camping
Zion has two campgrounds on site, South Campground and Watchman Campground. These can fill up fast so make sure to reserve as early as allowed!
There is also camping available at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. We camped here and it was a great alternative to the park campgrounds (although a bit farther from the park)!
During our second visit, we stayed at the Old Highway 89 FREE dispersed campground and loved it! There aren’t tons of spots (most of it is an open area), but we never had an issue getting one, even during spring break. It’s close to Kanab and the east entrance of Zion. On the west side, we stayed at Sheep Bridge Road Dispersed Camping. This area has designated sites, which do fill up fast, but each site has a metal fire pit and epic views!
For our ultimate list of the best campsites in Utah, visit our sister website Stoked to Camp!
Resorts and Hotels
- Zion Lodge (located in the National Park)
- Holiday Inn Express
- La Quinta Inn & Suites
- Hampton Inn & Suites
- Springhill Suites
- Cable Mountain Lodge
- Desert Pearl Inn
Vacation Homes/VRBO
These spots are a bit more spacious and offer access to kitchens.
- The Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort has 25 vacation homes that you can rent, all varying in size. These are perfect for larger group vacations!
- Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens has multiple bedroom suites and villas with kitchens
- VRBO Option 1
- VRBO Option 2
- VRBO Option 3
If you’re planning on visiting bot Zion and Bryce Canyon and you’d rather stay in one spot the whole trip, convenient to both Zion and Bryce Canyon, here are a few spots to check out! All of these spots have access to kitchens.
Looking for more things to do in Utah?
- 3 Days at Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
- 12 Best Hikes in Zion National Park
- 10 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
- Hiking the Fairyland Loop Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park
- How to hike to Observation Point at Zion National Park
- Hiking the Narrows at Zion National Park
- How to hike to Kanarra Falls near Zion National Park
- All of our Utah Vlogs
- All of our Utah Guides
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About the Author
This article was written by Tori, one of our Adventures of A+K team members. Learn a bit about her below!
Hi, I’m Tori! I live in Nashville, TN with my husband and two daughters. We travel as much as possible throughout the year, around a 9-5 schedule and with babies in tow! My travel blog, Tori Pines Travels, aims to help people plan action-packed and culture-rich vacations around their busy jobs, fitting in as much exploring as possible. When I’m not working for Adam and Kathryn or entertaining my little ones, I’m writing, cooking, crafting or exploring Music City!