Zion
National Park
As of 2025, Zion National Park is the second most visited national park in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. With towering red and orange cliffs, slot canyons, and the winding Virgin River, the scenery is unreal.
Utah is home to five National Parks, nicknamed the Mighty Five, Zion being one of them. These parks are all located in Southern Utah, which has a desert climate. Zion is especially known for two iconic hikes: Angels Landing, a thrilling climb with chains and steep drop-offs, and The Narrows, where you hike through the river inside a slot canyon. That said, every trail here is gorgeous, you really can’t go wrong!
Zion At a Glance
The main area of Zion, called Zion Canyon, is located in Springdale, Utah, about 2.5 hours northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. While Springdale is a great little town, with tons of restaurants and coffee shops, and outdoor stores, you’ll want to fly into Las Vegas and rent a car to get here.
Reservations are not required to enter the park, however you will need a permit to hike Angels Landing, the Subway or the Narrows 16-mile through hike (NOT the bottom up hike). Also, some areas of the park are only accessible via park shuttle during part of the year.
$35 per vehicle for 7 days. Or FREE with the America the Beautiful Pass.
Summer and school holidays get really crowded, and Utah’s heat can be intense that time of year. We recommend visiting in spring or fall for fewer crowds and cooler weather, and better yet if you can swing a weekday visit!
Different Areas of the Park
The park has four main hiking areas: Zion Canyon (the most popular), Kolob Canyons, Kolob Terrace, East Rim, and Southwest Desert, each offering its own kind of beauty.
The 14 Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
Zion is one of the most iconic and visited national parks in the United States—and for good reason! In 2024 alone, over 4.9 million people explored this park, making it the 2nd most visited national park in the country. And once you experience it for yourself, you’ll quickly see why it’s so beloved. From towering red rock cliffs to green valleys carved by the Virgin River, Zion is nothing short of breathtaking.
The PERFECT 2 Day Zion National Park Itinerary and Tips!
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!
zion Hiking Guides
How to hike to Observation Point at Zion National Park (the BEST view of Zion!)
Read more: How to hike to Observation Point at Zion National Park (the BEST view of Zion!)Hiking the Narrows at Zion National Park (Everything you need to know!)
Read more: Hiking the Narrows at Zion National Park (Everything you need to know!)How to hike to Kanarra Falls near Zion National Park (Permits, what to bring, & more!)
Read more: How to hike to Kanarra Falls near Zion National Park (Permits, what to bring, & more!)12 Best Hikes in Zion National Park with Insane Views
Read more: 12 Best Hikes in Zion National Park with Insane Views
Utah National Parks Road Trip
