Zion in One Day
Begin your visit at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, where outdoor exhibits inform you about the park’s geology, wildlife, history, and trails. Get a taste of what’s in store by viewing the far off Towers of the Virgin, then head to the Court of the Patriarchs viewpoint to take photos and walk the short path. Take the shuttle (or your car, if it’s December or January) to Zion Lodge, and then make the easy hike to the Grotto and potentially a longer and more strenuous trek to Scout Lookout, which is on the West Trail as you approach the junction with the Angels Landing Trail, and is one of park’s most stunning spots. Ride the next shuttle to the end of the road, where the paved, accessible Riverside Walk, Zion’s most popular path, leads to the gateway of the canyon’s Narrows.
Reboard the shuttle to return to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to pick up your car. Head out onto the beautiful Zion–Mount Carmel Highway, with its long, curving tunnel. Turn around once you reach the park’s East Entrance, and on your return trip stop to take the short hike up to Canyon Overlook. In the evening, attend a ranger program.
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Zion in Three Days
Take at least one signature hike on Day 1.
Start Day 2 with a daybreak drive along the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway. As the sun rises behind you, hike the short Canyon Overlook Trail to get some stunning pictures of Zion Canyon’s south end. Return through the tunnel, leave your car at Canyon Junction, and take the shuttle all the way to the Temple of Sinawava. The Riverside Walk is a peaceful, mile-long, waterside wander that deposits you at the mouth of The Narrows, one of Zion’s most famed attractions. Wade in and wander upriver. Whether you continue around one bend or for 5 miles, you’ll be humbled by the surrounding 2,000-foot cliffs. The steep scramble up to legendary Angels Landing is another hugely rewarding option, but keep in mind that you must apply online for a mandatory permit (which is issued by lottery).
On Day 3, head north to Kolob Canyons, where the Taylor Creek Trail follows the riverbed past two homesteaders’ cabins to the memorable Double Arch Alcove. This relatively flat hike also showcases an ever-narrowing “finger” canyon. From here, you can continue north to explore Cedar City; in summer, end the day here with a performance of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.