Vegas might be full of glitz and glamour, but Zion National Park is where you’ll find the richest treasures in the wild west.

There’s a reason why so many famous movies are filmed in this wild and rugged land. Zion National Park is an adventurer’s oasis with giant rock domes, towering slot canyons, red sandstone cliffs and lush natural swimming holes – and it’s all yours to explore. Our local guides will help you discover the highlights and the park’s hidden gems. Spend your days hiking untamed trails, cooling down in the Virgin River or chilling out at the Hanging Gardens of Zion. After watching the sunset over the canyon, wind down with s’mores by the campfire and a spot of stargazing. Are you ready to take a walk on the wild side?  

Our Zion National Park tours

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Top things to do in Zion National Park

One of the emerald pools in The Subway, Zion National Park

Explore the Emerald Pools Trail

Have you ever seen an oasis in the middle of a desert? Now’s your chance. Emerald Pools comprise three pools that are surrounded by lush waterfalls and wild gardens – it makes a great spot for a picnic in the shade. You can find more gorgeous emerald-color pools in Zion's very own subway, also known as the Subway Trail.

The impressive overhanging rock, known as "Weeping Rock"

See Weeping Rock

Take a leisurely walk through the lush gardens of Weeping Rock: a large overhanging rock that “weeps” with water that trickles down through the cliffs. The dripping walls are covered in fern and moss (be careful as the path can get a little slippery). It's one of the easiest hikes in the park with some great photo opportunities.

Intrepid traveler amazed by the views on The Narrows trail

Wade through The Narrows

Imagine wading through shallow turquoise river passages and looking up to see red canyon walls towering 1000ft above you. This slot canyon hike in Zion Canyon is one of the best in the world, but let’s just say it isn’t your typical trail. The Virgin River flows through much of the canyon, so prepare to get wet. You’ll be at least ankle deep, but some parts get waist deep and you’ll need to swim. It’s all part of the fun though, right?

Hikers on the Observation Point trail in Zion National Park

Take in the views at Observation Point

Spend a day hiking to Observation Point where you’ll find jaw-dropping vistas over the Canyon. On your way up you’ll pass through the beautiful Echo Canyon where you can see amazing rock domes of all shapes and colors. This is a tough hike, but it's easily one of the most epic viewpoints in Zion National Park and totally worth it when you reach the top.

A hiker standing by the Virgin River in Zion National Park

Cool down in Virgin River

Virgin River is the heart of Zion and is responsible for carving out the park's magnificent landscapes. It’s well worth taking a stroll along the riverbanks to see the lush vegetation that thrives in this part of the canyon. Virgin River also has some of the best swimming spots in the park – perfect to cool down on a hot day.

The lush canyon views on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Take the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

The six-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is an absolute must. Driving along the winding roads as you follow the course of the Virgin River gives you a small taste of what’s yet to come. You'll drive through incredible landscapes of red and orange sandstone cliffs, jagged hilltops and peaks, desert pines and unique rock formations and monoliths created by Mother Nature.

The summit of the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park

Hike Angels Landing

Angels Landing is the most thrilling hike in the park with exposed cliff edges and steep drops – not recommended if you're scared of heights! The trail starts at Grotto Trailhead and takes you through Refrigerator Canyon, Walter’s Wiggles and Scout Lookout before the final part: a narrow cliff spine (lined with chains and guard rails) that you must walk across to reach the summit.

Kolob Arch in Zion National Park

See Bridge Mountain Arch and Kolob Canyon Arch

Zion is full of freestanding sandstone arches, and when you see them up close and personal, it’s hard to understand how they ever came to be. Bridge Mountain Arch (also known as “Crawford Arch”) is one of the most famous and you can see it from the Zion Museum. Kolob Arch is equally impressive, but it’s harder to see as it’s tucked away in the more primitive Kolob Canyon.  

Zion National Park tour reviews

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Zion National Park FAQ

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Zion National Park is located near Springdale in southwest Utah, USA. It's not too far from Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

Zion National Park is a 2.5 hour drive from Las Vegas, 4 hours from Salt Lake City and 7 hours from Los Angeles. If you’re travelling from further afield, the best option is to fly directly into St. George Airport (the closest airport to Zion NP) or to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas where you can then transfer to St. George Airport or rent a car and drive to the park. 

You can visit Zion National Park any time of year. The peak season is during April to September when huge crowds flock to make the most of the summer weather. Fall and winter is a great time to visit the park with fewer crowds and milder temperatures. 

Learn more about the best time to visit Zion National Park

As you’ll be doing lots of hiking and outdoor activities, make sure you bring a decent pair of hiking boots or reliable sneakers. You'll also need hiking pants or sportswear, t-shirts, a fleece, a waterproof/windproof jacket, a sunhat, sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. If you go during winter make sure to bring plenty of warm layers, a knitted hat, gloves and a winter jacket as it can get quite chilly. 

Many different animals live in Zion with 68 species of mammals alone. Some of the animals you can expect to see include bighorn sheep, rock squirrel, mule deer, bats and foxes. 

Zion is a huge national park with loads of hiking trails and sights that you could spend weeks exploring. Two or three nights is the minimum time you should spend to see the highlights, but we're almost certain you'll be wanting to go back again!

Zion is one of the most spectacular national parks in the US, but it was also ranked by Outforia as one of the most dangerous. Steep cliffs, drop-offs, rapid weather changes and flash flooding are some of the biggest risks. That being said, if you're aware of the risks and take time to plan your trip you can enjoy all that Zion has to offer. 

Many parts of Zion are accessible for people with disabilities with wheelchair-accessible hikes (the Pa’rus Trail and the Riverside Walk), visitor centers, restrooms, shuttle buses, and picnic areas. There are also several campsites reserved for travelers with disabilities. Service dogs with a leash are allowed throughout the park. Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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