9 Fun Things to Do in Zion National Park in 2025

Planning a trip to Zion National Park can be overwhelming, to say the least. With 146,592 acres of jaw-dropping trails, scenic drives, and epic viewpoints, figuring out what’s worth it and what’s a tourist trap can feel like a full-time job. To make your upcoming trip easier, we’ve organized 9 of the absolute best things to do in Zion National Park (including a few hidden gems you won’t want to miss).

1. Take a Scenic Drive

Zion is packed with scenic drives that offer breathtaking views and plenty of pull-offs for photos. As these routes are accessible by car or the park shuttle, they’re a great alternative to most of the park’s hikes for visitors with mobility limitations.

Some of the most beautiful routes include:

• Zion-Mount Carmel Highway — This winding, dramatic drive is so beautiful it made me (Jen) tear up. With switchbacks, a historic mile-long tunnel, and tons of viewpoints you can pull off at, we can’t recommend this drive enough!
• Kolob Canyons Road — This 5-mile drive takes you through a lesser-visited section of the park, offering stunning red rock canyon views and fewer crowds.
• Kolob Terrace Road — This quiet, winding road climbs in elevation and leads to off-the-beaten-path hikes and wide open vistas.
• Zion Canyon Scenic Drive — This is the park’s most iconic road, closed to private vehicles most of the year and accessed via the free shuttle system (wheelchair accessible).

2. Go Hiking

Zion is famous for its iconic Angels Landing—and for good reason. But since it requires a permit via lottery, and is a bit technical, don’t limit yourself to just this hike. Many of the simpler, non-permit hikes still moved us to tears (on more than one occasion). Here are three of our favorite hikes we went on, plus info on how to hike Angel’s Landing for the more adventurous folks!

Observation Point via East Mesa Trail (3 Hours)

This was hands-down our favorite hike in the park. The trail offers incredible views with far less effort than other summit hikes—easily the best bang-for-your-buck in terms of effort vs. payoff. If you can make it early morning, this trail offers some of the most impressive sunrise views in the park!

However, getting there can be tricky if you don’t have a 4×4. The dirt road to the trailhead gets muddy after rain or snow, so we recommend taking the $7 shuttle with Zion Adventure Lodge (book in advance!). If you take this shuttle, the first one leaves at 9 a.m., so making it for the sunset might not be doable.

Pa’rus Trail (1 Hour)

The Pa’rus Trail is the most accessible in all of Zion National Park! It is paved, relatively flat, and the only trail in the park that allows dogs. It’s a peaceful option for a sunrise stroll or an easy ride on a bike.

Plus, there were tons of shaded benches that we could stop at on the way with informational signs about what we were seeing. This was by far our favorite easy hike in the park!

The Narrows Bottom-Up (6-7 Hours)

Although not simple, this iconic slot canyon hike definitely lived up to the hype, and there’s a way to do it permit-free! Walking through the Virgin River between towering canyon walls was one of the most unforgettable experiences we’ve had in any national park.

As you’re hiking in the river, gear rental (grippy shoes, walking poles, etc.) is necessary from a local outfitter. We rented ours from Zion Guru.

You can hike this trail Bottom-Up (no permit required) or Top-Down (permit required). We went with the bottom-up route to skip the permit process more than anything. This was definitely a hike that we were able to cross off our bucket list!

Angel’s Landing Trail (2.5-3 Hours)

Angel’s Landing Trail is hands-down the most iconic hike in Zion. Famous for its razor-thin ridge and steep drop-offs, this trail isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll use chains to scramble along exposed sections, and a permit is required year-round via a lottery on Recreation.gov. Be sure to download your permit before entering the park, as rangers do check at the trailhead.

While we weren’t able to get a spot on the lottery this trip, it’s still at the top of our Zion bucket list. Most experienced hikers recommend starting early to avoid the heat and heavy foot traffic.

3. Bike the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is probably one of the most scenic bike routes in all of the US national parks! The ride heading north involves a steady incline, so if you’re on a regular bike, consider loading it onto the front of the shuttle at the Visitor Center, riding to Stop 9, and coasting back down. Electric bikes aren’t allowed on shuttle racks, so e-bike riders will need to pedal both directions.

If you don’t have your own bike, here are a few rental companies we found close to the park entrance:

• Zion Guru — E-Bikes $53 for 2.5 hours, $73 for 4 hours, $83 for 8+ hours
• Zion Outfitter — Normal Bikes $29-$39 per day, E-Bikes $79 per day
• Outta Here eBikes — 3-hour Guided E-Bike Tour (max 12-person group) $135 per person

4. Take the Free Shuttle Ride

If you’re not biking through Zion Canyon, riding the park’s free shuttle is the next best way to soak in the scenery. The fully electric shuttles run frequently from early spring through late fall and make 9 stops along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

The windows on the shuttle open for airflow, and if you can, grab a window seat—you’re not going to want to miss the views! The shuttle is not only convenient but also essential, since personal vehicles aren’t allowed on the Scenic Drive during most of the year.

5. Stop By the Human History Museum & Visitor Center

While these stops might not be the flashiest part of your trip, they’re one of the best ways to understand what makes Zion so special. The Human History Museum (Shuttle Stop 2) plays a 22-minute park film that gives a solid overview of the park’s geology, ecology, and cultural history—if you’re not in a rush, we recommend taking the time to watch!

At the Zion Visitor Center, we spoke with park rangers to get updates on trail conditions and ask about their favorite hikes. It’s also where we pick up our Junior Ranger book, which—yes—is technically for kids, but is just as fun and meaningful for adults (Jen tears up every time she gets sworn in). These spaces ground us in the park and help us appreciate the bigger picture of why Zion is such a treasure.

6. Go Stargazing

Did you know that Zion National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park? Since the park is open 24/7, you can head out anytime after dark and set up to watch the stars without worrying about closing hours.

Aim to stargaze at least 90 minutes after sunset (or before sunrise) and give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. August and September are particularly great months to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way stretching across the sky.

Here are a few of the best stargazing spots in Zion:

• Zion Canyon — Pa’rus Trail and the patio behind the Human History Museum
• East Side — Checkerboard Mesa pull-off
• Kolob Terrace Road — Lava Point Overlook, Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, Left Fork Trailhead
• Kolob Canyons — Timber Creek Overlook parking lot
• Guided Tours — Join a guided stargazing tour like this one in East Zion, which includes a telescope, blankets, hot chocolate, and a knowledgeable guide who helps you navigate the stars!

7. Attend a Free Park Ranger Event

One of our favorite parts of visiting any national park is attending ranger-led programs. These talks are always engaging, informative, and, more than once, have ended up being the highlight of our entire trip.

We hopped on a geology talk with Ranger Mike, who explained how the park’s landscapes were formed over millions of years through sedimentation, lithification, erosion, and uplift—information we wouldn’t have learned, or retained as well, otherwise!

8. Go Rock Climbing

Zion is a world-renowned destination for canyoneering and rock climbing. While we aren’t well-versed in this type of adventure, we saw plenty of experienced climbers and canyoneers geared up with ropes and harnesses. If you’re interested but not quite ready to go it alone, there are guided group trips that provide gear and instruction.

9. Visit Zion’s Scenic Viewpoints (No Hiking Required)

Although Zion is a hiker’s paradise, we found plenty of jaw-dropping views that didn’t require a hike. Whether you’re short on time, traveling with limited mobility, or are just tired after a day of hiking, there are plenty of viewpoints we found that deliver major “wow” moments without the trek.

• Timber Creek Overlook – Located at the end of the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive, this overlook offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Kolob Canyons. While there is a short trail here, the view from the parking area alone is stunning and worth the drive, especially at sunset.
• Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Pull-Offs – As we’ve mentioned, driving this dramatic stretch between the South Entrance and East Entrance earns you stunning views of Checkerboard Mesa, slickrock canyons, and towering sandstone walls. Pull over often—seriously, it’s that good.

🌤️ When to Visit Zion National Park

We visited Zion in late April and loved it—mild weather, lighter crowds, and water levels low enough to hike The Narrows (sometimes closed in spring due to snowmelt). In general, March and April are great times to visit, while October and early November bring fall colors and fewer visitors. Summer can still be enjoyable if you’re prepared for heat, crowds, and early starts. Winter is cold and icy with partial closures—we’d leave this to experienced hikers with proper gear.

🚗 How to Get to Zion National Park

Zion is located in Springdale, Utah. Driving is easiest, which is how we came in, but other options exist:

• By Car – 2.5 hrs from Las Vegas, 4.5 hrs from Salt Lake City, 1.5 hrs from Bryce Canyon.
• By Plane – Fly into Las Vegas (LAS), Salt Lake City (SLC), or nearby St. George (SGU) and rent a car from there.
• By Public Transport – We found this Suntran bus route connecting St. George, Utah, to Springdale, Utah (closest to the park).

🏨 Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

Zion offers a range of stay options—whether you’re looking for convenience, comfort, or something budget-friendly. Here’s a breakdown of your options, from least to most costly:

• BLM Land (Free Camping) – For the most budget-friendly option, consider dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land just outside the park. We use iOverlander to find legal, no-cost sites nearby and stayed at St. George BLM Campground.
• Inside the Park – Zion Lodge is the only hotel within park boundaries, offering unmatched access to trails and shuttle stops. There are also three campgrounds: Watchman Campground (open year-round), Lava Point Campground (open May-September), and South Campground (closed during our visit).
• Campgrounds (Outside the Park) – Additional campgrounds and RV parks can be found outside of the park such as Zion Canyon Campground & RV Resort and Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground.
• Hotels (Outside the Park) – Just outside the park’s south entrance, Springdale, Utah, is the go-to hub for lodging. You’ll find a variety of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals.

💰 How Much Does a Trip to Zion Cost?

Depending on your travel style, the cost of a trip to Zion National Park can vary. The biggest costs are lodging and gear rental. Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs so you know what to expect.

Fee	Cost	Notes
Park Entrance – Vehicle	$35 (valid for 7 days)	Covers everyone in a single private vehicle
Angels Landing Permit Lottery	$6 to apply, +$3/person if awarded	Required to hike beyond Scout Lookout
Gear Rentals for The Narrows	$30–$50/day	Prices for basic gear sets at Zion Guru, a nearby outfitter. More elaborate options were available at a higher price.
Camping in Zion	$20–$30/night	Reserve in advance at Recreation.gov. You can avoid accommodation fees by staying on BLM land.
Bicycle Rental	$70-100/day for an E-Bike	Regular bikes cost less ($20-40) and can be taken on the park shuttle
Parking in Springdale	$15–$30/day	If you don’t score a parking spot in Zion or are not staying at a hotel with included parking. The price depends on vehicle size. More info here.

📰 Related Articles

• 5 Short and Easy Hikes in Zion National Park
• More Coming Soon!

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