Our 9 Favorite Things to Do in Zion National Park Besides Hiking

Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the US, and thankfully, experiencing its one-of-a-kind beauty doesn’t have to involve hiking miles upon miles of trails. Whether you’re looking for alternative ways to explore or want to give your legs a rest, Zion offers a wealth of things to do beyond hiking. From rolling down scenic drives to gazing up at star-studded skies, we’ve rounded up our 9 favorite things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking!

1. Ride the Free Shuttle

Zion’s free shuttle system makes it easy to explore the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive without worrying about parking or traffic. From spring through late fall, personal vehicles aren’t allowed past Canyon Junction, so the shuttle is going to be your best friend. Hop on, grab a window seat, and enjoy a breezy, hands-free ride through the heart of the park!

The shuttle includes a total of 9 stops within Zion Canyon, stretching from the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava (trailhead of the Narrows). There’s a separate line connecting the town of Springdale to the park entrance as well, which is useful for hopping into town for dinner or if that’s where you’re parked.

2. Go on a Scenic Drive

One of our hands-down favorite things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking was exploring the park by car. Although the main Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is exclusively for the free shuttle most of the year, don’t fret. There are a total of four scenic drives in Zion National Park!

• Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive: A 5-mile scenic drive located in the less-visited northwestern section of the park. Expect to see red cliffs, green forests, and panoramic views at Kolob Canyons Viewpoint, the end of the road.
• Zion-Mount Carmel Highway: This 10-mile road connects the main Zion Canyon with the eastern side of the park. It’s famous for its switchbacks, mile-long tunnel (Jen cried from the beauty of it on our first drive through!), and dramatic elevation changes. Be sure to pull over at the viewpoints to step out and soak in the views!
• Kolob Terrace Road: This 24.4-mile road starts outside of the park in Virgin, Utah, and extends to Kolob Reservoir. You’ll be driving along a high plateau, from which you’ll be able to see tons of wildlife and sweeping views of Zion’s backcountry.

3. Picnic in the Park

What’s a national park trip if you didn’t picnic at some point? As we’re always looking to score the best table, we had our eyes out in Zion National Park. Some of our favorite spots to refuel included The Grotto, Zion Lodge, Zion Canyon Visitor Center, and Kolob Canyons Picnic Area.

• The Grotto Picnic Area: Right in front of the Grotto shuttle stop, you’ll find The Grotto Picnic Area. This is hands-down the most popular picnic spot in Zion, so scoring a table can be a bit tricky if you come during lunchtime.
  
• Zion Lodge Front Lawn: If you don’t have luck at the Grotto Picnic Area, just a 15-minute walk away, you have the lawn in front of Zion Lodge. While not a designated “picnic area” with tables, we saw many visitors lying on their blankets, enjoying a packed lunch, with restrooms and a snack bar within the lodge just a few steps away.
  
• Zion Canyon Visitor Center Picnic Area: The first stop on the shuttle route, the Visitor Center, also has plenty of picnic tables and comfortable restrooms for visitors to enjoy!
  
• Kolob Canyons Picnic Area: If you find yourself exploring the northern area of the park, Kolob Canyons, you’ve got a picnic area here as well! Head about 2 miles up the scenic drive to dig into your sandwiches while you gaze out at crimson cliffs and finger canyons.

4. Learn About the Park at the Museum and Visitor Centers

If you’re anything like us, sometimes you need a break from outdoor plans, even if they don’t involve hiking. Lucky for you, you’ve got four main options within Zion National Park itself, where you can learn more about Zion, the Zion Nature Center, Zion Canyon Visitor Center, Human History Museum, and the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center.

• Zion Nature Center: The Zion Nature Center is great for kids, with interactive exhibits and ranger programs about Zion’s plants and animals.
  
• Zion Canyon Visitor Center: Your go-to for park info, trail updates, and permits, this visitor center also features displays on Zion’s geology and ecology and a gift shop.
  
• Human History Museum: Learn about the park’s past at this free museum, from ancient cultures to early settlers, with exhibits and a large relief map of the park from above.
  
• Kolob Canyons Visitor Center: If you’re in this northern area of the park, stop into their visitor center for exhibits, trail info, and a small gift shop.

5. Ride Bikes in Zion

Although personal vehicles are restricted, bikes are allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. We passed tons of bikers exploring the park, both on this main road and on the paved Pa’rus Trail. You can bring your own bikes, rent them from outfitters in Springdale, or go on a guided e-bike tour of Zion. Whatever you choose, make sure to pull over for buses while biking, as they have priority.

Where to Rent Bikes in Zion

• 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

6. Visit Zion’s Scenic Viewpoints

You don’t always have to hike miles after miles to find a viewpoint that takes your breath away—at least in Zion National Park, that is. Some of our favorite views were just a few steps from our van.

• Kolob Canyons Viewpoint: Also known as Timber Creek Overlook, this viewpoint is located at the end of Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive, offering sweeping red rock views from the parking lot.
  
• Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Pull-Offs: Dotted along the entirety of this scenic drive, you’ll find tons of scenic viewpoints where you can pull over and hop out. Expect to see everything from the unique patterns of Checkerboard Mesa to the dramatic overlooks of Pine Creek Canyon.
  
• Canyon Junction Bridge: One of the most iconic sunset spots in all of Zion, Canyon Junction Bridge (Shuttle Stop #3) gives you front and center views of the Watchman mountain peak glowing in the golden-hour light.

7. Go on a Guided Experience

Although totally optional, one of the best things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking is signing up for something a bit different. We’ve rounded up a few of the top Zion National Park tours on GetYourGuide if you’re interested in investing in an experience you won’t forget.

• 10-20-Minute Scenic Helicopter Tour: For $125/person, soar above the greater Zion area, taking in the views of the Virgin River valley, West Temple, Crater Hill Volcano, and more!
• Crimson Slot Canyon Exploration & UTV Tour: For $109/person, jump onto an adrenaline-pumping UTV ride and explore a slot canyon in East Zion.
• Half-Day Canyoneering Experience: For $209/person, get a taste of canyoneering on this 4-hour guided climbing adventure for all levels!

8. Hop on a Ranger-Led Program

Ranger-led programs are our bread and butter when it comes to visiting a national park. We try to hop on at least one in every park we visit, and Zion National Park was no different. We joined 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.

9. Go Stargazing

Zion National Park holds the title of an International Dark Sky Park, making it the perfect backdrop to go stargazing. For the best experience, we gave our eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark, aimed for 90 minutes after sunset, and headed to spots known for the clearest night sky views.

• Zion Canyon: Pa’rus Trail and the patio behind the Human History Museum, specifically.
• East Side: Checkerboard Mesa pull-off.
• Kolob Terrace Road: Lava Point Overlook, Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, and Left Fork Trailhead.
• Kolob Canyons: Timber Creek Overlook parking lot.
• BLM Camping: As BLM Campgrounds are typically located in remote areas away from light pollution, they make great stargazing spots. See above for the views from ours!
• Guided Tours: You can also 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.

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