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How to Spend One Day in Zion National Park

Zion National Park spans a massive 146,000+ acresโ€”but donโ€™t let that overwhelm you if youโ€™ve only got one day. With a little planning, you’d be surprised at just how much you can see. This 1-Day Zion Itinerary mixes trails, overlooks, and scenic drives so you get a well-rounded taste of the park. Let’s dive in!

๐Ÿ’กIf you’re set on tackling a longer hike like The Narrows, Angelโ€™s Landing, or The Subway, be aware that just one of those will take up an entire half-day. Weโ€™ll cover those options, but be ready to prioritize!

Note: We use affiliate links which provide us a little kickback each time you use one of our links and make a purchase, without any additional cost to you. We do not recommend products that we donโ€™t already love or have heard great things about, so you can trust weโ€™re only suggesting great products to you.

Table of Contents

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  • ๐Ÿ“ One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary
    • 7:00 โ€” Catch the First Shuttle into Zion Canyon
    • 8:00 โ€” Hike the Riverside Walk
    • 10:00 โ€” Explore the Emerald Pools Trail
    • 12:00 โ€” Lunch at Zion Lodge or a Picnic
    • 1:00 โ€” Walk or Bike the Paโ€™rus Trail
    • 3:00 โ€” Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
    • 4:30 โ€” Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail
  • ๐Ÿ” Optional Activities (Swap These In!)
  • ๐ŸŒค๏ธ When to Visit Zion National Park
  • ๐Ÿš— How to Get to Zion National Park
  • ๐Ÿจ Where to Stay When Visiting Zion National Park
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ How Much Does a Trip to Zion Cost?
  • ๐Ÿชง Learn More: How to Help Zion National Park
  • Read Next: How to Hike the Narrows as a Beginner: Zion National Park
  • ๐Ÿ“ฐ Related Articles
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Watch on YouTube
  • ๐Ÿ” Ready to Visit Zion National Park?

๐Ÿ“ One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary

Hereโ€™s how weโ€™d spend one day in Zion if it were our first visit and we wanted to see a little bit of everything, without ending the day completely exhausted. Weโ€™ve included a few alternative options towards the end in case you want to switch anything out.

7:00 โ€” Catch the First Shuttle into Zion Canyon

Start your day early and beat the crowds (and the heat) by hopping on the first shuttle from the Zion Canyon Visitor Centerโ€”departure times vary by season (6 a.m. May 18 to September 14 and 7 a.m. September 15 to November 1). Grab a window seat, relax, and soak in the towering canyon walls as you ride all the way to the last stop: Temple of Sinawava.

๐ŸšŒ Accessing Zion Canyon Scenic Drive: From spring through fall, this free shuttle is the only way to access Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If youโ€™re visiting in winter, you can drive your own car.

Free Shuttle in Zion National Park.
Jen at the Temple of Sinawava area.
List of stops on the Zion Shuttle Line.

8:00 โ€” Hike the Riverside Walk

From the Temple of Sinawava stop, enjoy the easy, mostly paved Riverside Walk. This 90-minute out-and-back trail takes you to the start of The Narrows, but is a beautiful experience on its ownโ€”complete with hanging gardens, high canyon walls, and the peaceful sounds of the Virgin River. Weโ€™ve placed it early in the itinerary since we found it much quieter before 10 a.m. and especially stunning in the soft morning light.

Jen on the Riverside Walk before hiking the Narrows.
Canyon and river views on the Riverside Walk.
Visitors cooling off in the Virgin River.

10:00 โ€” Explore the Emerald Pools Trail

Hop back on the shuttle and get off at Zion Lodge (Stop #6). From here, hop on the Emerald Pools Trail. This is a moderate 90-minute hike with a little elevation gain, small waterfalls, and great red rock viewsโ€”especially if water is flowing. We loved how the destination โ€œkeeps goingโ€ on this hike, with each pool serving as a natural stopping point.

Jen wedged in between canyons on the Emerald Pools Trail.
Lush canyon views from the Emerald Pools Trail.
Jen in front of the iconic red rock walls of Zion.

12:00 โ€” Lunch at Zion Lodge or a Picnic

Refuel with lunch at the Zion Lodge cafeteria or find a shady picnic spot nearby. If you packed your own food, the grassy lawn outside the lodge is the perfect place to relax!

Sandwiches are our go-to’s in national parks!

1:00 โ€” Walk or Bike the Paโ€™rus Trail

After lunch, head back toward the Visitor Center and jump on the Paโ€™rus Trail. Itโ€™s a flat, paved path with gorgeous views, river crossings, and a quiet vibe that contrasts nicely with the busier canyon areas.

Riverside views on the Pa’rus Trail.
This was Ollie’s favorite (and only) hike in Zion!
Elliot reading one of the informational signs in the shade.

The Pa’rus Trail is suitable for bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, and even leashed pups! You can hike the entire 2 hours of this out-and-back trail, stretching from the Visitor Center to Canyon Junction Bridge, or walk as much as you like before turning around. If youโ€™re riding your bike, expect to take half the amount of time.

3:00 โ€” Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Once youโ€™ve finished the Paโ€™rus Trail, itโ€™s time to head out of the main Zion Canyon and drive east on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. This scenic route takes you through the historic tunnel and into a completely different side of the parkโ€”more open, more layered, and filled with crazy-cool rock formations.

Checkerboard Mesa in the distance on Zion-Mt. Carmel Drive.
Family photo on one of the pull-offs!
The main tunnel on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.

There are a ton of pull-off points where you can stretch your legs, snap some photos, and read educational signs about what youโ€™re seeing.

4:30 โ€” Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail

Right after the tunnel, park, and hit the short-but-epic Canyon Overlook Trail. Itโ€™s just 1 mile round-trip (taking around 25 minutes to hike) and rewards you with a sweeping view back into the canyon, perfect for golden hour. If you have time (and energy), stick around here for sunset.

Parked on the side of the road for Canyon Overlook Trail.
Views on the way up to Canyon Overlook.
Jen looking out at the final panorama of Canyon Overlook.


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๐Ÿ” Optional Activities (Swap These In!)

Here are a few great options you can swap into your itinerary depending on your energy, interests, and how early you get started.

  1. Tackle a longer hike โ€” If you’re set on a bucket-list trek like The Narrows, Angelโ€™s Landing (Permit Required), or The Subway (Permit Required), keep in mind that just one of these will take up at-least half a day.
  2. Hop off at more shuttle stops โ€” Want to see more of the main Zion Canyon? Get off at all the different shuttle stops like Weeping Rock, Big Bend, or the Human History Museum.
  3. Kolob Canyons โ€” This lesser-known area of the park is located a 45-minute drive north of Zion Canyon and is your spot if youโ€™re looking to escape the crowds. Itโ€™s known for its iconic red cliffs, views of Zion Canyon in the distance, and quiet atmosphere.
View of Angel’s Landing Hike in the distance.

๐ŸŒค๏ธ When to Visit Zion National Park

Monthly Average Temperatures in Zion National Park by Weather US.

We spent time at Zion in late April and really enjoyed itโ€”pleasant temperatures, fairly manageable crowds, and lucked out with water levels just right for hiking The Narrows (which can sometimes be off-limits in spring due to melting snow).

Generally, the shoulder seasons of spring and fall offer a quieter park experience, making them great times to visit if you can swing it. Summers get hot and busy, so prepare for early mornings and double up on the sun protection. Winter brings cold weather, icy trails, and occasional closures, making it best suited for seasoned hikers with the right equipment.

๐Ÿš— 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 โ€“ 2.5 hrs from Las Vegas, 4.5 hrs from Salt Lake City, 1.5 hrs from Bryce Canyon. You can park in the park or in Springdale, Utah and take the shuttle from there.
  • By Plane โ€“ Fly into Las Vegas (LAS), Salt Lake City (SLC), or nearby St. George (SGU) and rent a car from there.
  • By Public Transport โ€“ We found this Suntran bus route connecting St. George, Utah, to Springdale, Utah (closest to the park). From Springdale, you have the free shuttle that takes you directly into the park.

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๐Ÿจ Where to Stay When Visiting Zion National Park

Zion offers a range of stay optionsโ€”whether youโ€™re looking for convenience, comfort, or something budget-friendly. Hereโ€™s a breakdown of your options, from least to most costly:

  • BLM Land (Free Camping) โ€“ 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 โ€“ 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) โ€“ 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) โ€“ Just outside the parkโ€™s south entrance, Springdale, Utah, is the go-to hub for lodging. Youโ€™ll find a variety of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals.
Drone shot of St. George BLM Camping.
Enjoying an evening campfire with friends.
BLM Camping information.

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๐Ÿ’ฐ 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. Hereโ€™s a breakdown of the typical costs so you know what to expect.

๐ŸŽซ Consider investing in the America the Beautiful pass for $80 like we did if youโ€™re planning on travelling to several parks within the year.

FeeCostNotes
Park Entrance โ€“ Vehicle$35 (valid for 7 days)Covers everyone in a single private vehicle
Angels Landing Permit Lottery$6 to apply, +$3/person if awardedRequired to hike beyond Scout Lookout
Gear Rentals for The Narrows$30โ€“$50/dayPrices for basic gear sets at Zion Guru, a nearby outfitter. More elaborate options were available at a higher price.
Camping in Zion$20โ€“$30/nightReserve in advance at Recreation.gov. You can avoid accommodation fees by staying on BLM land.
Bicycle Rental$70-100/day for an E-BikeRegular bikes cost less ($20-40) and can be taken on the park shuttle
Parking in Springdale$15โ€“$30/dayIf 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.

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๐Ÿชง Learn More: How to Help Zion National Park

Zion is a stunning natural treasure, but like many popular parks, it faces ongoing challengesโ€”from overcrowding and trail erosion to impacts on wildlife and fragile ecosystems. As visitors, the best way to help is by following Leave No Trace Guidelines.

If you want to go a step further, consider supporting Zionโ€™s conservation efforts by donating to organizations like the Zion National Park Forever Project. This non-profit help fund trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and educational programs to keep Zion, and the surrounding area, beautiful and sustainable for future generations. ๐Ÿ’š

Read Next:

How to Hike the Narrows as a Beginner: Zion National Park

๐Ÿ“ฐ Related Articles

  • 9 Fun Things to Do in Zion National Park in 2025
  • Top 5 Short & Easy Hikes in Zion National Park
  • 13 Best Hikes in Zion National Park (Ranked Easy to Hard)
  • Zion Packing List: What to Bring and What to Rent
  • Our 7 Favorite Viewpoints in Zion National Park (No Hiking Required)
  • How to Hike the Narrows as a Beginner: Zion National Park
  • 5 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park
  • More Coming Soon!

๐Ÿ“บ Watch on YouTube

๐Ÿ” Ready to Visit Zion National Park?

Pin this One Day in Zion National Park Guide to make planning your upcoming trip a breeze!

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Posted

May 30, 2025

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Elliot Schoenfeld

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About Us

We’re Jen and Elliot, aka Scho & Jo, a couple of high school sweethearts who fell in love with travel and decided to live life now. From international travel to boating around America’s Great Loop to converting a Sprinter Van into a campervan and now traveling to all 50 States and US National Parks, we’re here to help you plan for your dream trip! We share detailed guides and expense reports to help turn your dream trip into a reality! Read more about us here.

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  • How to Spend One Day in Zion National Park
  • 5 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park
  • Our 7 Favorite Viewpoints in Zion National Park (No Hiking Required)
  • How to Hike the Narrows as a Beginner: Zion National Park
  • Zion Packing List: What to Bring and What to Rent

We’re a proud Contributing Editor to Waterway Guide.

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What part of Zion are you most interested in? Zi What part of Zion are you most interested in? 

Zion National Park is part of Utahโ€™s Mighty Five and is the western most park. Zion is a sanctuary in the desert as its towering red rock cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and lush valleys amaze first time and long time visitors alike. 

The park was the second most visited National Park in the US in 2024. From short hikes, to best hikes, and things to to that arenโ€™t hiking, we have guides on our website for it all.

๐Ÿ‘‹ Hi, weโ€™re Jen, Elliot, and Ollie - living in our self converted van as we travel to all 50 states and 63 National Parks. We share travel inspiration, actually helpful tips, and detailed itineraries, all to help get you outside! Follow @schoandjo for more ๐ŸŒž

#zion #zionnationalpark #zionnps #utah #utahgram #utahrocks #roadtrip #roadtrippin #roadtripping #usa #roadtripusa #visitutah #ForeverMighty
This hike looks down on Angleโ€™s Landing ๐Ÿคฏ

๐Ÿ‘‹ Hi, weโ€™re Jen, Elliot, and Ollie ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿถ living in our self converted van as we travel to all 50 states and 63 National Parks. We share travel inspiration, actually helpful tips, and detailed itineraries, all to help get you outside! Follow @schoandjo for more ๐ŸŒž

โ›”๏ธ No permit to Angleโ€™s Landing? No problem. 

โ›”๏ธ Not interested in hiking Angleโ€™s Landing? No problem.

โœ… THIS hike is the perfect hike for anyone who wants incredible views of Zion National Park. 

Hereโ€™s how to access this Observation Point:

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ This route is now accessible by driving to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort (a rockfall closed the original trail). The trail offers sweeping views over Zion Canyon, including a direct view of Angels Landing from above. Overall, itโ€™s relatively flat, shaded in parts, and much less crowded than many others in the park. 

๐Ÿš˜ Park at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. You can walk about a half mile from Zion Ponderosa or take their $7.50 shuttle (which we did, since the dirt road was muddy after recent rain). 

โŒš๏ธThe hike is 7 miles round trip and is ranked as a moderate hike taking about 3-4 hours.

๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ With its minimal elevation gain and maximum reward, this is one of the best value hikes in the park.

๐Ÿ’ฌย Do you think these views rival those at Angleโ€™s Landing? Let us know in the comments below ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿผ 

#angleslanding #zionnationalpark #zionnp #nationalparkadventures #bestutahhikes #hikeutah #visitutah #ForeverMighty
Hereโ€™s the deal and how to go on the best hike/t Hereโ€™s the deal and how to go on the best hike/tour in the park ๐Ÿ‘‡

New here? ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿถย Weโ€™re Jen, Elliot, and Ollie on a journey to visit all 50 states and 63 National Parks. Follow @schoandjo for more inspiration, actually helpful tips, and detailed travel guides ๐Ÿš๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ๐Ÿงญ

The best hike in Carlsbad Caverns is the Kingโ€™s Palace Ranger-led tour! Hereโ€™s how to score itโ€ฆ

๐Ÿ•—ย Arrive to the park early! We recommend getting to the Visitor Center by 8 am so you can ensure you get some of the limited tickets to the Kingโ€™s Palace Ranger-led tour. There are limited amount of spots (usually 24) and they go quickly! 

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธย When the Visitor Center opens at 9 am, head to the counter to pay your $15 park entrance fee (or show your America the Beautiful Pass) and purchase your ranger tour ticket. 

โ„น๏ธย Explore the Visitor Center while you wait for the tour to start. We recommend watching the park films and reading several of the information placards to learn about the park. 

๐Ÿงฅย Take the elevator down 750 feet into the cave system and head to the starting point of the Kingโ€™s Palace tour. That being said, youโ€™ll want to bring a jacket for the caves, even in summer, as they stay at a coolย 56ยฐF year-round.ย 

๐Ÿ“ฌย Pro Tip: If you like sending postcards from the NPโ€™s, thereโ€™s a mailbox in the cave. 

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธย Attend the Kingโ€™s Palace Ranger-led tour, which lasts about an hour and a half.

๐Ÿฅชย Head back up to the surface for lunch. We had a picnic style lunch outside but thereโ€™s also a food court in the Gift Shop.

๐Ÿ“ธย After lunch, go back into the cave through the Natural Entrance. Make sure to visit the Big Room! It doesnโ€™t disappoint. 

โœŒ๏ธย Plan toย exit the caves by 4:30 PMย as elevators stop running at 4:45 PM.

๐Ÿดย Enjoy dinner in Carlsbad, NM - we recommend stopping at Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Co. for pizza and beer with live music on the weekends.

๐Ÿ’ฌย Comment CAVE and Iโ€™ll send you our FREE detailed travel itinerary complete with an estimated budget breakdown, packing list, and more! 

Disclaimer: The tours change daily based on Ranger staffing, so nothing is guaranteed. 

#carlsbadcaverns #carlsbadcavernsnp #nationalparkadventures #gocaving #cavetour #parkrangersrock
Come prepared with our White Sands NP Itinerary! Come prepared with our White Sands NP Itinerary!

๐Ÿ“Save this for later & tag your adventure buddy! ๐Ÿซถ

If weโ€™re traveling to White Sands National Park for the first time and only have one day to spend exploring the park, the is how we would spend our time: 

1๏ธโƒฃ Dive the Dunes Scenic Drive to the back of the park and enjoy the views along the way!

2๏ธโƒฃ Hike the Alkali Flat Trail in the morning during the coolest part of the day. This is the longest in the park at 4.5 miles, so be sure to bring a lot of water and wear sun protective clothing. The only place water is available is at the visitors center, so be sure to fill up before driving out to this trailhead. 

3๏ธโƒฃ Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic areas under some shade. 

4๏ธโƒฃ After lunch, head to the visitor center to get out of the sun and heat, watch the park film, and learn about the park. Head to the Gift Shop to rent a sled for $15-20 depending on the style. 

5๏ธโƒฃ Go sledding on the Sand Dunes! The smooth gypsum sand makes for a surprisingly nice sledding surface, especially if youโ€™ve applied wax to the bottom of your board. Make sure to return the sled by 4pm. 

6๏ธโƒฃ Hike the Dune Life Nature Trail which is a marked short 1-miles loop that offers some of the best chances to spot wildlife in the park. Alternatively, you can hike the Playa Trail which is a short 15 minute hike.

7๏ธโƒฃ Lastly, watching the sunset at Sand Dunes is a must! If youโ€™re interested, check out the ranger-led sunset stroll. We love Ranger tours as they never disappoint. Check the visitor center for meet-up time and location. 

โ€ผ๏ธ A few things to note โ€ผ๏ธ

โ›”๏ธ The Dunes Scenic Drive can often be closed from 7-9am as they clear the road from any sand that was blown onto the road from the night before. 

โ›”๏ธ Certain areas of the park close temporarily for missile tests from the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Check the parks website or call ahead for more info. 

โ›”๏ธ The park is super dog friendly! ๐Ÿฆฎ

Comment SEND and Iโ€™ll send you our FREE detailed travel itinerary with an estimated budget breakdown, packing list and more!

Follow @schoandjo for more NP itineraries!

#whitesands #nationalparkadventures  #travelguide
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