5 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park

Long lines, mandatory permits, timed entries. Nope, we’re not talking about the DMV—welcome to Zion National Park. Along with being known for its dramatic slot canyons and jaw-dropping views, this insanely popular park came with a few surprises that caught us first-time visitors off guard. We’re breaking down the 5 Zion National Park tips you really need to know before you go, so you can spend less time stressing over logistics and more time exploring.

1. Arrive Early to Beat the Crowds

Out of all the Zion National Park Tips, this would probably be our biggest one. Zion gets busy—like, standing-room-only shuttle lines and packed trailhead parking lots by mid-morning busy. Even in spring or fall, the early birds get the peace and quiet (and the decent parking spots).

If you’re planning to hike something popular like the Narrows, aim to rent your gear the day before and catch the first shuttle of the day (usually around 6 or 7 a.m., depending on the season). The earlier you start, the cooler the temps, the fewer the crowds, and the better the experience.

2. Apply for Permits Ahead of Time

Now, not all parks in Zion require a permit. In fact, the majority don’t. But some of Zion’s most iconic hikes—ahem, Angel’s Landing—we’re looking at you—require permits, and you cannot get them last minute. Angels Landing uses a lottery system, and you’ll need to apply in advance (either a few months out in the seasonal lottery or the day before in the day-before lottery).

The Narrows (Top-Down Route) and The Subway are the other two main trails in the park that require permits. If you’re planning any of these three hikes, don’t assume you can just show up and figure it out—Zion is way too popular for that. Plan ahead, apply early, and thank yourself later.

3. Visit During the Shoulder Seasons—Spring or Fall

Zion is poppin’ from June through August, but if you can swing a visit in the shoulder seasons—April to May or September to October—you’ll get the best of both worlds: great weather and (slightly) fewer crowds.

The Narrows in the Spring can be a toss-up depending on the post-winter snowmelt levels (which sometimes cause trail closures), so if you are travelling from far and set on doing this hike, we recommend you visit during the Fall.

Summer can be scorching, and winter brings limited access due to snow or ice. No matter when you go, expect people—this is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S.—but during spring or fall, things tend to feel a little less chaotic.

4. Wear Layers

Zion’s desert climate means big temperature swings—hot and sunny during the day, then suddenly chilly in the shade, at high altitudes, or once the sun dips. Mornings can start cold, especially if you’re catching a sunrise or hopping on an early shuttle.

Pack light layers you can peel off as the day warms up. Trust us—you’ll be glad you brought that hoodie. Some of our most-used layering items in the park when we visited in April included:

• Long-sleeve shirt – Elliot’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt and Jen’s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt. We both have these sun shirts and love them! This sun shirt was our go-to! It’s what we wear in spring, summer, and fall to protect against UV rays.
• Short-sleeve shirt – We were constantly taking off layers throughout the day as it warmed up in Zion. By the afternoon, we were wearing this men’s lightweight merino wool T-shirts or women’s merino wool short-sleeved shirts. Elliot loves his Vuori shirt as a comfortable, lightweight option.
• Hiking pants – We wore pants for the higher-elevation (cooler) hikes and early mornings. These are Elliot’s favorite hiking pants and Jen’s favorite hiking pants.
• Hiking Shorts – When it would warm up in the afternoons, we changed into shorts. Elliot loves his Vuori Kore shorts and Jen loves her Vuori Clementine Shorts.
• Long underwear – Elliot has had this REI base layer for almost 10 years and same for Jen! Jen wore her long underwear during our early morning hikes in Zion and then would change out of them later in the morning.
• Wool Cap & Warm Gloves – If going during the winter, we would make sure to bring a warm beanie and gloves. A must-have for chilly mornings and evenings. During our hike to Observation Point, it snowed, which made wearing a beanie with gloves essential.
• Fleece Sweater – Elliot loves his Vuori PowerGrid jacket as a midlayer, whereas Jen loves her Patagonia Fleece Pullover.
• Down Jacket – We both have Patagonia Down Jackets to stay warm, and they were essential when it was snowing on our hike to Observation Point in April—Elliot’s jacket and Jen’s jacket.

5. Have a Plan B (and C, and D)

Things don’t always go as planned—whether it’s a trail closure, unexpected crowds, no parking available, or weather throwing a curveball. Having a few backup plans up your sleeve means you’ll always have something fun to do, no matter what. Zion has plenty of amazing spots, so don’t stress if your first choice doesn’t work out.

One of our favorite backup plans was getting out of Zion Canyon and driving 45 minutes North to the Kolob Canyon area of Zion National Park. This area experiences much fewer crowds and includes its own Visitor Center, scenic drives and overlooks, and a handful of beautiful hiking trails—our favorite in the area was the Timber Creek Overlook Trail!

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