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5 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park

Long lines, mandatory permits, timed entries. Nope, weโ€™re not talking about the DMVโ€”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. Weโ€™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.

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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  • 1. Arrive Early to Beat the Crowds
  • 2. Apply for Permits Ahead of Time
  • 3. Visit During the Shoulder Seasonsโ€”Spring or Fall
  • 4. Wear Layers
  • 5. Have a Plan B (and C, and D)
  • Read Next: Zion Packing List: What to Bring and What to Rent
  • ๐Ÿ“ฐ Related Articles
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Watch on YouTube
  • ๐Ÿ” Ready to Visit Zion National Park?

1. Arrive Early to Beat the Crowds

Out of all the Zion National Park Tips, this would probably be our biggest one. Zion gets busyโ€”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).

Visitors lining up to get a spot on the Zion Shuttle.
Trailhead of the Narrows Bottom-Up hike in the late morning.
Lots of hikers headed to the Narrows by mid-day.

If youโ€™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 donโ€™t. But some of Zionโ€™s most iconic hikesโ€”ahem, Angelโ€™s Landingโ€”weโ€™re looking at youโ€”require permits, and you cannot get them last minute. Angels Landing uses a lottery system, and youโ€™ll need to apply in advance (either a few months out in the seasonal lottery or the day before in the day-before lottery).

Sign to download your permit before reaching the Angel’s Landing hike trailhead.

๐Ÿ‘ผ๐Ÿผ More info about how to score an Angelโ€™s Landing permit here.

The Narrows (Top-Down Route) and The Subway are the other two main trails in the park that require permits. If youโ€™re planning any of these three hikes, donโ€™t assume you can just show up and figure it outโ€”Zion is way too popular for that. Plan ahead, apply early, and thank yourself later.

3. Visit During the Shoulder Seasonsโ€”Spring or Fall

Zion is poppinโ€™ from June through August, but if you can swing a visit in the shoulder seasonsโ€”April to May or September to Octoberโ€”youโ€™ll get the best of both worlds: great weather and (slightly) fewer crowds.

Views from Canyon Overlook Trail during the Spring.

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.

Jen and friends hiking the Narrows in April.
Jen and our friend waist-deep in the Narrows!
Crossing the river with friends in the Narrows.

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

4. Wear Layers

Zionโ€™s desert climate means big temperature swingsโ€”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.

Snow in the Ponderosa Ranch area in April!
Jen on the warm and sunny Watchman Trail the same week!

Pack light layers you can peel off as the day warms up. Trust usโ€”youโ€™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 โ€“ Elliotโ€™s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt and Jenโ€™s favorite long-sleeve sun shirt. We both have these sun shirts and love them! This sun shirt was our go-to! Itโ€™s what we wear in spring, summer, and fall to protect against UV rays.
  • Short-sleeve shirt โ€“ We were constantly taking off layers throughout the day as it warmed up in Zion. By the afternoon, we were wearing this menโ€™s lightweight merino wool T-shirts or womenโ€™s merino wool short-sleeved shirts. Elliot loves his Vuori shirt as a comfortable, lightweight option.
  • Hiking pants โ€“ We wore pants for the higher-elevation (cooler) hikes and early mornings. These are Elliotโ€™s favorite hiking pants and Jenโ€™s favorite hiking pants.
  • Hiking Shorts โ€“ 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 โ€“ 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 โ€“ 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 โ€“ Elliot loves his Vuori PowerGrid jacket as a midlayer, whereas Jen loves her Patagonia Fleece Pullover.
  • Down Jacket โ€“ We both have Patagonia Down Jackets to stay warm, and they were essential when it was snowing on our hike to Observation Point in Aprilโ€”Elliotโ€™s jacket and Jenโ€™s jacket.

๐Ÿ‘• Learn more about what to pack for Zion hereโ€”Zion Packing List: What to Bring and What to Rent.

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

Things donโ€™t always go as plannedโ€”whether itโ€™s a trail closure, unexpected crowds, no parking available, or weather throwing a curveball. Having a few backup plans up your sleeve means youโ€™ll always have something fun to do, no matter what. Zion has plenty of amazing spots, so donโ€™t stress if your first choice doesnโ€™t work out.

Jen driving into the Kolob Canyon area of Zion.
Less-crowded Timber Creek Overlook Viewpoint in Kolob Canyon.
Jen on the Timber Creek Overlook Trail.

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 trailsโ€”our favorite in the area was the Timber Creek Overlook Trail!

Read Next:

Zion Packing List: What to Bring and What to Rent

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
  • How to Spend One Day in Zion National Park
  • More Coming Soon!

๐Ÿ“บ Watch on YouTube

๐Ÿ” Ready to Visit Zion National Park?

Pin these Zion National Park Tips to make planning your upcoming trip a breeze!

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Posted

May 30, 2025

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Destinations, National Parks, United States, Utah, Zion

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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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