UTAH - Zion National Park
- NicoleDeRosa
- Jun 5, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 3
Zion National Park is only 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, which made it the perfect road-trip adventure. My friends and I drove from Los Angeles to Vegas, checked into the Hard Rock Hotel for the night, and did exactly what our bodies needed before days of hiking and camping: a relaxing dinner, a swim, a bubble bath (very important, for me), and the deepest sleep of my life.
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I’m not exaggerating when I say I woke up feeling reborn. Between the bubble bath and the solid night of rest, I felt completely relaxed, recharged, and ready for whatever Zion had in store.
And wow… Zion delivered.
That photo of me (in the above carousel) looking up while hiking The Narrows? That’s not a pose. That’s the exact moment gratitude and absolute bliss washed over me. Up until then, I had never been so completely enveloped by natural beauty. Towering canyon walls. Light bouncing off red rock. Cool river water rushing past my legs. As I looked up and smiled, tears streamed down my face, an involuntary, deeply human response to being surrounded by something so majestic.
Zion is on another level. It reminds you, quickly and humbly, that this planet really is Heaven on Earth.
If you don’t already have a national parks bucket list, make one. Put Zion and Bryce Canyon right at the top. These places are magical, epic, and grounding in the best way. They make you feel like a tiny little ant in the presence of something ancient, powerful, and alive.
Southern Utah, as a whole, is an outdoor lover’s dream: sunshine nearly year-round, endless hiking, rich agricultural history, incredible lodging options, amazing food, and a full calendar of events. It’s adventure with comfort, my favorite combo.
Exploring Zion National Park
Zion National Park, located in southwest Utah, is best known for Zion Canyon’s massive red cliffs and awe-inspiring scale. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive winds through the heart of the park, leading to forested trails along the Virgin River.
The river flows to the Emerald Pools, where waterfalls spill into vibrant green basins surrounded by hanging gardens. And then there’s The Narrows, a legendary hike that winds directly through the river, slicing through deep, narrow chasms of rock. My friends and I explored The Narrows over several days, and it was easily one of the most unforgettable hiking experiences of my life.
Just outside the park sits Springdale, a charming little town backed by jaw-dropping mountain views. Springdale is full of locally owned hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, farmers markets, art galleries, outfitters, tour guides, and gift shops. It’s the perfect basecamp for Zion adventures.
Where We Stayed
We camped at Zion Crest Campground & RV Park, tucked into the pines on a plateau above Zion National Park, literally bordering the park boundary. Waking up here felt surreal.
They offer bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, and the views stretch all the way toward Bryce Canyon in the distance. If you’re traveling by RV, reserve a spot on the east rim for some of the most dramatic scenery imaginable.
Other Great Places to Stay Near Zion:
My friend Jessica, her husband, and daughter stayed at Under Canvas Zion, which she described as a truly luxurious "glamping" experience.
“We booked a suite tent with a king bed, pull-out couch, and private bathroom. The food was amazing, we had breakfast and dinner both nights.”
Where to Eat
Jessica also shared two solid food recommendations in Springdale:
Lunch at MeMe’s Café
Late afternoon drinks + snacks at Oscar’s Café
6 Hikes You Don’t Want to Miss
The Narrows: Everything You Need to Know
What Is The Narrows?
The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, where canyon walls soar over 1,000 feet high and the river narrows to just 20–30 feet wide in places. It’s one of the most iconic hikes in the entire park.
You can reach it by walking the Riverside Walk, a paved, wheelchair-accessible trail that follows the Virgin River for one mile from the Temple of Sinawava. Beyond that point, the trail disappears—and the river becomes your path.
How Do You Hike It?
There is no dry trail. Hiking The Narrows means wading directly through the Virgin River. Most hikers start at the Temple of Sinawava, walk upstream as far as they choose, then turn around and head back, this is the route we took.
Hiking Options
Bottom-Up Hike (No Permit Required) You can hike upstream as far as Big Spring without a permit. Even an hour in the river gives you an incredible experience, or you can push all the way to Big Spring for a strenuous 10-mile round-trip adventure.
16-Mile Top-Down Through-Hike (Permit Required) This epic route starts at Chamberlain’s Ranch and ends at the Temple of Sinawava. Permits and transportation arrangements are required.
Best Time to Go
Most people hike The Narrows in summer and early fall, when water levels are lower and temperatures are warmer. Be aware that summer storms can cause dangerous flash floods, always check conditions. We went in late July/early August and had great weather.
Helpful Tips + Notes
Enter Zion from the East Entrance for a shorter, incredibly scenic drive with epic overlooks and pullouts. You can also hike the Canyon Overlook Trail from this side.
Parking inside Zion fills up early (around 9am). We paid for parking near the Springdale entrance, but you can also park farther away and take the free shuttle.
Once inside the park, shuttles are required to explore the canyon.
We stopped at Zion Lodge and hiked the full Emerald Pools (lower, middle + upper), plus the Grotto Trail.
On the way back, we hopped off at Court of the Patriarchs for some unreal views.
Bonus tip from Jessica: Drive past Under Canvas through Kolob Canyon to reach Kolob Reservoir. It’s about 20 degrees cooler and perfect for a refreshing swim after a hot morning hike.
Zion has a way of cracking you open, of reminding you how small you are and how beautiful that can be. It’s not just a park you visit. It’s a place you feel. And once you do, it stays with you forever.
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