Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and for good reason! This extraordinary national park is centered on the Virgin River, which has transformed the dry landscape of Southern Utah into a lush oasis of waterfalls, greenery, and red rocks. Visitors will find themselves immersed in a landscape of towering cliffs that have been carved by water and time. This 3 day itinerary for Zion National Park takes you to the park’s main highlights. This 3 day itinerary for Zion can also easily be turned into a 2 day Zion itinerary.

Below we share what time of year to visit Zion National Park, where to stay in Zion, and the perfect 3 day itinerary for Zion. You’ll also find a lengthy description of what to expect along the famous Narrows hike in Zion.

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3 Day Itinerary for Zion National Park 

Our 3 day itinerary for Zion National Park takes you to the best hikes and photo spots in the national park. We also share when to visit, where to stay in Zion, and what to expect on hikes like the Narrows and Angels Landing.

When to visit Zion National Park

When NOT to visit Zion

Before we talk about when to visit Zion, let’s talk about when NOT to visit. 

Every season in Zion is beautiful. However, be cautious when planning a trip from June – September. During this time average high temperatures in the park range from the 90s, to over 100 degrees fahrenheit. These temperatures can make hiking dangerous. June and July also happen to be the most popular times to visit the park, making it both hot AND busy. 

The best seasons for visiting Zion National Park

If you want to avoid crowds my top recommendations would be to plan a trip to Zion between November and April. We visited Zion National Park in late January, which is considered the off season. It might surprise you, but I think January is a GREAT time to visit (and I hate the cold!).

When we visited in January, temperatures ranged between 30 degrees and 55 degrees. Average highs in January are in the 50s. Because it was the off season we didn’t have to deal with too many crowds, and the shuttles weren’t running, which meant we could drive into sections of the park that only allow shuttles during peak season (more on that below). We also got to benefit from off season prices for hotels and establishments in town. Further, we didn’t have to make reservations for things far in advance. Fall and spring are also beautiful times to visit. In winter and spring you should be prepared for the possibility of snow and ice on trails.

Travel tip: from March through November Zion runs a shuttle system. During that time cars are prohibited on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Even when shuttles aren’t running, parking along the drive is quite limited so plan to arrive early!

Historically the park is busiest between March and October. May – October sees the most visitors to Zion. You can dig into the monthly visitation data here. Additionally, weather and conditions can vary significantly depending where you plan to explore. Keep all of this in mind when planning a trip!

What to pack for a trip to Zion

Regardless of the season you visit, packing for a trip to Zion can be tricky. Check out our hiking gear guide for help planning what to pack for a trip to Zion National Park! My biggest tip? Bring layers, as the canyons of the park can be quite chilly, even in the warmer months. Robust sun protection is also key!

Where to stay in Zion National Park

Best hotel near Zion National Park

When we visited Zion National Park we stayed at the Cliffrose, which we highly recommend. This hotel is located about as close to the national park as you can get without staying IN the park. In fact, you can literally walk from your room to some of the park’s popular trails! How could you pass up pool views like the one pictured above?!

Several things stood out to us about our stay at the Cliffrose in Zion. First, the Cliffrose has modern rooms in a variety of configurations, including options with a kitchenette area. We stayed in one of the rooms with a kitchen and were able to make several delicious meals using the thoughtfully provided utensils, pots, and pans! Additionally, the hotel has stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and is located on beautiful grounds that would be stunning in spring and summer. There are also several heated pools and hot tubs on site. Finally, the hotel also has free laundry on site, as well as a spa and a restaurant (more on that below).

Anthera restaurant at the Cliffrose

Springdale, Utah is a small town, so having a restaurant on site at your hotel is a huge bonus. Conveniently located at Cliffrose, Anthera is a great option for dining in town. The restaurant offers brunch and dinner, and has a beautiful patio overlooking the park. We enjoyed brunch at the restaurant, including a breakfast bahn mi and garden hash. The flavors were fresh, and the portions generous!

Travel tip: If you go to Anthera for brunch do NOT skip the biscuits. They’re quite honestly the best I have ever had, and I used to live in Georgia!

Backpacking and camping in Zion National Park

If you’re looking to stay in the park there are three campgrounds available, as well as a multitude of backpacking sites. However, backpacking in Zion requires a wilderness permit. More details can be found here. Campground reservations fill up quickly and can be made up to 6 months in advance.

The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary for Zion National Park

Below you’ll find the ultimate 3 day itinerary for Zion National Park! Personally, I think 2-3 days is the perfect amount of time to see most of the highlights in Zion National Park while still enjoying some longer hikes. If you’re super short on time I recommend omitting day 2 of this itinerary.

This 3 day itinerary for Zion focuses on the main canyon of Zion National Park, which is where the park’s most popular and famous hikes are. To explore the main canyon you’ll travel along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is a road that starts at the south entrance to the park (in Springdale, Utah), and dead ends at the Temple of Sinawava (which is where you’ll find the Narrows hike). If you have additional time to explore there are other sections of the park off of Kolob Terrace Road and Kolob Canyons Road (both located to the west of the main canyon).

You can find a map of the park here.

Day 1 in Zion National Park

Start your trip to Zion off with three iconic hikes in the park. You’ll want to get an early start, as parking and shuttle buses fill up quickly! 

Take in the views at Zion’s Emerald Pools

This is a classic, and beautiful, hike in Zion! Along the way you’ll see a beautiful stream that collects along the mountain in a series of ‘pools’ (hence the name), which are especially pretty in spring and summer. You can hike to the lower, middle, and upper pools, which are all distinct. If you do all 3, the hike is about 2.5 miles (round trip) and 600 feet of elevation gain. In my opinion the first pool is the most beautiful, but when we arrived in winter parts of the trail were closed due to substantial amounts of ice and ice fall. 

Travel tip: Start your day early by parking at, or near, the Grotto (or riding the shuttle to stop 6). I recommend arriving early, since even in winter the lot fills up before 9 am.

Hike to Angels Landing or Scout Lookout

Next, tackle Angels Landing, which is one of the most famous hikes in a national park! This 5.4 mile round trip hike takes you 1,488 feet up above the canyon floor onto a narrow fin of rock. The hike offers stunning 360 degree views of the main canyon in Zion.

Travel tip: You don’t need to move your car or take the shuttle again, since this hike starts at the same trailhead at Emerald Pools.

There are two ways to enjoy this hike: one involves heights and a permit, and one does not. The two hikes share the same major route. Below, I describe both hike options.

If you want to hike all the way to the top of Angels Landing (pictured above) you’ll need to get a permit. The permit gives you access to the final section of the hike, which is the steepest and has chains along it. You can apply for permits in advance, or you can apply the day before (which is what we did). More information on the permits and permit process can be found here. If you get permits, then you’ll need to brave steep drop offs to fully complete the hike. Amiana is afraid of heights and she was able to complete the hike with some encouragement.

Can’t get permits for angels landing? Hike to Scout Lookout…

If you don’t like heights, or don’t get a permit, you can hike to Scout Lookout. This trail overlooks the final ascent to Angels Landing. This portion of the hike does not need permits, even though you follow the same trail as the Angels Landing hike (you just stop a little earlier!). Regardless of what hike you do, you’ll start on a fairly flat trail and the head up paved switchbacks. You’ll then walk through a canyon before hiking up the “wiggles” (more tight, winding switchbacks; pictured above left/top) to Scout Lookout. From there hikers with permits can continue to the final ascent up Angels Landing, which includes a steep ascent, big drop offs, and metal chains (pictured above, right/bottom).

Regardless of whether or not you do the full Angels Landing hike or simply stop at Scout Lookout, this is still an epic hike and well worth doing.

Enjoy sunset from the Watchman Trail

If you have extra time, end the day with a sunset hike along the Watchman Trail! This 3.2 mile trail takes you up 368 feet and offers stunning views of the nearby mountains, lower Zion Canyon, and the Town of Springdale. It’s a great place to watch the sunset, or to enjoy a picnic! If you’re not up for a climb the Pa’rus Trail is another great option that we enjoyed (and it’s dog, wheelchair, and bike friendly!).

Travel tip: This trail is on the way out of the national park, and can actually be accessed from the Cliffrose Hotel (it’s just a short 1/4 mile walk to the trailhead!). 

Day 2 in Zion National Park

Day two of your trip to Zion National Park gets you out of the main canyon so you can explore more of the park! You’ll start your day with an epic hike to Observation point, which has some of the best views in the park, before doing a sunset hike at Canyon Overlook.

Hike to Observation Point for epic views

Observation Point is a popular hike in Zion because it offers sweeping views of the national park and of Angels Landing. It’s such a pretty view that a photographer friend of mine proposed there!

There are two main routes to get to Observation Point. Both are about 7 miles long The most popular route starts at the Weeping Rock trailhead in Zion canyon and is referred to as Observation Point via East Rim and East Mesa Trail on Alltrails. Hikers will face a steep climb and switchbacks up the mountain, with beautiful views along the way. You’ll gain nearly 2,700 feet over your trek. Be aware that this route often closes in winter due to ice. 

An alternative route to Observation Point takes East Mesa Trail, which requires significantly less elevation gain over the same distance (just 700 feet!). This route does not close due to ice fall, so it’s also a great option in winter. However, you’ll need to deal with a dirt road to get to the trail head. We took a third route that leaves from Stave Spring Trailhead. This option is the longest, and I would honestly recommend the other routes as better alternatives.

Enjoy sunset (and maybe a photo shoot!) at Canyon Overlook

End your day by watching the sun set from Canyon Overlook trail, which is one best viewpoints in Zion National Park! It’s also quite famous for it’s amazing sunset views. This rocky trail is 1 mile (round trip) and features less than 200 feet of elevation gain. Parking is VERY limited, so arrive early and be prepared to circle around for a bit! If you’re lucky, you may see bighorn sheep along this trail. 

We actually did the hike twice– once just the two of us, and once with Arika, the amazing photographer behind Zion Adventure Photog. They specialize in couples and family photographers, elopements, and proposals in the Zion area. The images in the carousel above were all taken by Arika at sunset.

We did a mini couples session with Arika, and HIGHlY recommended working with her. She takes stunning images, and is an absolute joy to be around. She brings so much bubbly and fun energy to her sessions, and she’s an expert at finding the BEST spots in Zion to take pictures! This was our first time getting professional photos taken since our wedding in 2021, and we had a great time. Taking photos in Zion is a great way to commemorate a trip here. 

Day 3 in Zion National Park

No trip to Zion National Park is complete without hiking the Narrows, which is arguably one of the most famous national park hikes in the USA. Get ready for an epic all day adventure!

Hike the famous Zion Narrows

End your time in Zion by hiking the Narrows, which is one of the most iconic hikes in the national park! The Narrows hike takes you deep into Zion canyon, and you’ll be surrounded by towering rock walls over 1,000 feet high. In some sections the canyon is only 20-30 feet wide. Uniquely, this hike follows the path of a river. In fact, you’ll spend a large portion of the hike walking through the water, which can range from ankle height to chest height (or more!), depending on the season and section of the river! In winter, spring, and fall this requires special gear to help you stay dry and combat hypothermia. More on that below. 

Unless you plan to only hike a short way in, you should consider hiking the Narrows to be an all day commitment. Walking through water is hard work, and much slower than regular hiking! You’ll want to move cautiously over the slippery rocks, and you will need to navigate some swift currents and deep sections of water. You’ll also need to factor in time to get, and return, any gear you rent.

Travel tip: You should check weather conditions prior to attempting this hike. Flash floods can occur here, and they can be deadly. Talk to a ranger to better understand the risks. The parks service also has a great page on recommended equipment for hiking here.

Where to get gear for hiking the Narrows in Zion

Many people who hike the Narrows rent gear to help them on their journey. That gear commonly used includes waders or a dry suit, as well as river shoes and a walking pole. The gear you need will depend on the season. In most seasons you will need gear to help you stay dry and warm on the river, as hypothermia is dangerous and not uncommon. In warmer weather you may be able to hike the Narrows without special gear, provided you have water shoes with good traction.

Renting gear from Zion Guru

We rented our gear from Zion Guru, which is one of only a few outfitters in town. They are located just minutes from the park entrance, and offer high quality gear, a new and modern rental space, and helpful staff! They also offer several gear packages tailored to hiking the Narrows: 

• Footwear package: best suited for summer adventures, this includes river shoes, waterproof socks, and a walking pole
• Dry bib package (aka waders): This was the package we got, and is appropriate for fall, winter, and spring. This package includes waders (fly fishermen often wear these), river shoes, and a walking pole. While the waders are fully waterproof, if you’re prone to tripping this is NOT a good package option, as waders are just like overalls and can fill up with water if you fall. 
• Dry suit package: This package is ideal for spring and fall, when water is deeper. This package includes a dry suit (which protects your entire body from water even if you fall in), river shoes, a walking pole, and waterproof socks.

For most people hiking the Narrows in colder months, a dry bib package is a great option. This will keep you warm, while still allowing you to easily add or remove layers. Dry suits are more restrictive, but they’re a great option for deeper water and high flow days (when the water is moving fast), for people prone to slipping, and for shorter people. 

What lens to bring for photographing the Narrows 

If you can, I highly recommend bringing a wide angle lens for photographing the narrows. This will allow you to capture some of the grandeur of the massive canyon! You can find all of our camera gear linked below in our photography gear guide.

Do you need a permit to hike the Narrows in Zion?

Some people who hike the Zion Narrows need a permit, while other people do not. It really just depends on your route, and how far you want to hike! Read below for all the details on Zion arrows routes and permits.

The two routes for hiking the Zion Narrows

There are two “routes” for hiking the Narrows: the “bottom up” route, which leaves from the Temple of Sinawava, and the “top down route.” The top down route requires a permit, and it passes through a section of the trail with backpacking and camping sites (which also require permits). This route follows the flow of the water, meaning you’re hiking downstream. It’s longer, but a little easier in the sense that you’re not fighting the current. 

We did the “bottom up” route, which is the most common option for day hikers. This route starts from the Temple of Sinawava, and the first mile can be done along the “River Walk” hike (aka walking on land, not in the river). You’ll need to stop your hike at a location called ‘Big Spring,’ which is over 4 miles in to the canyon. This is where the permitted section of the hike begins. 

There is also a side route up Orderville Canyon (a side slot canyon in the Narrows) that you can explore, but you will need a permit if you wish to go any further than ¼ mile up the side canyon. You can read more about Narrows permits and regulations here.

What to expect when hiking the Narrows via the bottom up route

The start of the Narrows hike

If you’re hiking the bottom up route you’ll start your journey at the Temple of Sinawava parking lot. This is where you should put on your gear (shoes, wader, etc.). I advise getting there early, as the parking lot can fill up quickly. From the parking lot you’ll walk along the “River Walk” trail, which is about a mile. This is a popular hiking trail that parallels the river. 

Travel tip: Sometimes the River Walk is closed in winter due to ice. If that happens, you can still hike the Narrows! However, you will need to enter the river immediately at the Temple of Sinawava parking lot, instead of doing the first mile of the hike on land (yes, we confirmed this with several park rangers). This means your journey will take more time and effort.

Once you reach the end of the River Trail it’s time to enter the water! You’ll enter a wide section of the canyon, and it will get progressively more and more narrow as you hike. Shortly after starting you’ll encounter one of the deepest sections of water. In January 2025 the water came up to my chest (I’m five foot, four inches tall), and we had to carry our backpacks above our heads. From there, most of the water will be at calf or ankle level. You may pass rocky bars along the route, and you’ll see lots of stunning deep blue pools.

Floating Rock and Wall Street in the Zion Narrows

Two and a half miles in you’ll encounter a split in the canyon. If you go to the right you’ll go on a side quest up Orderville Canyon, but you will need a permit if you wish to go any further than ¼ mile up the side canyon. You can read more about Narrows permits and regulations here. 

Shortly after the junction you’ll encounter ‘floating rock,’ which is a large boulder in the middle of the stream. This is where you’ll enter the narrowest section of the hike, called ‘Wall Street.’ We continued a little less than a mile past floating rock before turning around. 

Travel tip: In winter you’ll need to take extra precautions by bundling up, renting gear, and watching out for ice fall in the canyon. You’ll also have to contend with less daylight. However, you’ll be rewarded with fewer crowds (we only saw 15 other people all day!).

I hope you found this 3 Day Itinerary for Zion to be helpful! Looking for more Mighty Five itineraries? Click here! You can find all of our USA national park guides and itineraries here.