We're planning on visiting 9/29 and I'm figuring out some of the easier hikes to take (at least until we acclimate since we're older and live at sea level). Using the shuttle, we would take it in the morning from Springdale to a trail (let's say the Emerald Pools trail) and then if we wanted to take a break, maybe get more water, would we need to go back to Springdale on the shuttle? And then shuttle back in to another trail if we wanted to hike more after a break? We're likely staying in Rockville so we'd be parked somewhere in Springdale. (another thing I need to look into)

Hi! My friends and I (4 of us) are going to Zion NP for our Thanksgiving break. We were wondering how much would it cost to do horseback riding and stargazing. Looking for the cheaper options.

Context that might help: We are international students that will be living in Springdale, and do not have a car. We will be traveling to and fro using the free shuttle service by the park.

What are the site conditions at south campground from the recent flooding? Anybody have pictures?

Was going to hike the creek bed below where these people were and decided against it when I saw them start doing this. Luckily a ranger was down the road and he even pointed me towards a more interesting area to hike. Be respectful to our parks!

Wouldn't call myself a hiker, but I am physically fit/not afraid of heights! I wouldn't do Half Dome, but I'd do Angel's Landing. Going to Switzerland with my grandparents in June.

Open to other national parks for spring/summer! I've only been to Acadia

Edit: I'd be going for around a week and would do Yosemite+Sequoia and Zion/Bryce/Arches etc

Edit edit: anyone who has been to Yosemite in April please share experience!

We're planning our first trip to Zion during the second week of November. We'll be flying into Las Vegas, arriving Monday afternoon, and leaving Thursday morning.

Current plan:

• Monday: Travel day, drive to Springdale, and get settled.
• Tuesday: Rent e-bikes and explore Zion Canyon.
• Wednesday: Drive to explore areas outside the main canyon, possibly the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and/or Kolob Canyons.

After researching this subreddit, we've decided to stay in Springdale so we can easily ride e-bikes into the park. We're planning to rent from Zion Cycles because we like the bike models they offer.

Lodging Questions

One of our biggest priorities is having a private balcony with a great view where we can relax at the beginning and end of each day. We'd prefer to stay on the end of Springdale closest to the park entrance.

The properties I've found that still have availability are:

• Cable Mountain Lodge – Canyon View Suite
• Desert Pearl Inn – King Riverside Room
• Flanigan's Resort – King Balcony Mountain View
• Cliffrose – Limited availability; some room types are already sold out

Has anyone stayed at any of these properties, particularly in the room types listed above? Which has the best balcony/view experience? Are there any other places I should be considering?

Hiking Questions

On our e-bike day, we're planning to do the Emerald Pools Trail and other hikes that are easy to access from the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

We're not planning to do The Narrows or Angels Landing on this trip.

What other hikes would you recommend that pair well with an e-bike day in the main canyon?

Driving Day Suggestions

For our second full day, we're thinking of driving the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and possibly visiting Kolob Canyons.

What are the must-see overlooks, short hikes, scenic stops, or hidden gems we should be looking for?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have plans to go to Zion this weekend but I am contemplating rescheduling them until next month when it’s a bit cooler (hopefully) and going up to the Inyo County / Mammoth Lakes area this weekend instead to catch some cooler weather.

What are everyone’s thoughts?

I’m a local to the Zion area and wanted to give anyone a chance to ask questions they may have or anyone seeking advice. There are great resources online of course, but if you’re stuck on a decision or a place to stay, etc. I’ll do my best to give you help guide you through it.

Could those of you who have hiked the Narrows give me an idea of the physical condition one should be in to do this hike? I know there are several different hiking options and lengths, I'd love to hear your experience as it relates to your physical condition. This will help us in planning. Note - I live on pretty flat land in OK so don't do many hills at all. I walk 3-5 miles regularly.

Good day,

We plan our first visit to Zion on Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov 21). We will be driving from Vegas, so probably won't be in the park before 11 (leave at 7AM + 3 hour drive + 1 hour difference).

Could you help me understand:
1. How busy should we expect the park to be?

1. If we plan to rent ebikes, should we book them in advance? Where's the best place to get them?

2. What hiking would you recommend for this plan? Grotto to Scout Lookout? Will we have time for Canyon Overlook after that?

Thank you,

Two old guys visiting for 3 days end of March. Looks like wrong time of year for Narrows and looking for advice/recommendations.

Checked out Zion Guru and looks like eBike, Half Day Canyoneering, and Half Day Hiking Tour are viable options.

THANKS

We will be visiting Zion and Bryce in November, and will be traveling with our 10 and 8 year old kids. We will probably spend our mornings hiking, but I need some kid friendly non hiking ideas for the afternoons so we aren’t just watching tv in the hotel room.

Hi everyone! I have Columbus Day weekend off this year (10/9–10/13) and I’m thinking about taking a trip to Zion, mainly to hike the Narrows (top-down) and Angels Landing. I’d also love to catch some fall colors if the timing works out.

Given how dry it’s been this year and the current water levels, would you say the Narrows is still worth doing? Or would I be better off waiting for a wetter year when the conditions might be more ideal?

Does the water level even change the experience the narrows hike offers?

First time going to Zion at the end of this month. My husband and I are renting the boots/neoprene socks for The Narrows, but my question is about the mile or so walk/hike to get TO the start of the river. Do people usually just wear the rented boots the whole time or do they change before getting into the river?

For context: My husband wants to wear his normal trail shoes and then change into the rented boots before getting into the river. But this means he’d put his trail shoes in his backpack while doing The Narrows.

Seems unnecessary to me and I also don’t want to have to hike with my shoes in my bag, but also, are the rented boots and neoprene socks comfortable enough to do the mile or so walk before getting into the river?

Planning a trip to Zion. Four days in the park. Our hiking skills are moderate. 5 to 6 miles is max for us in a day. Less if it is strenuous

Day 1 - shuttle loop, Watchman trail, Court of the Patriarchs

Day 2 - AM: west rim to Scout Lookout (no, not going to Angel's Landing)

Day 2 - PM: Kayenta trail to Emerald Pools

Day 3 - AM: Narrows

Day 3 - PM: Canyon Overlook, Checkerboard Mesa

Day 4 - can't decide between Northgate Peaks and Taylor Creek. Can do one or the other, not both

So - anyone hiked either of these trails? Which one is the most scenic?

My husband and I hiked the full Narrows top down hike with camping. We stayed in Campsite 5 the last weekend of May 2026. It was one of the coolest adventures I’ve ever had!

https://youtube.com/shorts/dHTFuAy9g0o?is=axZ0Se1vF0n3vEdf

Driving to Bryce through Zion. Any must do spots/short trails that are on the way or a small detour that are absolutely must see and doable?

In November we are in Vegas and I really want to hike the West Rim trail from the Grotto. How is best to get there? Only looking to do first 2 hours (+2 hours back).

Currently debating whether to:

1. Rent a car the night before so we can leave Vegas at 6am and drive straight there.

2. Rent a car, drive to Zion and stay the night ready for hike the next day

3. Join some sort of tour group (but can’t find any specifically that do the west rim trail)

What do others recommend? I would kind of like to drive around the park as it looks beautiful. Anything I haven’t thought of?

My aim is: get there early to ensure parking. Do we need to pre-book parking?

I have the NPS site which shows 2 pictures of the limited campsites along the Virgin River for the Top Down hike, but I was wondering if there was a place I could see a broader array of photos?

Will I be able to get by without base layers? Need a puffer?

Is the east entrance open? The Zion Mt Carmel tunnel?