20 Things To Do In Zion National Park

1. Hike The Narrows

With a lot of excitement and adventure, the number one on our list is the Hike of The Narrows. It is an unforgettable adventure where you travel through the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. With huge walls covering the trail, visitors experience an out-of-the-world feeling at the entrance.

Along the way, you will encounter shallow pools, smooth rock formations, and a few sandy spots while exploring the beauty of the Narrows. It is a trek that offers both peace and excitement and is a perfect choice for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

The journey through the Narrows offers you the view of a beautiful landscape with every step alongside the feeling of adventure, leaving a lasting impression on the visitors.

2. Climb Angels Landing

The Angels Landing in Zion National Park is famous for its adventurous climb that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the park. Located in southwestern Utah, this iconic hike offers a challenging trail to adventure seekers with steep climbs and open cliffs. 

The journey to the top goes through jaw-dropping red rock formations, presenting you with the beauty of the park with every step. After a five-mile adventure, the hikers are won over by the heartwarming view of Zion Canyon, Virgin River, and huge cliffs.

However, Angels Landing is not just famous for its scenery but also its climb assisted by chains and carved steps. As an occasionally tiring journey, the climb is a favorite destination among outdoor enthusiasts and photographers.

3. Drive On Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Zion-Mount Carmel, located in Zion National Park is renowned for its 25-mile-long vehicle route that goes through towering cliffs, and natural flora and fauna. The route offers breathtaking views of the park's landscapes. While on the route, Visitors can experience various engineering achievements like the Zion Tunnel.

Driving along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway offers you multiple opportunities for sightseeing and photography through viewpoints like Checkerboard, Mesa, and Canyon Overlook. Throughout the drive, you could stop by for short hikes and explore historic sites to learn more about the rich geological and cultural history.

Zion-Mount Carmel offers a memorable driving experience through Utha's beautiful landscape.

4. Hike The Canyon Overlook Trail

Located near the eastern entrance of Zion National Park, the Canyon Overlook Trail is an easily accessible and must-visit hiking route in Utha. The trail offers you a short and easy trek ending with breathtaking viewpoints over Zion Canyon.

The trail passes through multiple sandstone cliffs and desert vegetation along with some wildlife-watching experiences. At the summit, the trail rewards visitors with some great views of the canyon and the Virgin River carving through the cliffs. The summit is also a great spot to watch beautiful sunset and sunrise.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is a great choice for family vacations and casual hiking with minimal challenges. This less challenging nature makes it one of the fun things to do in Zion National Park.

5. Watch The Stars At Night

Watching the stars at night has been one of the most demanding things in the present world. Visiting Zion National Park at night takes the same star-watching experience to the next level due to its dark skies. Situated away from the city lights and pollution, it is a great place to observe Stars at night.

During the night you could observe the constellations, planets, and even the stretch of Milky Way galaxy in perfect condition. Meanwhile, the Park even hosts occasional astronomy programs for visitors interested in exploring the cosmos. With clear skies, watching meteor showers and shooting stars are a few things to do in Zion National Park.

6. Observe Bighorn Sheep

The Zion National Park offers wildlife geeks a rare opportunity to observe the Bighorn Sheep in their natural habitat. The Bighorn is mostly recognized for its large horns and mountain climbing skills. While on a trip to the park, visitors are often rewarded with a view of these creatures alongside steep canyons and rocky landscapes.

Hiking through trails like the Canyon Overlook Trail or The East Rim Trail is a great option to increase the chance of encountering these animals. The landscape housing desert terrain and canyon provide another opportunity to spot the bighorn sheep.

The presence of Bighorn Sheep in the park offers a unique wildlife viewing experience to visitors throughout the year.

7. Hike The Pa'rus Trail

The Pa'rus Trail is an easily accessible paved hiking trail that suits visitors of all ages. Situated near the South Entrance of the park, the trail follows the Virgin River with some of the best views of the canyon walls. It is a perfect trail for families, cyclists, and those interested in stunning sceneries.

Throughout the way, you can enjoy birdwatching, photography, and relaxing moments at the riverbank. For pet parents, the trail also allows pets as companions to hike along. With an easy-to-hike route, the trail offers you a small glimpse of Zion's natural beauty and biodiversity.

The Pa'rus Trail is also a great place to enjoy the sunset over the canyon, making it one of the best attractions in Zion National Park.

8. Discover The Emerald Pools

The Emerald Pools inside the Zion National Park are another great attraction to spend time. They are accessible with short hikes through the towering sandstone cliffs. These tiny pools are situated at different heights with different levels of trail difficulty along with scenic rewards.

The closest of them all is the lower Emerald Pool situated a few kilometers away from the Zion Lodge. This particular pool offers visitors calm waters and grassy surroundings making it a perfect spot for people of all ages.

Situated a bit upwards from the lower one are the middle and upper Emeralds pool which rewards you with great views of the entire canyon.  For an outdoor enthusiast, with a historical significance, the Emerald Pools are a perfect destination.

9. Witness The Weeping Rocks

Weeping Rocks is a popular destination where water flows down through the sandstone cliffs. Located along Zion Canyon Drive, the area is reachable through a short paved trail. Throughout the trail, visitors pass through tiny spaces while exploring the hanging gardens and wildflowers.

Visitors are also rewarded with a close view of groundwater passing through small holes in the rock. Offering a never-seen phenomenon, the Weeping Rocks have become a popular site for geology geeks and nature lovers.

However, a visit to the site during hotter months offers much to the visitors with an excellent photographic opportunity and quiet reflection from the shaded area.

10. Canyoneering In Kolbo Cayons

The Kolba Canyons offer thrilling adventures like canyoneering for outdoor enthusiasts. These beautiful spots are located at the northwest corner of the park, featuring red rock cliffs and narrow canyon routes for canyoneering.

This activity offers visitors a combination of hiking, climbing, and rappelling while exploring the hidden parts of the canyons. With a perfect canyoneering landscape, the Kolob Canyons offer canyoneers a great opportunity to cross the narrow passes, climb rocks, and descend to waterfalls.

As an adventure seeker, the Kolobo Canyons are a must-visit attraction in Zion National Park.

11. Dive In The Virgin River

Flowing through the middle of the park, the Virgin River is accessible from almost every place around the park. The river offers visitors different water activities like swimming, wading, and tubing, alongside the perfect views of the rocky cliffs. Diving into the river is a great refreshment after a long hike into the cliffs.

The river is mostly quiet and filled with gentle currents and shallow areas, making it a perfect choice during a family vacation to Utah. For non-swimmers, the riverbanks could be used for picnicking, sunbathing, and exploring the landscape. Virgin River is a delightful place to connect with Zion's landscapes.

12. Ride A Bike Along Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Situated inside the Zion National Park, the Zion-Mount Carmel highway is a beautiful roadway covered with rocky landscapes. The highway is popular for its stunning views seen throughout the trail. Apart from a car ride, riding a bike along this highway could also be a great way to enjoy these views while staying close to nature.

Throughout the ride, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking sights like red rock cliffs and valleys covered in greenery. Cycling through the highway is fun and offers you fresh air and calm surroundings.

Passing a cool tunnel on the route adds adventure to the trip. Biking through the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is a must-do activity while visiting Zion National Park.

13. Spot Wildlife

A visit to Zion National Park is incomplete without wildlife spotting. It is a thrilling experience that entertains visitors from all around the globe. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best time to observe animals in the park.

During these times, visitors can often spot rare animals mule deers, bighorn sheep, and wild turkeys enjoying their surroundings. You can also find small creatures like foxes, rock squirrels, and different bird species. 

However, these wildlife are hard to spot and require patience from the visitors. Still, it is better to maintain a safe distance from these animals for their as well as our safety.

14. Go Horseback Riding

Horseback riding in Zion National Park is another unique way to explore its rocky landscape. While horseback riding, the visitors are offered a guided tour by expert riders. The tour goes through the stone cliffs, valleys, and riverbanks while providing a scenic view to the visitors.

This particular activity helps visitors dive into the park's natural beauty while learning more about the place from knowledgeable guides. Throughout the tour, the guides explain to you about the geology and the history of the park.

With a thrilling experience, horseback riding in Zion National Park is surely a not to miss adventure during your vacation.

15. Visit The Zion Human History Museum

Located near the south entrance of the Zion National Park, the Zion Human History Museum provides a glimpse of Zion's cultural and natural history. The museum showcases the rich heritage of the area, through various exhibits. Visitors can explore artifacts that explain the geology, wildlife, and ecosystem of the Park.

The museum also presents you with the impact of humans on the region's ecosystem and landscape. Apart from that the interactive exhibits and informative displays offer visitors an overview of the park's evolution over time.

16. Camp Under The Stars

As we already mentioned, the Zion National Park is a great place to watch stars. Similarly, spending a night under the sky full of stars could be another adventure. With an open area, the park offers visitors restriction-free camping in the area. During the night camp, you can catch beautiful views of the sky along with wildlife that flourish during that time.

However, spending a night in a park full of wildlife is not everyone's cup of tea. So, if not suitable for you it is better to enjoy the night sky while staying in a safe homestay or hotel around.

Still, if you are adventurous enough to do so, the experience will remain with you for the rest of your life. You will mostly see stars, few planets, and occasionally the Milky Way galaxy.

17. Have A picnic In The Park

Another on the list of things to do in Zion National Park is a planned picnic. Having a picnic in the park area is a delightful way to enjoy the natural beauty. A scenic spot anywhere along the Virgin River is a great place to enjoy your picnic. You could carry a few local delights as snacks to enhance the experience.

During the dining, you can enjoy the gentle sounds of the Virgin River along with wildlife spotting opportunities. This small can be an escape with a peaceful setting away from the city crowd and noises.

18. Go Rock Climbing

With stunning landscapes, the Zion National Park is a great place to experience rock climbing for beginners as well as advanced climbers. The parks offer stunning challenges with various towering cliffs throughout the park. Visitors and climbing geeks can visit places like Angeles Landing and Moonlight Buttress.

Based on your skillset, you could choose from diverse climbing experiences like crack climbing and face climbing. Climbers with experience can enjoy the adventure of vertically standing cliffs while others can visit climbing schools available in the area.

With a combination of challenges and breathtaking scenery, rock climbing in Zion National Park is a fun thing to do in Zion National Park.

19. Shop For Souvenirs

Exploring through the souvenir shops in Sion National Park is a great activity to find historic as well as modern items to bring home as a memory of your visit. All these shops are located near the park entrance and visitor centers. This shop offers different items including handcrafted jewelry and artwork.

Among these souvenirs, most of them celebrate the park's wildlife, landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Every item found in these shops is connected with Zion's natural beauty reminding you of the unforgettable journey every time you see them.

Collecting these treasures allows you to carry a piece of Zion Nation Park along with you to preserve the memories you created throughout the trip.

20. Attend A Ranger-led Program

Attending a wildlife spotting program along with a ranger in Zion National Park is a great way to learn about its wildlife and history. These programs are usually led by knowledgeable rangers who share educational and engaging insights with the visitors.

These guided walks can also lead you to the hidden treasures of the park while discovering the geological wonders around. A ranger-led program is mostly suitable for those interested in knowing more about the park's history and ecosystem.

Walking along with a ranger is a great way to connect with the park's resources and support its preservation efforts.