Zion National Park was the first major stop on our memorable road trip covering the five Utah national parks, Death Valley National Park, and Antelope Canyon. After flying into Las Vegas, we drove to Springdale, the little town just outside Zion, where we stayed overnight before beginning our exploration.

Day 1

Zion Visitor Center & Shuttle System

We parked at the Visitor Center and used the park shuttle to explore Zion Canyon. The shuttle system is very convenient and helps manage traffic inside the park, allowing visitors to relax without worrying about parking.

Riverside Walk Trail (2.2 miles)

This easy and scenic trail follows the Virgin River and leads to the start of The Narrows. The towering canyon walls on both sides made the walk impressive. Although we did not hike The Narrows, reaching the entrance itself was a memorable experience.

Grotto Trail (1.2 miles)

The Grotto Trail was a pleasant and mostly flat walk connecting The Grotto shuttle stop to Zion Lodge. It offered beautiful views of the towering red cliffs and open canyon scenery along the way. The trail ends near Zion Lodge, where there are spacious green lawns and picnic areas — a perfect spot for us to enjoy the packed lunch, we had prepared at our hotel and relax before continuing our day.

We returned to Springdale for the night, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the town.

Day 2 – Zion National Park

Kayenta Trail to Emerald Pools & Zion Lodge (2.2 miles)

The Kayenta Trail offered sweeping views of Zion Canyon as we made our way toward the Emerald Pools. The combination of desert landscape and distant waterfalls made this hike especially enjoyable.

Emerald Pools

The Emerald Pools area features small cascades and shaded resting spots. It was a refreshing break and one of the park’s most popular and accessible attractions.

Trails We Did Not Attempt

Zion is famous for two challenging hikes—The Narrows and Angels Landing. We chose not to attempt The Narrows because we were not prepared with proper gear such as a wetsuit and water shoes. We also decided to skip Angels Landing after considering our physical preparedness and the steep, narrow sections of the trail. Safety and comfort were important to us, and we were happy with the hikes we completed.

Zion National Park impressed us with its towering red rock cliffs, well-organized shuttle system, and variety of scenic trails suitable for different comfort levels. Even without attempting the most challenging hikes, we experienced the beauty and grandeur that make Zion one of Utah’s most popular national parks.

From Zion, we continued our road trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, beginning the next chapter of our Southwest adventure.