Experience the best of Zion National Park in one day
1 day
Zion National Park is a bucket list destination for adventurous trail seekers around the world. From breathtaking sights and exciting hikes for every level, you're guaranteed to be impressed! Lace up your hiking boots and discover some of the coolest hikes you don’t want to miss. Get ready for a day full of adventure!
Start your day at the Visitor Center
Zion has its own free shuttle service from March through November, which means you can’t drive around yourself during that time. We recommend parking your car in the visitor parking lot, this is free and shuttle buses also leave from there. It can be really challenging finding parking during peak season, so make sure to arrive super early in the morning to secure a space to park for free! If you’re arriving after 10AM, be prepared to be disappointed.
Take the Zion Canyon Line to stop 5: Zion Lodge. This is where your first hike will start.
Enchanting waterfalls at Emerald Pools Trail
The Emerald Pools Trail is a 5 km round trip with 3 main stops: Lower Emerald Pool, Middle Emerald Pool and Upper Emerald Pool. The hike itself is so much fun, you’ll have to climb cliffs and rocks, so cool! And you’ll encounter gorgeous views all along the way. Make sure to stop and stare every once in a while to take in the beauty of your surroundings. At the Lower Emerald Pool you can literally walk behind the waterfall, such an incredible and magical experience! You can feel the water splashing on your face. The Middle Emerald Pool is a beautiful open area with some water and rocks, but our absolute favorite was the Upper Emerald Pool. This secluded pool is such a picturesque setting! It is a little paradise with a majestic waterfall in the middle, with lots of squirrels hiding between the rocks.
Take the shuttle bus to stop 3: Canyon Junction.
Relaxing hike at Pa’rus Trail
You can hike from Canyon Junction back to the visitor center. This flat and accessible hike follows the Virgin River, including a lot of beautiful views along the way. It is a peaceful hike with a lot of nature and wildlife. You can also descend to the riverbanks in several places, which is so much fun! If you don’t feel like hiking, this is the only trail in Zion that is open to bicycles as well ;-). AND the only where dogs are allowed (on a leash).
The last stop is a 15-minute drive away. This stop is not accessible by shuttle bus, so for this you may use your own car.
Breathtaking views at Canyon Overlook Trail
Looking for a short and fun hike with rewarding views? The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of the best hikes with the most reward! It is a 1,6 km round trip and a rocky and uneven dirt trail. You’ll encounter a lot of beautiful views along the way, but the panoramic views at the end of the trail are simply breathtaking. Even if you only have a few hours to explore Zion, Canyon Overlook Trail is a must do! You can do this trail in under an hour, depending on how long you’re mesmerized by the views at the end.
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