Utah · National Park

Zion National Park

Angels Landing, The Narrows, Emerald Pools, permits, best times — everything you need to plan an unforgettable Zion trip.

Best hikes Where to stay

Photo: Unsplash

Elevation

3,700–8,700 ft

Entrance

$35 / vehicle

Best months

Sep–Nov

Shuttle

Required Apr–Nov

Why Zion?

Towering red rock walls of Zion Canyon rising above the Virgin River in Zion National Park, Utah — The towering Navajo sandstone walls of Zion Canyon rise 2,000 feet above the Virgin River. Photo by Trevor Gerzen / Unsplash License.

Zion National Park is Utah’s crown jewel and one of the most visited national parks in the United States — for good reason. The park’s signature feature is Zion Canyon, a 15-mile gorge carved by the Virgin River through Navajo sandstone, with canyon walls rising 2,000–3,000 feet in shades of red, orange, and cream.

Zion draws everyone from casual sightseers on the canyon shuttle to technical canyoneers rappelling through slot canyons. The diversity of experiences — from a 2-hour walk to a 16-mile backcountry overnight — makes it truly accessible at any fitness level.

From the shuttle stop to the summit of Angels Landing, Zion packs more scenic drama per mile than almost any park in the country.

Top hikes in Zion

View from the summit of Angels Landing looking down Zion Canyon in Zion National Park — The knife-edge summit of Angels Landing rewards permit holders with a bird’s-eye view down the length of Zion Canyon. Photo by Joshua Gresham / Unsplash License.

Trail	Distance	Difficulty	Permit?
Angels Landing	5.4 mi RT	Strenuous	Yes (lottery)
The Narrows (Bottom-up)	Up to 16 mi	Moderate–Hard	No (day)
Emerald Pools	1.2–4 mi	Easy–Moderate	No
Canyon Overlook	1 mi RT	Easy	No
Observation Point	8 mi RT	Strenuous	No

Where to stay near Zion

Springdale sits right at the park entrance with the shuttle stopping at every hotel. For quieter nights, look at Rockville or Virgin. Book 3–6 months out for spring and fall.

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Best time to visit Zion

Autumn sunrise light on the red canyon walls of Zion National Park in fall — Early autumn sunrise on Zion’s east-side cliffs — September and October deliver golden light and thinning crowds. Photo by Millie Olsen / Unsplash License.

Spring (March–May): Best overall. Wildflowers, waterfalls from snowmelt, comfortable temps. Busiest season — book lodging months in advance.

Summer (June–August): Very hot in the canyon (100°F+) but The Narrows is perfect. Expect crowds and full parking by 7am. Start early or stay late.

Hikers wading the Virgin River through the towering slot walls of The Narrows in Zion National Park — Wading the Virgin River through The Narrows is the coolest place in Zion on a triple-digit summer afternoon. Photo by Rich Martello / Unsplash License.

Fall (September–November): Our pick. Crowds thin after Labor Day, cottonwoods turn gold in October, temps are ideal. September is the sweet spot.

Winter (December–February): Underrated. Snow-dusted red rock is spectacular. Many trails are ice-free; Angels Landing is often snowy. Far fewer crowds.

Angels Landing permit — what you need to know

Sunrise view of Zion Canyon from the Observation Point overlook trail above Angels Landing — Observation Point looks down on Angels Landing itself — the permit-free backup with an even bigger view. Photo by Katie Polansky / Unsplash License.

As of 2022, Angels Landing requires a permit obtained through a seasonal advance lottery and a day-before lottery at recreation.gov. The seasonal lottery opens 3–5 months before your trip window; the day-before lottery is your backup. Apply for both. Permits are non-transferable and checked at the trailhead.

If you don’t get the permit, Observation Point offers an even better view of Zion Canyon from above — and no permit required.