5 must-do adventures at Zion National Park

5 must-do adventures at Zion National Park

(Dave Hawkes | Utah.com)


Save Story
Leer en espaƱol

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

How well do you know Utah's most popular national park? You've probably heard of it, but have you really experienced it? We compiled five popular things to do and see in Zion - some might be familiar and hopefully a few of them you haven't tried. Zion National Park is full of incredible views, exciting hikes and unearthly earth forms. There's something to do for everyone, age one to 100, so rally your crew before summer is over and head to the lower- left corner of the state for a weekend mind bend. Need a place to stay? There are some incredible lodging options in the neighboring town of Springdale.

1. Zion Canyon Visitor Center & Zion Human History Museum

The visitor center, besides dropping some knowledge about the park, is a model of green construction. The museum, a mile up the road, lays out centuries of human inhabitation and all the prehistoric geology that came before it.

Kolob Canyon
Kolob Canyon (Photo: Peter Nelson)

2. Kolob Canyon

The Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park is perfect for active hikers and lazy drivers. Right off Interstate 15, this hike through brilliant red sandstone cliffs gives you access to Timber Creek, Taylor Creek and Kolob Arch.

3. Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

Take a quick drive past - and through (via a mile-long tunnel) - the shape- shifting mountains east of the park. Watch for bighorn sheep, balancing hoodoos and more green than you expected to see in red rock country. People from all over the world make a point of taking this drive.

Angels Landing
Angels Landing (Photo: Utah.com)

4. Angels Landing

There's no view more dramatic than what you see hanging onto a chain bolted into a cliff. The last half-mile of the hike challenges you physically and emotionally as you climb a razor-thin sandstone fin, but if you make it you'll have a terrifying photo to show your friends. If you're acrophobic, you probably shouldn't even look at the pictures.

The Narrows
The Narrows (Photo: Scott Morgan | Utah.com)

5. The Narrows

Some activities in Zion can get too hot in July or August, but not the Narrows. Slosh through the cool river that cut the canyon that's providing all the shade. You'll mostly be in up to your ankles but a few stretches get waist-deep. Probably the wrong time to break out those leather pants.

Whether you choose to take part in one or all five of these adventures, taking a weekend this summer to explore Zion National Park is the perfect way to make long-lasting memories.

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

BrandviewUtah
Utah.com

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast