Mormon pioneers were captivated by the stunning landscapes of Zion Canyon, which draws its name from the ancient city of Jerusalem. Nature lovers can explore a diverse range of environments, from arid deserts to lush forests atop the surrounding plateaus. One of the park’s highlights is Angels Landing, offering spectacular views, though the hike is quite challenging and not suitable for everyone; we opted out with our two young boys. The park teems with wildlife, so listen for the melodies of birds and keep an eye out for mule deer grazing nearby. If you look up at the cliffs, you might spot bighorn sheep. The primary way to navigate the park is via shuttle bus, but I highly recommend renting electric bikes to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of God’s creation while leaving behind the distractions of everyday life. Zion National Park is one of the mighty 5 national parks in Utah. It is made up of a 12.4 mile road that offers an array of hikes and narrow deep canyon landscapes. This sunrise made our drive into the park majestic.
Arriving AT camp
We arrived at Mount Carmel Junction, and I was eager to explore the “Belly of the Dragon” with our children, but my husband had different priorities. He was focused on finding a campsite for the night, suggesting we save our adventure for the following day. I knew that our schedule would be packed with Zion activities, leaving little time for the tunnel. However, as we drove just a short distance down the road, we stumbled upon a primitive campground on the right. To my delight, as we turned onto the road to secure our spot, we passed the Belly of the Dragon, realizing we still had time to visit this fascinating site with the kids. It was such a neat experience. I will not tell you what is through that black hole behind them.
We discovered a East Fork Virgin River nestled behind our camper, where many visitors had set up fold-out chairs, enjoying the refreshing water with their feet submerged. Surrounding the creek, several hammocks swayed gently from the trees, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation.
Zion National Park
Our adventure began with a sense of unease as we prepared to navigate the tunnels on our way to Springdale, where we would pick up our bike rental. With our camper towering over 11 feet, tunnels have always made us anxious. As we approached the first tunnel, we held our breath, hoping not to encounter any oncoming traffic. The second tunnel prompted my husband to question its safety, and I found myself uncertain as well. Finally, we reached a tunnel marked with a warning, only to be halted by a park ranger. Unbeknownst to us, we needed to prepay for a pass to enter. It was 7:30 AM, and the guard was not scheduled to arrive until 8:00. Thankfully, she managed to contact the guard on the other side, allowing us to safely center our vehicle and pass through the tunnel without incident.
It had windows throughout to see amazing landscape beyond the tunnel walls.
We finally arrived at our destination, only to find that parking was a complete hassle. Our goal was to reach the bike rental by 8:00 AM to beat the rising temperatures, but we ended up being an hour late. The park was bustling with activity, making the situation even more challenging.
E-bike FUN
During March through April it can only be accessed via shuttle bus or bicycle. Don’t have a bike? No worries! If you choose not to ride the bus several businesses around the area offer electric bikes to make transit from one area to the next a breeze. We elected to use Zion Guru for our bike rental company. You can visit their website here: https://www.zionguru.com/rentals/electric-bikes
My children loved this experience and I highly recommend this source of transportation because checkout the landscape that we would have not fully experienced on a packed bus. (I only say this because we did not have a great experience on a bus in an upcoming park.)
We pedaled our bikes to the far end of the park, reaching a spot known as the Narrows, which was the hike we had been eagerly anticipating. Our day was primarily spent navigating the stunning trails of the Narrows, though it was interrupted by yet another nosebleed from Lawson. It seems our family has a knack for these nosebleeds whenever we explore the western regions of the United States.
We packed our backpacks with snacks, water, water shoes, and trekking poles for the hike, knowing it would take some time to reach the Virgin River. Flash floods can happen at anytime through this area so one must be alert of the weather in the surrounding area. After a day filled with exploration, our children proudly earned their Junior Ranger badges once again.
Areas to explore:
- Sunrise Canyon Overlook (1 mile round trip hike)
- Narrows
- Angel’s Landing (strenuous hike and must have a permit)
- Pa’Rus Trail to Watchman (best at sunset)
- Lower Emerald Pool Trail (1.2 round trip hike)
To see more of our adventures, click here.
Places to Eat
Stop by Zion Brewery for shrimp tacos or Jack’s Sports Grill for some good food.
Other things to do
- Tube the Virgin River
- Explore Springdale
- An animal sanctuary was recommended by someone camping near us but with time against us we weren’t able to check this out.
- I was also told that caves were nearby to explore but we didn’t research this either.
Hiking Trails
I have provided a link and a QR code for you to discover the various trails available at this national park. The website offers a wealth of information to enhance your exploration experience. The info includes:
- difficulty level
- distance of hike
- estimated hike time
- rating
- location of trail
- Angel’s Landing (hard) This 4.3 mile hike takes you through an intense hike from adults with steep drop-offs and narrow sections. A permit is required for this hike. It is not family friendly with children. The scenery is spectacular if you dare.
- Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail (hard) 3.6 miles of paved by steep hike and difficult hike. This hike is near Angel’s Landing.
- Pa’Rus Trail to The Watchman Trail (moderate) This 3.2 mile hike gets overlooked but offers a beautiful landscape of shrubbery and desert flora. It is not shaded but family friendly. This is a great sunset hike.
- Emerald Pools via Kayenta Trail (moderate) 2.4 mile hike of sandstone steps and long drop-offs alongside the Virgin River. This takes you to the Emerald Pools but beware you cannot swim here.
- Lower Emerald Pool (easy) 1.2 hike to see a waterfall.
- The Narrows (easy) 1.4 riverside walk that is on everyone’s bucket list. This is a must do hike with family. If you fear the water is to cold, waders are available to rent at outfitters like Zion Guru. To check the water levels for hiking click here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09405500/#dataTypeId=continuous-00065-0&period=P7D
- Riverside Walk Trail (easy)1 mile hike to the Virgin River
- Sunrise Canyon Overlook (easy) 1 mile hike to see an amazing sunrise.
- Waterfall hikes click here: https://www.zionponderosa.com/blog/2023/04/zions-spectacular-spring-waterfalls/#:~:text=Waterfall%20highlights%20in%20Zion%20National,secret%20waterfalls%20they%20may%20share.
Map
I’m sharing a link to assist you in planning your visit to this national park. This resource includes a detailed map of the park, which will be invaluable for your trip.
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