3 Amazing Zion National Park One Day Itineraries

Zion National Park is hands down one of the most amazing National Parks in the United States. With towering rock walls, there is a sense of awe-inspiring wonder as you gaze up the valley. Add to this that Zion is easy to navigate and is well maintained making this a great place to add to your next road trip.

We spent several days in Zion, but have boiled down the best of the best to make 3 different one day itineraries. Read the highlights below and then scroll down for more details on exactly how to plan the perfect Zion itinerary.

3 Options for a perfect Zion National Park One Day Itinerary

See below for a quick overview of 3 different Zion National Park one day itineraries. You can also scroll down to see more details for planning the perfect day in Zion.

Epic Adventure Itinerary: for the more adventurous types to are geared up for a day of hiking. Start your morning hiking the iconic Angel’s Landing, return to town to grab a quick lunch and rest up for a late afternoon hike up the Zion Narrows (note that starting April 1, 2022 you need a permit to hike Angel’s Landing). This 1 day of Zion takes in two of the parks best hikes.

Hit the Highlights Itinerary: Best for someone who doesn’t want to miss anything and is willing to squeeze it all into one day. Start your morning in the Zion Narrows, stop at the Emerald Pools and head into town for a later lunch. Finish your day by driving out the Zion-Mount Carmen Road to Canyon Overlook Trail and exploring the eastern part of the park.

Family-Friendly Itinerary: Best for someone with younger kids, or someone who wants to explore but doesn’t feel up for a strenuous hike. Ride the shuttle up to the end and walk the easy Riverside Walk up to the start of the Zion Narrows. Use the rest of the day to drive the park, snap some photos at the best viewpoints and take short walks at some of the stops. If you’re looking for a bit more, walk or bike the Pa’Rus Trails

Looking for more info on visiting Zion?  Check out the 20 Best Things to Do in Zion

Is One Day in Zion National Park Enough?

The quick answer is NO. Zion is a beautiful park with several epic hikes and even more good hikes and scenic overlooks and there is no way you can see it all in one day. If you have flexibility, you should plan at least 3 days in Zion.

If you only have one day in Zion, it is definitely worth the stop and you can still get a sense of this amazing place. You can read more below about how to make the most of your 1 day in Zion National Park. If you can, try to stay right outside the park the night before your visit so you are ready to go early in the morning.

You may also want to combine Zion with some of the other nearby National Parks (such as Bryce or the Grand Canyon). We visited Zion as part of a month-long road trip and spent several days exploring the park.

How to Get to Zion National Park

The best way to explore Zion National Park (especially if you’re exploring Zion in a day) is to drive your car and use the park’s shuttle system. When the shuttle is running, you can not drive up Zion Canyon and will need to park at the visitor center and hop on the shuttle. We found the shuttle system easy to use (find more about the Zion shuttle here) but it does get crowded at certain parts of the day.

Zion is generally easy to drive to and the roads are well maintained. If you are driving from the east you will come in through the tunnel, this is a beautiful road but expect to take a bit longer between slow driving and traffic.

The closest airport to Zion is the George Regional Airport (it is about a 1-hour drive but has limited flights). You might also want to fly into one of the other big cities near zion national park such as Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.

• Las Vegas to Zion National Park is 160 miles (2-3 hours)
• Salt Lake City to Zion National Park is 300 miles (4.5 hours)

If you are visiting Zion National Park as part of a road trip, here are a few other destinations you might find helpful in your planning.

• Grand Canyon to Zion National Park is 216 miles (3.5 hours)
• Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon is 72 miles (1.5 hours)
• Kodachrome Basin State Park to Zion is 90 miles (1 hour and 45 minutes)
• Zion National Park to Capitol Reef National Park is 174 miles (3 hours)

Best Time of Year to Visit Zion National Park

Zion National Park has year-round appeal, but the best time to visit Zion is in the spring and fall when temperatures are good, but there aren’t quite as many people. Summer in Zion can be hot and there are often thunderstorms in the afternoons so if you are planning a Zion National Park 1 day itinerary and it happens to rain that afternoon, it’s best to have a back-up plan.

Winter in Zion can also be wonderful and it is beautiful to see the rocks against the snow. Just be prepared for cold temperatures, ice, and snow.

How to Make the Most of Zion in One Day

If you only have 1 day in Zion, you will want to make the most of every minute. While you can’t see everything in Zion in one day, there are a few ways to make the most of your time.

Get an early start! If you can get one of the first shuttle buses in the morning. This means you will beat the crowds on the shuttle and the trails and get out hiking for the best part of the day! Depending on the time of year, the shuttle either starts running at 6 am or 7 am and by 8 there will likely be a line to get on.

This is even more important if you are hiking one of the more popular hikes (like Angel’s Landing or the Zion Narrows). Spend the morning doing the longest hike you will do that day – then you can take a break for lunch and explore more or even head back to your hotel to take a break in the afternoon when things get even more crowded.

Use the afternoon to take a scenic drive or tackle a shorter hike and then head back to Springdale for dinner.

See a list of the best hikes in Zion.

Complete Details of the Best Zion National Park One Day Itineraries

Epic Adventure Itinerary

This itinerary is best for people who want an active experience when they’re in Zion and are willing to have a long day of hiking.

For this Zion National Park one day itinerary, you will want to get an early start. Begin your day with a hike up Angels Landing (or you can reverse it and start with the Zion Narrows). When you’re done hiking Angel’s Landing, either find a place for a picnic or head back to town to grab some lunch.

If you are excited to see the East of Zion, you could take an hour drive up through the tunnel before returning to the visitor center and catching the shuttle back up to hike the Zion Narrows. You could just do the 2 hikes back to back, but this avoid hiking in the busiest part of the day, and if you are hiking in the summer, avoid hiking in the midday heat.

(note that starting April 1, 2022 you need a permit to hike Angel’s Landing).

Hit the Highlights Itinerary

This itinerary is best is you are trying to see the highlights and still get in a good hike.

You will start your day hiking up into the Zion Narrows (you could also substitute in Angel’s Landing. If you have time (and energy) after your hike up the Zion Narrow, you can also check out the Emerald Pools hike.

After hiking all morning, head into town for a late lunch and end your day with a drive out the Zion-Mount Carmen Road to explore the eastern part of the park. Go for a walk out on the Canyon Overlook Trail to see the Canyon from above.

Family-Friendly Itinerary

This one day Zion Itinerary is best for someone who isn’t up for one of the biggest hikes (or someone with young kids) but still wants to see some of the highlights of Zion.

Take the shuttle up to the end of the canyon and do the Riverwalk Trail to the beginning on the Narrows. This is a lovely and easy walk along the river and you can see the start of the Narrow’s hike. Bring a snack and watch the people heading up into the river.

Work your way back down the canyon via the shuttle, stopping at a few of the stops to get out and shoot some photos. Use the rest of the day to drive the park, snap some photos at the best viewpoints and take short walks at some of the stops. In the afternoon, drive up the Zion-Mound Carmen Rd through the tunnel to see the views from the eastern part of Zion. Hike out the short walk to Canyon Overlook Trail before heading back to town.

Another option is to walk or bike the flay Pa’Rus Trail right from the visitor center.

Top Things to do in Zion

If you are looking for addition activities, you can see some suggestions for things to do for your 1 day in Zion. Some of these activities are already included in the Zion National Park one day itinerary options listed above.

1. Hike the Narrows: Wade through the Virgin River as it winds through a stunning narrow canyon, one of Zion’s most iconic and unique hikes.
2. Angel’s Landing: Challenge yourself on this exhilarating hike that leads to a panoramic viewpoint with jaw-dropping views of the canyon below.
3. The Subway: A challenging but rewarding hike that takes you through a mesmerizing slot canyon with winding passages and emerald pools.
4. Observation Point: Hike to the top of Zion Canyon for a bird’s-eye view of the entire park, including Zion’s signature formations like Angels Landing and the Virgin River.
5. Emerald Pools: Explore the lower, middle, and upper Emerald Pools trails, which lead to refreshing pools and waterfalls set against the backdrop of red rock.
6. Weeping Rock: A short, family-friendly hike that ends at a unique rock alcove with dripping springs and lush hanging gardens.
7. Riverside Walk: A pleasant, wheelchair-accessible trail along the Virgin River that serves as the gateway to the Narrows hike.
8. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive: Take a leisurely drive through the heart of the park, stopping at various viewpoints to admire the towering cliffs and rock formations.
9. Zion-Mount Carmel Highway: Drive this scenic route that includes the iconic Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and offers stunning vistas of the park’s landscape.
10. Canyoneering: Try your hand at canyoneering by exploring the many slot canyons in the park, either on your own or with a guided tour.
11. Horseback Riding: Experience the park’s beauty on horseback by taking guided trail rides offered by local outfitters.
12. Stargazing: Zion National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, making it an excellent spot for stargazing and astrophotography.
13. Rock Climbing: Zion offers a variety of climbing routes for climbers of all skill levels. Be sure to check regulations and safety guidelines.
14. Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife in the park, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and a variety of bird species.
15. Photography: With its striking red rock formations and dramatic landscapes, Zion is a photographer’s paradise. Capture the beauty of the park from various viewpoints and hikes.
16. Ranger Programs: Attend ranger-led programs, such as guided hikes and talks, to learn more about the park’s geology, history, and ecology.
17. Camping: Spend the night in one of the park’s campgrounds to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Zion.
18. Human History Museum: Visit the museum to learn about the cultural and natural history of Zion National Park.

Where to Stay for your Zion National Park One Day Itinerary

The best place to stay in Zion is right in or near the entrance. You can camp right in the park at several campsites, or stay in Springdale. The town is directly outside the park entrance and is an easy place to stay and access the park. We stayed in 2 different places during our time in Zion and would recommend both.

Springdale Suite by Marriot – great hotel with a pool

Zion Ponderosa River Ranch (camping right outside the eastern part of Zion)

Common Questions about visiting Zion

What is the best way to see Zion?

The best way to see Zion National Park is by hiking the various trails that offer stunning views of the red rock formations, canyons, and waterfalls. Another great way to experience Zion is by driving the scenic drive through the park, which takes you to many of the park’s iconic landmarks, including Angels Landing and the Emerald Pools. For a unique perspective of Zion, consider taking a guided horseback riding or canyoneering tour, which will allow you to explore the park’s hidden gems and see it from a different angle.

Can I just drive through Zion National Park?

You can just drive through Zion National Park by taking the scenic drive, which is a 57-mile route that takes you through the park’s stunning landscapes and features only during the winter months. From March through November, you can only access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by shuttle bus. To fully experience the park, it’s recommended to get out of your car and explore some of the trails and viewpoints along the way.