One Day in Zion: 4 Ways to Spend an Epic 24 Hours in Zion National Park

Article Summary: Zion National Park Itinerary, One Day in Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in America. The park’s stunning cliffs and canyons make it one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit.

Zion features one of the best scenic drives and offers a variety of trails for hiking and other activities such as canyoneering, photography, and birdwatching.

With so much to experience, planning a trip can be overwhelming, especially if you only have one day in Zion. We’ve compiled four different itineraries that will give you a taste of all that this beautiful national park has to offer. Each itinerary will allow you to see the best of Zion in one day.

If you only have one day in Zion, here are four itineraries that will help make your trip unforgettable.

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How to Get to Zion National Park

The nearest airport to Zion National Park is St. George Municipal Airport (SGU) which has direct flights from many western US cities including Denver and Los Angeles. The nearest major airport is McCarran International in Las Vegas.

By car, Zion National Park is one and a half hours east of Las Vegas, four hours from Salt Lake City, five hours from Phoenix, and six hours from Denver.

What to Pack for Zion National Park

Zion National Park has no major stores or gas stations within its boundaries. So, one day in Zion requires some preparation.

Make sure to pack plenty of water and food when hiking the canyons, especially during the summer months. You’ll also want to bring a hat for sun protection, sunglasses, layered clothing, and a first aid kit.

Reception can be spotty in the park, so I also recommend carrying a map with you.

If you’ll be hiking near water, such as in the Narrows, I recommend bringing a dry bag and waterproof hiking boots.

In order to save money, I would recommend purchasing a national parks pass. These cost $80 and are valid for a full calendar year (from the date of purchase) at all public lands in the United States. After you visit 3 national parks, it’ll have paid for itself. It also makes a great gift for national park enthusiasts! Learn more about park entry fees.

There are a lot of books out there to help you plan your trip to Zion. I recommend the Fodor’s Guide to Utah, this Gone Beyond Guide that includes Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde national parks, and the Lonely Planet Guide to Zion and Bryce Canyon. I’d also recommend purchasing this waterproof, tearproof map bundle of the Utah national parks.

How to Get Around Zion in One Day

Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in America. The park’s stunning cliffs and canyons make it one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit, but be aware that this popularity creates a few challenges when visiting Zion.

The high volume of visitors during prime months means that parking will often fill up and you may find yourself waiting in long lines.

For the majority of the year, visitors cannot drive their personal vehicles down Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Instead, the free Zion Shuttle will transport you to popular hikes and destinations.

This significantly limits the burden on visitors to find parking in the limited canyon, however, there are still parking challenges.

I highly recommend arriving at the visitor center before the first shuttle of the day. The exact time varies by season. Arriving early will help you gain a parking spot and avoid longer shuttle lines.

If you’re unable to park at Zion Visitor Center, you can take the Springdale Shuttle into the park, which is also free. If you’re not staying in Springdale, you may need to pay to park in town. This could cost up to $50 per day.

Reservations are no longer required for either shuttle.

Things to Know Before You Visit Zion

As is the case with many national parks, there is a fee to enter Zion. Valid for 7 days, you can either pay per vehicle ($35), per motorcycle ($30), or per person (on foot or on a bicycle, $20). Park passes are also available. If you’re planning a Utah National Parks road trip, I highly recommend purchasing the American the Beautiful Pass to save almost $100 in park entrance fees.

This itinerary includes attractions that are open as of November 2021. Many popular things to do in Zion, including the hikes to Observation Point and Weeping Rock, are currently closed due to rock falls. Therefore, they don’t appear on our Zion itinerary.

When to Visit Zion National Park

Spending one day in Zion National Park is possible any time of year, but if you want to avoid the crowds and experience some of the most beautiful trails without waiting for parking spots or standing in line at shuttles, consider visiting during off-peak times.

Zion’s growing popularity means that there is hardly a season without crowds. Still, late fall, winter, and early spring seem to be the time when you’ll find fewer people.

Zion is one of the best parks in America to see wildflowers, especially during springtime when they’re most vibrant. With snowmelt, prepare for potentially slippery or icy conditions.

If you visit in the summer, expect crowds and extreme temperatures. Flash flooding can also occur at any time, particularly in the summer.

Winter is a great choice when planning one day in Zion because the park is less busy and temperatures will be much more comfortable.

Be advised that many trails are closed during the winter months due to rockfall and other dangers posed by snow accumulation in Zion’s high country. The park maintains a list of trail closures online for you to view.

If you visit in the winter, you can also drive on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Be aware, however, that parking is extremely limited. You should still start your day early.

Personally, I have visited Zion in February, May, September, and November. November was easily my favorite time of year to visit. It wasn’t too crowded and temperatures were mild.

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

There are several accommodation options near Zion National Park.

The town of Springdale is one mile from the park’s south entrance and offers camping, hotels, cabins, bed & breakfasts, glamping sites, and more. Most lodging in Springdale has easy access to shuttles.

In Springdale, I’ve personally stayed in the La Quinta and the Zion Canyon Lodge. I recommend both very highly. The rooms were spotless, customer service was very friendly, both were pet friendly, fabulous restaurants were within walking distance, and the Springdale Shuttle was easy to locate.

The town of Hurricane is one from the park. There you’ll find hotels, bed & breakfasts, and camping sites. Shuttles to Zion National Park or Springdale are not available from here, however.

No matter where you choose to stay near Zion National Park one thing is certain: you won’t run out of things to do.

If you’d like to stay within the park boundaries, check out the Zion Lodge or read my guide to Camping in Zion.

One Day in Zion, Option 1: Angels Landing and Scenic Drives

Since one of the most popular things to do in Zion is hiking, start your morning by catching one of the earliest shuttles. Wake up early and arrive before the first shuttle departs from the visitor center if possible. This will help ensure that you get a parking spot and avoid long lines later in the day.

For many visitors to Zion, the Angels Landing hike is at the top of their list of things to do. This epic hike requires climbing strenuous switchbacks before embarking on the truly harrowing portion of the hike. Using chains bolted to the red sandstone, hikers ascend a narrow fin to the summit of Angels Landing.

If you’re up to the challenge, arriving early is crucial. This is especially true if you’re visiting in the summer, as crowds can make this hike less enjoyable.

Note that beginning in 2022, Zion is piloting a reservation system for this popular hike. More details will become available on the official website as they are released.

Hiking Angels Landing took me about 4 hours, so give yourself plenty of time to accomplish the trek.

After your hike, I recommend taking the shuttle to the Zion Lodge. Here, you can have a picnic on the lawn or purchase food in the restaurant or cafe inside for lunch on the patio. There’s also a beer garden if you’re up for it.

Alternatively, you could leave the park and head back to Springdale for lunch. Oscars is my favorite spot in Springdale for food.

Depending on what time you start and end (and if your body is prepared!), you may have more time in the afternoon for shorter hikes. Options include the Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pools, Watchman, Pa’rus, and Canyon Overlook.

When I spent one day in Zion in September 2021, I was able to hike Angels Landing, the Riverside Walk, and the Lower Emerald Pools. It was tiring, but definitely worth it.

If you’re hiked out, consider taking a scenic drive through the park. This shouldn’t take more than an hour unless you are stuck waiting in line at the Zion-Mt. Caramel Tunnel. Oversized vehicles need to wait for the tunnel to clear before traveling through.

One of the highlights along the Zion-Mt. Caramel Highway is Checkerboard Mesa near the park’s east entrance. This is a good place to turn around if you plan to go to Springdale, but if Bryce Canyon National Park is your next stop, then I recommend continuing.

Zion in One Day, Option 2: Hike The Narrows

In all honesty, if one day in Zion is all you have, I wouldn’t choose this itinerary. I loved hiking the Narrows in winter, but this park has so much more to see and you’ll be limited to one canyon if this is the only thing you choose.

Nonetheless, it is an exciting hike. If you’ve been to Zion before or you know you’ll return someday, the Narrows is a great option for one day in Zion.

You can easily make the hike shorter as well. However, if you plan to go as far as Wall Street, a popular turnaround point for day-trippers, then I’d plan to start early as it will take up most of your day.

Pack a lunch with you and plan to be out by dark. If you’re spending all day on this hike, you’ve likely rented gear. Make sure to return to Springdale before the rental company closes.

One Day in Zion, Option 3: Shorter Hikes in Zion Canyon

If you want to spend one day in Zion completing as many hikes to see as much as possible, this is the itinerary for you. You’ll definitely want to read our guide to the best hikes in Zion, too!

This was the option I opted for when I visited Zion for one day in May 2014 and November 2021.

In May 2014, several other attractions were open that filled our itinerary. They included Weeping Rock and the Zion Human History Museum.

In November 2021, we did more hiking. We started leisurely, not leaving our hotel in Springdale until around 9 am. For those who don’t like to get up early, November is a great time of year to visit as crowds weren’t an issue for us.

Once we arrived at the Visitor Center, we shopped for souvenirs in the bookstore and picked up junior ranger booklets and maps. Then, we hopped on the shuttle (there was no line).

We took the shuttle to the very end of the road and did the Riverside Walk first. If you’re interested in the Narrows, I recommend this trail. You get to see the beginning of the slot canyon along the Virgin River which creates a thrilling hike. It’s also a lovely 2-hour walk with beautiful canyon views along the riverside.

Next, we took the shuttle to the Zion Lodge for lunch.

This is also where the Emerald Pools trails begin. Hiking to all three took us about 90 minutes. Even if water levels are low (as they were during our trip), I’d highly recommend this trail. The views over the canyon were spectacular!

Lastly, we returned to the Visitor Center and hiked some of the Watchman Trail.

One Day in Zion, Option 4: Shorter Hikes, Scenic Drives, and Kolob Canyon

If you want to see as much of Zion in one day as you can, consider spending most of the time in the car.

Start out early at the visitor center and choose a short hike before getting on the shuttle. I’d recommend either the Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools, or Watchman Trails. Each should only take about two hours. You’ll get fantastic views of the park no matter which hike you choose.

Next, take a scenic drive to Checkerboard Mesa on Highway 9. This will take you on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and through the famed tunnel. If you think you have time, the short Canyon Overlook trail starts on the east end of the tunnel. It’s worth the trip if you can find a parking space.

You’ll get great views of Zion on the hike and the drive. The Checkerboard Mesa pullout is a great spot to turn around for the next portion of the day.

You can stop in Springdale for lunch on your way north to visit a part of the park very few visitors see: Kolob Canyon.

This is about 1.5 hours from the park’s main thoroughfare, but worth it for the epic red canyons, sweeping views, and fewer crowds.

There are hikes here as well, but many are longer. I’d recommend driving the short scenic road and admiring from there, then determining how much time you’ll have for a hike.

If you need a place to stay the night, you’ll be close to Cedar City. The bustling college town will have plenty of overnight options for you.

If you have more time, consider adding a side trip to Cedar Breaks National Monument!

Pin Our Itineraries for One Day in Zion National Park

Regardless of how you spend one day in Zion National Park, remember to get there early and allow plenty of time for your journey. We hope this guide was helpful in planning your trip to Zion National Park. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or shoot us an e-mail!