Zion is one of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks. The other parks are Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Zion is truly a bucket list destination, so here’s how to spend 3 days in Zion National Park!

Tips for Visiting Popular National Parks

I recommend visiting Zion as part of a “Might Five” road trip. And if you have time, you should take a day trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Ready for an adventure? Here’s the best itinerary for 3 days in Zion National Park!

When To Go

Zion National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Spring and Fall are the shoulder seasons and the best times to visit. Daytime temperatures will be pleasant in the 60s-70s, and the crowds will be more manageable than in the summer. And as long as you avoid Spring break weeks and Labor Day weekend, you can score some great accommodation deals during these months.

December – March are the best months to avoid the crowds and get cheap accommodation, but it can be too cold and windy to enjoy the higher elevations, and some roads and trails close because of snow and ice. Winter temperatures rarely get above 50 during the day and go below freezing at night, so bring layers. The Zion shuttle doesn’t run during these months, so you’ll need your own car to explore all of the park.

Summer is the peak travel season. You can beat some of the crowds and lines by going on weekdays, arriving early in the morning, and renting e-bikes to avoid the crowded shuttles. Days in June, July, and August are hot (temperatures can get in the 100s), and there’s little to no shade on many of the trails. So always have more water than you think you’ll need, a hat, and sunscreen. Accommodations are expensive and book up fast during these months, so make your reservations as far in advance as possible.

The monsoon season is from late July to September, when flash floods are common. You’ll need to monitor the weather continuously, and don’t attempt water hikes (such as The Narrows) if conditions are dangerous.

What To Do

Arrival Day: Arrive at Zion as early as possible and head to the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center. Drive the scenic Kolob Canyons Road and hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (easy-moderate, 1 mile, out and back, 100 feet elevation gain).

Day 1: Rent e-bikes and start riding as early as possible. Ride the Pa’rus Trail, then the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Go all the way to the end of the scenic drive, and stop as often as you want. Hike Angel’s Landing on this day (strenuous, 5.4 miles out and back, 1500 foot elevation gain, long drop-offs). You’ll need a hiking permit, so plan your biking schedule to accommodate your permit time.

If you don’t want to hike Angel’s Landing, hike the West Rim Trail until it becomes the Angel’s Landing trail, then turn around. You’ll want to pack out your lunch and then have dinner in Springdale or back at your accommodation.

Day 2: Drive the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, and stop at all the pull-offs on your side of the road. Keep driving out of Zion’s East Entrance. A herd of bison is usually visible on the right a few miles outside of the park. You can turn around if you get to Zion Mountain Ranch and haven’t seen the bison. Have lunch at Cordwood or Co-op Cafe before heading back into the park and stopping at all the pull-offs on the other side of the scenic drive.

Day 3: Hike The Narrows (Bottom-Up route via the Riverside Walk, 9.4 miles out and back). The Narrows hike averages about 6 hours, and the trail is the Virgin River, so you’ll be wading through ankle to waist-deep water. You’ll want to rent specialized equipment – shoes, a dry suit, neoprene socks, a waterproof bag, and a walking stick – and you’ll need to monitor the weather because flash floods, cold water temperatures, and high water levels can be very dangerous. Plan on this hike taking most of the day, and you’ll want to bring a pack-out lunch, plenty of water, and snacks.

If you don’t want to hike The Narrows, hike the Watchman Trail in the morning, have a picnic lunch or eat in Springdale, then in the afternoon, hike the Lower and Middle Emerald Pools Loop, and if you’re up for it, continue to the Upper Emerald Pool.

Know Before You Go

Zion is open year-round, but some trails and roads close due to snow and ice in winter. In the Spring, Summer, and Fall, cars are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. So you’ll need to take the Zion Canyon Shuttle or rent e-bikes. if you ride the shuttle, make sure you don’t miss the last bus out of the park. E-bikes are only allowed in the park on the Pa’rus Trail and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

To hike Angel’s Landing, a permit is required, so make sure you reserve yours in advance on the national park website. Angel’s Landing is the most difficult hike in the park. Make sure you have good hiking shoes, and pack out plenty of water and snacks because the hike will take you most of the day.

If you’re hiking The Narrows, you should rent specialized gear such as canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks, walking sticks, waterproof pants, or even full zip-up dry suits to protect you from the elements. You can rent this equipment at many outdoor shops in the area. In the summer, you should reserve your gear in advance.

There is limited food available in the park, so I recommend packing out your lunches and having snacks with you. The nearby town of Springdale has lots of restaurants for dinner, and the Zion National Park Lodge (which is inside the park) has two restaurants that require reservations.

There is limited cell service inside the park, so download or screenshot maps and trail guides before you arrive.

The only pet-friendly trail in Zion is the Pa’rus Trail, and your dog must be on a leash and stay out of the water.

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel has strict vehicle restrictions. Oversized vehicles (RVs, buses, trailers, fifth-wheels, dual-wheel trucks, campers, and boats) require traffic control. It costs $15 for oversized vehicles to drive through the tunnel, and there are designated hours for this service during the day.

Flash floods are common in Zion, especially in late-Summer and Fall. So make sure you constantly monitor weather conditions and don’t attempt a water hike (such as The Narrows) if conditions are dangerous.

Zion is at a high altitude, and therefore it has extremely hot and cold temperatures, and the temperature can change as much as 60 degrees on any given day. So always have plenty of water, sun protection, snacks, and layers with you.

Permits are required for any overnight experiences, technical canyoneering, day trips in the Subway, and the Top-Down Narrows hike.

There is no gas inside the park, so make sure you have a full tank before getting to the park entrance.

Where To Stay

Zion has lots of accommodation options inside the park and in the nearby towns. So I’ve rounded up the best hotels, vacation homes, and glamping near Zion.

For camping, I highly recommend staying at one of the two campgrounds inside the park. Watchman Campground is open all year, and South Campground is open in the spring, summer, and fall. Both of these campgrounds fill up fast, so book your site as early as possible.

If you’re bringing an RV or motorhome, opt for Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort or Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground.

YOUR TRAVEL CHECKLIST

PIN THIS GUIDE!

This itinerary for 3 days in Zion National Park is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this itinerary for 3 days in Zion National Park are entirely my own. Some of the links in this itinerary for 3 days in Zion National Park are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this itinerary for 3 days in Zion National Park.