Explore Zion National Park in Southwest Utah

Towering Sandstone Canyons, the Narrows, and Angels Landing in Utah

Few landscapes on Earth rival the scale and color of Zion Canyon. Towering walls of cream, salmon, and vermillion Navajo Sandstone rise more than 2,000 feet above the Virgin River on either side, forming a cathedral of rock that has drawn visitors to this corner of southwestern Utah since the park’s establishment in 1919. Nearly five million people visited Zion in 2024, making it one of the most-visited national parks in the country, and the concentration of beauty into a relatively compact space is central to its appeal. A single morning in Zion Canyon delivers more visual drama than most people encounter in a lifetime of outdoor recreation.

The canyon experience is organized around a free shuttle system that operates along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from spring through fall, replacing private vehicles in the main canyon during peak season. The shuttle connects trailheads, viewpoints, and visitor services from the visitor center at the south entrance to the Temple of Sinawava at the north end, where the iconic Narrows hike begins. The Narrows, where the Virgin River flows through a slot canyon with walls rising a thousand feet above the streambed, is Zion’s most famous route: a wade through the river itself, ankle-to-waist-deep depending on flow, that rewards hikers who continue upstream with progressively narrower and more dramatic terrain. Angels Landing, the park’s most storied summit trail, requires a free permit for the final steep chain-assisted section and offers views across the canyon that photographers and hikers travel thousands of miles to experience. The Emerald Pools trails provide easier family-friendly options with waterfalls and hanging gardens accessible within a short distance of the valley floor.

Zion suits hikers and photographers most naturally, but the park works well for families spanning multiple ages and ability levels. The paved Riverwalk to the Narrows entrance is flat and fully accessible. The Canyon Overlook Trail, a 1-mile moderate hike near the park’s east entrance on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, delivers stunning views without the crowds of the main valley. Multi-generational groups appreciate that the shuttle system removes the logistics pressure of driving and parking, leaving everyone free to hop on and off at viewpoints throughout the day. Pet-first travelers should note that leashed pets are allowed on two park trails, the Pa’rus Trail and the Watchman Campground Trail, but are not permitted on most other trails including Angels Landing and the Narrows. Verify current pet rules at nps.gov/zion before visiting.

The gateway town of Springdale, immediately outside the south park entrance, functions as a village-scale outdoor resort, with restaurants, outfitters, lodging, and short-term rental properties lining the main street with canyon views in every direction. Cozy vacation homes and condos with multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and beautiful red rock views are available in Springdale and surrounding communities including Virgin and Hurricane. Properties with hot tubs and outdoor decks give guests a luxury base for evening relaxation after demanding trail days. St. George, roughly 45 miles southwest, and Kanab, 40 miles east, offer broader vacation rental inventory for groups that need more bedrooms or more space. Book your accommodations near Zion National Park through Lake.com.