Listen, I grew up in Utah, which meant family vacations to Zion National Park, St. George, and Lake Powell. I’m not saying this makes me an expert in all things red rocks, but I am saying I know quite a bit about the park.
If you are a weekend warrior (you can only travel on the weekends to avoid upsetting your 9-5 boss), you might’ve felt overwhelmed by the amount of hikes available to you at Zion. There is no need to fear! As a fellow weekend warrior, I’ve done Zion in a day and I’m here to help you determine which hikes are best for you.
*Disclaimer: This itinerary is not perfect, and it was based upon 1 solo travelers experience. You might’ve had a different experience and that’s ok! Let us know your thoughts in the comments so we can plan the PERFECT 1-Day Itinerary!*
THE UTLIMATE 1-DAY ITINERARY – ZION NATIONAL PARK
You are going to want to wake up as early as you can. The park is run on a bus system, meaning you cannot drive through the park. Parking fills up quick, and the longer you wait the busier the bus gets.
1st Stop: The Zion Canyon Visitors Center
This is where you’ll catch the bus to ride up the canyon. The line can get long and hot, so don’t let this ruin your mood for the amazing day ahead. I recommend sitting on the drivers side of the bus, as this is where the views will be for most of the ride. You will be riding this bus to the top of the canyon, the Temple of Sinawava stop. So get comfy, and hopefully you picked a seat by an open window.
2nd Stop: Temple of Sinawava (Bus Stop 9) River Side Walk (2.2 Miles)
This easy paved trail is the perfect warm up. The water is lovely to walk next too, and keeps the area cool. This trail is how you start the narrows, so you’ll see lots of people carting backpacks in. It’s beautiful and you can usually see some wildlife near the trail.
3rd Stop: Weeping Rock (Bus Stop 7) Weeping Rock Trail (.4 Miles)
This steep trail leads up to a BEAUTIFUL rock waterfall. Prepare to get wet, as the trail is covered in water and slippery! There is also a picnic area at the bottom if you are needing to stop for a quick snack. Take this trail as a warm up for the show stopper across the road, Angels Landing.
4th Stop: The Grotto (Bus Stop 6) Angels Landing/Scouts Lookout (3.6 Miles)
This is a DIFFICULT hike. The 1,000 ft. elevation gain should speak clear enough, but you’ll soon learn after tackling switch back after switch back. If you are able to win an Angels Landing Lottery ticket, you’ll be able to ascend a death defying trail with room for only single file line. If not, the West Rim to Scouts Lookout is still breathtaking and worth the hike.
Do not be afraid to take breaks on this trail, especially on Walters Wiggles (and trust me, you’ll know when you’ve reached them).
5th Stop: Emerald Pools (3 Miles)
You won’t need to take a bus to get to this next trail. There are 3 emerald pools you can hike to, the lower, middle, and upper. I recommend starting at the upper and making your way down, so you aren’t constantly hiking up and down. The pools are beautiful, and a great place to stop for lunch. It is usually pretty busy, so just be warned.
This trail is at the bottom of the West Rim Trail, meaning it connects to the trail you just finished.
6th Stop: The parking lot!
At this point you’re probably pretty beat. You’ve done some incredible hiking, and have seen some incredible views. However, there is one more view that I PROMISE is worth the wait, and you get to sit in your car the whole time. 🙂
Hop in your car and head up the Zion Mount Carmel Highway. This stunning road takes you through the canyon, and then gives you an epic tunnel view. Sit, relax, and drink some water as you navigate this beautiful highway.
There are quite a few viewpoints on the road, so don’t resist the urge to stop, just do it!
Hopefully this gives you a little idea of how to do Zion in one day. Zion is a beautiful park, and it’s one I travel to every summer. If you have any questions, or need help getting things booked, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 🙂
Cheers!
