It’s no secret that Zion National Park is well known for hiking. It’s Utah’s most popular National Park for a reason, attracting millions of visitors each year. The towering walls of fiery reds, browns, and beige call to visitors from around the world, but what do people who physically aren’t able to hike do? Or the people who aren’t interested in hiking? Or even people who DO enjoy hikes but need a break? It gets even more complicated when there is a mixed group who want to visit Zion – like me and my mom! I love hiking and the outdoors, and so does my mom. But she has terrible back pain, making it difficult to walk uphill or for long periods of time. And I have some messed up knees after traipsing around Europe, so it’s a good thing we couldn’t push each other.
Knowing how hike-heavy Zion National Park is make me wary of stopping there. Even when searching for things to do and see, I didn’t feel completely sold – but I knew I wanted to go, so I ventured to investigate myself. Here’s what I found! And they are wonderful fun, if I do say so myself.
1. Pass Through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Admittedly, two hours might not be “near” Zion National Park for some. However, I think the journey is just as important as the destination, and I think the expedition to Glen Canyon, Lone Rock, and Powell Lake (pictured) is worth the two-hour travel time. It can be reached (even stopping) in less than a day from Zion, plus you can drive through Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (or Vermillion Cliffs National Monument for a trip around three hours). If you are able to do any water activities, Powell Lake is a great option; however, enjoying the scenery can be just as pleasurable! In late winter when I was there, no one was in the water. However, there were others enjoying the lake anyway! My mom was just so tickled by this Lone Rock in the middle of Lake Powell. She still talks about it. I smile every time at the little enjoyments people get from trips.
In addition to typical outdoor activities like camping and boating, there are also two scenic drives within the area – the Burr Trail and Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Be sure to have an off-road capable vehicle for either of these! These 60+ mile drives are a mix of paved and dirt roads, and four-wheel drive is needed in some parts. We learned to heed the warnings of these roads in Death Valley! Unfortunately, we were in a very low car and could not explore these areas, but it would be a good side trip or change of pace from Zion National Park.
2. Stop in Kanab – it’s the Greatest EARTH on Show
Kanab itself may not be a huge tourist attraction, but it is a close place to stay when going to Zion National Park (as is the obvious Springdale… there seemed to be quite a few cute shops and galleries, but we didn’t get a chance to go in any). We actually stayed in La Verkin, but I loved Kanab’s sign so much I wanted to stay longer and see what else there was. Given the time crunch we were on, I had to settle for researching and highlighting the city here! I fully plan to return. It’s a good middle point for Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Grand Canyon National Park like this sign claims, but it has a few attractions of its own too.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is home to around 1600 rescue animals, most being cats and dogs. However, there are an assortment of other creatures such as birds, pigs, and goats as well. Hour and a half tours are free, but very popular; booking in advance is a must. They also have volunteer experiences where you get more interaction and hands-on time with the animals in their care, in case you are looking for more interaction. There is also a vegan buffet for $5, which you do not have to book. There are usually gluten-free items as well!
Seeing as I haven’t been there, I am wary to put it on this list. I typically only include things I have done. However, it does have good reviews, and it is something I would be interested in doing. Do let me know if anyone disagrees!
Another seemingly unique experience in Kanab is the Little Hollywood Movie Museum. Kanab used to be a mecca for films and tv filming, and this museum has quite a few on display for free. There is also a trading post (mostly made in the USA – except their John Wayne memorabilia), food (only vegetarian marked, but appears vegan), photography studio (old west photos, anyone?), and more so it might be a nice rest day! Let me know what you think in the comments if you’ve been.
3. See the Mushroom Rocks… or any other rock formations you pass
I capitalized the name of these rocks like they are “official,” but they are not. These are right off the side of the road on the way from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. There are plenty of rock formations to stop at, explore, and photograph. I loved these in particular because they look like mushrooms (even more so when you drive up toward them), and there is an area you can climb in if you are able. No matter what you see when you are driving, there is likely an area nearby that you can easily pull off and park. I encourage you to look around and enjoy, whether you are in a bus, car, train, helicopter (it’s not in my budget, but you do you… it is an option in Zion), whatever! The sights are awe-inspiring.
4. Explore Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Most people visit Zion during the warmer months (late March to early November), and in those times only the shuttle can run down the scenic drive. The shuttle was implemented in 2000 due to the high volume of visitors; there are only 400 parking spaces, and traffic congestion and environmental degradation was a huge problem. There are tons of benefits to the free shuttle* – eliminating parking issues in the park, protecting vegetation and fauna, reducing carbon footprints, eliminating traffic, and more – so if you do want to visit when it’s running, you won’t be disappointed! Due to Zion’s popularity, parking fills early, so parking in Springdale and taking that free shuttle to the entrance is easiest. If you stay in Springdale, leave your car at the hotel.
*The shuttle is not free at the moment. It is now $2 per ticket. This change is due to the pandemic and attempting to regulate visitors. It appears to be a permanent change.
Disclaimer: I loved visiting when I could drive my own vehicle (granted, I really wanted to visit the Fort, but it was closed). There are (typically) fewer people, fewer cars, more freedom, and more responsibility. You can pull off when you want, as we did with the stop I highlight in #7. Additionally, you can help combat overtourism by going in the off season. There really are pros and cons to each view, so use your best judgement.
5. See Angel’s Landing from Big Bend
Angel’s Landing is one of Zion National Park’s most intense, iconic, and rewarding hikes (next to the Narrows). It’s also highly dangerous, at least at the end. For those of us who can’t, don’t want to, or won’t hike this area, what are we to do? Well, we can get a pretty spectacular view from Big Bend, along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive route. Big Bend is a clear stop with a parking lot, so whether you are on the bus or in a personal vehicle, you can’t miss it. You’ll be surrounded with intense rock walls, intricate facades, and incredible flora. You can also see the Organ, the Virgin River, and the Great White Throne. Everything I read and researched was all about the views from above, or from different hikes. But who says you can’t enjoy the sights from here? The same can be said of the Narrows – it’s a canyon where the Virgin River flows, closed when we went. But to get an idea of the sights, you can go to Temple of Sinawa (the dead-end stop at the end of Zion Canoyon Scenic Drive) and peruse the two-mile Riverside Walk. Without a wheelchair, my mom was not able to make it, but it is suitable for wheelchairs and most people. While I do plan on going back for some hikes on my own, the sights were wonderful from the ground.
6. Stop by the North Fork Virgin River for a picnic… or just a photo shoot
Less than half a mile from the bridge (or turn off from the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway), there was a small path down a hill. This path is not a designated stop on the shuttle, but it is super close to the Canyon Junction stop (#3). If you are able, I recommend wandering around the area! I think it might’ve been my favorite stop, it was so beautiful! I say that, but then I remember the Grotto. Gosh, that was lovely too… I guess what I am saying is visit Zion because it’s breathtaking!
Anyway, make sure to follow all the signs, don’t stray off paths, and be respectful if you go this route (wandering)! Environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility! If you do take the shuttle, try and wander to some of the unnamed paths and see some extra beauty.
7. Watch Deer!
Mule deer are the most commonly seen large mammal in Zion National Park, according to the National Park Service. They graze near campgrounds, the Lodge, and the River during cool parts of the day and easily draw attention. Males grow eye-catching antlers in the spring, which grow until they shed in winter. These antlers help the males fight for mating rights during the fall. Then, the fawns are born around June (often as twins!). Amazingly, their ears can be nine inches long as adults! The large surface of the ears helps dissipate heat during the summer to stay cool. If you see a fawn alone, please stay away. The mother is nearby, and they are waiting for her. The deer in Zion are rarely preyed upon (the predators stay away from human activity), so be rest assured in that.
Another benefit of driving your own car (or even biking if you are able!), is stopping to see these animals, and more. If you take the bus, you can still walk around and hopefully see some! We saw at least four herds of deer, bighorn sheep, and two rafters of turkeys (yes, that’s what a group of turkeys are called). If you are lucky enough to see any of these wonderful creatures, be aware they are very adapted to human presence. However, this does not mean you can or should go near them as I mentioned! If you see an animal in distress, contact a park ranger as soon as possible. Also, if you see a collar on any of them, don’t worry! The Park Service has begun tracking eight Zion deer in an effect to learn more about their movements and health.
8. Marvel at The Court of the Patriarchs
This set of sandstone cliffs is named for the three biblical figures Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob stand tall and proud in Zion National Park. They were even visible on our drive from the hotel, even though I didn’t realize it at the time! This stop is fourth on the shuttle and has a clear vantage point. There is a short 0.1-mile paved path for a better vantage point, but it is steep. Mount Moroni (from the Mormon religion) and The Sentinel are also prominent peaks seen at this stop.
Other famous peaks I have not highlighted include the Watchman (guarding the South entrance) and the Great White Throne. They are as magnificent as the rest of Zion, but I didn’t include them for a simple reason: I have no decent pictures of them! Weeping Rock is another popular formation, but its viewpoint was closed (weather again). It is still awesome to see from the road! These formations are natural wonders and deserve some recognition and visitors, regardless of my lack of images.
9. Head North toward Kolob Canyons
I don’t have an image of anything from Kolob because guess what? That section of the Park was closed. In this instance, it was due to a recent storm and roads were unsafe to travel, but I was still severely disappointed. It’s just another reason to return! From what I have read and seen, it is a beautiful area and I wish we could have seen it. Alas, it’s a hazard of a road trip! Instead, enjoy this picture of my mom looking off to this short walking path we did (The Grotto – I talk about it below)!
10. Walk The Grotto (or beautiful nature in general)
There’s something about Zion National Park. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this place is magical – and I have been a lot of places. I felt as if any second I could turn my head and I would see a faerie flitting behind a tree, an elf springing away, or a gnome peeking out from beneath a log. The Grotto was the stop that this ethereal feeling was the strongest for me. This image helped capture it, but there’s really nothing like being there yourself. This scene is easily seen standing on a bridge right next to the shuttle stop and parking lot for the Grotto, so you don’t have to strain hard to get here. I didn’t even know how popular this image is until months after I took it, but everyone’s version is different.
If you can, I would encourage you to walk a little bit farther down the path (cross the bridge and go right). You will follow the river for just a few minutes, then you can turn back. The trail keeps going (it’s the beginning of Angel’s Landing), so do not feel obligated to continue! If you go left at the fork after the bridge, you can take another “easy” walk to the Lower Emerald Pools. It’s a longer walk and is not paved but may be worth it if you are able. I greatly wished to see at least one of the pools (there is a more strenuous Upper Emerald Pool Trail), but it was also closed due to the storm. There are picnic tables at this stop as well, so if someone in your party wants to rest while another wants to take a longer walk, that’s very feasible!
11. Go Through The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway was constructed from 1927 to 1930 to connect the Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon National Parks (see below for more). To minimize the visual impact of this highway, the tunnel was built. The tunnel includes six galleries (windows to see out) that were originally used for soil disposal! Eventually, those galleries became lookout spots for visitors to the park, and they even had parking spots for people! Sadly, parking is no longer allowed due to the high volume of traffic and accidents that have taken place in the tunnel – but! You can still see out the galleries to the scenery outside, so if you have the chance (especially if you are a passenger), I recommend driving through the tunnel for the experience. There are no lights inside, but that only adds to the excitement when approaching a gallery or the exit.
If you are in an oversized vehicle, such as a RV, there is a $15 fee to go through the tunnel, which is paid at the entrance station, not the tunnel. The fee is good for two trips within a seven-day period. You will also have the tunnel to yourself (at least no traffic coming toward you) as it becomes one-way during your trip. You can review the size limits here.
12. Drive The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
On July 3, 1930 the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and Tunnel were completed. They have since been listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. While the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway itself doesn’t connect all the parks, it does provide beautiful scenery, switchbacks, rocks faces and formations, and a hike to get you to the roads that do connect the parks! Outside of Zion National Park, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is known as the UT-9. It spans from just off the I-15 through Hurricane, La Verkin, and Virgin, through the South and East entrances of Zion National Park, respectively, to US-89.
There are tons of stops on this Highway, including the Zion Canyon Visitor Center (closed each time we drove by!! I couldn’t get my National Park stamp), Zion Human History Museum, the Canyon Overlook Trail, and Checkerboard Mesa. The Canyon Overlook Trail was one I was able to go on (it opened the day we left after being closed from the storm), and it was breathtaking. (Just skip on to the next item if you are here *strictly* for non-hiking.) You follow a very clear path about 0.5 mile overlooking the Pine Creek slot canyon until you reach the viewpoint. On the way up, there is a lovely shaded alcove that may be a nice stop in warmer months. From the vantage point, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway switchbacks, Bridge Mountain (high peak on the left), East Temple (formation on the right), and Pine Creek (water below) are easily seen. Also cool to note – you are standing on the Great Arch! Be careful from the viewpoint, however, as the fall would be fatal.
This hike is classified as easy. However, if you have any fear of heights or are not fully comfortable walking uneven surfaces (even for a short period of time), stay on the paved road and look for some cool rock formations, like the one pictured. My mom waited for me in the (very small) parking lot, walked a-ways down the road, and saw beautiful scenery she enjoyed despite not being able to hike.
13. Observe Checkerboard Mesa
Checkerboard Mesa has etches dug into the sandstone in a crisscross pattern, giving it its name (well, it was given the name by the 1930s Zion superintendent Preston Patraw, but you know what I mean). The unique patterns come from two distinct forms of erosion. Contraction and expansion occur when rock is heated to high temperatures during the day and cooled at night. Tiny fissures in the rock and water penetration augment this process, producing the vertical lines. Wind erosion, acting as a sandblaster, reveals the underlying sediment structure to produce the horizontal lines. Other examples of wind erosion (in this case, also cross-stratification – layering within rock and at an angle to the main plane) include the images in #13, #16, and somewhat in #15.
Honestly, after driving the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, I forgot I even had Checkerboard Mesa on my list of “things to see,” but when we drove past it, I was glad it can’t be missed (being right next to the road and all that)! We stopped right at the base in a pull-out, but less than a mile down the road there is a dedicated viewpoint and parking area. I liked both stops, and in busier times you should probably take whatever space you can find! In the parking area, you can also see other formations and greenery, plus a different view of the peak. I love unique rocks and textures, making this stop fun for me (albeit brief). While Checkerboard Mesa isn’t the only one of its kind, it was my first experience with such an interesting visual effect, and I recommend seeing it if you get the chance.
14. See Rocks… of course
Okay, at this point (in the post and in the Park), you’ve seen a lot of rocks. Like, a lot. But I just want to remind you that you can see some amazing natural wonders in these rocks, and they aren’t all the same, melancholy, monotonous shapes. So, if you’ve been traveling in the American Southwest for a while and are beginning to feel a little “rocked-out,” I encourage you to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and remember not to judge a book by its cover. Look deeper, see the details. Maybe sit with it for a few minutes. If you are still over it, that’s ok! I was ready to move on too, but I will be going back after some rest from the rocks 😊.
15. People Watch
…because apparently people own goats in Utah. I know pet goats happen, but I actually saw a traveling goat? People watching is one of my favorite activities everywhere, but this situation was particularly interesting, and I wanted to make a note of it. And a reminder for all of us that enjoyment doesn’t always have to be doing something or seeing something famous/popular. Sometimes, it’s just paying attention to the world.
P. S. I am sure there are many interesting people going through this area! Any tourist area, really, but can you imagine all the people driving through here? The stories they must have are incredible.
16. Visit Fort Zion
The Fort was set to open just a couple of days after we visited Zion National Park, so this location is another I can only name out of interest in it. There is an adorable scene outside with a jail, brothel, bank, and more (décor as far as I can tell) and a gift shop with snacks and a restaurant inside. I read there was a petting zoo as well (for a fee – the rest is free), so it may not be the best stop if you are against being near such practices.
What to Pack on a Trip to Zion National Park
- Water/Food. Even though there is a stop in the park and it’s not super remote, I like bringing snacks and meals to reduce costs. My whole family uses RTIC products, and we are happy with them (especially as a slightly cheaper alternative to YETI). We have a cooler, canteens, two tumblers, lunch containers, and insulated cans (that I use as water bottles even at home).
- Warm base layer. If you are going in the winter like me, it can get chilly. I love my 32 Degrees shirts and pants as base layers.
- Hats/gloves. Again, for winter, I really loved having my hat in the mornings and at night. It gets very cold!
- Hiking equipment. If you are going to do any hiking or walking in addition to these activities, make sure to bring boots, hiking socks, and trekking poles.
- Lamp. Backup lamps, whether you are camping are not, are imperative when traveling (especially if you are driving). I like this headlamp because it includes a red light, which does not attract bugs. I keep this super bright lantern in my car too, just in case.
- Sunscreen! Anytime you go into the world, sun protection is a must. Mineral sunscreen is a great option as it’s less harmful for the environment.
- Camera!! I inherited a Canon 5D Mark III, but I recommend a Rebel for beginners/a lower budget.
Have you been to Zion National Park? Did you fit any of these activities in between your hikes? Let me know in the comments!
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I really want to explore Kanab more! It looks like a neat area. I also love the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel
Yes! Even I want to go back and see more haha.