Zion National Park Things to Do

The trails to the Lower, Middle and Upper Emerald pools are some of the most popular in the park and all 3 combine in a loop. These are fun hikes but the trails can be also be pretty crowded.

The trail to the Lower Emerald Pool is the easiest - paved and handicapped accessible "with some assistance". The trail passes behind a waterfall from the Middle Emerald Pool above it. (.6 miles one way).

The Middle Emerald Pool trail is a moderate, 1-mile (one way) climb with some long dropoffs.

The Upper Emerald Pool is a .3 mile climb from the middle pool.

Shuttle Access - Zion Lodge

You can also combine the above with the Grotto (easy) and Kayenta (moderate) Trails to make a nice 3-mile loop hike.

This is a not-to-be-missed experience hiking in the Virgin River to a slot canyon only 20-30 feet wide but up to 2000 feet deep. There are 3 ways to to this but I'll focus on just the short-hike option:

Enter the river at the end of Riverside Walk (see that tip) and wade upriver. It's a couple of hours to a breathtaking narrowing of the canyon and 4 hours to the (mandatory) turnaround at Big Springs. You'll be walking with the current on the return trip so coming back doesn't take as long. Water depth will vary - you might have to swim a couple of spots during a wet season.

NEVER attempt this without checking into the visitor center for weather conditions as even if it's dry in the park, a storm upstream can create flash flooding. And for pete's sake don't try this barefoot either (as I saw some clueless tourists try to do). The river is rocky, slippery, chilly and has a stiff current: good place to turn an ankle.

A ranger sent us to Zion Adventure Company in Springdale for the right stuff. For a reasonable price, they will rent you sturdy boots, thermal socks (to keep your feet warm) walking sticks, and waterproof pouches for supplies. They will also give you a map and a run-down on how to anticipate a flash flood before it happens. Being comfortable can make or break the experience, trust me, and our own boots stayed dry for the next day's hiking. Gotta love it.

Dayhikers, get into the river early to enjoy some solitude. If you do run into others, it's a good time to trade photo-opportunities but then give each other some distance. The Narrows are best enjoyed quietly and without a crowd. Wear clothing that dries quickly, pack water, snacks, first-aid kit, etc. and please, please leave no trace.

Honestly, this is one of the best hikes in the park: can't recommend it enough!!!!!

Zion National Park has many wonders around every turn of the road. You don't have to walk the trails or hike the climbs to see the beauty of Nature that is Zion. Driving the road from the Zion-Mt. Carmel hwy down to the Visitors Center and you will look for turnouts to stop and gaze at the amazing formations of cliffs, mesas, and mountains.

One of the most fascinating features appears on Rock Candy Mountain, known today as the Checkerboard Mesa. It looks as if nature has built a mountain of blocks. Actually, the rock is called slick rock, a mixture of white and varied tints of brown or orange, that over time, lots of time like millions of years, shows the effects caused by erosion. In this case, the crisscross pattern like a checker board. It is truly a geological wonder.

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The hike is beautiful but make sure you are prepared. The hike will probable be a minimum of 8 1/2 hours, you will get wet because there are parts you need to swim and wade through water, and you need to feel comfortable with lowering yourself down with rapelling ropes. Vigourous hike but worth doing atleast once.

Don't forget if you want to do this hike you need to get (I guess it is called) a permit to hike it and you will need to try to get this about 3-6 months in advance. Also when you get there register with the rangers before you start. this is no joke

The Court of the Patriarchs is the name given to three side by side peaks. They were named in 1916 by Methodist minister Frederick Fisher after the three patriarchs of the Old Testament, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There is a shuttle stop and short trail for visitors to stop and look up at these peaks. It is a short switchback trail uphill that takes less than 15 minutes.
The cliffs are made of very old rock formations as are many of the structures in the park. The upper layers of the peaks are of a white color and almost make the peaks look snow capped. We were told that it was a very popular hike during sunset because the views were excellent. I was not entirely impressed with their speculation.

The Narrows are like no other place I have ever been. The canyons in this area of the park are, as one would expect, extremely narrow. At times you can look up and due to the shape of the canyon, only see a sliver of sky above you.
Hiking up this canyon is very strenuous. You will have to wade your way across the river and basically will only find yourself out of the water at a few wide spots. You will have to bring some shoes you do not mind destroying or get some that are water ready. Shoes can be rented but I would not want to put my feet in a pair of shoes that had been worn by several other people walking up and down this canyon. Be sure also to be aware of the dangers of flash floods while hiking the narrows. A flash flood here would easily take your life.
A pass must be acquired to hike down the narrows but you will need to catch a taxi or another shuttle bus to get dropped off at the top. You can also start hiking from the end of the Riverside Walk, a 2 mile (3.2 km) hike with minimal elevation changes from the shuttle stop. Your hike from either location can be as long or as short as you want. To fully explore this canyon would take a lifetime. To appreciate its beauty takes only a few minutes.

When you arrive in Zion National Park a good first thing to do would be a stop by the Zion Museum. There is a short movie that is played I believe every 15 minutes. It gives you a good idea of what to see in the park and it's free. It also talks a little bit about the geology in the area and history.
The Musurm is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.

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Zion Canyon is the centerpiece of Zion National Park. It is a 2000+ foot deep canyon that has been carved out of the sandstone over the millenia by the Virgin River. What is fascinating about Zion Canyon is the colors of the rock in its cliffs and the wat they contrast against the green of the nearby vegetation.

You can drive part way into Zion Canyon and then you have to take a shuttle bus the rest of the way in. You pick up the shuttle bus at the lodge. Eventually, the canyon narrows and you have to get off the bus and hike the rest of the way in.