Zion National Park
Packing Checklist
Zion is Utah's busiest national park and one of the most physically dramatic. You probably already know it for the Angels Landing's chains, the Narrows, and the shuttle-only Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The flowing water separates Zion from neighboring Utah parks. The river is the trail in places. And the sandstone-and-cottonwood corridor stays relatively cool while the rim country bakes.
The hazards in Zion may not be obvious. Heat exhaustion, hypothermia in the freezing river, and flash floods could happen to you on the same day. Summer canyon temps hit triple digits, but the Narrows water can drop your core temperature in minutes. Slot canyons can flood from rain miles away you never saw or heard. Backcountry water is limited to a handful of natural springs, all of which require treatment, and in-stream water is unsafe even with filtration due to cyanotoxins. Also you're required to pack out all human waste, so come prepared with your wag bags.
Want to learn more before you go? Read our Zion National Park guide.
Filter by season, gender, and trip type to see exactly what to pack.
Zion's rim trails sit exposed to full sun for hours. A ventilated daypack that breathes matters. You'll also want room for a reservoir.
Gregory Citro 30L
A pack designed with cooling and hydration built in.
Osprey Hikelite LT 30L
A good overall pack focused on comfort.
Osprey Tempest 20 Womens Daypack
Versatile daypack with back panel ventilation and a 20L capacity. Fits smaller torso lengths.
Sun protection beats T-shirts. A sun hoodie is the most useful piece of clothing you can own for Zion - it covers your neck and arms without trapping heat. Consider pants over shorts in spring; mornings on the rim are still cold.
Lightweight Outdoor Pants
Hiking pants with built-in mesh vent panels that actively wick away heat and moisture
Sunhoodie
Lightweight, durable Merino fabric uses a recycled nylon core while still keeping 100% Merino wool next to skin UPF 40+
Ultralite Short Sleeve Shirt - Men's
Moisture wicking odor resistant tee for warm weather hiking..
Lightweight Outdoor Pants
Hiking pants feature quick-drying, breathable, and water-resistant fabric, offering sun protection and durability for a comfortable outdoor experience
Sunhoodie
Lightweight, durable Merino fabric uses a recycled nylon core while still keeping 100% Merino wool next to skin UPF 40+
Ultralite Short Sleeve Shirt - Women's
Moisture wicking odor resistant tee for warm weather hiking..
Mornings on Zion's rim are colder than the canyon floor suggests. Light merino gloves, a beanie, and a neck gaiter cover the gap before the sun crests the cliffs.
Merino Wool Gloves
Merino wool lightweight gloves
Merino Wool Beanie
This lightweight and moisture-wicking hat keeps you warm even when wet.
Buff Merino Neck Gaiter
Multi-use merino wool tube that works as neck warmer, face cover, hat, or balaclava.
A spork is the only cooking item most day hikers actually use - for trail bars, wraps, or a hot meal back at the trailhead.
Titanium Spork
Durable and versatile flatware utensil for your adventures.
Cell signal is spotty in the canyon and dies completely in the Narrows. Bring a power bank for offline maps and a GPS watch if you have one.
Power Bank
Can fully charge most phones three times with power to spare
Forerunner GPS Watch
Perfect if you love to track your hikes.
A small medical kit, a bivvy, and a whistle cover most day-hike emergencies in this park. No bear spray needed - Zion has black bears but no grizzlies.
Ultralight Medical Kit
First aid supplies designed for the backcountry.
SOL Emergency Bivvy
Heat-reflective emergency shelter that packs smaller than a soda can. Sub-4 oz insurance policy.
Fox 40 Emergency Whistle
Whistle that works when wet. Carries over a mile in open terrain.
On long Zion days you'll burn through calories faster than you think. Bars, waffles, and a dehydrated meal you can rehydrate at lunch all earn their weight.
Clif Bar Variety Pack
Oat-based energy bars with 10-12g of protein each. Once you get tired of them try a different brand.
Stinger Honey Waffles
Quick calories without ultra-processed ingredients. Take them for a fun boost on trail.
Trail runners handle Zion better than boots. The sandy washes, slickrock, and wet stretches all favor a shoe that drains and dries. Gaiters keep grit out on the West Rim.
Olympus 6 Trail Runners - Men's
The perfect balance of support and comfort for trail.
Midweight Cushion Hiking Socks
Men's fine gauge knitted sock provides mid-level cushion density under your foot. Comes with a lifetime guarantee!
Injinji Toe Socks Liner
Socks that prevent blisters between toes on long mileage days.
Trail Gaiters
Keep the rocks and dirt out of your shoes.
Microspikes Traction Cleats
Stretch-on traction cleats for hiking on snow and ice.
Olympus 6 Trail Runners - Women's
The perfect balance of support and comfort for trail.
Midweight Cushion Hiking Socks
Women's fine gauge knitted sock provides mid-level cushion density under your foot. Comes with a lifetime guarantee!
Sun protection in Zion is heavier than in most Utah parks. A wide-brim hat, mineral sunscreen, and SPF lip balm are the minimum. Picaridin over DEET - DEET damages the chain handholds on Angels Landing and chews up synthetic fabrics.
Tilley Airflo Hat
Ventilated hat with maximum sun protection UPF 50+
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Reef-safe mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide. Required in Hawaii parks but good LNT practice everywhere.
Burts Bees Lip Balm SPF 15
Moisturizing lip balm with sun protection. Cracked lips are miserable.
Leukotape Blister Prevention
The blister tape thru-hikers swear by. Sticks through sweat and miles and prevents hot spots from becoming blisters.
Purell Hand Sanitizer Travel Size
Kills germs without water, essential before eating in the backcountry.
Antimicrobial Pee Cloth
Antimicrobial pee cloth designed for women to reduce toilet paper waste in the backcountry.
Even in cooler months, Zion is dry. Carry a reservoir for the hike and a bottle for refills, and don't skip electrolytes on long days.
Platypus 2L water reservoir
Premium taste-free, leak-proof reservoir with fast flow rate
SmartWater 1L Bottle
The ultralight community favorite. Threads compatible with Sawyer and BeFree filters.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Electrolyte drink mix that replaces essential hydration faster than water alone.
Even on day hikes, a real map beats a phone in this canyon. Cell service drops in the narrows and slot sections, and GPS gets confused under 2,000-foot walls.
Zion National Park Trail Map
Illustrated trail map with canyon routes and permit area details.
Compass
Lightweight and reliable compass
Waterproof Map Case
Clear PVC map case with lanyard. Keeps paper maps dry in rain or river crossings.
Spring and fall storms move fast through the canyon. A quality rain jacket plus a fleece or light puffy handles most days. You need more than the poncho - Zion rain hits harder than the desert parks north and east of here.
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
Men's ultralight waterproof breathable rain jacket. The upgrade from the Frog Toggs Poncho.
Columbia Kalamata Fleece
Comfortable and versatile with the perfect amount of warmth, this Men's lightweight fleece pullover will be a new favorite.
Helium Rain Pants
Men's lightweight waterproof pants for sustained rain or wet brush.
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket
Women's ultralight waterproof breathable rain jacket. The upgrade from the Frog Toggs Poncho.
Columbia Fleece
Comfy, casual, and versatile Women's zip-up fleece jacket.
Helium Rain Pants
Women's lightweight waterproof pants for sustained rain or wet brush.
River hypothermia and a missed shuttle are real Zion risks. A small bivvy weighs almost nothing and is the difference between a hypothermia on a long cold night and a survivable one.
SOL Emergency Bivvy
Heat-reflective emergency shelter that packs smaller than a soda can. Sub-4 oz insurance policy.
Trekking poles help on the climbs and the descents - the East Rim drop into the canyon is steep enough that poles save your knees. A small dry bag protects electronics from afternoon thunderstorms.
Cork Trekking Poles
Get extra support and walk comfortably with these hiking poles.
Dry Bag Set
3-pack of waterproof dry bags in 8L, 13L, and 20L sizes. Essential for river crossings and rainy days.
Mini multi-tool
A compact multitool features needle nose pliers, wire cutters, tweezers, bottle opener, retail package opener, plain edge blade pocket knife, scissors, small and medium flat head driver, fine and coarse file
Merino or synthetic only - cotton stays wet and steals heat, especially in the river. Plan for one extra pair beyond your hike length.
Men's Sport Briefs
Designed for a snug active fit and lower rise, ideal for high-energy activities
Midweight Cushion Hiking Socks
Men's fine gauge knitted sock provides mid-level cushion density under your foot. Comes with a lifetime guarantee!
Women's Full cut Briefs
Ultralight breathable mesh fabric that supplies airflow to keep you cool
Plunge 3.0 Sports Bra
High-impact sports bra for hiking.
Midweight Cushion Hiking Socks
Women's fine gauge knitted sock provides mid-level cushion density under your foot. Comes with a lifetime guarantee!
