Zion National Park

The most popular hike in the park — but also one of the most dangerous — Angel's Landing offers the perfect adventure for the daredevil in your group. You can start this hike at The Grotto, and climb 1,488 feet in 5.4 miles. The hike follows the West Rim Trail to Scout’s Lookout. Beyond this area is Angel’s Landing, a rocky peak dotted with metal handholds and a metal chain for balance.

A permit is required to hike Angel’s Landing, but West Rim Trail is open until Scout’s Lookout for visitors without a permit. During peak season, visitors will need to take the shuttle to The Grotto to begin the trail.

To purchase a permit, visit recreation.gov and search “Zion National Park” to find the page where you can enter the lottery for this hike. You can enter multiple days or a range of dates. Being flexible increases your chances of winning a permit. Keep an eye on your email; that’s how they’ll notify you if you receive a pass.

If you are looking for a tamer hike than Angel’s Landing, consider exploring the Emerald Pools . This 3-mile loop trail generally takes visitors about 1.5 hours to complete, and passes by two separate sets of pools: The Lower Pools and the Upper Pools.

Both sets of pools are surrounded by colorful flora and fauna. The Lower Pools are accessible from a paved trail from the Zion Lodge. Hikers can get to the upper pools from a rocky trail that starts at the Lower Pools. Visitors can take the shuttle from the Visitor Center to the Zion Lodge for access to these hikes.

The Narrows at Zion National Park are the last stop along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This hike is a 16-mile stretch within (yes, in) the Virgin River. No permit is required to trek parts of this awe-inspiring trail through the canyon, but if you plan to hike all 16 miles from Chamberlain’s Ranch Trailhead to the Temple of Sinawava, a wilderness permit is required. You can also split this hike up by staying overnight at a designated Narrows campsite for one evening, with the purchase of a wilderness permit.

As you hike through the river, you’ll be surrounded on both sides by narrow cliff faces of colorful, wavy stone. Some spots in the river are deeper than others. Be prepared with walking sticks, water shoes and waders when possible. Flash flooding is a concern during the stormy season. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and listen for warnings from Park Rangers about park conditions and the risk for flash flooding that day.

Zion National Park features three campgrounds: Watchman Campground, South Campground and Lava Point Campground. South Campground is currently closed for a long-term rehabilitation project. Watchman Campground is open year-round and reservations can be made up to six months in advance at recreation.gov. Lava Point Campground is located 1-hour from Zion Canyon on the Kolob Terrace Road, has limited space, and requires a reservation.

While these are the only places to camp in Zion National Park, there are other places to stay nearby. Look for hotels and lodging in the nearby towns of Springdale and Rockville for more luxurious stays.

Native Americans lived in the region that is now Zion National Park as long as 7,000 years ago. By 1,100 AD, these tribes migrated out of the region. The first European American settlers, Mormon pioneers, arrived in the area in the late 1800s. This region was rarely visited until the early 20th century, when President Taft preserved approximately 16,000 acres as the “Mukuntuweap National Monument.” In 1918, Munkutuweap National Monument became Zion National Monument, and in 1919, this area was dedicated as we know it today: Zion National Park. It was the 15th national park to be officially established.