What is Zion best known for?

Geology: Zion is famous for its spectacular rock formations, including towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and unique rock formations such as the iconic “Checkerboard Mesa.” Wildlife: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and more.



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The Virgin River cuts through the sandstone on her journey home, taking with her rocks and pebbles, widening and reshaping the canyons that define Zion. The intensity of the colors—the vivid ruby of the rocks, the clear sapphire of the sky, the emerald of the grass—make Zion National Park a treasure of the West.

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What is the best time of year to visit Zion National Park?
  • The park can get as cold as -20°F. ...
  • It's home to 79 different mammals. ...
  • You'll find one of the largest freestanding natural arches in the world. ...
  • It has one of the world's most dangerous views. ...
  • Zion National Park has a subway. ...
  • 4.3 million people visit a year.


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Zion NP is a park in the desert of Utah that boasts a variety of plants and animals as well as archaeological sites. Many visitors to the park engage in hiking, climbing, and camping within the park.

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Ideally, you need at least two to three days to visit Zion National Park. This gives you enough time to hike the longer, more popular trails, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows, and you can also add in a few of the shorter, easier trails, such as the Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook.

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It's only logical that that Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday will be busier than other days. Especially during peak travel seasons of spring and summer. To help avoid crowds in Zion National Park visit mid-week. You're more likely to find convenient parking spaces and encounter less people on the hiking trails.

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Typically, when you're not much of a hiker or have young children in tow, Zion can be done in a 1- or 2-day trip. Give yourself enough time to catch a few shuttle rides and sightsee. You may even want to set aside a day to do a scenic drive in your personal vehicle around the park.

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Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah is famous for the largest collection of hoodoos—the distinctive rock formations at Bryce—in the world. Bryce Canyon is also home to horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, scenic vistas, and the dark night sky.

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As with most national parks, Zion's busiest season is when the kids are off school and most people take their vacations. That means weekends much of the year and the most crowded time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Despite the hot temperatures — and 100-degree days are common — summer draws the biggest crowds.

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The Worst Times to Visit Zion National Park Some might like the solitude and isolated feel of the park during the quietest months, but traveling to Zion in the winter can be a challenge. Think temperatures below freezing at night, roads occasionally covered in snow, and limited park access.

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In many national parks, staying inside the park is important. At Zion, staying outside the park might actually be a little better. Don't worry too much. This is one of those happy situations where both choices are very good.

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Two Zion activities that we'll include as honorable mentions are the Kolob Canyons scenic drive which is about 40 miles north of the main canyon as well as Zion National Park helicopter tours. Both Zion activities are amazing and don't require any hiking at all!

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If you have done some research, you probably already know that Springdale, UT is by far the best town to stay for visiting Zion. Located right at the southern entrance of Zion National Park, Springdale offers a good choice of lodging options, restaurants, shops, and other facilities.

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Absolutely! While Angels Landing is a popular and iconic hike at Zion National Park, there are still plenty of other amazing sights to see in the park. We rarely hike Angels Landing when we visit, and yet we visit every year.

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Can I drive my private vehicle into Zion Canyon? A. From March through late November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by shuttle bus only. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the Shuttle System is not in operation.

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