Five Different Ways You Can Spend One Day In Zion National Park

Are you short on time in southern Utah but feel like you just have to see what all the fuss is about at Zion? We hear you, it’s an amazing place. We’ve spent 6 full days exploring the park ourselves, but there’s a bunch of great ways you can plan a superb one day Zion itinerary. The major factor determining exactly how you’ll spend your limited time is hiking. Do you want to hike? And if so, which trails?

In this guide we show you five different Zion National Park day trip itineraries for hikers and non-hikers, based on our experiences.

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Our Experience

Our first visit to Zion was for 3 days in October 2019. It was jam-packed, but the weather was perfect for hiking so we took on big hitters Angels Landing and The Narrows, along with other smaller trails like Canyon Overlook, Emerald Pools and The Watchman. Basically, everything inside the main canyon.

Then we took a second trip to Zion for another 3 days in December 2021. It was cold, but the whole place was so much quieter. This time we spent one day exploring each of the park’s three main regions. We hiked Angels Landing for sunrise, The Subway in Kolob Terrace and three trails in Kolob Canyons. So, we know the park very well! Read more about us.

Zion’s Regions

Before we get into the itinerary ideas, it’s important to know a little bit about how the park is set up so you can follow the itineraries more easily. Zion has three main regions:

Main Canyon

Zion’s main canyon is where the majority of tourists spend their whole trip. It’s home to the most iconic trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows, along with the most dramatic scenery. Springdale is on the doorstep and a park shuttle bus runs into the canyon 9 months a year. The main road connecting Las Vegas on one side and Bryce Canyon on the other runs close to the main canyon.

Kolob Terrace

Kolob Terrace is the least visited and quietest area of the park. There’s a few backcountry trails and campgrounds, but the only reason you’d venture this way with just one day is if you want to hike The Subway bottom-up from Left Fork Trailhead. It’s a superb hike, but it would take up your whole day if you did it.

Kolob Canyons

Kolob Canyons is another quiet part of the park located around 40 miles from the main canyon. It’s home to 4 hikes varying in difficulty from easy to hard, and it has a 5-mile road that ends at an elevated overlook with awesome views. It’s a great place to escape the crowds, but again it would take up a good portion of your day.

Tip: No matter which region you visit, you’ll pay $35/vehicle to enter the park (even for just one day). Or you can use an America the Beautiful Pass for free entry.

One Day Itinerary Ideas

Okay, let’s dive right into our five different Zion day trip itinerary ideas. We know some visitors won’t want to do any hiking at all, whereas others will want to take on the most adventurous trails. And that’s why we have five itineraries.

Remember, you can do more than one of the days if you stay longer, which could tie in well if you’re doing a combined Zion and Bryce Canyon trip over three or four days. Let’s begin!

1. Sightseeing (No Hiking)

Let’s begin with an easy going itinerary aimed primarily at non-hikers. Yes, you can visit Zion without hiking!

Morning

• 8:00am: Jump straight on a shuttle bus at the visitor center and get off at stop #6 – The Grotto.
• 9:00am: Eat breakfast on a picnic table surrounded by enormous canyon walls and colorful leaves. Look out for birds, deer and hikers starting or ending the Angels Landing hike. You’ll be able to tell the difference by the look on their faces!
• 10:00am: Either walk half a mile on a flat path to Zion Lodge or take the shuttle one stop back to #5 – Zion Lodge.
• 10:30am: Walk around the historic lodge and grab a coffee on the balcony terrace area for a different view of the West Rim cliffs.
• 11:00am: Walk along the Virgin River at the beginning of Emerald Pools Trail. Maybe even go as far as Lower Emerald Pool, which is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
• 12:00pm – Take a shuttle back to the visitor center in Springdale.

Afternoon

• 12:30pm – Grab lunch and a beer in Springdale (we’ll cover restaurant options later).
• 1:30pm – Jump in your car, drive over to Kolob Canyons and go all the way to the end of the road.
• 2:30pm – Walk the very short and easy Timber Creek Trail for spectacular views over Kolob Canyons.
• 3:30pm – Drive back to the main canyon but go past Springdale and up through Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel.
• 5:00pm – Arrive at a small parking area for Checkerboard Mesa and take photos of unusual checkered patterns on sandstone hills.
• 5:30pm – Turn around and go back through the tunnel but park on a sharp U-bend right in time to watch sunset in the canyon.
• 6:30pm – Grab dinner and drinks back in Springdale.

Tip: If you plan to drive onward to Bryce Canyon at the end of your day, just continue heading east after Checkerboard Mesa.

2. Light Hiking

Next, let’s combine some light to moderate hiking with sightseeing in the main canyon. This is a great way to spend one day in Zion if you want a nice balance between trails and scenery.

Morning

• 7:00am: Hike The Watchman Trail for sunrise, which starts behind the main visitor center in Springdale.
• 9:30am: Grab a hearty breakfast in Springdale.
• 10:30am: Walk along Pa’rus Trail to shuttle stop # 3 – Canyon Junction, then take another shuttle to stop #5.
• 12:00pm: From Zion Lodge you can hike Emerald Pools Trail to lower, middle and upper pools.

Afternoon

• 1:30pm: Continue hiking along Kayenta Trail until you reach the trail for Scout Lookout and Angels Landing.
• 2:00pm: If you feel up to the steep climb, go to Scout Lookout and see what all the fuss is about with Angels Landing.
• 2:00pm*: Alternatively, take a shuttle to the last stop # 9 – Temple of Sinawava, then stroll along Riverside Walk so you can see the start of The Narrows.
• 4:00pm: Shuttle back to the visitor center and hop in your car.
• 5:00pm: Drive up Zion-Mt Carmel highway and pass through the tunnel. Turn right as you leave the tunnel and park in a small lot.
• 5:30pm: Hike to Zion Canyon Overlook in time for a special sunset. Stay for stars if you’re into astrophotography but don’t forget your headlamp.
• 7:00pm: Drive back to Springdale for dinner or drive on to Bryce Canyon National Park.

3. Adventure Hiking

Now we’re getting into the real fun. Adventure hiking is one of the park’s biggest draws and we can tell you after hiking Angels Landing, The Narrows and The Subway that it really lives up to its reputation. Here’s our guide to the top hikes in Zion to learn more. But the issue with having just one day in Zion is deciding how to spend your time. We have three recommendations:

The Narrows Bottom Up

You can hike The Narrows top down or bottom up. Top down requires a permit, canyoneering skills like repelling and spending a night in the canyon. So the overwhelming majority of people day hike from the bottom up. And you only have one day so it’s the only version you can do anyway. Here’s our full guide to day hiking The Narrows bottom up to learn more.

The beauty of hiking The Narrows is that you can go as far as you feel comfortable, then turn around and go back on yourself. But if you want to “complete” The Narrows, you have to hike all the way to Big Springs (three small waterfalls). It took us the best part of 8 hours total to hike the whole thing, so you’d lose most of your day if you went for it.

With that said, it’s probably the most unique hike we’ve done in the US (and we do this for a living). Personally, we’d choose this over the other two major trails if we only had one day in the park. We recommend hiring the dry pants package at Zion Outfitter, especially if you visit outside of summer. And our top tip is to carry a sturdy wooden pole, trust us, you won’t get far without one.

Angels Landing and The Narrows

What if you absolutely must hike Angels Landing but you also want to see The Narrows? Can you do both in the same day? Technically, yes you can. But you likely won’t be able to make it all the way to Big Springs in The Narrows. If you’re happy to only do half the river slot canyon, this is the best way to spend your day because you’ll be doing the two most iconic trails.

Important: Angels Landing requires a timed entry permit. You can apply for pre-9:00am, 9:00am-12:00pm or post-12:00pm. We strongly recommend applying for the early time slot and hiking Angels Landing as soon as daylight breaks. Then you have the rest of the day to get into The Narrows. You could also do this in reverse.

The only issue with doing both in the same day is waterproof gear for The Narrows. You’ll likely have to shuttle into the canyon, hike Angels Landing, shuttle back to the visitor center, pick up the waterproofs, shuttle to The Narrows and return at the end of the day to drop them off.

The Subway Bottom Up

Or you could avoid both The Narrows and Angels Landing entirely, and instead hike The Subway. We loved hiking this one because we had to forge our own path alongside a creek until reaching what has to be one of the most amazing endings to any hike in the US. And there’s only 80 permits handed out each day, so it had a true lost-world feel.

Similarly to The Narrows, you can hike The Subway either top down or bottom up. Both require a permit, but only the top down version requires you to rappel through narrow canyons and spend a night in the wilderness.

It took us around 7 hours total to hike the whole thing at a reasonable pace with snack breaks and a lot of photo stops! Here’s our full guide to day hiking The Subway bottom up to learn more.

Tip: If you’re quick, you could also fit in Canyon Overlook for sunset after The Subway.

4. Avoid The Crowds

What if your top priority is to steer clear of the obvious overcrowding issue inside the main canyon? Well, we think you should head to Kolob Canyons. This region has scenery and hiking trails in abundance with a fraction of the crowds. Here’s our guide to the hikes in Kolob Canyons to learn more.

Morning

• 8:00am: Drive to Kolob Canyons and check out the visitor center to make sure all trails are open.
• 8:30am: Park at the first lot on Kolob Canyon Rd and hike the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek.
• 9:45am: You’ll pass by two historic log cabins before reaching Double Arch Alcove, which is an awesome concave rock formation.
• 11:00am: Back in the car, park in the next lot which doesn’t have any signs or obvious trails.
• 11:15am: Cross the road on the U-bend and you’ll find a trail leading away, this is South Fork of Middle Creek and it’s a bit of hidden gem. We clocked 4 miles roundtrip after hiking it as far as Namaste Wall.

Afternoon

• 1:45pm: Drive to the next parking area at Lee Pass which is the trailhead for La Verkin Creek Trail. (This is a challenging 14-mile roundtrip hike which you’d spend the whole day doing rather than starting it in the afternoon.)
• 2:00pm: After checking out the trail, get back in your car and finish driving to the end of Kolob Canyon Rd.
• 2:15pm: Hike the very short and easy trail to Timber Creek Overlook, one of our favorite viewpoints in Zion.
• 3:30pm: Drive back to Springdale in time to hike The Watchman or Zion Canyon Overlook for sunset, or continue onto your next destination.

Tip: There are no places you can eat or buy food in the Kolob Canyons region, so take your own packed lunches, snacks and water.

5. Capture Landscapes

A visit to Zion is mostly about hiking, but it’s also incredibly photogenic so you could plan your day around taking photos of red rock landscapes from sunrise to sunset instead.

Morning

• 7:00am: Get an early start and head over to Zion Canyon Overlook to shoot an amazing sunrise. You can see Pine Creek Canyon illuminate as the sun rises behind you.
• 9:00am: Just a short distance further east you can snap photos of Checkerboard Mesa and Many Pools.
• 10:30am: Head back down into the main canyon and walk the Pa’rus Trail in-between awesome canyon walls next to the Virgin River.
• 12:00pm: Shuttle to stop #5 – Zion Lodge, then hike to Lower Emerald Pools for waterfall photography. You might need a tripod and ND filter for a classic smooth water effect in broad daylight.

Afternoon

• 1:00pm: Continue to Upper Emerald Pool for a second waterfall and a cool shot of towering sandstone walls converging above.
• 2:00pm: Hike Kayenta Trail to The Grotto to shoot a stunning part of the Virgin River, The Great White Throne and the trail to Angels Landing.
• 3:00pm: Consider hiking to Scout Landing for awesome down canyon views. If you get a post-12:00pm permit, hike some of Angels Landing with your camera but put it away for the narrow chain section near the top.
• 5:00pm: Shuttle back but not all the way to the visitor center. Get off at Canyon Junction, cross the road and stand on the bridge looking back over Pa’rus Trail. This is one of our favorite sunset photo spots in the park.
• 5:00pm*: Alternatively, hike up to The Watchman for sunset instead.

Where To Stay

Even if you only have one day in Zion, you might need a place to stay the night before or after your trip. And you’re in luck because there’s a bunch of excellent options. We’ve stayed at hotels in Springdale, Virgin, La Verkin, Hurricane and Zion Lodge, as well as tent camped at Watchman Campground. So, we’ve got a good idea about which places work best!

Read our guide on where to stay in Zion to learn more about the benefits to each area. Or read our guide on the top hotels in Springdale UT on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere if you already know you want to stay there.

Here’s a summarized version if you’re short on time:

Zion Lodge

Zion Lodge is the only official park run lodging option, but we left unimpressed. From experience, we have to say it was overpriced and overrated. We stayed in a semi-detached cabin but you can also book a traditional hotel room. Breakfast was included but we had to pay extra for coffee. Really, extra for coffee?

There’s a gift shop and two restaurants on site, both of which have poor Google Review scores. Let’s just say the food options in Springdale are far more expansive and affordable. We don’t want to put you off because it’s a good experience, but manage your expectations. Book a room in Zion Lodge.

Hotels In Springdale

Springdale offers a wide range of quality hotel options, restaurants and amenities within walking distance of the visitor center and shuttle bus. You won’t have to worry about parking at the visitor center because you can leave your car at the hotel and either walk or take a free village shuttle.

The only downside is cost, especially in peak months between April-October. We get it though, prices are inflated because of the convenience factor. When we visited Zion in December, our hotel was very affordable so consider visiting out of season to save.

Here are some of the top rated hotel in Springdale:

• Red Rock Inn Cottages
• Cable Mountain Lodge
• Marriott SpringHill Suites
• Best Western Plus
• Holiday Inn Express
• Hampton Inn & Suites

Alternatives

Virgin, La Verkin and Hurricane offer more affordable hotels because you lose the convenience factor. If you can’t find availability or you’re priced out of a room in Springdale, check out these hotels:

• Marriott Fairfield Virgin
• La Quinta La Verkin
• Sleep Inn & Suites Hurricane
• Zion Ponderosa Ranch
• Abbey Inn Cedar City

And finally, if you’d prefer to tent or RV camp, you can stay at either South Campground or Watchman Campground. You’ll need to be quick because campsites fill up as soon as the dates are released online. We spent a very cold night in our tent at Watchman in October, but it was a cool experience.

Where To Eat

One of the benefits to staying in Springdale (and paying more for it!) is a great selection of places to eat out. Even if you don’t stay over, you’ll still need to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner near the park.

Here are some of the top rated places you can check out for coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner in Springdale:

• Deep Creek Coffee Company – Coffee, healthy breakfast and lunch options.
• FeelLove Coffee – Artisan espresso and coffee, light breakfast options.
• Camp Outpost – Breakfast, lunch and dinner rotisserie style with craft beers.
• Oscar’s Cafe – Tex-mex, burgers and sandwiches served all day.
• Spotted Dog Cafe – Popular and highly rated casual bistro serving meat and fish.
• King’s Landing – Upscale bistro with excellent food and atmosphere.

We’ve eaten at all of these places and more. They’re not overpriced, tacky or tourist traps. Instead, we think Springdale has a chilled, laid back and outdoorsy vibe which is even better in the evening.

The Morgan Conclusion

There are plenty of ways you can plan a fantastic one day Zion itinerary, but ultimately the exact route you take will depend on how much you want to hike and which trails you want to take on. If it’s your first time in the park, you might want to spread yourself thin and just get a taste of what’s on offer, or you might want to spend your whole day hiking The Subway. Everyone will do it differently.

With the knowledge we have now, what would we do if we could only spend a day in the park and it was our first visit all over again? We’d probably hike The Narrows to Big Springs because it’s one of our favorite hikes, then try to do Canyon Overlook for sunset. Angels Landing is cool (we’ve done it twice), but it’s also terrifying!

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We hope our one day itinerary ideas for Zion help with planning your visit to southern Utah!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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