Zion is in our top three national parks in the USA. It is like nowhere else on earth and really does deserve a top spot on your US bucket list.

If you only have one day to see it, then we’re going to make sure you make the most of it. This incredible park centres around a deep red canyon with stunning views and is home to some of the best hikes in the whole of Utah.

Our one day Zion itinerary will make sure you don’t miss a single one of the highlights. We’re splitting the post in two, one for keen hikers and one for those more interested in the scenery and don’t want to take on any of the strenuous hikes.

How to visit Zion like a pro

Start early

Zion has a shuttle system which everyone has to use (unless it’s winter when the restrictions lessen), and it gets seriously busy! Getting a spot in the parking lot is near impossible after sunrise during peak season and even though they run every five minutes, the queues for the shuttle can get infuriatingly long.

We strongly recommend arriving before sunrise to start your trip if you can.

Try to avoid peak season

Peak season (school summer holidays) and to be honest summer in general, looks a lot like Disneyland, and it can make for a less magical experience. Try to avoid peak season if you can, and if you don’t mind the cold, then winter will reward you with a lot less people.

One day in Zion for a non-hiker

You can’t see much in Zion without doing any walking at all but fear not, because the trails we are recommending are easy, relatively short and flat.

Zion is all about the views and there are many spectacular ones that don’t require busting a gut to reach. Whilst there are fewer lookouts than in many US national parks, you won’t be going short on epic vistas. It’s also a joy simply to ride the shuttle and look up at the canyon walls towering above you.

1 - The Par’us Trail

The best way to start your day in Zion is by taking the Par’us Trail - a short walk along the river that starts from the visitor centre.

The whole trail is a mile and a half but you only need to walk for 5-10 minutes to experience the beauty of being surrounding by those huge red mountains.

You’ll be able to see the Watchman (a Zion icon) as well as the pretty Virgin River.

The trail is paved, so it’s accessible to all. If you want to walk the full mile and a half you can then take the shuttle onwards to your next destination, you don’t have to walk back.

Alternatively just walk a short way along the trail and then head back to pick up the shuttle from the visitor centre.

2 - Ride the shuttle through the canyon

Due to the crowds, Zion operates a shuttle system for most of the year. It’s a great way of seeing the park and also understanding more about Zion. We initially looked at the shuttle as a means of transit to the trailheads but actually ended up enjoying it in its own right.

The audio commentary tells you about the geology and history of the area as well as about Zion from a Native American perspective.

3 - Lower Emerald Pool

Another easy, but beautiful hike is the trail to Lower Emerald Pool. This short trail takes you to the foot of a waterfall and a pretty emerald pool.

We did this in the winter when the whole landscape was covered in snow and it was incredibly beautiful. The walk is almost entirely flat and it’s only 0.7 miles to get to the emerald pool at the end of the track.

Lower Emerald Pool - 1 day in Zion itinerary

4 - The Riverside track to the start of the Narrows

Continue on the shuttle from Emerald Pool to the very end of the route at the Temple of Sinawava. This not only allows you to see the entire Zion Canyon but also to take on another short and easy trail to the start of the famous Narrows hike. The narrow canyon walls tower over you and the scenery is incredibly dramatic.

This track starts where the road stops, and leads you further into the canyon. The walk is paved the whole way and, as the name suggests, follows the river until you can’t walk on land anymore!

The end of this trail is the start of the Narrows - a water hike through the canyon up the Virgin River. Even if you don’t anticipate doing this hike yourself, it’s fun to see people beginning their adventure. You can also go for a bit of a paddle in the water on even walk for a little way through it to get a feel for the experience. The start of the river is relatively calm and it’s a lot of fun to finish the paved trail and then go against all instincts and continue into the water.

If you head to the very end of the Riverside track the walk is 1.1 miles each way, but again you can turn back at any point if you don’t want to walk the whole way. It’s still worth coming out this far so that you’ve seen the entire canyon.

5 - Canyon Junction for sunset

This is probably the most famous place in all of Zion for sunset. It’s so revered by photographers that it can be hard to get a parking space (it’s just before the section of canyon where the mandatory shuttle service kicks in)!

When you get there it’s easy to see why, the view is iconic. The Virgin River and the Watchman behind it look incredibly dramatic. There’s no walking involved so it’s an easy win to round off an epic day in Zion.

Canyon junction for sunset - Zion in a day

…..Or the Canyon Overlook at sunset

If you are up for one more short walk then the best way to finish the day is at the Canyon Overlook. This 1.5 mile return walk is a slightly more tricky than the others on our itinerary due to a couple of narrow ledges, but most people will find it fine, and the reward at the end is more than worth it!

All the way along the trail, the views are spectacular, and then at the end you are greeted by one of the best lookouts in the entire park.

The view from Canyon Overlook is straight into the valley, and over the road with many photogenic switchbacks. If you time it right, you’ll arrive just as the sun is dipping below the surrounding mountains and the light is perfect.

In the winter, we saw a few deer on this trail which made the experience even more special. Note that this is an even better sunrise spot if you don’t mind arriving in Zion incredibly early.

One day in Zion for a hiker

The truth is that if you’re a hiker, you will be pushed to do all the best trails in one day, but if you’re pretty fit you can do two! There are so many incredible trails that one day in Zion really doesn’t do it justice, but if one day is all you can spare, then we’ve put together a great itinerary for you.

Buckle up, because this is a really full on day! It is best done in the summer because of the extra hours of day light, but it will still be a tiring day.

Unless you are really fit (ie this would be way too much for us and we love hiking!) then do two of the three hikes. We’ve included three as not everyone will be able to hike the Narrows depending on the season you visit in and the weather on the day.

1 - Sunrise at the Narrows

The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in the Southwest and is instantly recognisable - you will have seen it in so many photos. This epic trail goes through the river, deep into the narrow red canyon and is an unforgettable experience.

It is slow going as you are walking against the flow of the river until you turn back. However, you will find your jaw drop throughout the hike, especially as the canyon gets narrower and taller.

Given you’ve only got one day we’d advise going two miles through the river (that’s in addition to the mile that it takes to reach the river) until you reach the most dramatic and spectacular section known as Wall Street. This is the part where the hike goes from beautiful to absolutely mind blowing.

If you go to Wall Street you will have a six mile return hike, you might think that doesn’t sound too much but it is much slower going when you have to walk through water.

Make sure you check out our guide to the Narrows hike before you go.

Then you can venture onto another world-famous trail.

2 - Late afternoon at Angels Landing

The key to enjoying Angels Landing safely is avoiding the crowds (and avoiding the snow!), and the best time to do that is in the late afternoon. You want to avoid the midday and afternoon rush, as well as the rush at sunrise from people wanting to miss the midday rush! Few people go in the late afternoon.

This incredible trail isn’t too long, but you will want to allow 2 - 3 hours to do this 5.5 mile hike. The trail is beautiful from the very beginning and starts off heading gently uphill before you reach two series of switchbacks which are a bit steeper. There is a bit of flat walking in between to get your breath back.

Angels Landing in Zion - One day itinerary for Zion National Park

You’ll then arrive at Scout Lookout (which has wonderful views and is well worth doing even if you don’t want to take on the infamous chained section). If you’re game for the full trail, this is where the fun begins.

From now on it’s a narrow path up a steep spine with sheer drops either side. Almost the whole way you are aided by chains. The views are incredible and the trail is exhilarating all the way to the plateau at the top, which was seen to be so hard to get to that only angels could land there, hence the trail’s name.

If you have a strong fear of heights then we don’t recommend the last half mile of the trail. However, we do recommend going to Scout Lookout and then checking out the chains for yourself and seeing what you think. You can see all the details in our in-depth article about the Angels Landing hike.

It’s such an incredible trail and easily one of our favourites in Utah.

From here, head back to your car and then off to the East Mesa Trailhead if you still have the energy.

3 - Sunset at Observation Point

Sadly, the traditional trail to Observation Point is closed due to rockfall, however, with only a day in Zion the alternate route is the only real option you could take anyway, if you also want to hike one of the other famous trails. Most people have never heard of this alternative trail, so we were thrilled to find for the most part we were the only ones there!

The hike starts from the parking lot for the East Mesa Trailhead, heading gradually downhill until you reach Observation Point. The return hike is 7.15 miles in total.

Observation Point is one of the greatest views in the whole of Zion and you feel on top of the world when you get there. At sunset (or sunrise if you aren’t hiking the Narrows) the light is spectacular, you look down into the canyon and can even see over to Angels Landing! It’s a blissful place to be at the end of an adventurous day and it’s a true wow factor view. The trail itself is nothing special but it’s also fairly easy with little elevation gain.

For more details check out our detailed guide to the alternative Observation Point hike.

Essential information about Zion National Park

Getting to Zion National Park

Aside from Springdale (which is pretty small), the nearest town to Zion is Hurricane which is a 30 minute drive away. You can get a shuttle bus from Hurricane if you don’t want the hassle of trying to find a parking space.

Otherwise Zion is a 2.5 hour drive from Las Vegas.

Zion National Park Entrance Fee

You can use the America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass to get into Zion (US80 per annum), otherwise it will cost $35 for entry with a car for 7 days, $30 for a motorbike or $20 per person on foot or by bicycle.

As the National Parks Pass is $80 for the year, we felt it was worth it if you plan on visiting more than three national parks in a year.

Packing suggestions for Zion

Having the right gear can make a huge difference, whether it’s hiking during the hot summers, or the potential snow in the winter. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:

Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon, REI or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on REI or Amazon
Gloves for Angels Landing: Something that makes it a lot easier to grip those chains- Check on REI or Amazon
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check then out on REI or Amazon

For winter

Yak Trax: A game changer for hiking in the snow. Check them out on REI or Amazon
Icebreaker Base Layer: What we always wear in the winter and makes a huge difference for keeping warm. Check out on REI or Amazon

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