2 Days in Zion Itinerary

The best way to see the beautiful sites of Zion National Park

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From wading through The Narrows to hiking Angels Landing, Zion is a beautiful national park sure to thrill all visitors. Here’s the perfect way to spend 2 days in Zion! 

Things to know before you go 

Zion Information Guide

To prepare for your trip, make sure to review the Zion Information Guide. The guide contains details about the Zion Canyon shuttle, hiking trails, and emergency resources. It’s updated every season and can be accessed here. 

Entrance Fees

Visitors may purchase a weekly pass or annual pass to enter Zion. Weekly passes start at $20/person; more information can be found here. If you plan on visiting multiple national parks in a year, we recommend investing in an America the Beautiful annual pass. 

Parking and Transportation

Parking near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center fills up very quickly. In the summer months, the lot and street parking near the center are full even before the park opens. As you approach the park, look for signs indicating whether Visitor Center parking is full. If it is, there are numerous lots on the road leading up to Zion where you can pay to park. During parts of the year, there is a Springdale shuttle that transports visitors up from these lots to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Information about the Springdale shuttle can be found at this link. 

For most of the year, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible via the Zion Canyon shuttle bus. The shuttle bus takes visitors to the most popular attractions such as The Narrows and The Emerald Pools. Note that the provided shuttle only goes through Zion Canyon, which is only one section of Zion National Park. To access other areas of the park besides the Canyon, such as Checkerboard Mesa on the east side, you will need to drive there yourself. Current Zion Canyon shuttle schedules and stops can be found in the information guide here.

E-bikes can also be used to move throughout the park. There are plenty of shops outside the park that rent them to visitors. 

Lodging

The only option to stay inside Zion is at Zion Lodge, located in the middle of Zion Canyon. Information about accommodation types and nightly rates for the lodge can be found here. If you’re looking to stay in a city nearby, Springdale, Hurricane, and St. George are all great options. There are plenty of unique AirBNB choices as well, including staying in a shipping container or renting a yurt.  

Best Time to Visit 

Zion is open everyday of the year. The best times to visit the park are April through October, as this is when the shuttle buses run through Zion Canyon. Visiting in early spring and late fall are the best times to avoid crowds. 

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Day 1: The Narrows + Emerald Pools

The Narrows

Kick off your time at Zion with the most popular activity of all: wading through The Narrows! Hikers are able to walk through the Virgin River, surrounded by canyon walls that are over a thousand feet tall. There are two options for hiking The Narrows: the bottom-up hike from the Temple of Sinawava or the 16-mile through-hike from Chamberlain’s Ranch. The bottom-up hike is the most popular option and doesn’t require a permit. Hikers are able to go up to ten miles round-trip or turn around once they’ve gone as far as they like. The trail for the bottom-up hike can be accessed by taking the Zion Canyon shuttle to stop nine. It’s strongly recommended to wear hiking boots with sufficient ankle support. We also suggest bringing trekking poles and a waterproof bag for your phone. 

While The Narrows are fun, they can also be dangerous. Visitors should check the weather and flash flood potential before starting their hike. Make sure to bring a sufficient amount of water for each person as the river water is not safe to drink. Check out our Guide to Hiking The Narrows for more information.

Emerald Pools

Once you’re finished at The Narrows, hop back on the Zion Canyon shuttle and take it to stop five for the Emerald Pools. Here, you’ll find yourself in a desert oasis, surrounded by beautiful trees and numerous small waterfalls. There are three trail options: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Lower Pool and Middle Pool paths are both fairly easy hikes with wide trails. 

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Day 2: More Hiking + East Side of Zion

For your next day at Zion National Park, we recommend going on a hike of your choice then exploring the east side of the park. 

Hiking

There are multiple hiking options at Zion, so you can pick the one that best aligns with your athletic ability and schedule. The most famous (and most dangerous) hike in Zion is Angels Landing. This five-mile trail takes hikers through numerous switchbacks and up a narrow ridge with chains to hold on to. As of April 1, 2022, you must secure a permit from the lottery system in order to be able to hike Angels Landing. More information on the permit lottery can be found here. If you’re unable to get a permit for Angels Landing or would prefer a less extreme hike, we suggest Watchman Trail. The trail starts near the visitor center and takes about two hours to complete. Check out this link for more hiking options in Zion Canyon.

East Side of Zion 

If you have time left in Zion after your hike, head over to the east side of the park. First, drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel – be prepared to see some stunning views as you exit the tunnel! Next, head over to Checkerboard Mesa. This iconic sandstone formation features horizontal and vertical fissures, giving it the checkerboard look. If you’re looking for a great hike on this side of the park, check out the Canyon Overlook Trail.  

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Recommended Restaurants in St. George

If you’re staying in St. George while visiting Zion, these are the best restaurants to check out!

Ernesto’s Mexican Restaurant 

Craving some chips and salsa after a long day of hiking? Head on over to Ernesto’s Mexican Restaurant in St. George. We recommend getting the chilaquiles!

George’s Corner Restaurant 

George’s Corner Restaurant is a staple institution in St. George. The restaurant stands in the same location as the former Big Hand Cafe, a must-stop for all tourists traveling through St. George in the 1930s and 1940s. The cafe even had its own Greyhound bus stop! You can’t go wrong with any of the burgers on the menu, and make sure to get some fry sauce with your meal!

Nielsen’s Frozen Custard 

Founded in 1981, Nielsen’s serves up “Utah’s Original Frozen Custard.” From classic flavors like strawberry to funky ones like pineapple cashew, they have a dessert choice for everyone. Check out the menu for the St. George location here. 

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Check out our TikTok to see what our trip was like!

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Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.

Visited June 2022 | Posted December 2022