How to Spend 2 Days in Zion National Park: Zion National Park 2-Day Itinerary
Zion National Park is among the most visited national parks in the US, for good reasons! It is a stunning national park with scenic views everywhere you look. And it has something for everyone, including epic hikes, beautiful viewpoints, and waterfalls. Although you could spend a week in Zion, you can experience a lot of it within 2 days. This guide has everything you need to know about spending 2 days in Zion National Park!
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Tips for Spending 2 Days in Zion National Park
Start your day early. Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the US, so it experiences heavy crowds throughout the year. But do not let that stop you from experiencing its beauty! I recommend arriving at the park as early as you can. I found that arriving before 8 AM worked well to find a parking spot in the shuttle lot!
Start or end your day with hiking. If you want to hike some of the iconic trails in Zion National Park, I highly recommend hiking those trails as soon as you get into the park or later in the afternoon. The popular trails are always crowded and typically see the most hikers midday.
Pack food and water. Because getting a parking spot in the shuttle lot can be difficult, especially during midday, you may not want to leave the park to get food. I recommend packing your meals, snacks, and water. There are restrooms throughout Zion National Park with water fountains, so you can fill up your water bottle as you travel through the park.
Give yourself plenty of time for hiking. If you plan on hiking in the park, I highly recommend allocating more time for the hike than you think you will need.
Use the Zion National Park shuttle. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private cars from March through November. The Zion National Park shuttle service takes you to every attraction on that road! The shuttle lot fills up very quickly, so I recommend arriving earlier than 8 AM. I know it is early, but trust me, it is worth it.
Use Springdale’s shuttle service if the shuttle lot is full. Springdale is the town right outside of Zion National Park and offers a shuttle service around the area. It can bring you to Zion Canyon Village, which is only a short walk from the park entrance, where you can get on the Zion National Park shuttle.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
When to Spend 2 Days in Zion National Park
Spring
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Zion National Park because the weather is beautiful, and the facilities and trails begin to open. Early spring also tends to be a quieter time in the park, and you can experience many must-see attractions without large crowds.
Summer
Summer is one of the most popular times to visit Zion National Park because the weather is warm and beautiful! All trails and facilities are open in the summer, so you are not short on things to do. But summer brings high crowds, and the park will be busy. Trails and parking lots fill up quickly, so I recommend starting your days early with the most popular attractions.
Fall
Fall is a beautiful time to visit because fall weather is perfect for exploring! There are also fewer crowds in late fall, making it is a great time to visit with fewer people!
Winter
Winter, in my opinion, is an underrated time to visit Zion National Park. There are fewer crowds in the winter, and you do not have to worry about sharing the must-see attractions with many people. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is also open to private cars from December to February, so you do not have to use a shuttle service.
Closest Airport to Zion National Park
Zion National Park is located in the southwest corner of Utah on the border of Arizona and Nevada. The closest airport to Zion National Park is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. From the airport, it is pretty much a straight shot following along I-15N for just under three hours to Zion National Park. The second closest airport is the Salt Lake City International Airport, but it is a five-hour drive to Zion National Park.
I highly recommend renting a car for the drive to Zion National Park because there is so much to see on the drive from Las Vegas, including Valley of Fire State Park, but there is also a bus that will go between Las Vegas and Zion. Since Springdale has a great shuttle system that connects with Zion National Park’s shuttle, it is possible to not rent a car for your trip to Zion!
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
Springdale is the closest town to Zion National Park and has everything you need, including hotels, restaurants, cute shops, and a grocery store. There are also plenty of other towns a bit further out that may have less expensive accommodations.
If you have or can rent camping gear or a campervan, I highly recommend it because there are campgrounds close to Zion National Park. If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans!
Best Hotels:
Best Campgrounds:
What to Pack for Zion National Park
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Day 1 Itinerary: 2 Days in Zion National Park
This epic Zion National Park 2-day itinerary has many must-see attractions and hikes, so get ready for an incredible trip! These 2 days in Zion National Park can be swapped, depending on weather conditions and what you want to experience first.
The Narrows
The Narrows is one of the most popular trails in Zion National Park, so I recommend hiking it first thing in the morning to avoid most crowds. You start on the Riverside Walk, an easy 2-mile roundtrip trail. If you are not looking to get your feet wet, you can end the hike right before the Virgin River. But if you are down to get wet and enjoy a beautiful hike, the trail goes into the Virgin River and enters the Narrows.
If you are only looking to get a short experience of the Narrows, I recommend hiking 1-3 miles. If you want to spend more time in the Narrows, you can hike up to 10 miles round trip! No matter how long you choose to hike the Narrows, you will be in awe of the beautiful scenery.
Things to know:
Remember to bring a change of shoes! Your feet will be in the water for the entire hike, so I recommend having a change of shoes.
The Narrows are prone to flash flooding, so you should check the weather before hiking it.
The river is also prone to cyanobacteria, so you should not submerge your head, swim, or drink the river water.
Emerald Pools
Did you know Zion National Park has waterfalls? Emerald Pools is a beautiful 3-mile roundtrip hike that brings you past small but beautiful waterfalls. The trailhead is across from the Zion Lodge and follows an easy and flat trail to the Lower Emerald Pools. Lower Emerald Pools has a small waterfall cascading off of the rock that you can walk underneath! You can either end the hike here or continue to hike to Middle and Upper Emerald Pools.
The trail to Middle Emerald Pools is steeper and brings you to the top of the cliff you were just under, offering beautiful views of the area. The final section continues to Upper Emerald Pool, which has little to no shade and gets quite hot in the summer months. The Upper Emerald Pool is at the base of large cliffs and is worth every step for the beautiful view! Once you experience all of the Emerald Pools, you can hike back the way you came or continue the loop on Kayenta Trail and Grotto Trail back to Zion Lodge.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is where the Narrows and Emerald Pools are on. Between March and November, the road is closed to private cars, and you have to ride the shuttle to get to the must-see sights. There are many viewpoints that I highly recommend stopping at, including the Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint and Big Bend Viewpoint. The views from the bus are stunning, but they are even better from the viewpoint areas!
Mt Carmel Highway Scenic Drive
Mt Carmel Highway is a stunning 10-mile road between the Zion National Park entrance and the Mt Carmel Tunnel. The scenic drive winds through the canyon up switchbacks while providing incredible views. This scenic drive is a relaxing part of your 2 days in Zion National Park because you can enjoy the sweeping views from your car. Although, I recommend stopping at the pull-off areas if there is parking! The Mt Carmel Highway brings you through a tunnel where there are many great things to do on the other side.
Checkerboard Mesa
One of the best things to do on the other side of the Mt Carmel Tunnel is Checkerboard Mesa. Checkerboard Mesa has multiple sandstone hills with grid-like cracks, making it look like a checkerboard. You can enjoy a scenic drive in the area or stop at many pull-off spots to get an up-close look at these beautiful sandstone hills.
If you want an adventure and have time, there are many trails near here to enjoy. Many of the trails are strenuous and hard to follow, so make sure you are prepared before beginning your hike!
Canyon Overlook
Are you ready to end your day with a beautiful sunset hike?! Canyon Overlook has one of the best views in the park and only requires an easy 1-mile roundtrip hike! Experiencing this view at any point in the day will take your breath away!
The trail begins right before the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel near the east entrance of Zion National Park and only has a small parking lot that is difficult to access when there is traffic going through the tunnel. The trail immediately ascends a short rock staircase before flattening out along the canyon ridge and leading to a beautiful view overlooking Zion National Park!
Day 2 Itinerary: 2 Days in Zion National Park
Are you ready to start day 2 in Zion National Park with an iconic hike?! You can begin your day hiking either hiking Angels Landing or Observation Point. Or if you want to spend your entire day hiking, you can hike both, although you will not have time to do much else!
Angels Landing
Because Angels Landing is one of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park, the park is piloting a lottery permit system to decrease the congestion on the trail. You can apply for a permit before your trip during certain windows of days or the day before. If you secured a permit, you will have a specific date and time to begin the hike. You can move this hike around in your itinerary to fit the start time on your permit.
Angels Landing is the most iconic and popular hike in Zion National Park, so the trail is almost always crowded. The 5.5-mile roundtrip hike offers gorgeous views of the park but is not for those who do not do well with heights. Sections of the trail to Angels Landing have vertical drop-offs on either side, so the hike is not for the faint of heart.
The hike to Angels Landing begins on the West Rim Trail at the Grotto shuttle stop. The trail follows a paved path that climbs steeply before climbing 21 switchbacks known as Walter's Wiggles. It then arrives at Scout Lookout, which offers stunning views and is the beginning of the climb along the spine of Angels Landing. There are chains along the trail to help you, but it is crucial to be cautious during this section. Once you conquer hiking along the spine, you will officially arrive at Angels Landing and get rewarded with incredible views.
Things to know:
Most of the trail has little to no shade, so you should wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water.
If you do not want to hike the entire trail, you stop and enjoy the views from Scout Lookout.
Hiking Angels Landing when it is wet is very dangerous. I recommend avoiding this hike if it has recently rained.
Observation Point
If you are not a fan of adrenaline-pumping hikes, like Angels Landing, you can enjoy stunning views from Observation Point instead! Observation Point is arguably the most beautiful hike in Zion National Park and will leave you speechless with its epic views. The traditional trail is closed because of a rockfall and is likely not to open for a few years, so the only way to access Observation Point is via East Mesa Trail.
The 7-mile East Mesa Trail requires a 4wd or all-wheel drive vehicle to get to the trailhead. If you do not have one, you can park on the road before it gets rocky and walk to the trailhead. The trail is relatively easy and only gains about 650 feet of elevation. You will end your incredible day in Zion National Park watching the sunset on Observation Point!
Things to know:
The East Mesa Trailhead is off dirt roads prone to washing out. A 4wd or all-wheel drive vehicle is the best way to access the trailhead safely.
Kolob Canyons
Kolob Canyon is tucked in the northwest corner of Zion National Park and is the least known part. After braving the crowds in every other section of Zion National Park, this is a nice getaway.
Kolob Canyon is located about 45 minutes from Springdale and is an easy drive if you are looking for some peace. The 5-mile drive into the canyon is beautiful and offers many viewpoints and trailheads. At the top of the road, there is a small but fun 1-mile hike to Timber Creek Overlook, offering views of Mount Trumbull, Shuntavi Butte, and the finger canyons.
If you are looking for a longer hike, fear not, my friends! Kolob Canyon has some of the best backpacking adventures with uncrowded trails. You can find just about anything you want, from easy day hikes to strenuous multi-day hikes. It is also a great place for canyoneering! There are many slot canyons that canyoneers LOVE. However, some of the canyoneering hikes require permits, so like I always do, I recommend doing research and planning ahead!
Pa’rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trail is the most accessible trail in Zion National park and has beautiful views of the Watchman. The 3.3-mile roundtrip trail links the Visitor Center to Canyon Junction Bridge, so if you want to hike from the parking lot to Canyon Junction or vice versa, you can easily do that. Or if you are looking for an easy stroll through a beautiful area, you can hike a short section of the Pa’rus Trail! If you decide to hike the trail one way, you can take the shuttle back to either end.
Things to know:
Please obey the do not hike here signs along the trail. There is fragile vegetation that can take years to repair if stepped on.
The Pa'rus Trail is the only trail in Zion National Park that allows pets and bikes.
Canyon Junction Bridge
Are you ready to end your incredible day watching the sunset in one of the most picturesque places in Zion National Park? Canyon Junction Bridge is the most popular spot to watch the sunset in the park. I recommend arriving here at least an hour before to get a spot on the bridge because it gets very crowded. Photographers will line up on the bridge looking to capture the classic photo of the Watchman. Even if you are not into photography, it is beautiful to watch the sunset on Canyon Junction Bridge!
Summary of the Best Itinerary for 2 Days in Zion National Park
Day 1 Itinerary in Zion National Park
The Narrows
Emerald Pools
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Mt Carmel Highway Scenic Drive
Keyhole Canyon
Canyon Overlook
Day 2 Itinerary in Zion National Park
Angels Landing
OR Observation Point
Kolob Canyons
Pa’rus Trail
Canyon Junction Bridge
This guide is the perfect place to start if you want to plan an epic Zion National Park 2-day itinerary. If you have more days to spend in Southern Utah, you can consider spending 3 days in Bryce Canyon and Zion! If you are looking for a road trip to all of the national parks in Utah, you can create an itinerary using the 7-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary. If you only have a few days, this guide has everything you need to know to spend the perfect 2 days in Zion National Park!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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