Experience Zion: A Curated 7-Day Travel Guide

If you’re driving from Las Vegas or Arizona, expect about a two-hour drive from Las Vegas. I recommend keeping things simple—check into your resort, relax a bit, and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring downtown Springdale. Once you enter Springdale (the main gateway town just outside Zion National Park’s South Entrance), you’ll notice it’s a very small, walkable town. Trust me...you’re going to want to explore it. There are so many adorable coffee shops, local boutiques, and little hidden gems. If you’re anything like me, you’ll also want to stock up on a few essentials before heading into the park. After checking in and wandering around town, make a stop at Sol Foods Supermarket. This quickly became our go-to spot whenever we needed to restock on water, snacks, drinks (yes, booze too), and they even have some really cute souvenirs.

For dinner, you have to try Whiptail Grill. Hands down some of the best Mexican food in Springdale, with a fantastic curated cocktail menu. I highly recommend ordering one of their Moscow Mules on a hot summer day—it’s the perfect way to cool off after your drive. YoYou’llu'll probably leave dinner pretty full, so take the easy walk back to your resort and settle in for the evening. The desert sun and heat have a way of catching up to you, and you’ll want to be well rested for your first full day exploring Zion.

One of my favorite days of the trip was renting e-bikes and riding all the way up Zion Canyon. Springdale has plenty of e-bike rental shops, and they’re all fairly and competitively priced. You’re not required to wear a helmet while riding, but you do have to leave the rental shop with one, and it must stay with your bike. There was a little bit of construction when we visited, so be sure to pay attention to the signs and follow the correct route. Thank goodness for e-bikes because the ride is long and there are definitely some hills! You can ride all the way to the end of the canyon—to Stop #9, the Temple of Sinawava. From the Visitor Center to Stop #9 takes about 45 minutes, but I definitely recommend making a stop at Stop #5, Zion Lodge, for a nice cold beer. Trust me...it tastes even better after the ride. Don’t rush the journey. There are countless places to pull over for breathtaking photos, and the scenery just keeps getting better the farther you go.

My biggest tip: Keep an eye out for the shuttle buses coming up behind you. Every bike comes with a rearview mirror—use it! It’s mandatory for cyclists to pull over and let the shuttle buses pass, and they really do enforce this rule. After riding back down the canyon, return your bikes and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in your resort’s pool or jacuzzi. Almost every resort in Springdale has one, and we made it part of our nightly routine. After a full day in the Zion sun, it was the perfect way to unwind.

This was one of the absolute highlights of our trip and something I recommend to everyone. Don’t skip it! It’s also one of Zion’s most popular attractions, so my biggest piece of advice is to go early. Take the shuttle from the Visitor Center all the way to Stop #9, Temple of Sinawava, where you’ll begin the hike. There are a couple of ways to experience The Narrows. The most popular is the Bottom-Up Day Hike, where you hike as far as you’d like before turning around. Most people hike anywhere from a few miles to the full 10 miles round trip, which can take anywhere from 4–8 hours. There’s also the Top-Down Route, a challenging 16-mile trek that requires a wilderness permit.

My biggest tip? Wear proper hiking shoes. You’ll be walking through the Virgin River almost the entire time. The rocks under the water are slippery, uneven, and sometimes sharp, so good footwear makes all the difference. And yes...the water is cold. Really cold—especially if you start early in the morning. But I promise, you get used to it, and it’s 100% worth it. I also highly recommend bringing a waterproof backpack. As the day warms up, you’ll probably want to peel off a few layers, and it’s nice to have a dry place to store them. Since it’s a long hike, bring plenty of water (a hydration backpack is perfect) along with some snacks to keep your energy up. The Narrows gets busy, especially later in the morning, so don’t feel like you have to rush. Take your time, soak in the incredible scenery, and enjoy every step. It’s truly one of the most unforgettable hikes I’ve ever done.

Another absolute must-do is driving the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway (Utah State Route 9). This scenic 25-mile drive winds through breathtaking switchbacks, passes the famous Great Arch, and takes you through the historic 1.1-mile Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Just before the winding climb begins, you’ll drive beneath the iconic Canyon Junction Bridge—one of the most photographed spots in Zion. For this adventure, I definitely recommend having a rental car. I did see a few people attempting the route on e-bikes, but honestly...I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a long, steep, winding climb, and we watched several riders struggling up the hills. A few even ran out of battery power halfway up...oops. The drive itself is absolutely stunning, with incredible overlooks. Take your time and enjoy it. When you reach the tunnel, be patient. Traffic alternates through the tunnel in one direction at a time, so you may have to wait a few minutes before it’s your turn to enter. Once you’re through the tunnel, don’t miss the Canyon Overlook Trail. It’s only about 1 mile round trip and takes roughly 30–60 minutes to complete. The trail is considered easy to moderate and rewards you with one of the best panoramic views in all of Zion. If you’re looking for that iconic canyon photo, this is the spot.

Heading back up Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway, through the tunnel, to explore the east side of Zion. I highly recommend adding a guided horseback riding tour to your itinerary. We booked with East Zion Adventures, and it ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. They offer everything from peaceful, family-friendly trail rides to scenic sunset rides and full-day backcountry adventures through East Zion. Horseback riding is such a unique way to experience this area. Instead of crowded hiking trails or shuttle buses, you get to slow down and take in the incredible red rock landscapes, mountain overlooks, pine forests, and rugged East Zion terrain from a completely different perspective. One of my favorite parts? The ride takes you through beautiful slot canyons that you wouldn’t otherwise experience. Our guides even stopped to take photos of everyone in our group inside the canyon. Whether you’re a beginner, or you’re an experienced rider, East Zion Adventures has rides for every skill level. You can choose from shorter introductory rides all the way to full-day and even overnight horseback adventures. East Zion adventure staff were great! I also have to mention how well cared for the horses were. You can tell they’re loved and treated incredibly well.

My personal tips: Wear closed-toe shoes or boots. Definitely wear long pants. Trust me...the chafing between your thighs is no joke after a couple of hours in the saddle. The staff was absolutely incredible from start to finish, and I can't recommend this experience enough. If you’re looking for something beyond hiking, this is one of the best outdoor adventures.

Zion is full of incredible hiking trails, and another one I highly recommend is the Emerald Pools Trail. This is a great option if you’re looking for a hike that’s scenic, flexible, and suitable for almost every fitness level. The complete Emerald Pools Loop is about three miles and takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Along the way, you’ll visit three beautiful desert oasis pools. ‌If you don’t want to do the entire hike, that’s okay too—you can visit each pool individually for a shorter adventure. To access the trail, take the Zion Canyon Shuttle to Stop #5 (Zion Lodge) or Stop #6 (The Grotto). One of the reasons I loved this hike is that you can truly go at your own pace. It’s perfect for families with young kids, casual hikers. I chose to complete the entire loop, and I’m so glad I did. The Three Emerald Pools are Lower Emerald Pool—the easiest section of the hike. This 1.2-mile round-trip paved trail is family-friendly and even takes you behind a seasonal waterfall; Middle Emerald Pool—a moderate climb from the Lower Pool that rewards you with beautiful canyon views and a closer look at the stream that feeds the pools below, and Upper Emerald Pool—the most challenging section of the trail. From the Middle Pool, it’s about a 0.5-mile out-and-back It's a peaceful and rewarding place to take a break before heading back.

I purposely left Day 7 open because Zion has more than 20 incredible hikes and trails, and there’s a good chance you’ll want to go back and experience one you couldn’t fit into your itinerary. My biggest recommendation is to enter the daily lottery for Zion’s most iconic hikes as soon as you arrive. The lottery runs every day, and permits are awarded in the afternoon for the following day’s hiking times. Zion Park Rangers are very strict about permit requirements and entry times. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t win on your first try. Thousands of visitors enter the lottery every day, so I recommend entering every single day you’re in Zion. That’s exactly why I like leaving one day flexible. If you win a permit, simply swap that hike into your itinerary and move whatever you had planned to your final day.

If you’re fortunate enough to win a permit, Angels Landing is one of the most famous hikes in the world. This 5.4-mile round-trip trail climbs to a breathtaking summit along a narrow ridge with 1,500-foot drop-offs on both sides. The final section uses anchored chains to help hikers navigate the exposed rock. I’ll be honest...I don’t recommend this hike if you have any fear of heights. The Subway is a stunning tubular slot canyon carved by the Left Fork of North Creek. It’s one of Zion’s most unique hikes and also requires a permit. Keep in mind that The Subway trailhead is about a 45–60 minute drive west of the main park.

End your trip on a high note. After an unforgettable week in Zion, treat yourself to one final dinner at Wild Thyme Bistro at Trees Ranch. It’s such a charming restaurant with beautiful outdoor seating and the perfect atmosphere to reflect on your adventure. My personal recommendation? The Pistachio Chicken. It was absolutely delicious, so I licked my plate.