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Started By
Message
Zion National Park
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:39 pm
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:39 pm
15 year anniversary trip. Must do's? don'ts? Where to stay?
We are obviously looking to hike a lot. But I will also like to play golf a couple days.
What are the best hotel/cabin/resort choices?
TIA!
We are obviously looking to hike a lot. But I will also like to play golf a couple days.
What are the best hotel/cabin/resort choices?
TIA!
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 10:14 pm
7
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:49 pm to TigerBait0129
Never been so I’m sorry this is not helpful but it’s on my bucket list absolutely gorgeous Lucious paradise in the desert. Pretty mind blowing to think about. Hope you have an awesome time when you figure out some plans haha
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:55 pm to TigerBait0129
Springdale is the town right outside the park gates. Lots of hotels and places to eat. Because the park lots are so limited, they are usually full. There is a free shuttle service in Springdale that works well and takes you to the gate. From there take the park shuttle to where you want to hike.
It’s mainly a hiking park, with limited areas accessible by car. So you have to use the shuttles for the main park area. Don’t know about the golf situation.
It’s mainly a hiking park, with limited areas accessible by car. So you have to use the shuttles for the main park area. Don’t know about the golf situation.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 10:26 pm to TigerBait0129
Hike the narrows and go to the confluence
Posted on 1/15/26 at 7:55 am to Paul Allen
I just went there in June. Can't help with where to stay, we stayed in a RV at Watchman, the campground in the park. Springdale has a ton of places to stay.
If you don't have an account on Rec.gov, make one now and find out when or if the seasonal lotteries have already happened for when you want to go.
The lotteries will get you top down narrows, the subway, and angel's landing. The only one I won was Angel's Landing. I didn't win seasonal; they do day before permits for it and we got one of those.
I was able to do Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, Canyon Overlook, and bottom up Narrows on the days I was there.
Narrows was my favorite, I ended up doing 10 miles that day. It's about 1.25 miles on sidewalk til you get into the river and about another ~3 miles to the really tight section of the Narrows. I went as far as you could on a bottom up to Big Springs. I recommend renting at least a stick, the river isn't kind to hiking poles, I brought my fly fishing shoes with neoprene socks and those were a heck of a lot better than the water boots you can rent. I was just flying past all the other tourists not use to river rock traversing because of my fly fishing experience and shoes made for that specific application.
I am not a huge fan of heights, so Angels Landing was absolutely terrifying. It gorgeous and a relatively easy hike, but the exposure on both sides of the trail is very very real. It's a workout for a 5 mile round trip trail. The wiggles are no joke. Highly recommend. Even if you don't win a permit, still do the hike up to Scout's Lookout and go up higher on the non permit portion continuing on West Rim Trail.
It was the first day Emerald pools had been open for a couple of years and that was a very very pretty hike. I preferred Narrows though if you have to choose.
Canyon Overlook is absolutely amazing and a better view than Angels Landing without the level of exposure, so better for families that want a view without the risk or a long hike. Its a very short hike, but a very small parking lot, so its hard to find parking.
I wish I had time to do Observation Point, maybe next time. Subway is still very big on my list.
Be prepared for parking issues at the visitors center and make use of the free Springdale shuttle if you stay in Springdale.
If you get a permit for Angels. Be on the first shuttle to get there at 6AM at the visitors center if you get a before 9AM permit. If you get a later permit, later in the day is better. Most people want to hike it first thing in the morning, so getting there early to beat the rush up or getting there later to be there after the rush helps avoid the crowds. I got a before 9 and was one of the first to summit. It got super crowded as I was coming down. That made the trail down ever so much fun.
If you don't have an account on Rec.gov, make one now and find out when or if the seasonal lotteries have already happened for when you want to go.
The lotteries will get you top down narrows, the subway, and angel's landing. The only one I won was Angel's Landing. I didn't win seasonal; they do day before permits for it and we got one of those.
I was able to do Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, Canyon Overlook, and bottom up Narrows on the days I was there.
Narrows was my favorite, I ended up doing 10 miles that day. It's about 1.25 miles on sidewalk til you get into the river and about another ~3 miles to the really tight section of the Narrows. I went as far as you could on a bottom up to Big Springs. I recommend renting at least a stick, the river isn't kind to hiking poles, I brought my fly fishing shoes with neoprene socks and those were a heck of a lot better than the water boots you can rent. I was just flying past all the other tourists not use to river rock traversing because of my fly fishing experience and shoes made for that specific application.
I am not a huge fan of heights, so Angels Landing was absolutely terrifying. It gorgeous and a relatively easy hike, but the exposure on both sides of the trail is very very real. It's a workout for a 5 mile round trip trail. The wiggles are no joke. Highly recommend. Even if you don't win a permit, still do the hike up to Scout's Lookout and go up higher on the non permit portion continuing on West Rim Trail.
It was the first day Emerald pools had been open for a couple of years and that was a very very pretty hike. I preferred Narrows though if you have to choose.
Canyon Overlook is absolutely amazing and a better view than Angels Landing without the level of exposure, so better for families that want a view without the risk or a long hike. Its a very short hike, but a very small parking lot, so its hard to find parking.
I wish I had time to do Observation Point, maybe next time. Subway is still very big on my list.
Be prepared for parking issues at the visitors center and make use of the free Springdale shuttle if you stay in Springdale.
If you get a permit for Angels. Be on the first shuttle to get there at 6AM at the visitors center if you get a before 9AM permit. If you get a later permit, later in the day is better. Most people want to hike it first thing in the morning, so getting there early to beat the rush up or getting there later to be there after the rush helps avoid the crowds. I got a before 9 and was one of the first to summit. It got super crowded as I was coming down. That made the trail down ever so much fun.
This post was edited on 1/15/26 at 5:03 pm
Posted on 1/15/26 at 8:11 am to TigerBait0129
Summit of Angels
Some trail friends at the skinniest point of Angels
Narrows
Some trail friends at the skinniest point of Angels
Narrows
This post was edited on 1/15/26 at 8:19 am
Posted on 1/15/26 at 8:54 am to TigerBait0129
quote:
What are the best hotel/cabin/resort choices?
We went in 2021 & stayed at SpringHill Suites in Springdale. The location was great & it's probably the best views from any hotel I've ever stayed.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 10:47 am to TigerBait0129
Angel's Land and the Narrows are a must if visiting the park.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 12:01 pm to Dam Guide
quote:
top down narrows
This is tough single day hike but doable. Definitely the most strenuous of the bunch.
The Subway is great but there is no match for Angels Landing-my all time favorite-A must do.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 12:05 pm to TigerBait0129
quote:
What are the best hotel/cabin/resort choices?
Stay on site if you can, they have a lodge and cabins in the park. We did that in 2020.
quote:
But I will also like to play golf a couple days.
Drive a short distance down to St. George and play at The Inn at Entrada's course. Absolutely stunning course. You can also stay there one or two nights.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 3:08 pm to BRich
quote:
Stay on site if you can, they have a lodge and cabins in the park. We did that in 2020.
You can easily walk to the grotto and start Angels Landing from there and be at the summit for sunrise if you get an early permit before the shuttles start bringing the masses too.
Other option for that is renting e bikes in Springdale.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 3:42 pm to Dam Guide
If you stay in Springdale, you’re going to miss the incredible drive in through the east entrance on hwy 9. It’s a jaw dropper when you drive through that tunnel.
If you haven’t been to Bryce, see if you can fit that in too. They’re both incredible and unique in their own ways. I’d hate to be that close and not get there too. A good day there is going down Navajo Loop > Peekaboo Loop > Queens Garden. You’re looking at about 10 miles for that.
The crowds at Zion will depend on when you’re there. I’ve been in Late October with small crowds and early April with a 2 hour wait for the shuttle. Weather was similar both times and there was snow in Bryce in April. Probably a little warmer in Bryce and Zion in October though. October was ideal. Both times I’ve been I stayed between them for access to both. Might not be what you’re looking for, but it’s what I’d recommend.
Most of the “must do” Zion hikes have been mentioned but if you can’t do Angels Landing or have height issues, continuing up the west rim trail past Scouts Landing is a great option. Another trail that I never see recommended is Watchman Trail. It’s really close to the main visitor center. It’s maybe 1.5-2 hours and you get some really nice views into the canyon. I’ve heard good things about the Kolob Canyons area too. Haven’t been there yet.
There’s also amazing mtn biking around Virgin/Hurricane if you’re into that.
If you haven’t been to Bryce, see if you can fit that in too. They’re both incredible and unique in their own ways. I’d hate to be that close and not get there too. A good day there is going down Navajo Loop > Peekaboo Loop > Queens Garden. You’re looking at about 10 miles for that.
The crowds at Zion will depend on when you’re there. I’ve been in Late October with small crowds and early April with a 2 hour wait for the shuttle. Weather was similar both times and there was snow in Bryce in April. Probably a little warmer in Bryce and Zion in October though. October was ideal. Both times I’ve been I stayed between them for access to both. Might not be what you’re looking for, but it’s what I’d recommend.
Most of the “must do” Zion hikes have been mentioned but if you can’t do Angels Landing or have height issues, continuing up the west rim trail past Scouts Landing is a great option. Another trail that I never see recommended is Watchman Trail. It’s really close to the main visitor center. It’s maybe 1.5-2 hours and you get some really nice views into the canyon. I’ve heard good things about the Kolob Canyons area too. Haven’t been there yet.
There’s also amazing mtn biking around Virgin/Hurricane if you’re into that.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 4:02 pm to CharlieTiger
Hiking the Narrows was the best thing we have ever done in all of our vacation travels. Most beautiful place I have ever been. Two tips:
1. Rent the hiking stick and the shoes and socks from the outfitter in the shuttle area.
2. Be on the first couple of trams out first thing iin the morning. We had the Narrows to ourselves going up and could really take it all in. Coming back it was crowded and not fun! LOL
1. Rent the hiking stick and the shoes and socks from the outfitter in the shuttle area.
2. Be on the first couple of trams out first thing iin the morning. We had the Narrows to ourselves going up and could really take it all in. Coming back it was crowded and not fun! LOL
Posted on 1/15/26 at 4:56 pm to RF16Gold
quote:
Coming back it was crowded and not fun! LOL
Just got to go farther if there is a lot of people. There was barely anyone at Big Springs, seems like a majority of the crowd stops at the early deep section and then thins out even more when you get into the Wall Street area. I started around 10:30am.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 8:07 am to Dam Guide
Rent an e-bike through the park. Much more to see and do than riding the shuttle.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:04 am to Dam Guide
The Narrows are permit only now also?
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:08 am to RF16Gold
quote:
Hiking the Narrows was the best thing we have ever done in all of our vacation travels.
What time of year did you go?
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:31 am to wickowick
quote:
The Narrows are permit only now also?
Top down is a permit, it’s 16 miles one way. Most people camp in there too when doing top down.
Bottom up is not a permit, but you have to stop at Big Springs which is about 5 miles in.
This post was edited on 1/16/26 at 10:32 am
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:42 am to CharlieTiger
quote:
If you stay in Springdale, you’re going to miss the incredible drive in through the east entrance on hwy 9. It’s a jaw dropper when you drive through that tunnel.
I stayed in Springdale so I just drove through the tunnel and came back for the view. Simple enough.
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