The USA is full of amazing places to visit, and the Zion National Park in Utah is one of them. Many believe that this is the country’s most dramatic and breathtaking landscape, including the rock formations to see. Aside from the picturesque views, there are plenty of things that any visitor will enjoy doing in the area. What’s about Zion National Park Travel Guide?
Planning to start a great adventure on Utah’s first national park? Here is the uncomplicated Zion National Park travel guide to help you decide on where to go, what to do, and know the necessary information before visiting and while in the area.
The Location
As mentioned, the Zion National Park is located in state Utah, in the southwestern area near the town of Springdale. It is about 163 miles away from Las Vegas and about 307 miles from Salt Lake City in Utah. Both airports in the mentioned cities are the nearest ones. When it comes to traveling by land, it is recommended to head to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to get more information once you have reached the area. Showing care to the environment, the park has electric vehicle chargers (dual-port Level 2 J1772 charging station) on both Kolob Canyons and Zion Canyons Visitor Centers. Visitors can also take advantage of the free shuttle service. Zion National Park Travel Guide
Accommodation
It could be a mountainous area but there are plenty of different types of accommodation to choose from. There are some ‘bed and breakfast‘ accommodations perfect for backpackers, but some of them can be too far from the park proper. For an unforgettable outdoor experience, there are glamping tents with a private bathroom or regular tents that are available for rent.
There are well-known hotels that are available in the area but not limited to Curio Collection by Hilton, Marriott, La Quintana by Wyndham, and Holiday Inn Express. They have amazing views of the famous red rocks and mountain areas of the Zion National Park. It is a great place to lounge as well as most of their swimming pool areas also include a hot tub, perfect during winter.
Where to Eat
With the large area of the Zion National Park, there are only a few places to eat. Besides, they can be very far for backpackers and may need a vehicle to reach them. Some hotels come equipped with a microwave oven or a kitchenette, where visitors can bring foods to reheat or cook.
A number of hotels also have a sundry store inside, where plenty of microwaveable meals are readily available. Some also have a barbeque area where you just need to bring some charcoal and food to the grill. If you are coming from Las Vegas, you may get some essentials from a Walmart Supercenter in Hurricane (180 N 3400 W) before you reach the park.
What To Do
Being one of the best national parks in America, it packs a lot of different activities other than having a great staycation. Some of them are:
• Backpacking Reservations – the park has plenty of camping areas that offer a variety of unique backpacking options. Download the Zion Wilderness Map to easily search for campsites as it is on a first come first serve basis. RV campgrounds are also available.
• Hiking and Canyoneering – these activities may require permits and a local guide. It is better to arrange it ahead of time.
• Winter activities – aside from doing winter sports, enjoy the view as snow covers a part of the mountainous areas.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the park is from mid-April to early July, but the peak season actually ends in early September. Prepare to deal with a crowd during these months, as the weather is perfect for different activities. However, it is not advisable to go to The Narrows from mid-July to September. Flash floods from the flowing river can be life-threatening. On the other hand, those that prefer visiting during the winter season are recommended to visit from December to February. These months have fewer visitors where winter activities can be enjoyed.
The Zion National Park is proof that people can enjoy outdoors from any season, including the different activities that can be done where the whole family will enjoy.
