Driving into Zion National Park late at night was dramatic. The silhouette created by the canyons were magnificent. A quick weekend trip to a national park is one of my favorite ways to wind down. It is nice to get away from the city but short enough that I won’t miss my soft bed. I had never been to Zion National Park so this was a real treat for me. In the early spring, Zion National park is cool and only a handful of outdoor enthusiasts venture out in the cold, especially in the morning (32°F was the low).
I’m a novice hiker – I don’t usually hike for the sake of hiking but only when there is a “reward” at the end. But I would wake up super early to catch a good view at sunrise. In Zion, the animals are also competing for attention. Keep your eyes peeled for big horned sheep. They blend in pretty well in the tall bushes and on cliff edges.
Trails
Below are two trails that we hiked:
- Canyon Overlook Trail – one of the most rewarding hikes in Zion National Park. The 1 mile trail is easy but at parts, scary (lack of guardrail and sheer drop). One hour before sunrise, we trekked up in the dark and cold to be there for sunrise. The view at the end was worth it.
- Emerald Pool Trail – the hike was easy and the view along the way was really pretty. We stopped at one of the overlook to have an impromptu picnic. Apparently, a moose had the same idea.
Other Sights Not To Miss
- The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is a must see. The 1.1-mile- engineering feat cuts through the vertical sandstone cliffs. When driving in it, make sure to look out for “windows” to see the canyon.
- My husband recently did an overnight hike through the Zion National Park Narrows. In summary, he said the hike was “at times hard (& wet) but always breathtaking”. You need to be really prepared for The Narrows overnight hike.
Sleep
We camped at Watchman campground, which I would recommend. We arrived at night but it was easy to find our spot. The location is good – close to Zion Canyon Visitor Center where the park shuttle starts.
Smart to Know
- Zion National park is open 24 hours (be careful driving in the dark)
- Book campground in advance (we booked ours 4 months in advance)
- Bring binoculars, headlamps, bug spray and sunscreen
- If you are driving from Las Vegas, stock up on supplies before reaching Springdale.
- In winter months, only some areas are accessible via private car (see self driving map)
Snack/Eat
- Cooking outdoors is not my forte. I don’t have the patience to wait for water to boil after a long day of hiking. Good thing there are food options around Zion National park (in Springdale)
- Cafe Soleil- fast sandwich, bakery and coffee options
- Spotted Dog Cafe- proper meal after a long day
- Also, I packed up lots of nuts (pistachio is my favorite), dark chocolate, and jerky for munching along the way.
