Zion National Park
- Stephanie Michaud
- Apr 10, 2017
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 15, 2018
A quick 2.5 hour drive outside of Las Vegas brings you to this stunning recreational paradise near Springdale, Utah. Ideal for a long weekend of exploring, I visited the park in early November with two girlfriends. There were so many hikes to do, with so little time- I would like to return to complete the Subway and Observation Point.
Trip Itinerary
Our itinerary was based on completing two famous hikes: the Narrows and Angel's Landing. Both are doable over the weekend and will provide amazing scenery.
Approximate Trip Cost
Estimated trip cost: $350 per person (accommodation and car rental split 3 ways). Does not include airfare to Las Vegas.
For Angel's Landing, I would recommend taking the first shuttle into the park in the morning and going for it- as the crowds make Angel's Landing a more difficult hike than it really is. If you are afraid of heights, the last stretch of this hike- where you are on the edge of the rock holding onto chains- might not be for you. However, the majority of the hike is not like this, and you can get 3/4 of the way up and enjoy spectacular views from a lower, more secure vantage point. By doing this hike first thing in the morning, we had the afternoon to relax and enjoy ourselves near the river, exploring the Grotto and the Emerald Pools.
As a quick note- the time estimates quoted on the Zion National Park website were a bit unrealistic- it took us 2.5 hours to do Angel's Landing, when the guide recommended to budget 4-6 hours. Keep this in mind when planning for the day.
The Narrows is classified as a hike, but really you are hiking/wading up the Virgin river through a slot canyon. I would highly recommend adequately researching weather conditions before you attempt this day hike, as any chance of rain can cause water levels to increase dramatically, to the point of risk of submersion while in the canyon. The fall is a great time to go, as water levels are at their lowest and risk of precipitation is low.
During this hike we saw many people attempting to wade up the river in sandals and shorts. In some areas the current is very strong, and the water (especially in November) is cold. We were very thankful to have rented dry pants, dry shoes, and walking sticks.
Destination Map
Zion National Park is near the town of Springdale, Utah. We rented a car in Las Vegas, NV, and drove out to Springdale, where we stayed at an AirBnb. Springdale is only 15 minutes from the main park entrance.
Helpful Links
I highly recommend renting gear for doing the hike up the Narrows, especially if you go in the Fall. The water is chilly, and having the neoprene booties and dry pants were lifesavers!
I found this website helpful for deciding what to do with the time we had. The photos were also beautiful.
Happy Adventures!
Stephanie
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