Deep in southern Utah lies one of Utah’s mighty five national parks that both locals and tourists enjoy yearlong: Zion National Park. Due to the park’s relatively mild temperatures hovering around 50 degrees in the winter months, 60-80 degrees in the spring, and a high of between 90-110 degrees during the summer, it makes this destination a great place to visit any time of the year.
But it isn’t just the climate that makes Zion National Park a place worth visiting. With its majestic landscape consisting of towering red rock, slot canyons, rivers, streams, and even pine forests throughout, a trip to Zion may very well be a trip of a lifetime — that you’ll want to do again and again.
If you plan on visiting Zion National Park, here are some adventures that you should no doubt add to your to-do list:
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Hiking
One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to experience Zion National Park is by foot. Depending on your level of expertise and physical ability to do so, the park has several different hikes to meet your need.
There are simpler hikes like the paved Pa’rus Trail, the 1.2 mile Lower Emerald Pool Trail and the 1-mile Grotto Tail near the entrance of the park. There are more moderate hikes like Upper Emerald Pool Trail, Kayenta Trail, and the Canyon Overlook Trail that range from 1-2 miles with a bit more technical footing. And then there are hikes for the more experienced, particularly, Observation Point, The Narrows, and the iconic Angels Landing trail.
No matter the hike, you will be able to experience the magic of Zion.
Canyoneering
If you like climbing on walls, being in tight spaces, and seeing places that aren’t visible to most without doing these things, you may want to try canyoneering. In fact, according to the national park’s website, canyoneering is perhaps the fastest growing recreational activity in the park and surrounding areas.
And just like hiking trails, there are canyons for beginners that are easy to descend through, and others that require technical planning, a fair amount of training even expert guides (some of the best ones are at East Zion Adventures) to navigate through. If you choose canyoneering as your adventure, you won’t regret it.
Horseback riding
Experience Zion like the early settlers did by going horseback riding. Ride through the trees of Pine Grove while spotting wildlife and experiencing a view of Checkerboard Mesa and the Kanab Plateaus. Take your horse up switchbacks as your ride to the Pine Knoll viewpoint for a stunning view of Zion National Park, Checkerboard Mesa, Grand Staircase, the Kaibab Plateaus, and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
There’s nothing quite like taking in the sights at a slower pace as you ride horseback, engulfed in nature.
Go for a Jeep ride
Perhaps you want to go canyoneering and would like an expedited, scenic trip there by someone who knows the park well. Maybe you just want to sit back and enjoy the seemingly endless miles the park has to offer with someone else behind the wheel — of a Jeep. These rugged vehicles are designed just for tackling such a landscape like Zion National Park, and you can easily book a ride or tour to help you experience the park the way you’d like to.