For many avid outdoor enthusiasts, Zion National Park is on the bucket list of places they must visit. Its awe-inspiring natural wonders, breath-taking views, and defiant trails make it a place worth visiting. Located in the southwest of Utah, is a dream destination for its red rocky formations, picturesque sunset, and enchanting canyons. Whether you’re a hiker, a nature-lover, or a tourist, everyone can have a great time here.

With a whopping 4.5 million visitors each year, Zion National Park is not an easy place to explore and navigate. The deafening crowd, challenging terrains, and wildlife population make it a highly challenging vacation spot. Here, we have put together a list of tourist-friendly tips to help you make the most of your trip!

1. Plan Early!

National parks are the most common go-to places in the US for family vacations. Therefore, it is important to make early reservations to get the spots of your choice. Typically, people book lodges and excursion trails months before the planned trip.

 

If you decide on in-park lodging, then you should get done with the registration and other arrangements much earlier.

2. Best Time to Visit

Although the park is open 365 days a year, it’s best to visit during the off-season as it’s less crowded. Some seasons, such as fall, make the trip much more enjoyable and hiking manageable. Spring is the worst for hikers as rains make the trail slippery and impassable while summers require you to battle high temperatures and the jam-packed crowd.

 

Nevertheless, September to November is the best time to visit due to fewer people and open terrains. However, some hiking trails close as soon as the winter snow starts.

 

3. What to Pack

Your traveling gear is dependent on the kind of trip you’re making and the people you’re going with. If you plan to hike with the family inside the park, it’s best to carry:

 

  • Refillable water bottles
  • Snacks
  • Shoes
  • Rain ponchos
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses

 

As the park is located at a high elevation and low humidity levels, you may require lip balms and lotions to protect your skin from cracking. Wear loose and comfortable clothing to make hiking easy and less strenuous for yourself. In addition, you should also carry a first aid kit with you, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

 

4. Trails to Choose

The main canyon, the Narrows, Angels Landing, and Emerald pools are the most popular spots at Zion National Park. If you’ve young children along, then Emerald Pools and Weeping Rocks is a must-see. You can even take a scenic drive at Zion Canyon and avoid hiking to make your trip more kid-friendly while enjoying the place to its fullest.

 

To enjoy the serenity of the place, venture outside the spotlight and explore some of the most fantastic spots.

 

5. Use the BOT

The online portal visitUtah.com in conjunction with the Utah Tourism department and Springdale city, designed a digital platform, UOT BOT, to help tourists in exploring the site. All you need to do is log into your Facebook Messenger and “Select Utah” to get started with your trip.

 

It provides a wide array of information about the location, helpful tips, and answers to common queries.