How to Spend 2 Days in Zion National Park Itinerary

In May of 2019, I lived my dream of going on a cross-country road trip, visiting some of the most beautiful places in America. Zion National Park in Utah was the first destination, and I made it my mission to do as much as possible with only two days there. When we were deciding how long to stay, we decided two days in Zion would be enough time to truly experience what this canyon has to offer. This guide will share the ultimate two-day itinerary in Zion, as well as places to stay, a packing list, and tips for your visit.

If you are traveling through Utah, Zion is not a park you will want to miss! It has often been called the best National Park in Utah! Also, you can easily drive to Bryce Canyon! Spend a day in Bryce for a Utah National Parks Road Trip.

Zion National Park At a Glance

Zion National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in the United States, with over 5 million visitors a year. This also makes it the most famous National Park in Utah. Zion is 232 square miles. However, most people will not venture further than a few miles from the central Zion Canyon.

Zion hosts over a 1,000 species of plants, including cacti and many varieties of wildflowers. Zion is also home to rattlesnakes and mountain lions, as well as less dangerous animals such as deer, condors, and foxes.

For 7 days, it is just $35 per vehicle to enter Zion. If you enter on foot or bike, it is $20 per person. If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks within one year, consider buying the America the Beautiful Pass which grants access to all federal fee areas for $80 per year.

How To Get To Zion

There are two ways to get into Zion. If you come in off I-15 from the West you’ll drive through the small town of Springdale, which has tons of accommodations. If you come in from the East, you’ll drive down a windy, but incredibly photogenic road into the canyon through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. There are a few pull-offs to take pictures, but they fill up rather quickly. If you come in through Springdale, you can always drive this road later.

Las Vegas to Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park

Salt Lake City to Zion National Park

Zion’s Shuttle System

From Spring to Fall, Zion National Park has a free shuttle system that will take you down the canyon to many of the popular trailheads including Angel’s Landing Trailhead, Zion Lodge, and the trailhead to the Narrows. The timing of the shuttle changes by season. You can find the most up-to-date times on the NPS website. As of Spring 2022, the shuttle runs from 7 AM to 7:15 PM.

There is also a shuttle running from Springdale to the Zion National Park Visitor Center from several of the popular hotels, shops, and restaurants in Springdale, Utah. This is a great option if you are staying in the town, since there is limited parking inside the park.

In the Winter, the shuttles do not run, but you can drive your car through the canyon and park nearby the trailheads.

Where To Stay In Zion National Park

Campsites in Zion

I highly recommend camping in Zion if you can! It is without a doubt the best camping experience I’ve ever had. You will need to make reservations early if you want to secure a spot in the park! Reservations open 6 months in advance. You can find more information and make your reservation at Zion’s website.

• Watchman Campground– Watchman Campground is right inside the park and within walking distance of the shuttle stop, several outdoor stores, and a brewery! Watchman is open and reservable all year round to tents and RVs. There are no showers at the campground. However, it is only a quick five-minute walk over the Virgin River to a small shopping area. There you can find Zion Outfitters, which has showers you can use ($4 for 5 minutes), supplies for sale, and gear rental.
• Zion also has two seasonal campgrounds– Lava Point Campground and South Campground. Lava Point Campground has six primitive sites and is located over an hour from Zion’s South entrance. South Campground is near the South entrance and has several sites for reservation 2 weeks in advance.

Other Lodging in Zion

• Zion Lodge– If you don’t want to camp, but still want to stay in the park, Zion Lodge is the way to go! This is the only lodging inside of the park. You will have easy access to several trails as well as dining right in the lodge.
• Booking– There are also plenty of hotels in Springdale. Two highly rated ones are SpringHill Suites by Marriott and Flanigin’s Inn.
• Airbnb– There are always plenty of options on Airbnb from private guest house rentals to bed and breakfast rooms.
• Hipcamp– If you are looking for something more off-the-beaten-path, Hipcamp is also a great website to find cheap camping sites as well as unique stays such as luxury tents!

Zion National Park 2 Day Itinerary

If you only have 2 days to spend in Zion, you will need to pack a lot into each day! Plan on entering the park early to maximize your time in Zion. I always recommend entering popular National Parks around sunrise if you can. Zion is a small but popular park that fills up in the summer, and an early start will give you time in the park with fewer crowds to allow you to really enjoy nature in solitude.

Below is just one itinerary for how to spend 2 days in Zion. This guide tells you how to hike Angel’s Landing and Canyon Overlook, as well as other popular trails and places to eat in the park.

Day 1 in Zion: Hiking Angel’s Landing & Canyon Overlook

Angel’s Landing

• Length: 4.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,604 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Popularity: Extremely Popular
• Time to Hike: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Trailhead Location: Grotto Trailhead, Shuttle Stop 6
• Permits Required: Yes, beginning in 2022

Angel’s Landing Permits

Beginning April 1, 2022, Zion will be implementing a lottery permit system to hike the Angels’ Landing Trail. There are two ways to obtain a permit for Angel’s Landing. 

There is a seasonal lottery that opens in January, April, July, and August for the forthcoming season. For example, the lottery for Summer permits from June 1st to August 31st opens on April 1st. For $6 you can pick 7 ranked windows of days and times to be entered in the lottery.

If you are unable to get a seasonal permit, you can also apply to hike Angel’s Landing the day before your hike. This lottery is open every day from 12:01 am to 3 pm and permits are issued at 4 pm for the next day. 

More information about Angel’s Landing can be found on Zion’s website. 

It is important to know that the permit is only needed for the chains section of Angel’s Landing. You can still hike the majority of the trail up to Scout’s Landing without a permit.

Angel’s Landing Trailhead to Scout’s Landing

The Angel’s Landing trail begins at The Grotto Trailhead, the 6th stop on Zion’s shuttle route. The trail immediately crosses a picturesque bridge over the Virgin River, with a great view down the river. After hiking 0.3 miles, a side trail leads to access to the river.

One mile in, and you will start to ascend the first set of switchbacks. Here you will see a stunning view down the canyon that gets better with each switchback you climb, before hiking back into a small side canyon.

After hiking 0.4 miles down the canyon, you will reach the infamous “Walter’s Wiggles”. Walter’s Wiggles is a set of 21 steep switchbacks that lead up to Scout’s Landing.

Scout’s Landing is the final stop before the narrow steep path to Angel’s Landing, guided by chains. If you don’t have a permit, or don’t want to make the final ascent to Angle’s Landing you can turn around here. This is also a great place to stop for a snack and to use the restrooms.

Please don’t feed the chipmunks that hang around here! It is not only unhealthy, but it can lead to overpopulation and increases the risk of injury to both humans and animals.

Angel’s Landing Summit

If you have a permit, continue past Scout’s Landing and up the last 0.5 miles to the chains to Angel’s Landing. This is not a hike for anyone with a fear of heights, and it’s very narrow, making it unsafe to turn around if you do get scared once on the hike. This path is very dangerous and has caused several deaths, so make sure to do your research before attempting the hike to decide if it is for you.

My husband and I both decided we didn’t feel comfortable making the final ascent. While I don’t regret my decision to not go on with the hike without 100% confidence, it is something I might attempt on my next visit.

There is another trail that continues East from Scout’s Landing. If you hike on this for just a little over 0.1 miles you will reach Scout’s Lookout, which gives a great view of the Angels Landing trail.

Canyon Overlook Hike

• Length: 1.0 mile
• Elevation Gain: 187 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Popularity: Popular
• Time to Hike: 30 minutes
• Trailhead Location: Off the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway/US-9
• Permits Required: No

If you have more hiking in you head to the Canyon Overlook Trail. This is a one-mile hike, with a great payoff for not much effort. This trail is a little tricky to get to, as there is a limited number of parking spots at the trailhead, off the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, US-9 on the East side of the tunnel.

This trail has an amazing view at the end and is short with little elevation change, making it great for fairly new hikers, although there are a few stairs and drop-offs. Highlights on this trail include a small cave that you will hike through.

The end of this trail has a lookout over Pine Creek Canyon and Zion Canyon. You can see the windy Zion-Mount Carmel Highway ascending up the canyon with the towering red rock walls surrounding it.

Day 2 in Zion: Virgin River and Zion Waterfalls

Riverside Walk Trail & The Narrows

• Length: 1.9 mile
• Elevation Gain: 193 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Popularity: Popular
• Time to Hike: 1 hour
• Trailhead Location: Temple of Sinawava, Shuttle Stop 9
• Permits Required: No

Begin your second day in Zion with a lazy stroll down the Riverside Walk Trail. This is an extremely beginner-friendly hike. It is a 2-mile hike that is paved, making it great for anyone with mobility issues or families with small children.

You will hike alongside the Virgin River with a few access points close to the river. This trail is especially beautiful in the rain when small waterfalls pour into the canyon.

This paved section of trail ends at the beginning of the Narrows, where you can walk through the Virgin River. Make sure you check the weather conditions before attempting and have the proper gear.

Lower Emerald Pools

Length: 1.4 mile
Elevation Gain: 127 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: Popular
Time to Hike: 40 minutes
Trailhead Location: Zion Lodge, Shuttle Stop 5
Permits Required: No

Another easy Zion trail is the Lower Emerald Pool Trail. This 1.4-mile hike leads to “pools”, fed from water falling above. Most of the summer, these waterfalls will only be a trickly, but after a rain, they turn into thundering falls that you can walk behind.

The beginning of this trail has an amazing photo spot on the bridge over the Virgin River. You can hike past the Lower Emerald Pools to the Upper Emerald Pools for an additional 0.3 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain each way.

Lunch in Zion

The Emerald Pools trail bus stop also leads to Zion Lodge with a variety of food options and souvenirs. Great for a quick lunch after your morning hikes!

You can also head to Zion Brew Pub outside the park. This place has tasty burgers and beers and a patio right next to the Virgin River!

Watchman Trail

• Length: 3.1 mile
• Elevation Gain: 1636 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Popularity: Moderately Popular
• Time to Hike: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Trailhead Location: Parking Lot at Zion Canyon Visitor Center
• Permits Required: No

For a sunset hike head to the Watchman Trail. The Watchman Trail is a moderately difficult 3.1-mile trail with an elevation gain of 646 feet. The trailhead begins near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. If you are staying in the Watchman or South Campground, you can also walk from your campsite to the trail.

There is a ton of wildflowers on this trail! Indian paintbrush is just one of the many wildflowers on this trail as well as delicate pink, blue, and yellow wildflowers and flowering cacti.

The end of this trail has steep drop-offs, so watch your step! The Watchman ends with a view overlooking Springfield and would be a great place to watch sunrise or sunset. Hike this at sunset for the perfect end to your two days in Zion.

One Day in Zion National Park

Do you have only one day in Zion? Below is a sample one-day itinerary for Zion National Park. Prioritize the hikes and sights you most want to see and spend your time in the canyon as much as possible!

• Morning Hike to Angels Landing/ Scout’s Landing
• Emerald Pools Trail
• Lunch at Zion Lodge
• Riverside Walk Trail
• Hike Zion Canyon Overlook
• Dinner at Zion Brew Pub

Other Hikes In Zion National Park

There are of course way more hikes in Zion than those mentioned above. Below is a few more of the best hikes in Zion National Park to add to your itinerary if you have time.

• Observation Point via East Mesa Trail– 7 miles, 702 feet, Moderate– This is an alternative to Angel’s Landing if you want the views down the canyon similar to Angel’s Landing but without the terrifying chains section. 4WD or AWD is recommended to get to the trailhead.
• Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint– 0.2 miles, 29 feet, Easy– This is a paved trail that gives a great view of three of Zion’s peaks known as the “Three Sisters”. We managed to squeeze this into our second day after Emeralds Pools. It is a short walk easily accessible for most people.
• Subway– 9.1 miles, 1,305 feet, Difficult– If you are very adventurous the Subway Trail is highly ranked. This is an advanced hike, that requires a permit and canyoneering skills. I don’t currently have the skills to tackle this trail but would love to learn them and return!
• The Narrows– The Narrows is a trail through the river, taking you deeper into the canyon. That’s right, it requires wading through the river. Unfortunately, it is not accessible all year round and must be hiked when the river is low and calm. Make sure to check conditions before you go, as flash floods are very dangerous and have the potential to kill unaware hikers.

Things To Do Near Zion National Park

Southern Utah is full of unique places to see. Around Zion alone, you can take a day trip to Moqui Caverns, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, or Kolob Canyon. You can also extend your trip into a longer road trip and head onto Bryce Canyon or Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Moab.

• Moqui Caverns– The Moqui Caverns is a sand cave near Kanab, Utah, about 25 miles from Zion. The trail is a short scramble up to a unique set of caves filled with sand and overlooking the desert.
• Kolob Canyon– While technically still part of Zion National Park, the Kolob Canyons are a much less visited portion of the park. It is a 43-mile drive to get to this portion of the park from the main entrance, but well worth your time. The hikes here and nearby offer some amazing canyon views.
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes– Another great day trip from Zion is the Coral Pink Sand Dunes only 34-miles from the East entrance to Zion. The pink color of these dunes makes them a unique place to visit. You can explore the dunes by hiking, renting an ATV, or riding a sandboard down the dunes!

Read More: How to Hike to the Moqui Caverns

Zion National Park Packing List

Below see my packing list for Zion National Park! The weather can change in an instant in the desert, and you’ll want to make sure to have all the clothes and equipment you’ll need on hand so pack properly.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

• Water- Water is your best friend in the desert! Make sure to bring enough and then some for your group.
• Snacks– If you will be hiking all day and burning a lot of calories, make sure to bring some protein-packed snacks and lunch as well.
• Sunscreen– It is always a good idea to use sunscreen to block the harsh sun!
• Sun Shielding Hat– My hat is my favorite hiking gear. A wide-brimmed hat will help keep the sun off you.
• Winter Hat- Morning can be cold in the desert at any time of year. A knit hat is great to have in your bag for early mornings or windy days.
• Moisture-Wicking Shirts– Any shirt will do, but the best hiking shirts are made of natural or synthetic moisture-wicking material that is breathable and dries quickly.
• Athletic Shorts/Pants– I personally tend to wear hiking leggings more than shorts. If you are hiking in the winter, Carhartt makes great thick women’s leggings.
• Lighter Jacket or Wind Jacket– Layering is always a good idea when hiking, and I put a spare windbreaker or light jacket in my backpack in case the wind picks up.
• Winter Coat– This may depend on the time of day you go, but I was glad to have my puffy coat when waiting for sunrise, even in late March.
• Hiking Boots or Trail Runner– Most of the trails are relatively easy without a lot of elevation gain, but I would still recommend hiking boots to keep your help keep your footing on the rock and reduce the impact on your feet.
• Hiking Socks– If you do wear boots, make sure to bring good socks to reduce the risk of blisters!
• Backpack– A good daypack can make your hike so much more enjoyable. Properly distributing weight can ease your trip and allow you to bring all the essentials above!

Tips for Visiting Zion in 2 Days

• Stay updated to park conditions! The Zion National Park website should have up-to-date information on trail closings, park facilities, and health and weather warnings.
• Make your reservations ahead of time! Zion is an extremely popular tourist destination, so expect accommodations to book early, especially during the summer. Most campsites take reservations 6 months in advance.
• Leave No Trace! This is essential when hiking in any wilderness area, but it is especially important in National Parks, which are some of the most heavily trafficked hikes in the United States. Wandering off-trail can also harm delicate desert landscapes that can take many years to grow back. Carving or vandalizing rock is becoming increasingly common, and should not be done under any circumstance. Behavior like this leads to increasing restrictions of national land and damages the landscape in ways that cannot be undone, destroying centuries-old formations.
• Enter the park early in the morning! As mentioned above, Zion is very popular so prepare for long lines, full buses, and crowded trails. One way to minimize this is to beat the crowds by arriving at or pre-sunrise. In the spring the buses begin around 7. The park also begins to clear out in the evening as people return to the hotel, making this a great time to experience the valley.

Are Two Days Enough in Zion?

One final question I see a lot for Zion: How many days should I spend in Zion? or Are two days enough to visit Zion? 

And I can answer: Yes, two days is long enough for a trip to Zion to see the highlights but if you can stay longer by all means do. I’m sure we could have spent a week in this majestic place and still felt like it wasn’t enough. Zion is a small park and 2-3 days is plenty for a stop on a road trip or a long weekend vacation, but this park is so beautiful and unique no time is too long. (Also if you plan too long Bryce Canyon is right next door for a day trip!)

You May Also Like

• Ranking Utah’s National Parks
• One Day in Bryce National Park
• Moqui Caverns
• Canyonlands vs Arches National Park

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