VISITING ZION NATIONAL PARK
During the last leg of our American Southwest road trip we made a quick detour through Zion National Park. Located in Utah, 6 hours northeast of Las Vegas, we only had about 3 hours to explore this beautiful area.
The park is known for its incredible canyons and spectacular views. Famous hikes including The Narrows, The Subway, and Angels Landing attract adventure travellers from around the world every year.
VISITING ZION NATIONAL PARK
How to explore Zion
Shuttle Bus
The Zion Shuttle System operates full-time from late March through to the end of October. During that time the 6-mile long Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to all private vehicles, except for guests who have reservations at Zion Lodge.
Upen arrival you must park your car and use the shuttle bus system to explore more of the park. The canyon buses run every six minutes during the day making eight stops at trailheads and points of interest in the canyon. The roundtrip travel time on the Canyon Loop is about 90 minutes.
We found this the perfect way to see the park if your time is limited. We recommend making a stop at Court of the Patriarchs, Weeping Rock, Big Bend and Temple of Sinawava before heading back to the car park.
VISITING ZION NATIONAL PARK
Angels Landing
VISITING ZION NATIONAL PARK
Angels Landing is a 1,488ft tall rock formation with a trail cut into the rock that leads to the very top, providing spectacular views of Zion Canyon. The trail is 2.4 miles (3.9km) long, beginning at the Grotto drop off point on the park's shuttle system. The beginning of the trail is not very challenging, however the last half-mile to the top is strenuous and has many sharp drop offs and narrow paths, so much so that there are chains to hold on to as you make your way to the summit.
The Narrows
Be prepared to get your feet wet with this hike. The Narrows is one of the most popular areas in Zion National Park. Hiking in The Narrows will require you to walk through water, sometimes up to waist level. You can hike upstream as far as Big Spring with out requiring a permit, while experiencing some of the most spectacular and narrowest parts of the canyon.
VISITING ZION NATIONAL PARK
You can choose to hike in the river for an hour or so before turning back for a easier hike, or you can hike all the way to Big Spring for a strenuous ten-mile round trip!
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