Are you headed to Zion National Park and wondering how to best spend a day there? Then I got you covered!
Zion is one of my favorite National Parks in the US – and for good reasons! The landscape there will leave you absolutely speechless!
If you are not planning on doing multiple hikes, you can pretty much see Zion in a day! But there are still a few things you should know before planning your day trip.
Since I just returned from a trip to Zion, I know all about it! To help you have a smooth and meaningful trip – I have created this itinerary for you!
Let’s get to it!

One Day in Zion Itinerary: at a Glance
If you are just here to grab the itinerary without any further explanation, you are in the right spot. Further down in this post, I’ll go into more detail about the hikes, the restaurants, and other important things to know!
If you are not interested in doing a trail hike, you can either drive the Scenic Drive through the park (only in the off-season) or take the shuttle bus for a tour (in high season).
So here is my ideal itinerary for a day in Zion:
1. Breakfast: Canyon Coffee
2. Hiking a Trail
3. Late Lunch: The Hangry Goat
4. Zion Museum or Massage
5. Dinner: Anthera

Entering the Park
Make sure to plan some time in the morning to enter the park. The drive is quite long, and you’ll likely encounter lines on your way in at the Entrance Stations.
There is a tunnel you’ll have to pass through, and it closes down from time to time to let buses pass. So be patient!
In the off-season, you can enter the park freely with your car and drive directly to the trailheads. In high season, you’ll have to park in Springdale or at the big lot near the Shuttle Station and take the bus to the trailheads.
Make sure to plan some time for a few picture stops on the drive – it is super scenic!

Breakfast at Canyon Coffee
Before we head out on the trails, we need to grab a coffee and a delicious breakfast at Canyon Coffee.
I love this place because you can sit outside with an amazing view and it is already open super early in the morning. This way, you can still hit the trails nice and early.
Insider tip: Also, you can find a pretty great parking lot behind Canyon Coffee. This is where we left our car every day since parking at the main lot was usually full.
Morning Hike
After breakfast, it is time to hit the trails. Depending on your skill level and the weather/season, there are a couple of great trails you can complete in a day in Zion.
I have made you a small overview of trails so you can pick one according to your preferences:
Skill Level | Hike | Note |
---|---|---|
Very Easy | The Grotto Trail (0.5 hour / 1 mile) | |
Easy | Lower Emerald Pool (1.5 hours / 2 miles) | no swimming |
Moderate | Watchman Trail ( 2 hours / 3.3 miles) | |
Advanced | The Narrows (up to 8 hours / 9.5 miles) | Check weather for flash floods |
Very Difficult | Scout Lookout (3 hours / 4.2 miles) | Permit needed, steep dropoffs |

The Grotto Trail
The Grotto Trail in Zion National Park is a short, easy hike. It is perfect for a relaxed stroll through stunning scenery.
It’s about 1-mile round-trip and connects two shuttle stops: The Grotto and Zion Lodge. The trail runs parallel to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
You’ll get some pretty views of towering canyon walls, lush vegetation, and the Virgin River in some spots.
This trail is great for all skill levels. Because it’s mostly flat, it’s a good way to enjoy the park without too much exertion.

Lower Emerald Pool
The Lower Emerald Pool Trail in Zion National Park is a popular and scenic hike. It leads to a beautiful pool at the base of a waterfall.
It’s about 1.2 miles round-trip, making it a relatively easy and family-friendly hike. The trail starts near Zion Lodge and you’ll have some stunning views over the valley along the way.
At the end of the trail, you’ll reach the Lower Emerald Pool, where water trickles down from the cliffs above. Depending on the season, the waterfall can be fickle or super intense.
If you’re up for more, you can continue to the Middle and Upper Emerald Pools from here, but they involve steeper climbs.
It’s one of those classic Zion hikes – so you can expect it to be busy.

Watchman Trail
This is my favorite trail in Zion National Park – so if you are undecided, this is what I’d recommend!
The trail is about 3.3 miles round-trip. It starts near the Visitor’s Center, so you don’t have to take a bus.
It’s a bit of a climb, with some switchbacks, but the view is so worth it. You’ll get to see the Virgin River, Springdale, and some stunning rock formations. The trail ends at a viewpoint where you can see the Watchman.
It’s a great hike to get away from the crowds. It is a lot less busy than the more famous trails. Make sure to bring sunscreen, the trail is pretty exposed.

The Narrows
The Narrows in Zion National Park is one of the park’s most iconic hikes. You’ll walk directly through the Virgin River through a narrow slot canyon. The views are insane!
The hike starts at the Temple of Sinawava. From there, you go upstream into the river.
You can go as far as you like before turning back. The full hike is around 9.4 miles round-trip. At the end, you’ll get to the famous “Wall Street.”
Because you’re hiking in water, you’ll need to get the proper gear according to the season. It’s really important to check conditions before you go, as the river is prone to flash floods.

Scout Lookout (Angel’s Landing)
Angels Landing is Zion National Park’s most famous—and thrilling—hike. It’s about 5.4 miles round-trip with a significant elevation gain of over 1,400 feet.
The hike starts at the Grotto Trailhead and follows the West Rim Trail.
The final half-mile to the summit is what makes Angels Landing legendary (and not for the faint of heart). You’ll have to go up a narrow ridge with sheer drop-offs on both sides. You can hold onto chains bolted into the rock for safety.
In the end, you’ll be rewarded with a jaw-dropping, 360-degree view of Zion Canyon. That makes the whole journey worth it.
While it’s a bucket-list hike for many, Angels Landing can be super scary due to the heights, also people die here every year.
Important: you need a permit to hike Angel’s Landing!

Lunch: The Hangry Goat
After a thrilling hike, it is time for lunch in the park! We absolutely love The Hangry Goat, located in Springdale near the parking lot.
They have super delicious burgers with pulled pork – you’ll need the protein after the hike. Also, from their outside seating terrace, you have amazing views!
Zion Human History Museum
After lunch, you’ll probably be craving some indoor activity away from the sun. The Zion Human History Museum is the perfect place for a quiet afternoon.
You’ll find some cool exhibits covering the Native American history of the region. They show the arrival of pioneers and the establishment of the park itself.
There are displays on the Southern Paiute people, as well as artifacts and stories about the early Mormon settlers.
The museum also explores how the environment has shaped the human experience in Zion.
Alternative: if you want to relax after hiking, you can treat yourself to a massage in town, there are several places that allow walk-ins!

Dinner: Anthera
End the day with a dinner with a view at Anthera restaurant. It is the only fine dining restaurant in the area, so make sure to have reservations in place.
Anthera is located super conveniently in Springdale, so you’ll have stunning views of the sunset and the canyon.
You can find it at the Cliffrose Springdale – a Curio Collection.
Is One Day Enough in Zion?
One day is enough to get a glimpse of Zion National Park. However, because it takes so long to get inside the park and find the shuttle buses, you won’t have too much time in the park.
I suggest spending at least a night in Zion (ideally you sleep in the park, so you can hit the trails early) if you want to do more than one hike.
If hiking is not your thing and you just want to see the park, one day is perfect.
I would not recommend spending more than two nights in Zion, unless you want to hike every single trail in the park.

Conclusion: One Day in Zion National Park
What a day in Zion National Park! To sum it up, we kicked things off with a cozy breakfast at Canyon Coffee before hitting the trails.
We enjoyed some gorgeous views while hiking a Zion trail, depending on your skill level you have the choice between Emerald Pools, the Narrows, Angel’s Landing and the Watchman Trail.
Later, we refueled with a tasty lunch at The Hangry Goat. After exploring the cool exhibits at the Zion Museum, you wrapped things up with a delicious dinner at Anthera.
This itinerary gives you a perfect mix of adventure and beautiful instagrammable moments. You can enjoy Zion’s beauty and vibe without feeling rushed. It’s the kind of day you’ll want to repeat again and again!

About The Author
Sabrina is a 30 year old Air Force Wife and passionate travel blogger, currently based in New Mexico. She loves exploring the Southwest USA with her drone.
Sabrina’s mission is help travellers have an authentic, relaxed and instagrammable trip through the American Southwest.