FAQ

Question 1

What are some of the best spots to see when you visit Zion National Park?

Accepted Answer

Zion National Park is home to some of the most magnificent natural wonders in the southwestern United States. Here are three places to visit on our tours of Zion National Park.

- **Zion Canyon.** Carved out by the Virgin River over 250 million years, Zion Canyon is arguably the park’s most notable feature and a must-see on our Zion National Park trips. This 15-mile-long fissure reaches impressive depths of up to half a mile and is home to some of the most stunning views in the park.
- **Great White Throne.** Commonly used as the symbol of Zion National Park and a highlight of Zion tours, this Navajo sandstone mountain is one of the canyon’s most grand and imposing. Its most significant distinguishing feature, the sheer north face, rises 2,350 feet from the floor of Zion Canyon and can be seen from almost any location on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
- **Emerald Pools Trail.** A Zion National Park classic, the Emerald Pools Trail follows a stream that leads to three pools: Lower, Middle, and Upper. You can hike to all three pools on a 2.5-mile trail loop that gets increasingly difficult (and the views more spectacular) as you reach the Middle and Upper pools. The hike to the Upper pool rewards with sheer cliffs forming a natural amphitheater shaded by maple trees. The trail is a wonderful free-time option on our travel packages to Zion National Park.

[Read about our six favorite spots to visit in Zion National Park →](/travel-blog/articles/6-favorite-spots-in-zion-national-park)

Question 2

When is the best time to travel to Zion National Park?

Accepted Answer

Like most national parks, Zion National Park is open every day of the year. The best time to visit depends on whether you want to contend with tourist crowds, hot or cold temperatures, and your vacation window.

**April-October.** Most travelers opt for visiting Zion National Park between April and October. Those popular months offer the most comfortable weather and free shuttle buses through the park. Those are also the busiest months, so expect to contend with more crowded conditions. April and October are the most temperate months, with highs in the 70s. Daytime temperatures reach into the 90s from June through September. The monsoon season runs from mid-July to September.

**December-February.** These months mark Zion National Park’s low season. You’ll have more of the place to yourself, but you will have to deal with sometimes frigid temperatures from the 30s to the 50s. As the free shuttle buses don’t run, you’ll also need to provide your own transportation. Except, of course, on our Zion National Park tours, where we handle all the transportation.

**March and November.** Some call these shoulder months the secret season—the best months for tours to Zion National Park. Daytime temps reach into the 60s, the crowds are thinner, and accommodations are easier to obtain and less expensive. Our travel packages to Zion National Park include trips during these quiet months.

Question 3

How many days do you need at Zion National Park?

Accepted Answer

How long you spend visiting Zion National Park depends on how much of the park you want to cover. Our Zion National Park tours include two nights and a full day. Travelers get their first glimpse of the incredible landscape on the evening of their arrival. The following day there’s plenty of time to hike the Emerald Pools Trail with us and take in the colorful sandstone cliffs, see the magnificent vistas from a different viewpoint on an open-air tram ride, and still have time to hike more on your own. During your free evening, you can go stargazing in one of the best spots to admire clear nighttime views in the United States.

For those who want to spend more time hiking and exploring all of Zion National Park’s top spots, such as Angels Landing and the Court of the Patriarchs, we recommend adding a pre- or post-tour stay to allow time to see everything you want.

Question 4

What should I pack for a trip to Zion National Park?

Accepted Answer

Like on any of our national park trips, be prepared for a lot of walking on our Zion National Park tours.

- **Comfortable walking shoes.** You’ll want to bring at least two pairs of comfortable walking shoes just in case one gets wet or uncomfortable. 
- **Sun protection.** A hat with a wide brim or visor, sunglasses, and your favorite SPF lotion are a must on tours to Zion National Park.  
- **Light layers.** Make sure you pack lots of layers. The canyon can be cool at its base, but it can get significantly warmer as you hike up to higher elevations. 
- **Daypack.** A small backpack will help you comfortably carry everything you need for changing conditions throughout your trek through Zion National Park.
- **Camera.** There are stunning views around every turn in Zion National Park,  and you’ll want to capture every one of them!

[Want to ride the rails while traveling to Zion National Park? Check out our America’s National Parks by Train tour →](/guided-tours/americas-national-parks-by-train-rocky-mountains-arches-zion)