Best Things To Do in Zion National Park

At Zion National Park, you can follow the paths where ancestral Indigenous peoples and early pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs—cream, pink, and red—soaring into a brilliant blue sky. Venture into narrow slot canyons, listen for songbirds along the Virgin River, and let Zion’s rich ecology and human history set the stage for today’s wilderness adventures. It’s no wonder zion national park posters and other national park posters inspired by this landscape are among our most-loved designs.

My name is Rob Decker, and I’m a photographer and graphic artist with a lifelong passion for America’s National Parks. I’ve visited 55 of our 63 national parks—and Zion is an unforgettable favorite. I’ve explored nearly every corner of the park, and whether it’s your first visit or a long-awaited return, here are some of the best things to do in Zion National Park.

Backpacking

The Zion Wilderness is a renowned destination offering solitude and adventure. With over 90 miles of trails, dozens of designated backpacking sites, multiple at-large camping areas, and more than 124,000 acres of protected wilderness, Zion provides backpacking experiences ranging from easy overnights to challenging multi-day routes. Wilderness permits are required for all overnight trips; always check current conditions and flash-flood forecasts before you go.

Bicycling

Bicycling is permitted on all park roadways and on the Pa’rus Trail. All other park trails, off-trail routes, and the Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel are closed to bikes. The Pa’rus Trail and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive are bike-friendly, and park shuttles are equipped with bike racks in season. Ride early and yield to pedestrians—especially during peak visitation.

Birding

Zion is home to hundreds of bird species, and it has played a vital role in raptor recovery and conservation. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, California condors, Mexican spotted owls, and bald eagles, along with colorful migrants in spring and fall. Bird checklists are available at visitor centers, and dawn/dusk along the Virgin River is prime time for sightings.

Camping

Zion National Park has three campgrounds. South and Watchman Campgrounds are in Zion Canyon; Watchman typically accepts advance reservations via Recreation.gov and is open year-round, while South Campground operates seasonally. Lava Point Campground sits about an hour from Zion Canyon on the Kolob Terrace Road and is more primitive. There are no campgrounds in Kolob Canyons. Camp only in designated sites—never in pullouts or parking lots. Sites often book quickly from spring through late fall, so reservations are strongly recommended.

Canyoneering

Canyoneering blends route-finding, rappelling, problem-solving, swimming, and hiking—and Zion is one of the premier places in the country to try it. From beginner-friendly slots to expert-level descents, there’s a canyon for almost every skill set. Many routes require a wilderness permit (including the Subway and the top-down Narrows). Always check flow rates, weather, and flash-flood potential before entering a canyon.

Climbing & Bouldering

Zion’s 2,000-foot Navajo Sandstone walls are legendary for big-wall climbing. Due to route length and complexity, most climbs are not recommended for beginners. Limited top-roping and sport areas exist, and two small bouldering sites are accessible in the main canyon: a large “house-sized” boulder west of the south entrance and the Drilled Pocket Boulder about 0.5 mile north of the south entrance on the west side of the road. Always follow seasonal raptor closures and practice low-impact ethics.

Hiking

Zion offers trails from easy strolls to strenuous adventures, and even short hikes benefit from advance planning. Group size on wilderness trails (including The Narrows beyond Orderville Canyon) is limited to 12. Zion Canyon: Iconic hikes like Angels Landing and Emerald Pools start here; note that Angels Landing now requires a permit via a seasonal lottery. Kolob Canyons: Find quieter red-rock vistas and excellent day hikes in Zion’s northwest corner. Wilderness: Longer backcountry routes demand solid navigation, extra water, and a wilderness permit for overnights.

The Narrows

The Narrows is the park’s famed slot of sculpted sandstone—a gorge with walls a thousand feet high and a river corridor sometimes only twenty to thirty feet wide. See the Narrows by walking the paved, wheelchair-accessible Riverside Walk from the Temple of Sinawava; beyond that, you’ll be hiking in the Virgin River. Depending on conditions, a Narrows hike can be a short wade or an all-day adventure. Always check flow rates, water quality advisories, and weather before entering; high water or storms can close the route.

Ranger-Led Activities

Deepen your connection to Zion with ranger-led programs covering geology, plants, wildlife, dark skies, and human history. Offerings vary by season, with the most robust schedule typically mid-April through mid-October. Programs are free and family-friendly, and completing one is required to earn a Junior Ranger badge—perfect for young explorers.

Sunset and Stargazing

Golden hour sets Zion’s cliffs ablaze, with neon oranges and deep purples washing over the canyon. Stay after dark for a different kind of show: a dazzling canopy of stars above jagged silhouettes. Zion protects its natural night skies, so it gets very dark—bring a headlamp and be prepared. On clear, moonless nights, you may even glimpse the Milky Way.

No matter how you explore, you can’t go wrong in Zion National Park. With awe-inspiring views, water, and wilderness, Zion has something for everyone—and it’s easy to see why our national parks posters retro, old fashioned posters, and other vintage American posters celebrating this park are perennial favorites.

I’ve created a WPA-inspired Zion National Park posters series—one called “The Narrows,” photographed mid-river to capture the canyon’s depth and light.

Click here to see the Zion National Park “The Narrows” poster.

And this one, featuring “The Watchman” from the banks of the Virgin River—another classic view that inspired our vintage American posters collection.

Click here to see the Zion National Park poster.

Rob Decker studied under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park at age 19 and has since dedicated his craft to celebrating all 63 U.S. national parks. Through WPA-style national park posters, he invites you to remember past adventures, plan new ones, and share your love for protected places.

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