Hiking in Utah:3-Day Itinerary
Yay! You've made it to Utah and if you're anything like me you've been dreaming of hiking in these red rocks for a long time and it seems surreal that you’re finally here!
As a woman who has spent most of her hiking experience in the Canadian Rocky Mountains - Utah was like nothing I've ever experienced before in the best way!
Things To Know Before You Go
What Airport Should I Fly Into?
We flew into the Las Vegas International Airport (LAS). This is a common trend since it's the largest international airport that is only a 2hr 30min drive to Zion National Park and you can usually fly to Las Vegas at a discounted price because it is a popular tourist destination.
Where to Stay?
We stayed at two places while visiting Utah since we were arriving extremely late in the evening and the Bed & Breakfast we wanted to stay at did not allow check-in after 8:00pm.
We stayed in the gorgeous town of Springdale, UT. Springdale is a 13 minute drive to the Zion National Park gate (1.1 mile) which was extremely convenient for those early morning hikes we wanted to do.
First Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Express - Springdale, UT was the perfect accommodation for our first night in Springdale. The room was clean, cozy and quiet while we slept off our travels from that day. The large, A-frame lobby gives off a mountain town vibe and the complimentary breakfast was perfect for our early start before exploring the park. They also had fire pits out back that guests could use which would be perfect with some friends on a summer night.
Second Accommodation:
Zion Canyon Bed & Breakfast is a small and exclusive property that has gorgeous red rock views from your bedroom window. This B&B is very triggered towards couples that want a spa-like atmosphere after spending the day exploring the park. Before every hike we would make our way down the swooping, solid wood staircase while incense filled the room and tranquil music played in the dining room. Liz and Larry were so accommodating to our vegetarian requests and incredible hosts. You had the option to grab and go a breakfast wrap to eat on your hike or you could enjoy a sit down breakfast and socialize with guests from all over the world.
*Please note that this is not a pet-friendly accommodation and no children under the age of 10 are allowed on the premises.
You can book your stay at Zion Canyon BnB through their website or directly on Airbnb.
What Kind of Park Pass Should I Buy?
If you are planning on visiting 2 or more of the Mighty 5 Utah National Parks I suggest purchasing The America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass.
When we arrived in Zion National Park we decided to purchase the standard entrance pass of $35.00 USD which only supplied us access to one of the parks. We were planning on visiting Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park which if we stuck with the standard pass would have cost us a total of $105.00 USD to visit all three.
Thankfully, if you are driving through a park entrance booth they can upgrade your standard entrance pass for the annual pass which provides you access to over 2,000 recreation sites across the United States and is valid for a 12-month period for only $80.00 USD.
Your passes can be purchased in advance online at the National Park Service.
Best Time of Year to Visit
We visited Utah during January. We chose this month because mainly this was my birthday trip but I also didn't want to explore the park during peak tourism and wanted the freedom to explore using my own vehicle rather than waiting for shuttles in the extreme heat. My experience during the winter months was extraordinary. There was hardly any snow (some small patches in low areas) but hiking in the Rocky Mountains during the winter made Utah seem like an oasis.
If I were to return to Utah I would visit during the Fall. I enjoy cooler conditions while hiking and I don't mind packing layers incase the temperate change is severe. High and low temperatures can vary by 30°F each day. Fall colors begin to show at the highest elevations, slowly making their way down to Zion Canyon at the end of October and early November which would be a gorgeous sight to see.
For further information on weather conditions in Utah check out this website.
Do I Need to Rent a Car?
Yes, renting a car is a must when visiting Utah. Even if you are using the shuttle service for commuting around Zion National Park you will still need to get yourself from the airport and back. Bryce Canyon National Park is a 72.3 mile drive and Arches National Park is a 250 mile drive from Bryce Canyon National Park. If you want to make your commute simple, renting a vehicle is the way to go.
We rented our vehicle directly from the Las Vegas Airport.
What Months Can I Access the Park with my Private Vehicle?
Shuttles run from May - November and during this time there are no private vehicles allowed in the park. You can access the park between December - April in your private vehicle. When we explored in January there were no wait times at the park entrance and we got a parking spot at every trailhead.
You do not need a permit or reservation to ride the shuttle (only a park pass which I've explained above). The park shuttle transports approximately 6 million travelers a year so make sure you're early if you are set on hiking at a certain time that day.
You can view the Zion Canyon Shuttle System schedule here. I'd suggest reviewing prior to your trip so you are aware of when and where to be for the adventuring you plan to do.
What To Wear In Utah?
As always when packing for a hiking trip - layers, layers and more layers. Utah is commonly aggressively hot 100°F / 38°C during the summer months and you want to be prepared for that unforgiving sun while adventuring through the parks.
In the winter months it will linger around 50-60°F / 10-15°C during the day and can drop below freezing at night. This was the case for when I was visiting.
Pack smart when visiting areas that have severe elevation changes. You can't predict what may happen when you've made it to the peak of a mountain. I hiked up to Scouts Landing in a t-shirt but once we reached the top I had to throw on my fleece because the temperature had dropped significantly.
In the summer months pack a lot of flowy items like khaki shorts and ensure that you have a lightweight shell jacket or UV shirt to throw on when you begin to burn. The wind may keep you cool but there's nothing worse than getting back to your hotel and looking like a tomato.
Are the parks pet-friendly?
As a hiker that never leaves home without her corgi by her side, unfortunately I have to say that Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Arches National Park are not particularly pet friendly.
Most hikes (especially the popular ones) do not allow dogs. Many popular trails also have park rangers scouting the areas, checking permits and will ask you to leave the trail if a dog is present.
I love travelling with my dog but keep in mind that if you decide to bring your dog that you will be limited in which hikes you can complete.
Day One
Hiking in Utah: 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: We did 4 separate hikes on the first day while visiting Zion National Park. The accessibility within the park is phenomenal and we were not burnt out or overly exhausted after completing all 4. This is a very realistic first day for an avid hiker.
Emerald Pools Trail
We weren't planning on doing this trail but I am so thankful that we squeezed it into our first day in Zion. The Emerald Pools trail is moderate in difficulty with 169m of elevation gain. It's a 4.8 km loop which is always wonderful because you get new views at every corner.
This is a popular area so keep that in mind when choosing the time of day to hike this trail. You will encounter large crowds which may be irritating when visiting the third pool which is the highlight of the hike. The third pool offers a towering waterfall that flows down the red rock into the pool below. You can walk along the rocks and have a relax while listening to the roaring water.
Make sure you have enough time to visit all three pools. The last pool is absolutely stunning and is worth the extra miles.
Pets Allowed: No
Zion Canyon Overlook Trail
If you're visiting Zion National Park this trail is a must. It's an easy to moderate trail with 57m of elevation gain and only 1.6 km in length. It's an out and back trail that will leave you nothing but satisfied once you get the opportunity to see the view.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and you will most likely encounter other hikers since it's an extremely popular route because of its accessibility.
Pets Allowed: No
Sand Caves, Kanab, UT
My spouse picked this hike and I was honestly not overly excited for it because I knew it didn't pack a punch when it came to extraordinary views but this hike was like no other I've ever experienced. It felt like the typical Utah red rock hike that you dream of when visiting.
You hike a short 1.9 km up 37 m of elevation to the sand caves. The trail is very washed out and is difficult to follow so when you find yourself at the incline just follow your gut and take the best route for your ability. I wouldn't suggest doing this hike in anything but hiking shoes because the rock does slant while you walk up and you want to have secure footing.
Once you reach the cave you'll find so many unique arches and spots to peek out of. The cave isn't too deep so pack a headlamp and walk to the very end to get the full effect of this unique spot.
Pets Allowed: Yes
The Belly of the Dragon
Another easy route to cross off while visiting Zion National Park. If you're interested in caves and tunnels this hike is definitely a stop for you.
It's 2.9 km in length and has an elevation gain of 56m if you decide to finish the entire hike. The main attraction is the beginning of the hike which takes you through a tunnel that resembles a large belly of a dragon.
This is a great one to do with kids because the tunnel is located near the parking area with no elevation or tricky trail to maneuver through.
Pets Allowed: Yes
Emerald Pools Trail
Zion Canyon Overlook
Day Two
Hiking in Utah: 3-Day Itinerary
Angels Landing & Scouts Lookout via West Rim Trail
Ah yes, the reason everyone comes to Zion National Park.
Angels Landing is the most popular hiking trail in Zion National Park and requires a little bit of planning. I am going to go over my personal experience and what I would do better the second time around.
The trail stats
Angels Landing Trail
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 6.9 km
Elevation Gain: 557m
Route Type: Out & Back
Pet Friendly: No
Permit Required: Yes
Hiking Boots: Yes
Parking Area: Grotto Trailhead
Shuttle Dropoff: Grotto Trailhead
(walk over the bridge to head towards Angels)
Safety Tip: Please ensure you wear proper hiking boots and have crampons available while hiking Angels Landing. We witnessed many individuals attempt this hike in running shoes and they were slipping all over the rock/mud. Angels Landing has severe drop-offs which could result in death. Come prepared.
what to know about the
mandatory permit
There is a mandatory permit system for hikers that want to hike Angels Landing, Please keep in mind that this is a dangerous hike and the permit system is in place to keep visitors safe on the trail. The amount of annual hikers was becoming a safety risk which is why this permit lottery has been put in place.
Getting and managing your permit:
There are two ways to obtain a permit and both are very different so it will depend on your flexibility when choosing which option.
Day-before Lottery:
You can apply for a permit the day before your planned hike. This lottery opens every day at 12:01 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Mountain Time (MT). I suggest that all parties in your group apply for a permit so your chance of obtaining one is greater.
Note: It costs $6 to apply for a permit. The fee covers an application for up to 6 people (including the person filling out the application). This fee is non-refundable.
Learning the lottery outcome:
At 4 p.m. MT on the day you apply, we will send you an email to let you know:
You got a permit and have been charged $3 per person you registered.
This fee is not refundable.
You can get your permit by logging in to your account on recreation.gov.
Seasonal Lottery:
You can apply for a permit before your trip. You will get to pick seven ranked days and times or windows of days and times you want to hike.
Find the date you plan to be in Zion and use recreation.gov to apply for a permit during your application window.
This option is great if your extremely flexible with your travel dates. Do not use the seasonal lottery option if you're travelling with strict dates.
*Important: There is an option to use Apple Pay for your permit - I suggest checking out without using the Apple Pay option. Some hikers did not get their permits because of a system glitch and got denied their permit automatically without knowing until months later until they received an apology email from the park. Better safe than sorry.
If you did not obtain a permit through the lottery keep in mind that there is a Zion National Park employee that is stationed at Scout's Landing right before the chain section up to Angels Landing. They were checking all permits and did not allow hikers through without a valid permit. Don't skip the lottery part you'll regret being asked to turn around.
You can enter the lottery here.
If you did not receive a permit
Sadly, this happened to us. We used the Apple Pay option and were not aware of the system glitch. We applied 4 times but were denied each time.
I want to make it very clear though that even if you did not receive your permit you can still complete 95% of this hike without a valid permit.
You can hike all the way to Scout Lookout which is the most strenuous part of this hike. Climbing 1000 ft (305 m) up to experience some of the most scenic views in all of Zion National Park. The half mile route with chains to Angels Landing starts at Scout Lookout which is the ONLY area you need the permit for.
Even without a permit, I hope you decide to experience Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail because it really is a sight to see.
Our Day at Scouts Lookout
As I mentioned above, even if you did not receive a permit to Angel's Landing make sure you still hike up to Scouts lookout. The views are incredible right before the chain section and there are tons of areas to explore even without the permit.
We began hiking up to the lookout at 9:30 am. It took us a little over an hour to reach the top. The winding trail is really fun and for an experienced hiker this trail would be considered moderate. Keep in mind that you are walking along the edge of the rock which may cause some anxiety if you are fearful of heights.
We packed pretty light but decided to bring a lunch which we enjoyed while soaking up 1000ft views overlooking the canyon. There are bathrooms at Scouts Landing and yes, a park employee was up there checking valid permits before people entered the chain section.
Zen and I explored the West Rim and made sure to check out all of the popular spots. If you're scared of heights keep in mind that Scouts Landing is quite wide and you should feel safe while enjoying the view. The drop off the side of the ledge is vast so approach with caution if you're nervous.
We completed this hike on January 14, 2023. The weather was overcast but we were lucky enough not to experience any snow and still had crisp views from above. I was 12 weeks pregnant and didn't find this hike challenging so I would agree that it would be rated as a moderate trail.
Hiking in Utah: 3-Day Itinerary
Day Three
Bryce Canyon National Park
After spending a few days exploring Zion National Park we decided to make the 72 mile drive (1 hr 19 min) to Bryce Canyon National Park and I am very thankful that we did. This drive is safe and the parks are close enough that you can easily make a day trip to Bryce Canyon and get enough adventuring in to make the trip worthwhile.
Bryce Canyon took my breath away with its crimson-coloured hoodoos. I've never seen anything like it before. It was like stepping onto another planet of red, orange and white rock. We were only spending one day here so we decided to get the most out of it and hike the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail.
All you need to know about the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail
Length: 5.0 kms (3.11 miles)
Elevation Gain: 198 m (659 ft)
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Pets Allowed: No
Best Time to Visit: March through October
Parking Lot: Sunset Point
The Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail is one of the best hikes to fully encounter the unique rock formations referred to as hoodoos and spires. You begin hiking the Navajo Loop Trail towards Sunset Point where you'll endure breathtaking views of the colourful rock or sometimes referred to as the "silent city". You will walk down into the hoodoos in a switchback pattern which makes the trail easier on the knees since you will drop quite significantly.
We did come across snow while hiking this trail so ensure you pack layers if hiking this during the winter months. You will come to a trail junction after Thor's Hammer and the Two Bridges with benches as a rest area. Take the trail that states the Queen's Garden where you will see some more spectacular formations that are so gorgeous they look man-made.
Queen's Garden Trail is easy to follow and you will experience other hikers on this trail since it is extremely popular. As you continue, you will eventually find yourself climbing up out of the hoodoos and finishing the hike at Sunrise Point. This is a great spot to take photographs since you have the entire valley behind you.
Turn left at Sunrise Point to make your way back to the parking lot.
If you're short on time I think that the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail is the perfect hike you can easily accomplish in a day while getting the most out of your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.
BONUS: Arches National Park
If you are spending more than a weekend exploring the parks or find yourself in the Eastern region of Utah, make your way to Arches National Park and hike the Delicate Arch Trail.
We spent our second last day hiking the Delicate Arch Trail and I am so thankful we decided to make the trek out to Arches National Park. This 5.1-km out-and-back trail near Moab, Utah takes an average of 1h 35 min to complete.
The only downfall of visiting Arches National Park if you are staying in Zion the entire time is that it's a 4h 19 min drive (301.6 mi) one way. If you commit to making a day trip like we did, ensure you brought some snacks and are prepared for a longer commute.
The hike to the Delicate Arch is moderate and there are many areas to rest and enjoy some of the views along the way. The trail begins with a slight elevation for around 0.5 miles until your reach a large slab of slickrock. You will gain most of your elevation while hiking up the slickrock but keep in mind that if you're visiting during a rainstorm, there's a reason it's called "slickrock". The total elevation gain for this trail is 192 m but it's gained almost all at once so be prepared to get your heart pumping. This hike is not pet-friendly so leave your furry friends at home.
Note: Arches National Park requires a timed entry reservation from April 1st to October 31st, 2023. Visitors will need to secure a reservation in advance to enter the park between 07:00 and 16:00 (7 a.m. - 4 p.m.). If you are visiting the park outside of these hours - no reservation is required. This reservation is free but you will still need a park pass to enter.
You can reserve your timed entry here.
If you finish your exploring at Arches National Park early make sure you visit the city of Moab, UT. Unfortunately, we ran out of time but I've heard Moab, UT is a wonderful place to explore and it's only a quick 10-min drive away. It's a great place to eat, stay and adventure.