Zion National Park is, in a lot of ways, the best of everything. You've got the mountains, you've got canyons, you've got greenery... what else do you need? Whether you're looking for a challenging hike or a more peaceful retreat into nature, you'll find that Zion National Park has it all. The colors, the cliffs and the canyons will definitely enchant even the most experienced adventurer!
Kanab, Utah, United States
Whether you just appreciate the unusual beauty of Checkerboard Mesa, a multi-colored slick rock mountain from the road, or you actually decide to hike it, it's pretty wild-looking. In fact, until 1938, it was known as "Rock Candy Mountain" until the Zion park superintendent gave it its more dignified current name.
Pa'rus Trl, Virgin, Utah United States
You can see The Narrows from the paved Riverside Walk trail, but if you want to go inside, you should be prepared to get a little wet. Hike to the Temple of Sinawava via the Riverside Walk and then you'll have to get into the Virgin River and walk upstream.
Fair warning: in order to hike the slot canyon known as The Subway, you'll need a permit. To get the permit, you'll have to enter either the advance lottery three months in advance, or the last minute lottery, which is 2-7 days in advance. There are two routes, both of which require hiking through water, scrambling, swimming, and maybe even some rappelling!
One of the park's more interesting features is Weeping Rock, a sandstone rock that has water oozing out from its sides, creating a waterfall of sorts, with a lovely hanging garden and a little stream below. It's a quick walk here from the trailhead, which is easily accessed by the shuttle, so if you've got kids with you, this is a great hike to try.
The view from the top of Angels Landing is iconic, and one of the must-see features of Zion. The five-mile hike is pretty intense, and can usually take around five hours to do, but the feeling of hiking along the rocky fin nearly 1,500 feet up is pure exhilaration.
Angels Landing Trl, Virgin, Utah United States
Walter's Wiggles is a series of 21 steep switchbacks that make the hike to the top of Angels Landing a bit of a challenge, but once you make it past the hairpin curves, you'll reach the Scout's Lookout, which is where many people turn around... because the hike to the very top of Angels Landing is a half of a mile of narrow trails and steep dropoffs lined with chains for grip.
Head to Observation Point for the best view of the canyon in all of Zion. Round-trip, the whole thing is about 8 miles, but the views are seriously mind-blowing. Set aside at least a few hours for this one, but it's worth it.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Antimony, Utah United States
Hot and rainy in the summer, cool and snowy in the winter, Zion is probably at its best in the spring and fall (seriously, Zion has some awesome fall colors)-- but, of course, the mild weather attracts crowds. If you visit Zion in the summer, hike in the morning and evenings, and head into Springfield to beat the heat during the hottest part of the day.