How to best experience Zion National Park

Some quick tips for visiting Zion:

• The park may be famous for its hikes, but it's also great for canyoneering, scrambling, climbing, and rappelling.

• Spring and fall are the busiest times, thanks to the comfortable climate. But if you happen to experience a thunderstorm during your visit, make the most of it by taking in the waterfalls that form.

• The Zion Canyon Visitor Center at the south end of the park has some really detailed exhibits on the natural and human history of the park.

• There's a shuttle that goes around the park, making it easy to access various trailheads without having to find parking.

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. Once you make it past the hairpin curves, you'll reach Scout's Lookout, which is where many people turn around. If you stay on the trail toward Angels Landing, prepare for narrow trails and steep drop-offs lined with chains for grip.

You can appreciate the unusual beauty of Checkerboard Mesa from the road, or you can decide to hike it. Until 1938, the multi-colored slick rock mountain was known as "Rock Candy Mountain," until the Zion park superintendent gave it its more dignified current name.

You can see the Narrows from the paved Riverside Walk trail, but if you want to go inside, you should be prepared to get 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.

The view from the top of Angels Landing is iconic, and one of the must-see features of Zion. The intense 5-mile hike 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.

Head to Observation Point for the best view of the canyon in all of Zion. It's an 8-mile out-and-back hike, but the views are worth it.

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. If you have kids with you, this is a great hike to try.

In order to hike the slot canyon known as the Subway, you need a permit. To get the permit, you'll have to enter a lottery three months in advance, or you can try your luck at the last-minute lottery, a few days to a week in advance. There are two routes, both of which require hiking through water, scrambling, swimming—and maybe even some rappelling.

If you need a quick breakfast, a lunch on-the-go, or some coffee or snacks to refuel, Cafe Soleil is the place to find it. Everything is fresh, local, and organic, and the cafe showcases art and music by locals.

The Spotted Dog Cafe is a funky bistro that offers slightly more upscale food. The space is nice but casual with some lovely outdoor seating. Get a nice bottle of wine to treat yourself after all that hiking.

National parks and camping go together like macaroni and cheese, and you can take full advantage of Zion's gorgeous scenery by camping here. Watchman Campground is close to the South entrance of the park, has more than a few sites, and can accommodate both RVs and tents.

For a great dinner or lunch in a fun, casual atmosphere, try Bit & Spur Restaurant and Saloon for some BBQ and Tex Mex grub. Chile verde, sopes, tamales, and more add flavor to the menu, and don't miss the carne asada. Tons of craft beers to choose from, too.