Zion National Park first appeared on my radar when we were planning a trip that we were supposed to take in April 2020. Like everyone else, our 2020 plans didnβt happen.
I started doing a ton of research on Zion and decided it needed to be a βmust doβ on our trip in 2021.
This was the final stop in our Arizona/Utah trip in September 2021. It was also our first RV trip so there was A LOT to research regarding where we can drive with the RV, where to Park, how to get around, etc.
Zion has a shuttle service that will take you from the visitors center all the way to the final stop (stop 9), while stopping at all the locations on the way. Β The shuttle is FREE! Here is a map of the shuttle route
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/publications.htm
Zion Day 1
SO.. first lets talk getting to Zion.. we were coming from Bryce Canyon National Park- It was a little over an hour. We entered Zion via The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It is only open one way so if you are arriving later in the day, you will be waiting a bit.
Our RV had to be measured and we were advised to drive directly in the center of the tunnel. The views at the end of the tunnel were incredible!
βWe entered the town of Springdale and parked in the RV lot at the visitorβs center, got a map of the park and decided which hike we were going to do that day. Anyone who knows anything about Zion knows about Angels Landing. Everything you read says if you have a fear of heights, this is not the hike for you. Since I started planning this trip I went back and forth probably 500 times on whether or not I was going to do this hike. I always said, I’ll just decide when I get there. Well, now, here I am and now I need to decide.
Once the time came, I decided my fear was too much and I couldnβt do it, so we spoke to a park ranger on the other βbestβ hikes in the park. He told us to check out the Emerald Pools.
βThere are three Emerald Pools β Upper, Middle, and Lower β inΒ Zion National ParkΒ and visitors may choose from as many trails: a short, 1.2-mile round-trip loop to the Lower Pool; a 2-mile round-trip visit to the Middle and Lower Pools; or a 2.5-mile round-trip hike to all three. The paths to the Lower and Middle Pools are wide sidewalks and easily traveled. The trail from the Middle Pool to the Upper Pool is more difficult, and steep at times.
We hopped on the shuttle and got off at the Zion Lodge (stop #5). We saw all three- it was definitely a hike worth doing.
AFTER this hike is when I decided βlets do angels landingβ. I told Pete, at least letβs hike up to scouts lookout and go from there. We got back on the shuttle and took it to The Grotto (stop #6).
βHiking up to scoutβs lookout is a CHALLENGING 2-mile hike with steep gains and tons of switchbacks. We started this hike around 1pm (not smart) and it was HOT. We made it up to scouts lookout and decided to go the extra Β½ mile to angels landing. This took a while! Its super narrow with major drop-offs and it gets tricky when people are coming down and you are going up and we are all trying to hold on to the same chains. Luckily, everyone on the trails takes it very seriously and is very respectful of everyone. My advice β go slow and once at the top soak it all in, the views are amazing. I will never forget the feeling of making it back down scoutsβ lookout, such a relief that we just did Angels Landing!
Angels landing trail
**As of 4/1/22 – you need a permit to hike Angels Landing.
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm
Β Now, 2 miles back downβ¦ we ran out of water, and I have never felt thirst like that before. There are water fountains at the bottom of the trail and it was all I could think about during that last mile! We finished the hike at around 4pm and headed right back to the RV. We learned from the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon that we canβt eat meals during these hikes so needless to say we burned through our energy bars and were starving.
From the RV we went and checked in at our camp site at Zion Canyon Campground and RV Park (highly recommend!). Each night stay came with shower tokens which were lovely after showering In the RV for 7 days. From the campsite you can take the free shuttle or walk about 10 minutes back towards the entrance to the park and there are a bunch of shops and places to get food. We went to the Zion Brew Pub which was AMAZING.
βZion Day 2
The Narrows!
βI think it’s safe to say that aside from Angels Landing, this is the most popular hike in Zion. We rented boots, neoprene socks and walking sticks from Zion Outfitters β which in my opinion was a must have. We saw a lot of people in different types of sandals or sneakers and were sliding all over the place (once entering the water, your walking on rocks and they are slippery). It was about 29$ each for the warm weather rental package β WORTH IT!
βWe walked right from Zion Outfitters right into the park and onto the shuttle and took it to stop 9.
After getting off the shuttle it was a decent walk on a wide, flat trail before entering the water. You can hike the narrows from the bottom up (no permit needed, most popular) or the 16 mile through-hike from Chamerblainβs Ranch Β (permit needed)
Hiking in The Narrows upstream (bottom up-) as far as Big Spring does not require a permit. Doing the hike this way allows you to see some of the most spectacular and narrowest parts of the canyon. You can hike in the river for an hour and have a great experience, or you can hike as far as Big Spring, a strenuous, ten-mile round trip, all-day adventure.
We hiked about 3 miles in which took about 2 hours. The deeper we got the less crowded it got. Some parts we waist deep while the majority was ankle/shin deep. Remember, this is technically a slot canyon so there is really no point where you are in the sun, so the water is chilly! 
After our 6 miles, we walked back, returned our items to Zion Outfitters and had ANOTHER amazing dinner at the Zion Brew Pub. I feel like we saw a good amount of Zion in the 2 full days we had there and after Angels Landing and The Narrows, a 3rd day would have to had been some easier hikes, but if you have the time β I think 3 or 4 days would be ample time to see and do everything.
Being from the East Coast, when you go out west, specifically these parts of Utah, it almost feels like youβre on a different planet. All the rock formations and the way the sunlight hits them, its so beautiful and unlike anything you see on the east coast. If you are considering a trip to Zion National Park, RUN, donβt walk! -Ashley
