Your Perfect Day in Zion National Park: A Sunrise-to-Sunset Guide
With only one day in Zion National Park, every hour counts. This carefully crafted itinerary maximizes your time in one of Utah’s most iconic landscapes, taking you from a stunning sunrise viewpoint to the park’s most accessible trails and ending with a memorable dinner in Springdale. Whether you are passing through on a larger road trip or making a focused day trip from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, this plan ensures you experience Zion’s greatest hits without feeling rushed.
At a Glance
- Duration: 1 day (10-12 hours)
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Estimated Budget: $50-80 per person (park entry, meals, fuel)
- Best Season: Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November)
- What You Need: National Park Pass or $35 vehicle entry fee, comfortable hiking shoes, 2-3 liters of water per person, sunscreen, and a hat
Morning: Canyon Overlook at Sunrise & Riverside Walk (6:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
6:00 AM – Canyon Overlook Trail at Sunrise
Start your day early by driving to the Canyon Overlook Trail on the east side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. This one-mile round-trip hike takes only 30-45 minutes and rewards you with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the entire park. At sunrise, the red sandstone walls glow with warm amber and crimson light, and you will likely have the viewpoint mostly to yourself. The trail involves some mild scrambling over sandstone and a few short sections with drop-offs, but it is manageable for most fitness levels.
Pro tip: Arrive 30 minutes before official sunrise. Park at the small lot just east of the tunnel on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Space is limited to about 15 vehicles, so an early start is essential, especially during peak season.
7:30 AM – Grab Breakfast
After the sunrise hike, drive into Springdale for a quick breakfast. The town has several excellent options including cafes with fresh pastries, breakfast burritos, and strong coffee. Fuel up properly because you have a big day ahead. For specific recommendations, check our Springdale Dining Guide.
8:30 AM – Catch the Zion Canyon Shuttle
Head to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and board the free Zion Canyon Shuttle. During peak season (March through November), private vehicles cannot drive into Zion Canyon, so the shuttle is your ticket to the major trailheads. The shuttle runs frequently, roughly every 7-10 minutes during busy periods. Ride all the way to the last stop: Temple of Sinawava.
9:00 AM – Riverside Walk
From the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop, walk the Riverside Walk, a paved, mostly flat 2.2-mile round-trip trail that follows the Virgin River into the mouth of The Narrows. Towering canyon walls rise 1,500 feet on either side, and hanging gardens of maidenhair fern cling to the weeping rock faces. This is one of the most scenic and accessible trails in the park. At the end of the paved path, you can wade a short distance into the river for a taste of The Narrows experience without committing to a full day of water hiking.
Driving time note: The shuttle ride from the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava takes about 45 minutes with stops. Plan accordingly.
Afternoon: Emerald Pools & Optional Angels Landing (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
11:00 AM – Lower and Upper Emerald Pools
Take the shuttle back to the Zion Lodge stop and hike the Emerald Pools Trail. The Lower Emerald Pool is an easy 1.2-mile round trip that passes beneath a dripping waterfall overhang, a surreal and photogenic spot. If your legs still have energy, continue to the Upper Emerald Pool, which adds another mile of moderate climbing through switchbacks to reach a secluded pool nestled at the base of towering red cliffs. The full loop (lower, middle, and upper pools) is about 3 miles round trip and takes 2-2.5 hours.
12:30 PM – Lunch Break
Head back to the Zion Lodge for lunch at the Red Rock Grill or enjoy a packed lunch at one of the many picnic areas along the canyon floor. Eating inside the park saves time compared to shuttling back to Springdale. If you packed snacks and sandwiches, the Grotto picnic area near the lodge is a peaceful spot with cottonwood shade and river views.
1:30 PM – Optional: Angels Landing (Permit Required)
If you secured an Angels Landing permit through the lottery system, the afternoon is your time. This legendary 5.4-mile round-trip hike gains 1,488 feet of elevation and culminates in a narrow, chain-assisted ridge walk to a summit with 360-degree canyon views. The hike takes 3-4 hours round trip and is strenuous. Permits are required year-round and must be obtained in advance through recreation.gov. If you did not get a permit, consider hiking to Scout Lookout instead, which is the viewpoint just before the chains section and does not require a permit. The views from Scout Lookout are still extraordinary.
Alternative Without Angels Landing Permit
If Angels Landing is not in the cards, ride the shuttle to the Weeping Rock trailhead. The short Weeping Rock Trail (0.4 miles round trip) takes you to an alcove where water seeps through 4,000 feet of Navajo Sandstone, emerging as a curtain of droplets. After that, consider the Watchman Trail near the visitor center, a 3.3-mile round trip with excellent views of the Watchman peak, Springdale, and the Towers of the Virgin. It is a wonderful late-afternoon hike as the western light paints the canyon.
Evening: Sunset Views & Dinner in Springdale (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
4:30 PM – Sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge
As the afternoon light softens, walk to the Canyon Junction Bridge near the park entrance. This spot offers one of the best sunset vantage points in Zion, with views of the Watchman, Bridge Mountain, and the West Temple. The bridge is accessible on foot from the Pa’rus Trail, which is open to bicycles and pets as well. During fall and winter, sunset colors here are particularly vivid.
6:00 PM – Dinner in Springdale
End your day with dinner in Springdale, the charming gateway town to Zion. For a special meal, consider restaurants offering locally inspired Southwestern cuisine, craft cocktails, and patio seating with canyon views. Our Springdale Dining Guide covers everything from casual tacos to upscale farm-to-table options. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season, especially for dinner.
After Dark: Stargazing
If you are not driving back immediately, take a few minutes to look up. Zion is a certified International Dark Sky Park, and on a clear night the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. The Pa’rus Trail and the parking lot near the Human History Museum are excellent stargazing spots with minimal light pollution. For more on this experience, see our Stargazing in Greater Zion guide.
Essential Tips for Your 1-Day Zion Visit
- Arrive early: The Visitor Center parking lot fills by 8-9 AM in peak season. Arriving at 6 AM gives you the best shot at parking and a head start on trails.
- Shuttle strategy: Ride to the farthest stop first and work your way back. This avoids backtracking and crowded upstream stops.
- Water and sun protection: Temperatures inside the canyon can exceed 100F in summer. Carry at least 2-3 liters of water per person and wear sun-protective clothing. Read our Desert Safety Guide for more details.
- Pack layers: Morning temperatures can be 20-30 degrees cooler than afternoon highs, especially in spring and fall. Check our Packing List for season-specific gear recommendations.
- Stay in Springdale: If possible, arrive the night before and stay in Springdale to maximize your time. See our Springdale Hotels Guide for options at every price point.
Where to Go Next
If this single day left you wanting more, consider extending to a 2-Day Zion Itinerary or combining your visit with a day in St. George. For a broader regional experience, our 3-Day Greater Zion Itinerary adds Snow Canyon State Park and Sand Hollow Reservoir to the mix.
