Three Days in Zion National Park: The Complete Experience
Three days in Zion National Park allows you to go beyond the greatest hits and discover why this park draws nearly five million visitors each year. This itinerary covers the popular main canyon trails, dedicates a full day to the legendary Narrows river hike, and finishes with the often-overlooked Kolob Canyons and Zion’s hidden gems. By the end of three days, you will have experienced Zion in a way that most visitors, who only spend a few hours, never get to.
At a Glance
- Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Estimated Budget: $200-350 per person (park entry, lodging, meals, gear rental)
- Best Season: Spring (April-May) or Fall (September-October)
- What You Need: Park pass, sturdy hiking boots, Narrows-specific footwear (rent in Springdale), trekking poles, dry bags, 3+ liters of water daily
Day 1: Popular Trails & Canyon Icons
Morning: Angels Landing or Observation Point (6:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Begin with Zion’s most iconic hike. If you have an Angels Landing permit, start early to beat the heat. The 5.4-mile round trip with 1,488 feet of elevation gain takes 3-4 hours and culminates in the famous chain-assisted knife-edge ridge with sheer drop-offs and panoramic canyon views.
If Angels Landing permits are not available, hike to Observation Point via the East Mesa Trail (6.4 miles round trip from the east mesa trailhead, moderate difficulty). This trail approaches Observation Point from above, offering a less strenuous route to what many consider the best viewpoint in the entire park. At 6,521 feet, you look directly down on Angels Landing and across the full sweep of Zion Canyon. The trailhead is outside the park on Bureau of Land Management land, so no shuttle is needed.
Afternoon: Emerald Pools & Weeping Rock (12:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
Refuel with lunch at Zion Lodge, then explore the Emerald Pools loop. Start with the Lower Emerald Pool trail, a gentle walk beneath a dripping sandstone overhang, then climb to Middle and Upper Pools for a 3-mile loop through progressively more dramatic scenery. The Upper Pool sits at the base of a massive cliff face with a seasonal waterfall that is spectacular in spring.
Stop at Weeping Rock (0.4 miles round trip) on your way back. This brief hike leads to a natural alcove where groundwater seeps through 4,000 feet of sandstone, creating a curtain of water drops and lush hanging gardens of columbine, shooting star, and maidenhair fern.
Evening: Pa’rus Trail Sunset & Springdale Dinner (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Walk or bike the Pa’rus Trail, a paved 3.5-mile one-way path that parallels the Virgin River between the Visitor Center and Canyon Junction. This is one of the few trails in Zion open to pets and bicycles, and the evening light on the Watchman and the Towers of the Virgin is stunning. End the day with dinner in Springdale. See our Springdale Dining Guide for top picks.
Day 2: The Narrows Full-Day Adventure
Preparation: Gear Up (6:00 AM)
Today is dedicated entirely to The Narrows, Zion’s signature river hike. Pick up your rented canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks, and walking stick from one of the Springdale outfitters (reserve the evening before). Pack waterproof bags for electronics, a packed lunch, and extra layers. Check river conditions at the Visitor Center before heading in.
Morning to Afternoon: The Narrows Bottom-Up (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Take the first shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava, walk the Riverside Walk to its end, then enter the river. The bottom-up day hike follows the Virgin River upstream through the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. Walls rise 1,500 feet on either side, sometimes only 20-30 feet apart. The water depth varies from ankle-deep to chest-deep depending on the season and flow rate.
Most day hikers reach Orderville Canyon (about 2.5 miles upstream) as a turnaround point, making the full round trip roughly 6-7 miles. Stronger hikers push to Wall Street, a particularly narrow and dramatic section about 3.5 miles in. Budget 6-8 hours for the full out-and-back experience.
Key details:
- Water temperatures range from 40F in spring to 68F in summer. Neoprene socks are essential outside of July and August.
- The river bottom is rocky and uneven. A walking stick provides critical stability and reduces the risk of ankle injuries.
- Watch for flash flood warnings. The Narrows closes when the Virgin River exceeds 150 CFS or when thunderstorms are forecast upstream.
- Pack a hearty lunch and eat at one of the sandy benches along the canyon. There are no facilities once you enter the river.
Late Afternoon: Recovery Time (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
After a full day in the river, your legs will appreciate some rest. Return your rental gear, change into dry clothes, and relax at your lodging. If you have energy, a gentle stroll through Springdale’s art galleries and shops is a pleasant way to decompress.
Evening: Celebratory Dinner & Stargazing (5:30 PM – 10:00 PM)
You have earned a great meal. Treat yourself to one of Springdale’s best restaurants, perhaps trying fine dining with locally sourced ingredients and craft cocktails. After dinner, Zion’s designation as a Dark Sky Park means the stargazing is phenomenal. Walk the Pa’rus Trail or drive to the Human History Museum parking lot for unobstructed views of the Milky Way.
Day 3: Kolob Canyons & Hidden Gems
Morning: Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive & Taylor Creek (7:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Drive 40 minutes north on I-15 to the Kolob Canyons entrance, the less-visited half of Zion National Park. Start with the Taylor Creek Trail (5 miles round trip, moderate), which follows the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek through a narrow canyon to the Double Arch Alcove, one of the largest natural alcoves in the Southwest. Along the way, you pass two historic homestead cabins from the early 1900s. The trail involves multiple creek crossings, so waterproof shoes are helpful.
After the hike, drive the full 5-mile Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive to the end viewpoint. The views of the Kolob Finger Canyons, with their 2,000-foot red and white cliffs, rival anything in the main canyon. Walk the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1 mile round trip) for an expansive ridgeline panorama.
Afternoon: Hidden Gems (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Return to the main park for some of Zion’s less-traveled treasures. Consider these hidden gems:
- Northgate Peaks Trail: A 4.4-mile round trip along the Kolob Terrace Road with views of the twin Northgate Peaks and the distant Great White Throne. Very few hikers make it out here.
- Huber Wash: An unofficial route on the east side where you can walk through a small slot canyon without crowds or permits.
- Canyon Overlook Trail: If you missed this on Day 1, catch it in the afternoon light for a completely different mood than sunrise.
- Watchman Trail: A 3.3-mile round trip near the Visitor Center that provides excellent views of Springdale, the Towers of the Virgin, and Bridge Mountain.
For more off-the-beaten-path ideas, see our Hidden Gems of Greater Zion guide.
Evening: Final Sunset & Departure (4:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
Catch your final Zion sunset from the Canyon Junction Bridge or the Watchman trailhead overlook. The warm light on the red rock formations creates the perfect farewell to three unforgettable days in one of the world’s great canyon landscapes.
Essential Tips for 3 Days in Zion
- Lodging strategy: Book Springdale lodging for maximum convenience, or camp at Watchman or South Campground for a more immersive experience. Reservations fill months in advance for peak season.
- Day 2 Narrows backup: If flash flood conditions close The Narrows, swap Day 2 and Day 3. Use the river day for Kolob instead and hope conditions improve for a Narrows attempt on Day 3.
- Shuttle tips: The Zion Shuttle runs seasonally. In winter (December-February), you can drive your own vehicle into the canyon, which changes the logistics significantly.
- Save money: Pack lunches for trail days. An America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers entry to all national parks for a year and pays for itself if you visit two or more parks.
- Check conditions: Always check the official park website and visitor center for current trail conditions, closures, and weather forecasts. Desert weather can change rapidly.
Continue Your Greater Zion Adventure
With three days in Zion complete, consider adding a day in St. George for Snow Canyon and local dining, or extend to a 5-Day Greater Zion Itinerary that includes Sand Hollow, Kolob Terrace, and more. For the ultimate Utah experience, our 7-Day Utah Parks Itinerary adds Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
