With soaring slot canyons, massive sandstone cliffs and lush swimming holes, Zion National Park is an adventurer’s oasis. Join your local guide to hit new heights on the park's best hiking trails, wade through the cool waters of the Virgin River Narrows and experience the beauty of Emerald Pools. Whether you want to camp in the heart of the action, experience Southwestern hospitality at a Zion ranch stay or explore multiple national parks on our Las Vegas to LA adventure, Canyon Country is calling.
Pass sparkling waterfalls, streams and lush vegetation on a gentle walk to Emerald Pools. Aptly named, these three green pools have collected water from the trickles above. With a natural amphitheatre of sheer cliffs surrounding the pools and natural shade from trees, it's one of Zion's most serene settings.
Take a leisurely walk through the lush gardens of Weeping Rock, a large overhanging rock that 'weeps' from a constant stream of water through the cliffs. It's one of the easiest hikes in the park with some great photo opportunities thanks to its fern and moss-covered walls which are surrounded by vegetation.
Wade through The Narrows
Imagine wading through a shallow river passage and looking up to see red canyon walls towering 305 metres above you. This slot canyon hike in Zion Canyon is one of the best in the world. The Virgin River flows through much of this canyon, so prepare to get wet! It’s all part of the fun though, right?
Spend a day hiking to Observation Point where you’ll find jaw-dropping vistas over the canyon. This is a tough hike, but it's easily one of the most epic viewpoints and totally worth it when you reach the top. Not to mention the unique rock formations you’ll see and you pass through the beautiful Echo Canyon.
Cool down in the Virgin River
Zion's remarkable landscapes have been (and continue to be) shaped the Virgin River for thousands of years. As you stroll along the riverbanks, keep your eyes peeled for shallow swimming areas to cool down on a hot day.
With exposed edges and steep drops, Angels Landing is Zion's most thrilling hike. The trail starts at Grotto Trailhead and takes you through Refrigerator Canyon, Walter’s Wiggles and Scout Lookout before the final part: a narrow cliff spine lined with chains and guard rails that leads you to the summit. The views (and sense of achievement) are well worth it.
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Western USA National Parks Loop
Kelly · Traveled June 2024
This was an amazing trip! The hiking and kayaking immersed us in some breathtaking places! Our guide, Bradley, took great care of us, kept things running, and shared a wealth of knowledge. I'm already looking to do another trip with Intrepid.
Review submitted 28 Jun 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Kathleen · Traveled June 2024
This experience is well worth the expense for those who enjoy everything planned out. Not having to worry about driving, accommodations, daily plans,directions to each park and check-in. The convenience is well worth cost. Exceptional experience with the chance at meeting wonderful international travelers from New Zealand, Australia. Loved every moment.
Review submitted 13 Jun 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Donna · Traveled June 2024
I highly recommend this trip. It was run very efficiently & covered a lot of ground in a relatively short period of time. The itinerary covered some very scenic parks & we travelled across some very scenic landscapes. Our leader, Haley, was excellent - well organised, knowledgeable, professional & a great person. I recommend this trip.
Review submitted 17 Jun 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Herman · Traveled June 2024
This trip showcased some of the diverse landscapes of Utah and Arizona. Our tour leader, Bradley, did a phenomenal job of leading our group of 8 travelers over 5 action-packed days. Bradley was a compendium of knowledge about the history, culture, and natural environment of the area. The kayaking guide and the Navajo guides were excellent. All in all, I enjoyed not only the places that we visited, but also the camaraderie within our group.
Review submitted 12 Jun 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Randall · Traveled June 2024
This is an amazingly wonderful way of seeing and learning So Much about key sites of this part of the world
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Zion is located near Springdale in southwest Utah. It's relatively close to Salt Lake City (a 4.5-hour drive away)and Las Vegas (3 hours away).
The best time for a visit to Zion National Park is between spring and autumn, with the summer months of July and August having the hottest weather. If you prefer milder weather and fewer people to share the trails with, consider the spring months of April and May or the autumn months of September and November.
Zion National Park is a 2.5 hour drive from Las Vegas, 4 hours from Salt Lake City and 7 hours from Los Angeles.
If you’re travelling from further afield, the best option is to fly directly into St. George Airport (the closest airport to Zion NP) or to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas where you can then transfer to St. George Airport or rent a car and drive to the park.
You’ll likely be doing lots of hiking and outdoor activities, so make sure you bring a decent pair of hiking boots or reliable runners.
You'll also need hiking pants or sportswear, t-shirts, a fleece, a waterproof/windproof jacket, a sunhat, sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
If you visit during winter, bring a warm jacket, a woolly hat and gloves as it can get quite chilly.
Zion is home to over 290 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 8 species of fish. It's also home to 78 species of mammals including bighorn sheep, rock squirrels, mule deer, bats and foxes.
There are so many incredible outdoor adventure activities to experience in Zion National Park that it can be hard to fit them all in. Hiking is one of the most common ways to spend a day at Zion, however, rock climbing, river tubing, canyoneering and more are also fun ways to enjoy the park.
Two or three days is usually enough to see the park's highlights. However, Zion is a pretty large place, so you could easily spend weeks exploring its hiking trails and natural wonders.
Zion is one of the most spectacular national parks in the US, but Outforia also ranked it as one of the most dangerous.
Steep cliffs, drop-offs, rapid weather changes and flash flooding are some of the biggest risks.
That being said, if you're aware of the risks, take time to plan your trip or join one of our trips led by an expert local leader, you can enjoy all Zion has to offer.
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.