If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Zion National Park, you’ve come to the right spot. I’m here to help you determine the amount of time to budget for this national park, taking into account the adventures you’re hoping to have during your time in Zion.
How many days should you spend in Zion? This park is small but surprisingly busy and complex, so no less than two full days is ideal. However, if you’re hoping to hit all the popular spots and famous hikes, you’ll want to plan at least three full days in Zion!
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger and Utah native. I’ve grown up visiting Zion year after year, and I can’t wait to help you plan your trip to this majestic national park.
Let’s get deeper into the things you’ll want to consider when deciding how many days you should spend in Zion.
Can I See Zion in One Day?
Yes…and no. Zion is a relatively small national park (it only takes 45 minutes to drive between the South and East Entrances), and the main sights are close together. However, it is one of the most visited national parks in the country, so by the time you account for the huge crowds and the required park shuttle, one day won’t seem like much time!
If you only have one day to spend in Zion, I recommend spending your day along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. You’ll have time to complete one of the park’s most popular trails, like Angels Landing or the Narrows, and then stop at some of the smaller points of interest. Don’t forget that you’ll need to take the free Zion Shuttle to get to this part of the park.
With one day, you’ll need to cut out a bunch of the lesser-known and off-the-beaten-path stops. You’ll also be traveling to the most popular areas of the park during some of the busiest times of the day, so expect a lot of crowding.
Planning a trip to Zion can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Zion Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Zion in Two Days
Spending two full days in Zion is when things really start getting good! With two days in the park, you’ll have time to explore the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (you’ll need to take the free shuttle). You’ll also have time to drive to the East Entrance and see the quieter side of Zion.
With two days, you’ll have time to hike both Angels Landing and the Narrows, and you’ll also be able to add in some off-the-beaten-path activities that will get you away from the crowds.
I recommend at least two full days in the park so that you don’t feel like you have to rush — and so that you can get a break from the crowds. You’ll have a couple of evenings to photograph the red cliffs in the best lighting or enjoy the shops and restaurants in Springdale.
Zion in Three Days
You can explore a good portion of Zion in two days, but it’s amazing the difference an extra day can make. If you can spend three full days in Zion, you will have time to see some of the most magical parts of the park that many people never see.
With three full days, you’ll have time to see all of the park’s viewpoints and most popular points of interest. You’ll have plenty of time to complete Angels Landing and the Narrows, plus participate in a special activity like horseback riding or canyoneering.
And if you absolutely love hiking in the national parks, you’ll even have time to add in another long trail like the West Rim, East Rim, Observation Point, or the Subway!
A three-day visit will open up more options for capturing stunning photographs in the park at sunrise or sunset. It will also give you time to explore the lesser-visited Kolob Terrace or Kolob Canyons Scenic Roads if you’re hoping to see a part of Zion that most people never visit.
One other fabulous thing about giving yourself three full days in the park is that it will be much easier to get to the busy spots when the crowds are the smallest. That will save you a lot of time and provide opportunities for solitude!
Do you need help with your daily schedule for Zion?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
Other Things to Consider
Before you solidify your travel dates or book your lodging for Zion, you’ll want to think about a few things, such as:
How much time will it take to travel to and from Zion (not including your sightseeing days)?
Many people forget to factor in the time it will take for them to drive to the park, which can cut into your sightseeing and leave you wishing for more time. For example, if you plan on spending one day in Zion but you don’t get to the park until 10 a.m., you’ll severely limit the things you’ll have time to see. This is especially true if you visit during the summer — parking lots will be completely full by then.
Are there any major holidays/fee-free days/festivals you’d like to be in the park for or avoid?
If you’re visiting over a holiday or fee-free day, the crowds will be higher, and parking lots will be packed. You may have a harder time getting around to all the can’t-miss spots, so some extra time could be beneficial.
Are there other national parks and points of interest you’re hoping to see on the same trip?
Zion is close to several other national parks, including Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. If you’re hoping to get to several parks in a limited amount of time, you’ll want to decide how much time you’re willing to give to Zion. Out of all of the Utah parks, Zion is the one that I suggest allotting the most time for.
Should I Spend More Time in Zion or Bryce Canyon?
Chances are, if you’re heading to Zion, you’re probably also wanting to visit Bryce Canyon National Park at the same time. These parks are only two hours apart, making it easy to see both!
Zion definitely needs more time than Bryce Canyon. It is a larger park with more ground to cover, but it’s also more heavily visited and harder to navigate than Bryce Canyon. Zion also has some longer day hikes that shouldn’t be missed, so you’ll want to budget more time to knock those trails off your bucket list!
The ideal number of days for each park is at least 3 full days in Zion and 1.5-2 full days in Bryce Canyon.
Zion Itinerary Options
I’m here to help you determine how many days to spend in Zion, so here are a few sample trip itineraries for the area that can help you decide how to split your time between parks!
After you decide how to split your time, these detailed itineraries will provide you with a ton of extra information on things to do, driving directions, lodging and dining options, and insider tips for your trip.
If you have:
A Weekend in Southern Utah
I recommend spending one day in Zion and one day in Bryce Canyon. If it’s a long weekend, add another day to Zion.
One Week in Southern Utah
Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 3 — Bryce Canyon all day, then drive to Capitol Reef in the evening (2 hours)
Day 4 — Capitol Reef all day, then drive to Arches in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Arches
Day 6 — Canyonlands
Day 7 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (7 hours)
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon
Day 1 – Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion all day, then drive to Grand Canyon North Rim for the evening (2.5 hours, only open May-October)
Day 4 — Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 5 — Grand Canyon North Rim in the morning, then drive to Bryce Canyon for the afternoon/evening (3 hours)
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (4 hours)
10 Days in Southern Utah
Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion in the morning, then drive to Bryce Canyon for the afternoon/evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Scenic Highway 12 in the morning, then Capitol Reef in the afternoon/evening (2.5 hours)
Day 7 — Capitol Reef all day, then drive to Arches in the evening (2.5 hours)
Day 8 — Arches
Day 9 — Canyonlands
Day 10 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (7 hours)
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive to Page, AZ, and see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (3 hours)
Day 8 — Drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim (2.5 hours) and sightsee in the afternoon
Day 9 — Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 10 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (4 hours)
2 Weeks in Southern Utah
Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive and sightsee along Scenic Highway 12 to Capitol Reef (3 hours)
Day 8 — Capitol Reef
Day 9 — Capitol Reef all day, then drive to Arches in the evening (2.5 hours)
Day 10 — Arches
Day 11 — Arches
Day 12 — Canyonlands
Day 13 — Canyonlands
Day 14 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (7 hours)
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon
Day 1 — Fly into Vegas and drive to Zion (3 hours)
Day 2 — Zion
Day 3 — Zion
Day 4 — Zion all day, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the evening (2 hours)
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Drive to the Grand Canyon North Rim and sightsee in the afternoon (3 hours, only open May-October)
Day 8 — Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 9 — Drive to Page, AZ, to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (2 hours)
Day 10 — Page in the morning, then drive to Monument Valley in the afternoon/evening (2 hours)
Day 11 — Monument Valley in the morning, then drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim and sightsee in the afternoon (3 hours)
Day 12 — Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 13 — Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 14 — Drive back to Vegas to catch your flight (4 hours)
Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
Enjoy your trip to Zion National Park. Happy trails!
More Zion Trip Planning Information
Zion Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Zion — the best airports and roads in the area.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
The Best Things to Do In Zion — activities for your whole group.
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Zion — the top 10 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Zion Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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