Zion Entry Sign

1 Day in Zion

Follow paths where people walked for 1000 years and experience a narrow slot canyon's tall, stretching walls. Visit the Narrows and walk to Weeping Rock and the Emerald Pools. Close off the day with the thrilling Canyon Overlook Trail.

 

Table of Contents

  • Visitor Center
  • Narrows
  • Weeping Rock
  • Lower Emerald Pool
  • Canyon Overlook Trail

 

Visitor Center

Only a part of the park is accessible by car during summer. For the most part, you use the shuttle service. The parking lot at the visitor center is filled early in the day. Visiting the visitor center is important to get to know the conditions of the day.

It might be possible that you can’t do the Narrows or a certain hike. If you need water shoes, you can rent them at the Zion Outfitter.

 

Narrows

The Narrows is probably the most visited part of the park. But who doesn’t want to have the fun of walking through a river in the middle of wonderful landscapes? Water can come as high as your chest and it’s an out-and-back trail.

It’s important that you only walk for 1 hour and come back if you have 2 hours in total. To get to The Narrows, you need to take the shuttle service to stop 9: Temple of Sinawava.


The Narrows Zion National Park Utah

Weeping Rock

The trail to Weeping Rock is only 0.4 miles (0.6 km) long. The alcove has continuous water seeping from its walls because the Navajo Sandstone layer is porous like a sponge. This gives the impression that the rock is crying or “weeping” and why it’s called Weeping Rock.

The trail ends at a set of steps leading to the alcove. Weeping Rock is located at shuttle stop 7: Weeping Rock.

Weeping Rock Zion, Utah

Lower Emerald Pool

The Emerald Pools are located at stop 5: Zion Lodge of the shuttle service. The paved trail to the Lower Emerald Pool is 1.2 miles (1.6 km) long and takes you through Pinyon-juniper woodland. The pool is an essential water source for wildlife, swimming isn’t allowed. The trail is extendable because of the connection with the Kayenta Trail.


Canyon Overlook Trail

Take the car to go to the Canyon Overlook Trail. Coming from the park, it is just after the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel. If you come from the east, it is just before the tunnel. The trail starts at this point.

It’s not a hike for people afraid of heights. The 1-mile (1.6 km) out-and-back trail gives you wonderful views of the park. The end of the trail is marked by a fenced cliff edge facing the main Zion Canyon. There is always a possibility to spot bighorn sheep.

Discover Zion and other Utah National Parks in this 25 days South West USA RoadBook.

 

Main Zion Canyon, Utah
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