Gear Guide
What to Wear: Canyoneering
Slot canyons, including Zion Narrows, are deceptively cold—and often wet. The temperature in the sun may be 100 degrees, but expect it to drop as much as 30 degrees when you drop into the shade. At the bottom, the rock walls get little direct sun, so they radiate cold. Add water—many slots have wading and even swimming sections—and convective afternoon winds, and you have a recipe for hypothermia. Not all slot-canyon hikes are that risky, of course, but the point is to call ahead about conditions and come prepared for the worst. Read More...
What to Bring: Canyoneering
If you’ve heard of Zion, you’ve probably heard of Zion Narrows, the epic slot canyon that BACKPACKER has named a life-list must. This all-day adventure plunges you into a deep, cool, narrow chasm hundreds of feet deep, with colorful, curving sandstone walls that look like something out of Dr. Seuss. Before tackling the Narrows-or any other slot canyon in the Southwest-brush up on your safety skills. Bone-chilling pools, flash floods, and technical terrain are three common hazards that can turn a dayhike into an all-out struggle for survival. Read More...
What to Wear: Backpacking
Pick your clothing for multiday trips in Zion to deal with its climate extremes: very hot days and rapidly cooling nights. Rain gear is optional: In the rare chance you actually get wet in a summer monsoon shower, sunshine is always right around the corner, just waiting to dry you off. Our best advice: Select versatile, loose-fitting clothes that do double-duty as day and night garments so you can pack light. Read More...
What to Bring: Backpacking
Overnight hikes in the desert Southwest—whether it’s Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, or Grand Canyon—are some of the world’s most spectacular natural adventures. You get enormous views (this is the real big sky country!), vibrantly colored sandstone arches and hoodoos, and massive solitude. For these outings, you’ll want to pack the same items you’d carry for a dayhike, plus food, cooking gear, and these desert-specific recommendations. Read More...
What to Wear: Day Hiking
They like to say “it’s a dry heat” in the Southwest, and it is—like a furnace. Especially on exposed trails in Zion, where there are few trees to provide shade, and plenty of light-colored surfaces to reflect the solar radiation. Unless you’re exploring a slot canyon like Zion Narrows, where the temps are milder, time your dayhike for the coolest parts of the day—a pre-dawn start is advisable—and make sure you’re wearing the following items to beat the UV. Read More...
What to Bring: Day Hiking
Zion is remarkably similar to the Grand Canyon in climate and terrain—it only lacks the brutal 4,000-foot climbs. The weather here tends to be oven-hot in the summer (best times to visit are spring and fall), water is scare, and the trails can be just as rocky and technical. There’s a bit less technical risk and challenge in Zion, but the gear you’ll pack will be similar; in fact, what you carry on hikes in the Grand Canyon and Zion is a good setup for most Southwest desert hikes. Read More...
Top Ten Things to do in Zion Park
1. Explore a Slot Canyon
Zion possesses one of the areas richest treasure troves for intrepid explorers willing to match their wits, their legs and their fingers against Mother Nature. Read More...
2. Delve into Zion History
There are tens of thousands of ruins, artifacts, petroglyphs and pictographs throughout the region. One of the most fun things you can do is find an ancient artifact on your own. Read More...
3. Look for Arches
These geological phenomena are formed through a deceivingly simple process of erosion. Water percolates through the cracks in the rock, and in the winter it freezes and expands, cracking and carving bits and pieces of the rock into natural arches. Read More...
4. Listen to the Experts
Varied ranger-led programs are meant to inspire and educate visitors of Zion National Park. These varied programs can feature film, slides, and other forms of presentation. Read More...
5. Explore The Narrows
The Narrows are easily accessed by everyone. The hike begins at Temple of Sinawava, then winds along the paved pathway of Riverside Walk to the beginning of the area where the canyon walls narrow. Read More...
6. Watch Wildlife
Utah has some amazing animal populations– big cats, buffalo, bears, and more. With a little persistence you can catch a glimpse of many of Utah’s native residents. Read More...
7. Drive the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
With switchbacks, slickrock and sweeping views with seasonal waterfalls, the approach has numerous spots where you can pull off the road for a better view or to take a short hike, encapsulating many of the highlights seen elsewhere in this most scenic of areas. Read More...
8. Soak in fabulous scenery
Utah is know for its striking scenery, but Zion stands above the rest. With breathtaking waterfalls, towering cliffs, narrow canyons and numerous water features, it is hard to image a place more beautiful. Read More...
9. Visit a Museum
The Southwest is dotted with small museums set up by an individual or a small group who really wanted to tell people about something. These mini-gems of museums are worth the time and money. Read More...
10. Go Where the Locals Go
With 15 miles of trails through coral-colored Navajo sandstone interspersed with snow white cliffs, dark lava flows and bright red sand dunes, the five-mile Snow Canyon Park draws rock climbers, photographers, spelunkers, RVers and hikers. Read More...
