not sure I’ll ever get over the magic of Zion💫💫
Day 1 Itinerary⤵️
🚶♀️Short walk to @zionnps Visitor Center from @flanigansresort (stop for coffee otw @zioncanyoncoffee)
🚍 Take the park shuttle to Stop 6 (The Grotto)
🥾 Kayenta Trail (see full details & must-see spots below)
🥪 Pack sandwiches for lunch (and lots of water!)
🚶♀️Walk along the Grotto Trail (easy 1 mi) to Stop 5 (Zion Lodge/Grotto)
🚍 Shuttle back from Stop 5 to the Visitor Center (Stop 1)
🥾 From Stop 1, hike the Watchman Trail (3.3 mi) at sunset! This hike ends at a viewpoint of the Towers of Virgin, lower Zion Canyon, and the town of Springdale
🚶♀️Short walk back to @flanigansresort (or hop on the Springdale Shuttle from the Visitor Center into town)
🍝 Dinner at @flanigansresort’s Spotted Dog Cafe
🌌 End the night walking up @flanigansresort’s labyrinth trail for incredible views of the stars
Kayenta Trail Details⤵️
• Moderate, 2mi, with emerald pool sights along the way (distances below)
• Visit the Upper (3 mi), Middle (2.2 mi), and Lower (2 mi) Emerald Pools (if you don’t have time for all of them, the Upper Pool was my favorite!)
• Hiking the full trail with stops will fill most of your day, but it’s SO worth it!
Other Tips⤵️
• Pack plenty of water and allow time for photos!
• Most shuttle stops have water stations & restrooms
• Springdale Shuttle connects the Zion Visitor Center to town (this is a separate line from the in-park shuttle)
• Wear sturdy hiking boots with good grip; trails can be rocky
• LAYERS are your friend, especially when hiking in the cooler months (we went in November). You’ll want to be bundle up in the morning and on cloudy days but will most likely want to remove some layers as you continue hiking)
• Download the Zion shuttle & trail guide for trail maps and shuttle stop details
• Check the Zion NPS website daily for trail and shuttle updates
• Don’t miss the Museum (Stop 3)—lots of cool artifacts and history of the park
• Prepare for uphill climbs; the views are worth the effort, I promise!
I’ll be sharing our full itinerary on my blog soon and more from this trip on @letswonderandwander, so make sure you’re following me there!
If you’re planning a trip to Zion (or anywhere else), I’m dabbling in travel assistance services! Whether you need itineraries from past trips or custom planning for new destinations, I’d love to help.
Cheers to exploring our beautiful planet! 🌍 More to come.
