Introduction
Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile park is Zion Canyon. The canyon walls are reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone eroded by the North Fork of the Virgin River.
The park has a unique geography and a variety of life zones that allow for unusual plant and animal diversity.
Recommendation
Hiking: The Narrows is one of the most popular hikes in the park. Your feet will get wet but it could be nice during the hot summer months. The best way to reach the Narrows is to start your hike from the Temple of Sinawava on the Riverside Walk.
Tired of hiking?: If you would rather enjoy the scenery from a car or shuttle, you can hop on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.Travelers who have traversed this thoroughfare describe it as a "white-knuckle drive" with relatively few guardrails and numerous sheer cliffs. Still, it rewards you with beautiful views of the park and wildlife like bighorn sheep.
Tips
1. The best time to visit is between May to November. Keep in mind that the park can be very crowded during summer months. If you want to see the vibrant Fall colors, late October would be a great time.
2. The Zion Lodge is a great place to stay if you want to stay inside the park.
3. If you decide not to park inside the National Park (parking fills up by mid-morning) you can park alongside the road in Springdale and walk to one of the 8 bus stops. The free Zion shuttle buses run to and from the National Park during the day.