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Zion itinerary

What to do with one to three days in Zion National Park.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

Here is how to spend one to three days in Zion, built from the hikes and activities the National Park Service lists and the time it says each takes. Short on time? Do Day 1. Times are for the activity itself; add time for driving, parking and shuttles between stops, and swap anything that is closed or out of season.

Day 1

About 4.5 hours of listed activity time, plus stops with no listed time.

Start at Zion Canyon Visitor Center for maps, current trail conditions and ranger advice.

Morning

  • Upper Emerald Pools Trail (1 to 2 hours). Upper Emerald Pools Trail is a moderate, 1 mile (1.6 km) trail that can be accessed via the Kayenta Trail, Lower Emerald Pools Trail, or Middle Emerald Pools Trail.

Afternoon

  • Stargazing in Zion (time not listed). Zion is a great place to connect with the night sky, whether you are an avid astrophotographer or this will be your first view of the Milky Way.
  • Sand Bench (1 to 4 hours). The Sand Bench Trail travels atop the remains of an ancient rockfall.
  • Weeping Rock (15 to 45 minutes). Short but steep!

Day 2

About 6.5 hours of listed activity time.

Morning

  • The Narrows (1 to 8 hours). The Narrows is a strenuous hike that follows the Virgin River through a narrow slot canyon.

Afternoon

  • Zion Ranger-led Activities (20 to 120 minutes). Join a park ranger to learn about what makes Zion National Park such a special place!
  • Timber Creek Overlook (30 to 60 minutes). Follows a ridge to views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains.

Day 3

About 6 hours of listed activity time.

Morning

  • Lower Emerald Pool Trail (1 to 2 hours). Lower Emerald Pool trail is a rough, paved trail that leads through pinyon-juniper woodland to the Lower Emerald Pool and ephemeral waterfalls.

Afternoon

  • Middle Emerald Pools Trail (1 to 2 hours). Middle Emerald Pools Trail is a moderate hike along an unpaved sandstone ledge above the Lower Emerald Pool Trail.
  • Angels Landing (1 to 2 hours). On and after April 1, 2022 hikers continuing to Angels Landing from Scout Lookout are required to have a permit, obtained on recreation.gov. (permit or reservation needed)
  • Watchman Trail (1 to 2 hours). The Watchman trail is out-and-back.

Make it work

Today at Zion

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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Zion?
One day covers the highlights; 3 days lets you add longer hikes. Add travel time between areas of the park.
What should I do with one day in Zion?
Start at Zion Canyon Visitor Center, then: Upper Emerald Pools Trail, Stargazing in Zion, Sand Bench, Weeping Rock.