Zion National Park, Utah

If there is one thing about the United States that no one can argue about, it’s that we got so DAMN GOOD national parks and I mean DAMN GOOD. If you haven’t been here yet, I highly encourage you to add this to your bucket list. It’s truly stunning.

Some people camp in Zion however I opted for the Airbnb experience in a town nearby called Brian Head. I spent an entire day hiking Angels Landing and exploring The Narrows. Below is a guide to my experience spending 2 full days in Zion.

First things first, the shuttle. We got there at 6:30am to take the first shuttle of the day which is at 7am. Mind you, the lines are long to get into the parking and then actual parking can be a pain so give yourself plenty of time to get there without needing to rush.

You will need to take the shuttle to get you to pretty much every major destination for the most part. It’s super convenient, especially on the long, hot summer days.

Day 1:

The Narrows: Hiking in the Virgin River was an unforgettable experience. We started at the Riverside Walk and hiked upriver for several miles, and basically decided to turn around when we felt ready. I think we hiked for a total of 12 miles. I was told that there is a bottom-up version of the hike which is the full thing! If you are looking to do the entire 16 mile long, top-down journey, that would probably have to be done in if not one full day, two days. Would be a fun backpacking trip/experience!

I know you need to get a permit if you decide to hike the full thing as well as apply for a campsite if you choose to do it over the course of two days (or over night). Guide to the Narrows has full details on how to do all of this and can give you in depth details of it all!

Tip: Pack comfortable, broken in water shoes. I got mine at REI. I also opted for hiking sticks and I’m glad I did because they came in handy! You’d be surprised how difficult walking in a river with so many rocks underneath you can be.

Truly a rewarding experience. This definitely was an all day thing though and after, we went home and rested to prepare for the next day!

Day 2:

Angels Landing: Oh my lanta. This hike was no joke. I don’t think I’ve ever hiked something so scary before and it really made me realize how much of a fear I have with heights, which I had no idea! I think it had to do with the fact that there is nothing keeping you from plummeting to your death besides a chain you’re holding on to. Very jarring, and ALSO exhilarating. Now, I visited during 2020 when a permit wasn’t necessary to hike however now, they have implemented this new rule to avoid crowds and long lines for this hike since it’s so popular. You can learn more here. Once you get to the top of the hike… Breath Taking. Stunning. Spectacular. Gorgeous. Amazing! 10/10. I sat and marveled at the scenery for a good hour. Be careful on the hike down. For some reason, going downhill is a lot more nerve wrecking - for me at least.

Emerald Pools Trail: I realllllly enjoyed this hike. Keep in mind, It's easy to reach the lower pools, a little bit more difficult to the middle, and strenuous to the upper pool. I hung out in the lower pools area because after Angels Landing, I was beyond exhausted and didn’t have it in me to keep going. Be better than me. Go to the upper pools area and let me know how it is, ha ha.

After this, we decided to call it and went back to the Airbnb. 2 full days in Zion was a great start and I am excited to go back and discover more!

There are so many trails to do in Zion. I only touched a small percentage of them. Discover more trails and get to exploring!