Places to See/Hike in Zion National Park

Zion Canyon Visitor Center

Located just inside the South Entrance of the park near Springdale.
This visitor center is open daily during the following hours:

Spring: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Summer: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fall: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Winter: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Museum

Located one-half mile north of the Zion Canyon Visitor Center at the park's South Entrance, the museum is open 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily with longer summer hours. It is closed November through February. Permanent and temporary exhibits display the history of Zion National Park. A 22-minute video plays every half hour to allow visitors to get a quick overview of the park.

Kolob Canyon Visitor Center

Located at the West Entrance of the park, off exit 40 from I-15. To contact the visitor center, call (435)772-3256.

This visitor center is open daily during the following hours:

Spring: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Summer: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fall: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Winter: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m

Both visitor centers are closed December 25.

Overview

Lower Emerald Pools Waterfall in Zion National Park

Best Hikes in Zion National Park

If Mama Zion put out a greatest hikes album, there are a few trails that would definitely make Side A. Read on for the must-see hikes of the season (or any season, really).

Our favorites

Angels Landing: The concept for this hike was obviously born in a simpler, less litigious time, when scaling sheer cliffs with the aid of only a chain bolted into rock was considered top-form family fun. Your belly might drop to your toes on the ascent, but the view from the top (and the adrenaline shot) will make everything worth it. “Scared? Who, me?” you’ll lie, after you get back down.
Observation Point: Take those Angels Landing braggarts down a notch by hoofing it up the eight-mile trail to the iconic summit of Observation Point. Aptly named, the view takes in 270 degrees of the canyon, from the white cliffs and hideaways of Echo Canyon to Angels Landing, which is directly beneath you in every sense of the word.
Emerald Pools: See the park’s jewel collection with a trip to the Emerald Pools, a series of desert oases separated by lush vegetation, waterfalls and red rock monoliths. The trip to the first pool is quick and easy — great for kids, people in wheelchairs or the elderly.