Zion National Park Review. What You Should Know!
We were very excited because so many people told us we needed to see it. How did it turn out?
The morning air was cool and crisp as we left St. George and headed east toward the highly recommended Zion National Park.
We were very excited because so many people told us we HAD to experience this majestic place along our travels. Since southern Utah had already captured my attention with its incredible mountain ranges and desert landscape, I knew we’d be in for a great surprise as we approached the park.
The journey to Zion did not disappoint us.
Driving north on Interstate 15 toward Highway 9, I was surrounded by beautiful red cliffs and canyons. It’s a drive you need to slow down on and enjoy because there’s so much to see and take in. The vastness of all those mountains makes you realize just how small and insignificant we can be in the grand scheme of things.
As we made our way through the towns of Hurricane, La Verkin, and Virgin, the landscape changed: the mountains grew subtler and more spread out—but still present and inspiring. It was a very relaxing drive, with great places to stop and take in the beauty all around us.
But the best was yet to come!
Reaching Springdale, the excitement increased.
You will notice everything changes dramatically as you make your way toward the town of Springdale, Utah. The mountains begin to grow and command your attention in a new way, and the canyons will hold your gaze like a prisoner trapped between glorious walls of color. The road draws you into something unreal and unexpected.
Springdale is the entrance into Zion National Park, and even though it can get jam-packed, this town has a lot to offer any visitor. There are coffee shops, breweries, art galleries, local restaurants, hiking trails, and plenty of places to shop or sleep. The atmosphere is enjoyable and requires more than a day to experience it all.
One word of advice: Get to the ZNP gates at the crack of dawn, or you’ll find it overwhelmingly busy.
Zion National Park
The shuttle will take you to the entrance, and it will be hard to contain your excitement as you approach. It truly is a magical experience.
You can stop at the visitor center to shop and grab some grub before hopping on the park shuttle, the only mode of transportation this time of year. They will take you to the most important points in ZNP and drop you off to explore.
However, there are trails to walk if you’re feeling energetic and adventurous. Donetta and I did a mile “hike” where we got to enjoy the outdoors and see wildlife going about their business. It was well worth it, so I recommend it.
The scenery in Zion National Park is why you visit this place. It’s not easy to describe, and photos won’t do it justice. It just has to be experienced in person. Mesmerizing views will surround you at every turn.
The gravity of what you see is breathtaking. The mountains, canyons, rivers, lush greenery, and wildlife make this place perfect. You’ll want to take hundreds of photos like Donetta, but I encourage you to put the phone or camera down and take it all in.
Visiting Zion National Park is worth your time and investment.
Leaving ZNP was difficult.
We returned to our truck via the shuttle, but the adventure was not over. Since we were heading to Bryce Canyon the following day, we saw things anew as we drove north on Highway 9 through the park on our way out. If you thought being in the park was the only reward, you’d be wrong!
Driving through the mountains toward US-89 was awesome and just as special.
I was sad to see the beauty fade in the rearview mirror, and I hated to leave it all behind. It was such a fantastic time and one we will never forget.