Planning a Trip to Zion National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid

There’s plenty of information around about planning a Zion trip.  For all sorts of information about visiting Zion National Park, check out my Zion National Park Guides.

The thing is that most of the information around focuses on what you should do. 

This guide is different. I’ll share with you what you should AVOID doing when planning trips to Zion National Park. I hope this will help you be fully prepared to have an amazing trip to this incredible national park. When Zion National Park trip planning, it’s helpful to be aware of mistakes to avoid.

I’ve seen many people make mistakes (and I’ll admit I made a few myself) that have impacted their trip.  So now I’m happy to share what I’ve learned from their (and my) experiences so that you can avoid these common pitfalls.

Let’s take a look at the biggest mistakes to avoid when you plan a trip to Zion National Park.

Watch these 7 mistakes to avoid when planning a trip to Zion National Park on video:

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#1 Not getting a timed entry permit for Angels Landing

Angel’s Landing is one of the most iconic hikes in the country and the most famous hike in the park.  This means that it is VERY popular. 

Part of the appeal are the sensational views and the other part is the scary nature of the last half mile – on a narrow section with steep drop offs hundreds of feet tall, with a chain to hold on to so you don’t fall off and die.

You can imagine that having lots of people on a narrow, dangerous trail is less than ideal.  So much so that the NPS implemented a reservations system to limit the number of people on the trail. A permit is required for the chain section throughout the whole year and at all times of the day.  So, you’ll be very disappointed if you have your heart set on this trail and don’t get a permit in advance.  

There is a lottery four times a year plus additional spots released (also via lottery) the day before.  I’ve managed to get a permit in the day-before lottery at the height of the busy summer season, but it’s not a guarantee.  Your chances are best mid-week.

If you don’t get a permit and still want to do this hike, you can hike most of the trail to Scouts Landing, which is still a really great hike. Or hike to Observation Point (see below) for even better views IMO. 

READ MORE:

➡️ Guide to the Angels Landing’s Reservation System
➡️ Angels Landing Trail Guide
➡️ Tips for Hiking Angels Landing

#2 Failing to prepare for the Narrows

The Narrows is the other iconic hike in Zion National Park. The hike is through a narrow slot canyon.  Zion Canyon narrows into a slot canyon that has little room for anything but the Virgin River, which flows through it.  This means that most of the hike is actually in the river.

The river bed is an uneven surface, river levels vary, the temperatures are cool summer and really cold in winter, and the canyon is prone to flash flooding (which can kill you).  So, one of the biggest mistakes you can make if you intend to do this hike (which you should – it’s amazing) is to not plan and prepare sufficiently for it.

The main thing to be aware of is that the Narrows closes when the Virgin River flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second (CFS) and when the National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning.  Check the current water flow and for Flash Flood Warnings before setting out.

The other thing is to have the right wear and gear.  At a minimum, I recommend closed toe shoes that are in water (you’re hiking in a river, remember) and to a have a walking stick to help balance you as you cross an uneven surface with flowing water to throw you off balance.

In summer, you’ll appreciate the cool water, but in spring and fall it can be cold, so waterproof pants are a good idea, and in winter the water is freezing cold, so a wetsuit is better. 

The other thing to be aware of is that toxic cyanobacteria is often found in the Virgin River. Check the current conditions and make your own decision, but usually as long as you don’t have any open wounds and don’t drink the water, you’ll be OK. 

➡️ READ MORE: The Narrows Trail Guide

#3 Getting a late start

Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country and is not that big.  Which means is gets very crowded. 

The main section of Zion Canyon is also closed to regular vehicular traffic for most of the year and a free shuttle is available to take visitors through the park. 

If you get to the Visitor Center after 8:00am (and sometimes even earlier) in the busy summer months, you will almost certainly not find an available parking spot. Additional parking is available in the adjacent town of Springdale, and there is another free shuttle service through town to the park entrance, but this will slow you down.

Lines to get on the shuttle can also be very long if you leave it to later in the day.  The early bird really does get the worm in Zion. So don’t make the mistake of getting there too late and encountering long lines, busy shuttles, and packed trails.  

One caveat to this: many people have the same idea and the lines to get on the first shuttle of the day can be really long (though shuttles leave frequently and the lines move quickly).  Weekends even in summer, also tend to be busier.  

On a recent trip in the middle of the busy summer season, I arrived around 7:30am on a Monday morning, got a parking spot (though there weren’t many left) and there was not a single person in line for the shuttle.  Later in the day, though, things had really filled up.  So there seems to be a sweet spot around 7:00-7:30 (though don’t take this as gospel – each day can be different). 

➡️ READ MORE: Complete Guide to the Zion Shuttle Service

#4 Only visiting the main Zion Canyon section of the park

Most people only visit Zion Canyon, but there are in fact four distinct sections in Zion National Park. Not visiting at least some of the others is a huge mistake, as you will miss out on some incredible places.

The four main sections are Zion Canyon, East Mesa (the eastern rim of Zion Canyon), Kolob Canyons (which has a separate entrance), and Kolob Terrace (no ticketed entrance). 

If you’re traveling to or from Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ll pass through and visit some of the East Mesa.  You’ll see Checkerboard Mesa, where the hills look like checkerboards, and drive through the iconic Mt. Carmel – Zion Tunnel.  But you should also go to Observation Point (see Mistake #5).

Kolob Canyons has the fourth longest natural arch in the world and several great hiking trails that are a whole lot less crowded than those in Zion Canyon.

Kolob Terrace is a scenic drive where, even in the height of summer, you’ll often be the only car on the road.  Don’t miss the panoramic view from Lava Point Lookout. 

#5 Not seeing the view at Observation Point

While the view from Angels Landing gets most of the attention – and it is a great view, don’t get me wrong – it is not the best view in the park, in my opinion.  

Observation Point is 2,200 feet above the canyon floor, with a 270° view over the surrounding area. This includes the length of Zion Canyon and Angels Landing below you. This is my #1 pick of the best views in Zion National Park.

The thing is that very few people actually go there – and that’s a big mistake.

There used to be a trail up from the main canyon floor but this was blocked by a rockfall a couple of years back (with no expected date for opening it up again).  However, you can still get there though via the East Mesa Trail.  It’s a 3.5-mile each way out-and-back trail that doesn’t have a huge elevation change.  

Getting there is a bit tricky.  The trailhead is at the end of a dirt road with a slope that turns into a muddy quagmire after rain or snow melt.  Many vehicles get stuck – and it costs about $500 to be towed out.  There is a much easier way, though.  Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort runs hiker shuttles for a small fee. 

You can also get there via the East Rim Trail. This is more challenging, but also more interesting, IMO.

The perfect combination, if you’re up for it, is to get a shuttle from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort to the East Rim Trail’s Stave Spring Trailhead, then hike to Observation Point, then return on the East Mesa Trail, and then get picked up for the trailhead by another Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort shuttle back to your vehicle. This loop is sensational!

READ MORE:

➡️ The East Rim Trail to Observation Point
➡️ The East Mesa Trail to Observation Point

#6 Not having a detailed (and flexible) plan

With Zion being so popular and with so many things to do, having a plan is essential. 

Especially if your time is limited, you should have detailed (and flexible) plan of activities and hikes that are timed around peak times and balanced for activity levels, best time of days, etc. Just rocking up and expecting it all to fall into place is a big mistake.

➡️ Check out my detailed Zion National Park Itineraries if you want some help with your itinerary planning.

#7 Not visiting Bryce Canyon National Park on the same trip

Zion National Park is awesome and you’ll want to spend as much time as you can there.  But Bryce Canyon National Park is less than an hour and a half away.  

There is no place on the planet like Bryce Canyon, home to the largest concentration of hoodoos (sandstone pillars) on earth.  It’s an other-worldly landscape that truly has to be seen to be believed.  It’s a mistake to go all the way to Zion and not squeeze in a day or two in Bryce Canyon as well.  

➡️ READ MORE: Bryce Canyon Guide

Travel Insurance for Zion National Park

Good travel insurance also covers things like medical expenses, lost or stolen property, trip cancellation, and emergency repatriation. 

Of course, not all insurance coverage is equal and you need to check the policy very carefully to see what is – and isn’t – covered.  If you want to learn more about all this, check out my Guide to Buying Travel Insurance (on my other website) before getting your insurance.

➡️ A great insurance option is Travelex.  You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:

Enjoy your trip to Zion National Park!

More Planning Resources for Zion National Park

Do you have any other mistakes to avoid when planning trip to Zion National Park? I’d love to hear about them.  Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).

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About the Author

James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

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