After we spent a week in Bryce Canyon National Park, we headed to Zion National Park. We wanted to stay close to the park but quickly found it booked up. We ended up finding a great RV resort in Virgin, Utah, 15 minutes from Springdale and the entrance to Zion. We stayed a week at Zion White Bison Glamping & RV Resort which you could tell was new by the perfect flat sites and newly sodded grass. One of the attractions at the rv campground was the white bison in the field adjacent to the rv sites.

Our first day in Zion we had to dial in the shuttle system. After we tried to find parking at the Visitors Center, we ended up parking in Springdale a good ways away from the park entrance. We had to hop on a Springdale shuttle to the Visitors Center and then hop on another shuttle to take us into the park. It took us an hour and half to get to the stop where we wanted to start our hike. After that experience the first day, we found a better spot to park in Springdale where we could walk half a mile to the Visitors Center, eliminating the need for the first shuttle. Still, it was rather frustrating for us for it to take an hour each way to get to the trailheads to hike in the park, but Zion is the #2 most visited park in the US (next to the Smoky Mountains). Even for October, the amount of people there was staggering. While the hiking was amazing and views gorgeous, it was a little too crowded for our taste.

Scout Lookout and the West Rim Trail

We actually hiked up to Scout Lookout on 2 different days. Scout Lookout is 3.6 miles roundtrip with 1,115 feet in elevation gain. That’s really 1,115 feet in elevation gain in 1.8 miles to the lookout! The elevation is no joke. We passed multitudes of hikers in groups off to the side trying to catch their breath on the way up. While you’re gasping for air, there’s always a stunning view! The coolest part is Walters Wiggles, named after Walter Reusch, Zion’s first superintendent, and is a series of 21 short and very steep switchbacks.

Once at the top of Scout Lookout you can turn around and head back down the trail, hike Angels Landing (if you have a permit) or continue on the West Rim Trail which is what we did on the first day. The West Rim Trail continues on for 13 more miles with more stunning views. We hiked on for another 2.5 miles or so before turning back making our hike that day about 8.6 miles.

Kayenta, Emerald Pools and Sandbench Trails

On another day, we took the shuttle to the #6 stop again (known as The Grotto). On the way, we spotted bighorn sheep up on a ledge. Once at the stop, instead of going right to Scout Landing, we turned left and took the Kayenta trail to the Emerald Pools trails. We did the Upper and Middle Emerald trails and then continued on to the Sandbench where we spotted wild turkey. We were able to catch the shuttle at the #4 stop to head home.

Observation Point – Best view in the park!

Observation Point provides one of the highest, most panoramic views in the park, looking down on Angel’s Landing from over 2,200 feet above the canyon floor. It is about a 7.5 mile out-and-back moderate hike that starts at the East Mesa Trailhead on the East side of the park. There were reports that the road to the trailhead was very muddy and only 4 WD vehicles could get through so we decided to take a shuttle out of Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. It was about a 40 min. drive there from our RV park but we were so glad we went…the views were absolutely breathtaking.

Since we had to take the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway to the east side of the park for the hike, we decided on the way back to check out the Canyon Overlook Trail. This trail is a quick 1-mile round-trip trail with moderate difficulty that offers panoramic views of Zion Canyon.

Angels Landing – One of the Scariest Hikes in the U.S.

Angels Landing, known as one of the scariest hikes in the U.S., is a 5 mile round trip hike in Zion National Park with approximately 1,500 ft elevation. To get there, you first have to hike a 2 mile climb up to Scouts Landing. From there, hikers with permits are allowed to climb the additional 1/2 mile narrow ridge that is Angels Landing. This narrow ridge has considerable elevation gain with steep drop-offs on both sides. Chains were put in place by the park to assist hikers in climbing up safely. Because of the difficulty and sheer drop-offs, it’s not recommended for those afraid of heights.

In order to hike Angels Landing, you need to get a permit through the NPS website by lottery. The lottery was put in place for safety reasons to control the amount of folks trying to hike at once. We tried for 4 days in a row with both of us entering the lottery and we finally got one on the 4th day. We were both psyched and intimidated while anticipating the hike. We both knew we were in great shape for the climb but a little nervous about the height and drop-offs.

Once we reached Scout Lookout, we checked in with the rangers and showed our permit and ID. From there we started the climb. About halfway, I started to feel more at ease and thoroughly enjoyed the hike. The 1/2 mile climb is no joke though, you had to use your whole body (both arms and legs) to get up there.

Randy was a bit more nervous as we hiked, but we both made it to the top with no issue! The view was spectacular!!! For us, the only really scary part was when we had to pass a guy going the other way. He was struggling, shaking and clearly nervous. He didn’t look like he should be up there and if he had fallen, he could’ve knocked Randy or I off the mountain. Other than that, it was an incredible experience and we’re glad to check it off the bucket list. After our hike, we were so pumped up, so we went to Wild Thyme Bistro to celebrate and talk about the day.

Zion was absolutely beautiful and we’re so glad we checked this one off our list. Even though I mention being frustrated with having to shuttle into the park, I will say the park did an excellent job in that aspect. Shuttles were always lined up and loaded very quickly and efficiently. Kudos to the park for this!