Hiking in Zion National Park was one of the top places we had high expectations on our US road trip. As Utah’s first National Park, we couldn’t wait to climb the massive sandstone cliffs within the 24 km long canyon. Before hiking Angels Landing, you should visit the Springdale Visitor Center, as it’s a great start to your hikes to pick up any last minute snacks or water and that special souvenir to take home! Our goal of the day was to hike the hardest and most challenging Angels Landing!
The night before we had confirmed what hikes we were interested in and how the day looked based on the limited time we had. With our backpack filled with at least 6 bottles of water, plenty of sun cream applied and hiking shoes ready we started the day driving from 06:00am. It took just over 2 hours driving to Zion NP from Page, but we knew it would be worth it knowing the sun would be shining all day (compared to the thunderstorms the day before).
Arriving at one of the main entrances it wasn’t too long to wait before we paid the national park fee and drove right through. We had arrived at the east entrance of the national park, entering a mile long tunnel and following the winding roads to the base at Springdale. Here we parked the car at the first available parking area and jumped immediately on the free shuttle bus to the Springdale visitor centre.
Hiking Angels Landing
From the Springdale visitor centre we hopped onto the main shuttle bus that drives through Zion and headed straight to stop 4, the Grotto. Here we could start the hike of Angel’s Landing, an average 4 hour round hike but the most intense of them all. We sort of new what to expect from a few photos and we were as prepared as we could be! However looking back, we were definitely unaware of how much adrenaline we would feel hiking Angels Landing ourselves.
The first part didn’t seem too bad, winding up around left to right getting steeper each time. Hiking at the lower angle was already testing our stamina! Stopping only a few times for water on the first section, we made it to the first main area for stopping. At this point it was already 12:30pm so we were hiking in the hottest part of the day.
Here we had our lunch break, some take away Subway sandwiches that we took with us in the morning. Here we could watch the very cute chipmunks and discuss the next section of the hike. From here there would be no more constructed paths like we had been walking on, but pure mountain rock at all different angles. This part definitely challenged ourselves from our comfort zone.
With drops of up to 460m, we ascended the next section, holding very tightly to some constructed hanging chains in the rock to pull yourself up. Climbing and scaling the rock was pretty difficult but pumped with adrenaline we managed to take each step correctly and slowly made it to the top!
With a few scrapes and bruises along the way we had pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone. Stopping only once or twice for some water and to wait for people to pass you on their way down.
Within no time we had made it! It sure was fantastic but frightening at the top as you can literally see 360° around you, with the drop off more scary than before. It didn’t help that it was significantly windy too, so after a drink, a sit down and our mini photo shoot we descended back to the previous stopping area. But WOW we did it! Even thinking back to it now I can’t believe it. An amazing hiking route with the best views I have seen in a very long time!
Other hikers spirits were also very high, with people helping out telling you where to climb and hearing motiving words like ‘Nearly there well done’ and ‘keep it up you won’t regret it!’. Everyone was positive and inspiring to keep you going when you reached difficult sections, which really helped out your confidence to push yourself further and reach the top.
Going down was just as adventurous though! However it seemed much quicker than going up. It was like we had a lot more confidence!
Back on more solid flat ground in the canyon we still had a few hours before we had to drive back to Page. We visited the Emerald Pools and afterwards followed a flat sandy trail hike back to the visitor center. This sandy trail was so peaceful that we only saw 1 other hiker on the whole 40min hike! The sandy trail allowed us the experience the peacefulness of the National Park and wildlife along the way that would have been hiding if it was a busier hike. We even enjoyed this hike just as much as hiking Angels Landing.
It was great to see the baby deer grazing by the river and multiple species of birds. We kept out eyes peeled but don’t think we saw any falcons during our flat hike back to the Springdale Visitor Center.
Visiting Zion National Park pushed us out of our comfort zone in such a positive way that it was definitely one of the top highlights from our whole US road trip vacation. Hiking Angels Landing was a true amazing experience we recommend to all, unless you are scared of heights!
Read more of our USA posts!
Helicopter Tour Above Grand Canyon
Cycling The Golden Gate Bridge, CA
Exploring Bodie: An Abandoned Mining Town
San Francisco 2 Day Itinerary With & Without A Car
If you have never been hiking in Zion National Park before, our top tips are:
- Take water, water & more water! (we also had 1 sugary drink for the energy)
- Snacks too, for those energising moments
- Prepare for the weather – hat, suncream, sunglasses etc
- Dont take any unnecessary things with you in your hiking bag
- A spare camera battery/memory cards incase you run out at the top!
- Take your time – no matter what hike you do, don’t just think about the end stop, take your time and enjoy your surroundings along the way
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Have you been hiking in Zion National Park? We’d love to hear your stories and tips for next time!
This visit was during our 2 week road trip through the US! You can view the whole itinerary here!
24 Comments
Erin McGann
17th March 2018 at 8:46 amWow, those red rock formations are beautiful. And the views! What a reward for clambering up there!
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 3:12 pmIt was amazing!! such an experience I dont think our photos do it all justice!
Annika
17th March 2018 at 10:38 amI have only been in Utah once and it was for work and in winter and even that I loved. This reminds me that I must come back and explore more. Looks absolutely stunning – I reckon it is one of the prettiest states in the US 😉
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 3:13 pmI think so too! If I lived close by I’d want to visit every weekend. Just very glad we had decided to visit it during our road trip. One of the best days!
mccaullme
17th March 2018 at 12:19 pmWhat a beautiful park to visit! Looks like a fun adventure at the time being a bit of work. Can’t beat the views though! Saved for later because I WILL make it here someday! Safe travels always ✌️❤️😁
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 3:14 pmTotally recommended if your not afraid of heights!! We are so pleased that we took the time to drive back and go here for the day, but really we could of spent all week here!!
StephanieM
17th March 2018 at 1:11 pmI’d love to explore Utah and its parks, especially this one. While I’m an avid hiker and would love to do Angels Landing, I don’t think I could with my fear of heights. I’m sweaty-palmed just reading your adventure and seeing those incredible views.
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 3:16 pmYeah this is definitely not for those scared of heights, even I had some moments and i’m normally fine with heights!!! Though Zion is a place we would most definitely go back and hike more, a hikers home 😀
Carole Elliott
17th March 2018 at 2:06 pmWhat wonderful views but I’m afraid with my fear of heights I would have frozen half way and probably still been in the same position days later!!!!!
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 3:18 pmEven we had some scary moments looking down!! But what shocked us was some people wearing flipflops or uggs with no proper shoe grip!!
Allison Wong
17th March 2018 at 3:52 pmSuch an amazing place to hike! I’d love to experience this too. There are so many things to explore there.
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 3:56 pmThere truly is! It was a delight we could experience it for one day, but realistically you can probably spend all week here!
madhu-on-the-go
17th March 2018 at 4:28 pmWow looks like really adventurous trail and tiring too..but the view is amazing. Loved all the pics
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 5:05 pmThanks for commenting! Was definitely worth the hike for those views 😀 But could of spent a week there rather than one day.
theworldisacircus
17th March 2018 at 5:15 pmThat looks like such a cool hike! I’d love to do it. Beautiful views, and so cool that you got to see some wildlife too!
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 10:25 pmThank you! We were surprised with how many chipmunks we saw up there! so cute 😀
nanahalager
17th March 2018 at 6:33 pmI want to visit Zion National Park so bad! My husband and I are planning on a 2019 road trip to the USA visiting so many national parks as possible and Zion is on that list! Love your pictures, seems like you had a great experience 🙂
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 6:36 pmOh have an amazing time! Highly recommend to visit here! we loved Zion and were lucky we could go back the next day else the thunderstorms would definitely have been a no go!
kaytherunaway
17th March 2018 at 9:19 pmI’ve done it twice, but I think only because I forgot how scary it was the first time 😀 Absolutely beautiful view though!
Zoe | Together In Transit
17th March 2018 at 9:21 pmThanks for commenting! I’d love to do it a 2nd time and spend more time seeing more of Zion… one day i’ll be back 😀
Stella Jane
18th March 2018 at 3:35 pmThis looks so beautiful! I haven’t been to Zion National Park, but I’m going to Utah for the first time in April. I’m looking forward to it!
Zoe | Together In Transit
18th March 2018 at 3:41 pmOh cool! I hope you have an awesome visit and make time for some of the national parks. We only had time for one day and picked Zion, but realistically we could of spent a whole week there!
rileysroves
10th April 2018 at 11:37 amI cannot wait to hike this trail one day. Congratulations on your accomplishment!
Zoe | Together In Transit
10th April 2018 at 4:28 pmThank you for commenting 🙂 We’d love to go back and hike it again! It sure was one of our highlights from the whole US road trip.