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Shared itinerary · Zion National Park, Utah

Zion in 3 days

Three days in Zion on the park shuttle: the scenic drive and Emerald Pools on day one, the Narrows from the bottom up to Big Spring on day two (no permit needed that far), then Angels Landing and the east side stone on day three. 12 stops with times and notes. Private cars are banned on the scenic drive most of the year, so the plan is built around the shuttle.

From the guide Zion National Park: the shuttle, the Narrows and Angels Landing

Updated

Distance

76.2 km

Zion Canyon Visitor Center → Checkerboard Mesa

Days

3

Stops

12

Each day of Zion in 3 days: route, stops and distance
DayRouteStopsDistance
Day 1Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Riverside Walk513.5 km
Day 2Zion Outfitter to Canyon Junction Bridge441.8 km
Day 3Angels Landing to Checkerboard Mesa320.9 km

Day 1: Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Riverside Walk

13.5 km

Learn the canyon on shuttle day one. Private cars are banned on the scenic drive most of the year.

  1. 08:00

    Zion Canyon Visitor Center

    Sight

    Park here for the day, the lot fills by 09:00. The free shuttle is the only way up-canyon from spring through fall.

    1.7 km · 10m transit to next

  2. 09:00

    Zion Human History Museum

    Sight

    The 22 minute film is a genuinely good orientation, and the back patio view is underrated.

    6.3 km · 15m transit to next

  3. 10:00

    Emerald Pools

    Activity

    Lower, middle and upper pools from the Zion Lodge stop. About 3 miles if you do all three.

    306 m · 5m walk to next

  4. 13:00

    Zion Lodge

    Food & drink

    Lunch on the lawn under the giant cottonwood.

    5.2 km · 15m transit to next

  5. 14:30

    Riverside Walk

    Park & nature

    A paved 2.2 mile round trip from the last shuttle stop, hanging gardens on the canyon walls the whole way.

Day 2: Zion Outfitter to Canyon Junction Bridge

41.8 km

The Narrows, bottom up. No permit needed to Big Spring.

  1. 07:30

    Zion Outfitter

    Custom spot

    Rent canyoneering boots, neoprene socks and a wooden staff just outside the park gate. Worth it in every season.

    13.3 km · 40m transit to next

  2. 08:30

    Temple of Sinawava

    Sight

    Ride the first shuttles up. The Narrows is a river hike, and the river is the trail.

    1.9 km · 20m walk to next

  3. 09:15

    The Narrows

    Activity

    Wade upstream between thousand foot walls. Wall Street, the tightest stretch, starts about 2 miles in. Check the flash flood forecast at the visitor center first.

    13.3 km · 35m transit to next

  4. 15:00

    Canyon Junction Bridge

    Park & nature

    The Watchman at sunset from the bridge is the park’s postcard shot.

Day 3: Angels Landing to Checkerboard Mesa

20.9 km

Height on day three, then the east side stone.

  1. 07:00

    Angels Landing

    Activity

    From the Grotto stop via Walter’s Wiggles to Scout Lookout, then the chains. The final half mile needs a permit, won by seasonal and day-before lotteries on recreation.gov.

    6.7 km · 25m drive to next

  2. 13:00

    Canyon Overlook Trail

    Activity

    One mile round trip just past the tunnel for a full-canyon view with a tenth of Angels Landing’s effort. No shuttle needed, drive to it.

    6.4 km · 10m drive to next

  3. 15:00

    Checkerboard Mesa

    Sight

    The crosshatched sandstone dome that closes the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway drive.