Zion National Park: Where to Stay, What to Pack & Best Trails for Families

05/03/2026|The WanderFull Spirit|

Planning a trip to Zion National Park? Here’s everything you need to know—from road trip tips to the best hikes, where to stay, and what to pack (especially if you’re traveling with kids).

Contents

Getting There

We flew from Austin to Las Vegas—it was the only direct flight that got us close enough to Zion National Park without adding extra travel time via layovers or flight delays (a win when traveling with kids).

From there, we rented a car and made the 2-hour drive to Springdale, the gateway town to Zion National Park.

A few things worth noting:

  • The Las Vegas rental car center is surprisingly efficient and well-organized.
  • Free airport shuttles take you directly to the centralized rental facility (super convenient).
  • It’s a great place to prep for your road trip—clean restrooms, a Starbucks, and snack options all in one place.

The road trip vibe: Starts off desert-heavy, then quickly shifts into dramatic mountains, cliffs, and stunning scenery. It’s one of those drives where you’ll want to keep your camera handy. We were in four states (if you count Texas) in one day!

Nevada -> Arizona -> Utah

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

The Red Cliffs Lodge Zion is located just outside the park—and honestly, the views alone made it worth it.

  • Every time we stepped outside, we were blown away by the surrounding scenery
  • Parking was $12/night (as of April 2026) with plenty of availability
  • On-site bar and restaurant (great for easy evenings)
  • Daily housekeeping + complimentary bottled water
  • Pool with splash zones for kids (we skipped it—too cold—but would be amazing in summer)

Weather, What to Wear & What to Pack

We visited in late April, and the weather definitely kept us on our toes.

  • Afternoons = perfect → layers came off quickly
  • Temps ranged from the 30s in the morning to the 60s by midday
  • Mornings = cold → we layered up (jackets, hiking pants, quality socks)

What worked best for us:

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Zion National Park Entrance Fees

Entry fees typically range from $20–$35 for U.S. residents. You can check current pricing on the National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm.

See image below from the website as of April 2026.

Pro tip: Pay online ahead of time to skip the entrance lines and get straight to exploring.

Getting to Zion

April is considered “shoulder season,” which means fewer crowds than peak summer—but don’t expect it to be empty.

What we learned quickly:

  • Get there early—especially if you are driving to the park; parking fills up fast.
  • Town of Springdale Shuttle – this shuttle will drop you off at Zion Canyon Village in front of the Zion National Park south entrance and visitor center. This shuttle will take you up and down Zion Park Boulevard – the main street in Springdale (see images below for detailed map). It’s a long single-lane two-way street that leads straight to Zion National Park. This shuttle does not take you into the park, only to the South Entrance.
  • Walk – if you are staying along the Zion Park Boulevard, you could walk to the south entrance of Zion National Park. See image below for details of distance to the park.

BEFORE YOU GO: Always check the National Park Service website for alerts, closures, and updates before your visit.

Getting Around Zion

Inside Zion National Park, the park shuttle system makes everything super accessible.

  • Within Zion National Park – There is a park shuttle that stops at different trailheads.
    • Up shuttle stops are: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
    • Down shuttle stops are: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
  • Shuttles run every 5–10 minutes.
  • Stops are clearly marked and mapped.
  • Many trails connect directly to shuttle stops.
  • Toilets are available at several stops.

See trail map further below.

Best Hikes in Zion National Park (Family-Friendly Options)

Full park trail and shuttle map further below.

Temple of Sinawava (Shuttle Stop 9) → Riverside Walk → The Narrows

This is where you access The Narrows, but first—you’ll walk about a mile on the paved Riverside Walk.

  • The Narrows officially begins when the trail ends… and the river begins
  • You’ll know you’re there when your only option is to step into the water

Important tip: If you’re visiting in cooler months, rent or bring a dry suit. The water is freezing and can get deep in certain areas.

Weeping Rock (Shuttle Stop 7)

  • Short hike (under 0.5 miles) but steep
  • Totally worth it for the views
  • Some areas are slick from water runoff, so watch your footing
  • Limited railings in certain spots

Kayenta Trail → Emerald Pools (Shuttle Stop 6)

This was my personal favorite.

  • Steep, narrow sections but incredibly scenic
  • Connects to both Upper and Lower Emerald Pools trails
  • We chose the Lower Emerald Pools and ended at a beautiful waterfall
  • Finished at Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop 5)

Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop 5)

Perfect mid-day reset:

  • Grabbed lunch and a beer
  • Refilled water bottles
  • Used restrooms

Shuttle Stop 3 → Visitor Center Walk

We wrapped up with a 1.7-mile walk back to the Visitor Center—a great, easy way to wind down after a full day of hiking.

Trail map below is from the National Park Services website as of April 2026.

Final Tips for Visiting Zion National Park

  • Always check the National Park Service website for current conditions and alerts.
  • Start your day early to beat crowds and heat.
  • Pack layers—temperatures change quickly.
  • Stay hydrated with electrolytes and pack snacks (especially when hiking with kids).

Thanks for reading and I hope this has been helpful. If you have any questions or need help planning, please contact me at wander@thewanderfullspirit.com.

Wishing you a WanderFull adventure!✨