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If you’re looking for things to do in Zion National Park with kids (or without!), you’re in the right place. There are many things to do with children in Zion. This park is home to a beautiful deep canyon called Zion Canyon. Here you will see the winding Virgin River, the worst canyon walls jutting into the sky, and the famous Narrows. The park was first designated Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909 and later changed to Zion National Monument in 1918. Zion was established as a National Park by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. It was the first National Park designated in Utah. Zion National Park is visited by approximately 4.3 million people and covers approximately 147,237 acres. Whether you are traveling with children or without, you will fall in love with this beautiful National Park.
Zion National Park Family Vacation
All visitors to Zion National Park should stop at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to get a park map, get a weather update, information about park road conditions and possible closures and explore hiking outdoor lesson where you will learn about the animals of Zion. , ecology and deep-rooted history. You can also visit HERE to see up-to-date closures and weather. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for finding more parks off the beaten path.
Things I Learned On A Family Road Trip To The National Parks
The summer season is Zion’s busiest and hottest season. In 2019 Zion National Park welcomed 594, 896 visitors in the month of May alone. That’s a lot of people. Summer is also the hottest season in Zion with temperatures ranging from 95-100 F. Since most people are busy with work and children are out of school, this is the time of year. it is the most popular year to go to Zion.
However, I believe that the best time of year to visit Zion National Park is in late fall or winter. The crowds are very thin, the weather very cool and you will be able to drive down Zion Canyon Road in your own car! In 2019 Zion welcomed 173, 566 visitors in December 2019 and they welcomed 128, 854 visitors in January 2020. This means 70% less people in December than in June! Fewer people in the park means fewer people on the trails, fewer cars fighting for parking, and more access to park facilities!
We visited in December 2020 and absolutely loved every second of it. The weather was perfect and while we saw other people on the trails, we were never full. Since Zion National Park’s weather can vary greatly, I would determine which temperatures will work best for your family before booking a trip to Zion with children.
Zion National Park is really amazing, but it is not very easy to get to if you are used to traveling the highways or making day trips from the big cities. To give you an idea of how long it will take to go to the park, here are some examples.
Utah: Family Vacation Guide To Zion And Bryce Canyon National Parks
The South entrance of Zion National Park is on State Route 9 which connects La Verkin to Mt Carmel. Springdale is the closest town to the South Entrance. From the North (or East), the park is located along Route 9 as well, but you will be closer to the town of Mt Carmel. Springdale will be your best choice for grocery stores, gasoline, and food options, but be prepared to pay a premium. Only an hour away from the city of St George, so don’t miss the Best Things to Do in St George with Kids.
Zion Lodge: The beautiful Zion Lodge is located in the middle of Zion Canyon. With the lodge open year-round and offering special winter rates and packages, visitors can easily experience Zion National Park. Accommodations include log cabins with two double beds, full bath, gas log fireplace, and private porch, and hotel rooms with private porch or balcony. All rooms feature air conditioning, telephones, radio alarm clocks, and dryers.
We chose to stay in the King Suite during our stay at Zion Lodge. The room has a private balcony, a full bathroom, plenty of storage space, a small refrigerator, a king-sized bed, a pull-out couch, a sofa, and a small dining table. The king bed is in a separate sleeping area from the great room making this the best place to stay in Zion for families!
Perhaps the biggest advantage of staying at Zion Lodge is that you get to drive down Zion Canyon Road and park at the lodge. This will take you INSIDE the park and most of the trailheads start right at the lodge. If you are looking for convenience – this is it.
Visit Zion National Park On A Trip To The Us
Here are the kids playing in the living room of our king suite. we bring our own Christmas tree to make it feel like Christmas since it’s the week before Christmas
There are three campgrounds inside Zion National Park. Both South and Watchman campgrounds are located in Zion Canyon while Lava Point Campground is located near the Kolob Canyons section of Zion. It is highly recommended that you make reservations well in advance to secure your spot. These campgrounds sell out months in advance. From mid-March through late November the campgrounds are full almost every night.
South Campground: Reservations required. This 117-site campground can host tents or RVs but does not have any hookups. Drinking water is available at the camp. The campground does not have restrooms, but campers have access to a restroom at the Watchman campground. South campground has a throwing station. THIS is a map of the South Campground.
This 190-site campground can host RVs and some sites provide fire pits. Loop B is designed for RVs only. There are 7 sites at this campsite. THIS is a map of the Watchman Campground.
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Lava Point Campground: This campground is located at 7,890 feet and is only open during May-September weather. Lava Point only has 6 main campsites which are available
Zion has a unique feature that sets it apart from most other National Parks. This feature is the Zion Shuttle System. Due to the strong number of visitors each year and very few parking spaces in the park, the bus system was established in 2000. Since the guests are not allowed to drive themselves to Zion Canyon road, the options are: ride the. Bus, bike through the park, or walk.
The bus makes stops at Zion Lodge and trails, including Emerald Pools, the West Rim Trail, and the Temple of Sinawava where hikers go for the Narrows.
Due to the need for social distancing, currently, all visitors to Zion must have train tickets to board. The cost is only $1 and it is highly recommended that you book in advance.
Planning A Family Vacation To Zion National Park
The National Park Service has put together a comprehensive guide to understanding the Zion Shuttle and has an entire FAQ section to help you. Depending on what time of year you visit, the Garden Center may have different
Hiking is arguably one of the best things to do in Zion National Park. Zion is a journey for any ability. Hiking is one of the best family activities in Zion National Park because it allows the whole family to be close to the plants and animals and wild animals of the park. Zion Canyon is the most heavily trafficked section of the park, so plan to hike early in the morning. It is important for visitors to plan their travel times around bus service. If you miss the last bus, you will have to walk back to either the Lodge or Visitor Center from the road.
“Hiking the trails of Zion National Park can provide lasting memories, but this area can be harsh and unforgiving. Park Rangers respond to many rescues each year, many of which are accidental. Your safety is your responsibility and that starts with proper planning and preparation before your visit. “
We were impressed by this part of Zion and think this is one of the best places in Zion National Park. This section of the park has a five-mile scenic drive along Kolob Canyons Road that has spectacular views of the crimson canyons. This way visitors will have access to many trails and viewpoints. Here in the northwest part of the park, narrow box-like canyons are cut into the western side of the Colorado Plateau, forming high peaks and foothill rock walls. 2,000.
Fun Things To Do At Zion National Park
Hiking in Kolob Canyon is different from Zion Canyon because you will experience some of the other hikers, but get the same jaw-dropping views. We hiked the one mile loop to the Kolob Canyon Viewpoint and were not disappointed.
From Zion Canyon Visitor Center, it takes about 1 hour, 20 minutes to get to the entrance of Kolob Canyons. Plan to spend at least half a day exploring this part of the park and if you want to do longer hikes – plan to spend an entire day here.
This is the view from the inside
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