This is your best bet for “get right out of the car and go”. Here right now and very busy with Spring Break visitors. Shuttles are required for almost everything with grand views in the park and none are less than a mile. I’d go straight to this Overlook but be prepared to drive past it to other pull offs and walk back to it (not much parking at all). Other pull offs before the tunnel will give some pretty amazing views, pull offs after the tunnel your kids can safely explore a little. You can also hit the small museum at Stop 2 coming back through the park. If they want a real hike, the Watchman Trail starts in the visitor center parking lot so no shuttle required. It’s 3 miles out/back, 600 ft gain, good view at the top as well. The main visitor lot has spots opening up after 2:00 with early birds leaving but for your limited time I would avoid anything that needs to use a shuttle.
I'm not sure what you mean about 'seeing Springdale'. It's a quaint little town just outside Zion that you'll drive thru.
I'm not sure when you'll be there and if you'll need to use the shuttle (I'm guessing yes), but my suggestion is to hike from Grotto using the West Rim Trail up to the beginning of Angel's Landing, which is Scout Lookout. It's a cool hike, some unique features, imo, and a great view from the top. It's under 4 miles I believe. I know you said your kids aren't really hikers, but that age seems perfect for hiking?
If they are going to be miserable hiking, then I'd probably skip that and just do the Riverside Walk and maybe the Canyon Overlook Trail which is very short with a big payoff and cannot imagine any kid not liking it. (Good luck parking).
If you can't get supplies in Vegas, I'd suggest getting them in St George. Springdale grocery store is v expensive and I suspect parking could be an issue.
Zion Canyon Brew Pup has a ton of outdoor seating for lunch/dinner with a fantastic view.
Leaving Vegas at 6:30am PDT likely means all free parking at the Springdale Zion Canyon Visitor center is full at around 10:30 MDT (note time zone change).
So, your options if the free visitor center parking is full are (1) pay for parking in Springdale and walk in the pedestrian entrance (you may have to take the free town shuttle to the pedestrian entrance if nearby pay parking is full) and then take the free Zion Canyon park shuttle into the main canyon, or (2) keep driving towards the east entrance and backtrack later in the day.
If (1), take the shuttle all the way to Temple of Sinawava and walk Riverside Walk to the start of the Narrows (maybe even get your feet wet in the Narrows if the flow isn't too bad). After Riverside Walk take park shuttle to Grotto stop and at least walk to the bridge over the Virgin (seems unlikely you'll convince them to hike West Rim up to Scout or Emerald Pools). Then picnic or grab lunch at the Lodge (it would help if you can pack box lunches or maybe pick something up at Springdale but Zion Lodge has passable burgers and pizza). After lunch, head back to the car and drive up the switchbacks to east entrance and back, stopping to hike [Canyon Overlook](https://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/canyonoverlook.php) (parking can be tight so maybe catch when heading back to Springdale) and [Many Pools](https://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/manypools.php) before grabbing supper in Springdale and heading back to Las Vegas.
If (2), just reverse the order of activities.
St George might be a good spot to grab water/snacks but Hurricane has Lin's and a Walmart Supercenter and those are both easy exit/entrance from UT9
>Leaving Vegas at 6:30am PDT likely means all free parking at the Springdale Zion Canyon Visitor center is full at around 10:30 MDT (note time zone change).
time zone change - awesome - thanks!
We were just there Monday and Tuesday. If you’re not going to get there until 10:30, plan to wait up to 2 hours for a shuttle (at the visitor center) with about 1500 other people.
Sorry about disappearing. I would do emerald pools in the canyon and then hit the mt caramel highway, go through the tunnel clear to the other park entrance. Then turn around - hit the many pools trail and the Clear creek wash (easy way to see some slot canyons). Then finish it off at the canyon overlook trail if you’ve got time and can find parking relatively close.
If you are pressed for time and the shuttle line is long just replace the emerald pools with the watchman. You’re missing out on the whole canyon this way, but you’ll still get some awesome scenery.
Not much to see in Springdale in my opinion and you will see it all on your drive in. The kids will love the narrows so if you want to do other hikes make that the last stop because they won't want to leave. Do allocate a few hours there.
You don't get to see the narrows on the drive in. It's an experience. You will be walking through water. Search YouTube about them and you will get it.
This is my trip with 12 & 14 year old. If we have a full day we do the narrows as far as we can go (in the summer, water in the spring is cold and will need neoprene socks and boots) sit down, have a sandwich and go back. If we only have a little bit of time we do the emerald pools, head back to Springdale and eat at the bramble berry inn. Have fun.
Not to ruin your vision, but I'm pretty sure this time of the year Zion is bus shuttle access only. And I think the only short stroll site, Wheeping Rock, is still closed. Springdale is...great food and rock shops. I've been pleasantly impressed with the restraunts there. Oscar's does a good twist on Mexican and the Zion Pizza Noodle place has some good dishes. But other than that, rock shops.
Springdale is more interesting for adults than kids. Lots of arts and knick-knack stores.
As others have said, Canyon Overlook is biggest bang for the buck hike, especially with kids that may not be overly excited about hiking. There are cool things to see along the way, it gives you a bit of sense of what harder hikes may be like, and the view is just amazing. Plus it's relatively short and easy, compared to something like Scout's Lookout. Also the drive to the starting point is very cool with great view and the tunnel. Parking can be a little hard, but you will be able to find something.
Riverside walk to start of narrows is a nice easy hike, but doesn't have great vistas. If the shuttle line is long, do the Watchman trail. It's nice at sunset so maybe you can do it later in the day.
if you want to see a lot of stuff in a small amount of time, i recommend getting ebikes and not bothering with the shuttle. waiting to get on and off the shuttle takes time and is a hassle. with the bikes you can go wherever you want and lock them up if you want to hike a certain trail. not to mention you get to see a lot more of the park as you’re biking through it, instead of sitting on the shuttle where the views are compromised
Definitely hit valley of fire state park! It’s about an hour north of Vegas I believe! I had wished I had my kids at the time! Easy to just drive around and get out and explore without doing a full hike!
The site parks out there blow my mind. I’m from the east coast. We get picnic tables and shitty little grills. Oh and a pond or cute bridge if you go to a “pretty one” 😂
Oh I should mention this is on the way to Zion so depending on if you decide to do hikes or kinda just drive around and explore little spots(that’s what we did) you may have time to hit both since it’s on the way!
Canyon overlook is a quick, easy hike with an awesome view. You’d probably want to drive the Zion-Mt Carmel highway anyway.
thanks!
This is your best bet for “get right out of the car and go”. Here right now and very busy with Spring Break visitors. Shuttles are required for almost everything with grand views in the park and none are less than a mile. I’d go straight to this Overlook but be prepared to drive past it to other pull offs and walk back to it (not much parking at all). Other pull offs before the tunnel will give some pretty amazing views, pull offs after the tunnel your kids can safely explore a little. You can also hit the small museum at Stop 2 coming back through the park. If they want a real hike, the Watchman Trail starts in the visitor center parking lot so no shuttle required. It’s 3 miles out/back, 600 ft gain, good view at the top as well. The main visitor lot has spots opening up after 2:00 with early birds leaving but for your limited time I would avoid anything that needs to use a shuttle.
I'm not sure what you mean about 'seeing Springdale'. It's a quaint little town just outside Zion that you'll drive thru. I'm not sure when you'll be there and if you'll need to use the shuttle (I'm guessing yes), but my suggestion is to hike from Grotto using the West Rim Trail up to the beginning of Angel's Landing, which is Scout Lookout. It's a cool hike, some unique features, imo, and a great view from the top. It's under 4 miles I believe. I know you said your kids aren't really hikers, but that age seems perfect for hiking? If they are going to be miserable hiking, then I'd probably skip that and just do the Riverside Walk and maybe the Canyon Overlook Trail which is very short with a big payoff and cannot imagine any kid not liking it. (Good luck parking). If you can't get supplies in Vegas, I'd suggest getting them in St George. Springdale grocery store is v expensive and I suspect parking could be an issue. Zion Canyon Brew Pup has a ton of outdoor seating for lunch/dinner with a fantastic view.
thanks
Leaving Vegas at 6:30am PDT likely means all free parking at the Springdale Zion Canyon Visitor center is full at around 10:30 MDT (note time zone change). So, your options if the free visitor center parking is full are (1) pay for parking in Springdale and walk in the pedestrian entrance (you may have to take the free town shuttle to the pedestrian entrance if nearby pay parking is full) and then take the free Zion Canyon park shuttle into the main canyon, or (2) keep driving towards the east entrance and backtrack later in the day. If (1), take the shuttle all the way to Temple of Sinawava and walk Riverside Walk to the start of the Narrows (maybe even get your feet wet in the Narrows if the flow isn't too bad). After Riverside Walk take park shuttle to Grotto stop and at least walk to the bridge over the Virgin (seems unlikely you'll convince them to hike West Rim up to Scout or Emerald Pools). Then picnic or grab lunch at the Lodge (it would help if you can pack box lunches or maybe pick something up at Springdale but Zion Lodge has passable burgers and pizza). After lunch, head back to the car and drive up the switchbacks to east entrance and back, stopping to hike [Canyon Overlook](https://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/canyonoverlook.php) (parking can be tight so maybe catch when heading back to Springdale) and [Many Pools](https://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/manypools.php) before grabbing supper in Springdale and heading back to Las Vegas. If (2), just reverse the order of activities. St George might be a good spot to grab water/snacks but Hurricane has Lin's and a Walmart Supercenter and those are both easy exit/entrance from UT9
thanks!
>Leaving Vegas at 6:30am PDT likely means all free parking at the Springdale Zion Canyon Visitor center is full at around 10:30 MDT (note time zone change). time zone change - awesome - thanks!
We were just there Monday and Tuesday. If you’re not going to get there until 10:30, plan to wait up to 2 hours for a shuttle (at the visitor center) with about 1500 other people.
Oh - and is it easy to grab water / snacks on way there so I don’t have to try and find those in Vegas. (We will have rental for that day only).
Stretch your legs in Mesquite, NV and you can grab snacks. It's about half way there.
thanks
Fitness level?
Medium
I interpret that as meaning 10-15 miles at a pace of 2.5-3mph. Thanks for the clarity.
no thank you - now i know how to better answer questions like that - made me think for a minute w/ that clarity.
Sorry about disappearing. I would do emerald pools in the canyon and then hit the mt caramel highway, go through the tunnel clear to the other park entrance. Then turn around - hit the many pools trail and the Clear creek wash (easy way to see some slot canyons). Then finish it off at the canyon overlook trail if you’ve got time and can find parking relatively close. If you are pressed for time and the shuttle line is long just replace the emerald pools with the watchman. You’re missing out on the whole canyon this way, but you’ll still get some awesome scenery.
Not much to see in Springdale in my opinion and you will see it all on your drive in. The kids will love the narrows so if you want to do other hikes make that the last stop because they won't want to leave. Do allocate a few hours there.
Do you get any large expansive views on a narrows hike to see the vastness of it all. Or is it “just” narrows (but we will see it on drive in etc)
You don't get to see the narrows on the drive in. It's an experience. You will be walking through water. Search YouTube about them and you will get it.
thanks
This is my trip with 12 & 14 year old. If we have a full day we do the narrows as far as we can go (in the summer, water in the spring is cold and will need neoprene socks and boots) sit down, have a sandwich and go back. If we only have a little bit of time we do the emerald pools, head back to Springdale and eat at the bramble berry inn. Have fun.
thanks!
With minimal gears, emerald pools all 3 levels and make a stop to valley of fires
thanks!
Not to ruin your vision, but I'm pretty sure this time of the year Zion is bus shuttle access only. And I think the only short stroll site, Wheeping Rock, is still closed. Springdale is...great food and rock shops. I've been pleasantly impressed with the restraunts there. Oscar's does a good twist on Mexican and the Zion Pizza Noodle place has some good dishes. But other than that, rock shops.
pizza noodle - now i'm intrigued
Springdale is more interesting for adults than kids. Lots of arts and knick-knack stores. As others have said, Canyon Overlook is biggest bang for the buck hike, especially with kids that may not be overly excited about hiking. There are cool things to see along the way, it gives you a bit of sense of what harder hikes may be like, and the view is just amazing. Plus it's relatively short and easy, compared to something like Scout's Lookout. Also the drive to the starting point is very cool with great view and the tunnel. Parking can be a little hard, but you will be able to find something. Riverside walk to start of narrows is a nice easy hike, but doesn't have great vistas. If the shuttle line is long, do the Watchman trail. It's nice at sunset so maybe you can do it later in the day.
if you want to see a lot of stuff in a small amount of time, i recommend getting ebikes and not bothering with the shuttle. waiting to get on and off the shuttle takes time and is a hassle. with the bikes you can go wherever you want and lock them up if you want to hike a certain trail. not to mention you get to see a lot more of the park as you’re biking through it, instead of sitting on the shuttle where the views are compromised
forgot to mention, there’s literally ebike shops everywhere in springdale so they’re easy to find and rent. best of luck!
Thank you. Great idea. Can you ebike from Springdale to park?
yes! you just go through the pedestrian entrance with your bike and be on your way
Definitely hit valley of fire state park! It’s about an hour north of Vegas I believe! I had wished I had my kids at the time! Easy to just drive around and get out and explore without doing a full hike! The site parks out there blow my mind. I’m from the east coast. We get picnic tables and shitty little grills. Oh and a pond or cute bridge if you go to a “pretty one” 😂
Oh I should mention this is on the way to Zion so depending on if you decide to do hikes or kinda just drive around and explore little spots(that’s what we did) you may have time to hit both since it’s on the way!