36 hours in Zion National Park: How to make the most of 1.5 days
When my husband and I found ourselves with an extra couple of days in the Southwest last November we knew we wanted to check off a bucket list destination - Zion National Park. Despite not having a ton of time, we still had an absolute blast.
Planning a Zion National Park road trip? In this post, I’m sharing where we camped, the best hikes, and what we ate near Zion — all based on our two-night van trip.
Visiting Zion National Park in November:
Our trip to Zion was in November - considered to be the off-season for this extremely popular Utah park. The weather was on the milder side - in the 50s & 60s during the day and in the upper 30s-40s in the evenings.
November is a great time to visit to avoid the typical crowds. We were able to park at the visitor center and hop on a shuttle to our selected trail head with very little wait. During peak season, expect to have to park in nearby Springdale and utilize shuttle systems for getting to/from the park due to the crowds.
I absolutely loved seeing this park in all it’s fall glory - the contrast of the trees changing colors agains the red rock formations was stunning.
How To Get To Zion National Park:
The closest major airport to Zion National Park is the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, an approximately 2.5 hour drive. From there, you’ll want to rent a car or other vehicle to drive the remaining distance.
In lieu of a standard rental car, we opted to rent a camper van via Outdoorsy (think AirBnB for RVs). We opted to utilize Outdoorsy over other corporate campervan rental sites for the following reasons:
The rental rate included bedding & basic camp kitchen supplies - this was a selling point for us to not have to pack all of that gear.
The ability to coordinate an airport pick up: Our host, dropped the van off at the airport so it was ready for us to take off as soon as we landed.
The next closest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), approximately 4 hours away. If you’re visiting other national parks in Utah like Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef or Canyon Lands, this may be the preferred airport to fly in and out of.
Pro Tip:
Keep in mind that access to the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, on SR-9 is limited and many RV’s will no longer be permitted to utilize the tunnel beginning in 2026. For more information on the vehicle requirements and restrictions, click here.
Where We Stayed:
BLM Campsite near La Verkin, Utah
We opted to camp off-grid for both nights that we were in Zion. Prior to our trip, I researched and pinned possible campsites, located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, in the area surrounding Zion on the app iOverlander. These sites were primitive - no hookups or facilities - but what they lack in amenities, they make up for in stunning scenery.
BLM Campsites
Night 1 - We camped just outside of La Verkin, Utah (approximate pin)* in the Hurricane Cliffs Dispersed Camping Area.
Night 2 - We camped just outside of Virgin, Utah (approximate pin)* off of Kolob Terrace Rd.
*Do your own research before camping in these locations to confirm they are still open to campers, that your vehicle can traverse the terrain to access these areas and get informed on all current rules and regulations for land use. As always, follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out everything you bring with you.
Perks of a campervan for primitive camping:
Having the van made these primitive campsites easy to enjoy as it came equipped with:
A leisure battery for operating an induction cooktop, lighting and a heater
A generator for extra power reserve, just in case
A water reserve for the sink and shower (we didn’t use the shower, but it was nice to have the option)
A cassette toilet (just remember, no pooping in the cassette!)
As we made our way back to Vegas to return the van, we just had to dump the cassette toilet gray water at a designated dump station.
If you prefer to stay at an established campground with amenities and hook-ups, the Watchman campground is a great option but often sells out, so be sure to plan ahead and book early.
Where We Hiked in Zion National Park:
The most famous trails at Zion National Park are probably Angels Landing and The Narrows. Angels Landing requires a permit and is known for it’s steep terrain along “the chains” and the payoff views. But, I know myself and my fear of exposure at heights and that trail would go together about as good as oil and water. It’s not that I mind heights so much - it’s mainly the fear of slipping to my death off the side of a steep cliff. If you could plop me right on the top of the view point, I’d be just fine!
If you’re looking for hikes in Zion that don’t require a permit or nerves of steel, try these other scenic trails:
View from the Scout Lookout Trail
Walters Wiggles
Scout Lookout Via West Rim Trail
3.6 mi. out-and-back
Rated Hard on AllTrails
The Scout Lookout is where one finds themselves before they start on the final ascent up Angels Landing. This challenging hike still has amazing views of the canyon with a lot less of the clinging to the side of the mountain for dear life sections of trail. Plus, you still get to take a turn up the infamous zig-zagging section of trail known as Walters Wiggles.
The Narrows Riverside Walk ending
The Narrows Riverside Walk
1.9 mi, out-and-back
Rated Easy on AllTrails
Unfortunately, on this trip, we didn’t have quite enough time to rent gear to allow us to go up river along the Narrows, but we still wanted to get a sense of what it would feel like between the canyon walls. So, we explored along the riverside trail leading up until we reached the end of the paved walkway. It was a beautiful walk and, in my opinion totally worth it even if you don’t plan to wade up river.
Where to Eat Near Zion National Park
Stock Up on Groceries:
Full disclosure, we ate most of the meals in our van. Another perk of the campervan route, especially if you are traveling on a budget. We stopped at the Smith’s supermarket in Mesquite, NV en route to Utah. There are also several grocery store options in St. George, Utah before you get off of Interstate 15.
Some of our favorite camp meals in the van are below, this list is assuming that we are flying in/out of our destination and unlikely to be packing groceries.
Sausage & egg burritos - We like the pre-cooked sausage patties for this so all you have to worry with is making sure they are warmed through
Tacos with ground beef - Multiple uses for the tortilla shells!
Uncrustables - I LOVE a PB&J when I’m hiking. When you are flying to your destination, going the Uncrustables route helps reduce food waste of extra peanut butter & jelly at the end of the trip. Pop a couple in your day pack and they will be thawed and ready to eat by the time you reach the summit.
Canned coffees like La Colombe draft lattes - My husband isn’t a coffee drinker, so I just buy enough for the number of days we’re going to be out in lieu of a full bag of coffee grounds - 75% of which will end up getting tossed.
Bumbleberry Bakery:
We loved all of the pastries we stocked up on at the Bubleberry Bakery in Springdale, Utah. It’s also connected to a great gift shop and Porters Restaurant. Be sure to try their signature bumbleberry pie. What’s a bumbleberry? Click here for the full story.
Other popular spots to eat near Zion National Park include Oscar’s Cafe, Spotted Dog and the Hangry Goat.
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