19 Nov 7 Things To Do in Zion National Park Besides Hiking
People from all around the United States and all around the world visit Zion National Park. For example, the Angels Landing hike attracts hundreds of thousands of hikers each year. However, what if you are only interested in one hike or not interested in a hike at all? Are there things to do besides hiking in Zion National Park? Yes, of course! While Zion is known for beautiful and strenuous hikes, it also offers a variety of other activities. Examples include stargazing, camping, and so much more. Let us now dive into seven things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking.
The United States is full of breathtaking national parks. Time to start checking them off your bucket list! For example, Glacier National Park is full of hikes that lead to glacial lakes. Additionally, Acadia National Park has trails right along the coastline as well as the nearby (and cute) little town of Bar Harbor.
Contents:
1) Zion Canyon Visitor Center
2) Mount Carmel Highway
3) Stargazing
4) Bike Riding
5) Camping
6) Horseback Riding
7) Human History Museum
1) Zion Canyon Visitor Center
- Location: south park entrance
- Hours of operation: 8:00am to 7:00pm in the summer
First on the list of things to do besides hiking in Zion National Park is the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. It is located on the right immediately after the south entrance to the park. The shuttle runs from right outside the Visitor Center, so this is thus a perfect first stop before you begin or last stop as you are heading home.
Opening Hours
It is open every day with opening hours based on the season. For example, summer hours are 8:00am to 7:00pm. On the other hand, hours are slightly reduced in spring, fall, and winter. Check their website for current opening hours information.
Information Available
Outside of the Visitor Center is a bunch of information about the park and hiking trails as well as maps. Inside is a store with every souvenir you could ever desire. They sell postcards, t-shirts, magnets, books, and so much more.
Have a question? Approach employees and park rangers with questions, especially those related to weather conditions and trail closures. Additionally, obtain hiking or camping permits here. For more information about the park, stick around for a discussion with a ranger outside the Visitor Center. They normally have around three ranger talks daily.
Energy Efficiency
A fun fact about the Visitor Center is that it is energy efficient. They cut down on electricity usage as well as cost by utilizing natural daylight for 80% of the building. More information can be found on the visitor center site.
2) Mount Carmel Highway
- Estimated visit time: 1 hour, not including stops
- Highway length: 25 miles (~40 kilometers), with 10 miles (~16 kilometers) inside of Zion
Second on the list of seven things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking is the Mount Carmel Highway. It might be the most popular scenic drive in Zion National Park as well as the southern Utah area.
Another national park in the US with a stunning scenic drive is Glacier National Park. The scenic drive is called the Going to the Sun Road, and it runs all the way from the eastern edge of the park near St. Mary and Virginia Falls to the western edge near Avalanche Lake.
Driving Directions
There are two directions from which to begin the drive. First, you can start from Springdale in the west. Second, you can start from Bryce Canyon in the east. Due to the fact the highway passes through Zion, there is a $35 entrance fee for a private vehicle.
Highway Description
Throughout the drive there are canyons, tunnels, rock formations, and more. The Zion-Mt.Carmel Tunnel is 5,000+ feet (~1500 meters) long and just wide enough to allow two-way traffic for passenger vehicles. If driving an RV or trailer, however, you will need an escort to stop traffic and allow you to pass through. One unique thing about this tunnel: it has windows throughout so visitors can still see the beauty of Zion.
A variety of scenic pull offs as well as hiking trails are right off the highway. While you can see the beauty of Zion from your car along this drive, it does not compare to being outside, walking along a trail, and experiencing it for yourself. Some examples include: (1) Canyon Overlook Trail (2) Checkerboard Mesa (3) East Rim Trail.
3) Stargazing
We already touched upon the visitor center and a scenic drive, which are two typical activities within national parks. What else is within this list of seven things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking? Well, grab a jacket and prepare to be amazed at the night sky with stargazing in Zion. While the darkness within Zion makes it the perfect location for stargazing, it can also make it more dangerous. You should thus watch your surroundings and exercise greater caution when out and about at night.
Zion has many prime locations for stargazing, for instance:
- Kolob Canyon and Kolob Terrace
- Desert Lowlands
- Checkerboard Mesa
- Zion Human History Museum patio
- Pa’rus Trail
Check out the forecast on clear dark sky to see the current conditions for stargazing. Furthermore, other beautiful places nearby to stargaze as well as to view the sunrise are Monument Valley in Utah and Arches National Park.
4) Bike Riding
Fourth, there are ample opportunities to explore Zion on a bike. All roadways as well as the Pa’rus Trail allow bikes. Unfortunately, no other trails allow biking. You will thus have to conquer those on foot. Additionally, biking is prohibited within the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel for safety reasons. There is one bonus when entering the park (by yourself) on a bike compared to a car. It is cheaper at only $20 per person!
A couple of biking rules to keep in mind while in Zion:
- Helmets are strongly recommended
- No groups of seven or more bikers allowed – split into smaller groups if necessary
- Bike on the right side in single file
- You can transport your bike on the Zion shuttle – however, you need to be able to lift it on and off yourself
- Yield to pedestrians at all times
- Pull off the road and stop to let shuttle buses past
Bike Rentals
Bike rentals are available from Zion Outfitters, which is a short walk from the park entrance. They offer appropriately-sized bikes for children and adults as well as e-bikes. E-bikes have a motor to provide an extra boost when pedaling. However, if you are in the market for a bike, check out the best road bikes for women. BONUS: they are all under $500.
Check out Zion’s FAQ about biking as well as a biking map.
5) Camping
Fifth on the list of seven things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking is camping. One of the best ways to get up close and personal with nature in Zion National Park is camping.
Zion has 3 campgrounds:
(1) Watchman Campground
- Watchman is the most popular campground in Zion and is full almost every single night. Reservations are thus highly recommended. You can reserve a campsite up to six months in advance of your stay. Moreover, it is right next to the Visitor Center, just inside the south entrance to the park. It is open all year round.
- 176 sites
- $30 electric sites; $20 tent only sites; $50 group sites; $10 wheelchair accessible sites
(2) South Campground
- South campground is less popular than Watchman, though reservations are still highly recommended. The campground is full almost every single night, and you can make reservations two weeks in advance. Moreover, it is close to the Watchman site, just about half a mile (~1.6 kilometers) down the road from the Visitor Center. It is open from March to October.
- 117 sites
- $20 tent sites; $50 group sites
(3) Lava Point Campground
- Lava Point is a little further down the road than the previous two campgrounds. It is about an hour and a half drive from the south entrance of Zion. Drive 25 miles (~40 kilometers) on the Kolob Terrace road and then pull off to the campground. Reservations can be made through recreation.gov. Furthermore, it is open from May to September.
- 6 sites
- $20 for all sites
Campground Rules
The following rules apply to all three campsites within Zion.
- Two vehicles allowed per site – however, only one RV / trailer allowed
- Up to two tents allowed per site
- Up to six people allowed per site
- Maintain quiet hours from 10pm to 8am
- Maximum of 14 nights for March to mid-November
- Maximum of 44 nights for mid-November to February
Camping in Zion is quite popular, so you should thus start thinking about reserving your campsite today! If you are not able to book a campground inside of Zion, consider a campground or luxury tent just outside the park borders.
6) Horseback Riding
East Zion Adventures is the main company offering horseback riding tours. They have tours running all year round. Children eight years and older can participate. Additionally, they do impose a weight limit of 200 pounds. However, do not worry if you have no prior experience, for they will give a brief lesson before you depart.
If you are interested in exploring other tours in the area, then I recommend looking into canyoneering tours in Kanab Canyon.
They offer a variety of tours, including the following:
(1) White Mountain
- Price: $59
- Time: 1 hour
- Destination: slot canyon
(2) Zion Sunset
- Price: $89
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Destination: wherever they can take you for the best sunset views
(3) Pine Knoll
- Price: $99
- Time: 2 hours
- Destinations: Pine Knoll summit; views of Southern Utah and Zion
(4) Twin Knoll
- Price: $79
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Destinations: Twin Knoll summit; views of Zion, Elk Heart Mountains, Kaibab Mountain Range
(5) Pine Grove
- Price: $59
- Time: 1 hour
- Destination: Pine Grove trail
(6) Little Wrangler Ride
- Price: $15
- Time: 10 minutes
- For children ages three to seven that cannot participate in the full tours
Recommended Items to Bring
- Long pants, preferably jeans or those with a thicker material
- Close toed shoes, preferably ones with a nice grip
- Water
- Sunscreen and/or a hat
- Warm clothing in the winter months
7) Human History Museum
- Price: free (after you pay the entrance fee to the park)
- Hours of operation: 9am to 5pm, with slightly longer hours in the summer
We have come to the last activity on the list of seven things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking. Need an indoor activity for a break from the sun? The Human History Museum is perfect. It is located a half mile (~0.8 kilometers) from the south entrance and 11 miles (~17.7 kilometers) from the east entrance.
Exhibits
The Museum has been around for almost 60 years, yet the exhibits are constantly changing. Some exhibits, for instance, highlight the history of Zion, Southern Paiute culture, and water. Yes, you read that right: water. Water is the resource that drew settlers to Zion in the first place. Additionally, it continues to have huge impacts on the park today. They also offer a 20-minute long video on the history of the park.
That concludes the list of seven things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking!
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Get ready to hike the Kanarra Falls Creek Trail: Hiking to Kanarra Falls Outside of Zion.
Head to Salt Lake City to explore more natural wonders: Bonneville Salt Flats: Rest Area Westbound.
Robin
Posted at 09:21h, 17 JulyI love this post! What a great idea to take the angle of some lesser known things to do in the park. Great site too!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 18:49h, 17 JulyThank you; glad you found it interesting! It is always nice to have some less strenuous activities to do while in a park.
Anja
Posted at 04:17h, 17 MayI loved Zion! We only drove by car 9students on a budget) but I loved the National Parks in the Southwest so much. Not a big hiker but I love cycling – so good to know there are some other activities. Is it mostly mountain and trail biking or bike touring possible as well?
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 14:13h, 18 MayThere are some harder bike trails, but you can also bike along the main road!
wanderwithbelle
Posted at 00:40h, 17 MayThis looks so dreamy!!! I’m def going to add this to my bucket list for the future 🤍
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 14:13h, 18 MayGlad to hear it is now on your bucket list!
San
Posted at 15:59h, 16 MayLove this post. Thank you for sharing. Wonderful Post Hope to Visit Zion National park one day.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 14:10h, 18 MayI hope you are able to visit soon and engage in some of these activities!
Lisa
Posted at 13:19h, 16 MayZion National park is one of my favorite national parks. It is so beautiful. Love there are so many fun things to do at Zions!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 14:09h, 18 MayIt is one of my favorite national parks as well! It having so many things to do is one of the main reasons.
ildiko
Posted at 21:31h, 15 MayLove this post! While I always enjoy a fantastic hike, reading about things to do that don’t involve hiking was fun. I would love stargazing and biking. Hope to visit Zion one day.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:39h, 16 MayThank you! I also always enjoy a hike, but after a long, strenuous hike I am ready for something a little less physical-based. Stargazing is at the top of my list.
Susan
Posted at 21:18h, 15 MayI bet the stargazing in Zion NP is incredible! When I was there I fell asleep super early after long days of hiking. Will be sure to stay up and enjoy the stars next time.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:39h, 16 MayDefinitely reasonable to fall asleep early after hiking all day (I would do the same).
Linda (LD Holland)
Posted at 16:03h, 15 MayWe wish we stayed around Zion a little longer than we did. It would have been great to rent bikes and drive around. And stargazing must be amazing in those open spaces. If I could convince hubby, I would certainly be up for one of those horseback riding options. Definitely need to plan a return visit.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:40h, 16 MayYou can always have him choose one activity and then you choose another. Great way to convince him to do a horseback riding tour!
Chelsea
Posted at 12:56h, 15 MayZion was one of my favorite national parks, we did a lot of hiking but not any of these other activities. We camped outside the park due to the campground being full though!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:41h, 16 MayAh yes, the campgrounds can fill up way in advance, especially in the prime summer months! Camping anywhere near Zion is still an incredible experience.
Robin Rosenquist
Posted at 12:23h, 15 MayThis is such a great take on the national park! Loved reading it. I did a National Park tour of the Big 5 and regret not getting back into the parks at night for the stargazing. Next time for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:41h, 16 MayYes, next time! A tour of the Big 5 National Parks sounds amazing. Which was your favorite to visit?
Midori and Akaash
Posted at 09:29h, 15 MayWe had no idea there was a human history museum at Zion! One day when we visit again we will definitely go!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:42h, 16 MayIt is a nice museum to check out to learn a little bit more about the history! Not as many people hear about it simply due to the fact Zion has so many other attractions, especially outdoorsy ones.
Trea
Posted at 08:24h, 15 MayWhat an excellent read! It’s so simple but I never even thought about star gazing. Thank you so much for sharing. I also like how you included the prices for the various horseback riding. This is so helpful!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:43h, 16 MayGlad you enjoyed the article! Stargazing in national parks is definitely an activity to put on your list.
Gail
Posted at 07:48h, 15 MayI’ve never been before, though stargazing looks like a lot of fun to me so I’ll have to give it a try! The museum also looks like something I’d enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:43h, 16 MayIt sounds like you have to plan a trip to Zion soon! There is so much to see and do, you will not be disappointed.
Emma
Posted at 06:40h, 15 MaySuch a stunning national park! We cent wait to road trip all the US national parks one day and this is now top of our list! Thank you!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:43h, 16 MayA road trip to all of the U.S. National Parks sounds like a DREAM. I might just have to steal that idea.
Amber Sandiego
Posted at 03:38h, 15 MayI was pleased to read this as I head to Zion soon! Thank you so much for this !
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:44h, 16 MayI hope you enjoy your trip! Definitely consider camping and stargazing.
Bea
Posted at 02:25h, 15 MayI would totally go for biking during the day and stargazing at night. Thanks for some great alternatives to hiking!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:45h, 16 MayYou are so welcome! Zion has a lot of longer hikes, which means you need something a little less strenuous to end the day.
Melissa
Posted at 23:27h, 14 MayIt has been years since i’ve been to Zion and would LOVE to come back and check out some of these stargazing spots. This park is so stunning and this definitely makes me want to plan another trip.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:46h, 16 MayIt makes me want to plan another trip as well! You can never have too much of Zion.
Lisa | Waves and Cobblestones
Posted at 19:00h, 14 MayThe Mount Carmel Highway sounds like a gorgeous drive — too bad they charge you the park entry fee even if you’re just passing through!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:46h, 16 MayYes, it is a high fee if you just want to drive the road. But then you can just make a whole day out of it and visit some other attractions in Zion!
Jenn | By Land and Sea
Posted at 17:45h, 14 MaySince we are looking at Zion in 2023, it is nice to learn more about the things to do in the area. Saving this for later!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:47h, 16 MayI hope you are able to visit then! It is such a gorgeous park, you will have plenty of things to do.
simplyjolayne
Posted at 17:14h, 14 MayThe next time I travel to Zion NP, I need to stay closer so that it makes exploring the park in the morning and then sticking around to stargazing feasible. Zion is a park that really should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:48h, 16 MayYes, I totally agree – everyone should add it to their bucket list! And staying near the park is definitely more convenient. Booking early is the key as accommodations fill up fast.
Michele
Posted at 15:41h, 14 MayThe stargazing sounds absolutely wonderful! Pinning this for our trip to Utah.
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:49h, 16 MayI hope you enjoy your trip! Stargazing in Zion is definitely an activity you should include on your itinerary.
Valentina
Posted at 14:12h, 14 MayI love horse riding and if I’ll go to visit this wonderful area, I will surely book a horse riding experience. It is a great way to discover new places and enjoy the nature!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:50h, 16 MayI definitely agree. A horseback riding adventure allows you the joy of riding a horse while also seeing the sights!
Lasma
Posted at 13:56h, 14 MayI love mountains and these photos make me dream! A horseback ride is something that I would love to do! Inspiring article, thanks for sharing it!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:50h, 16 MayGlad you enjoyed the article! Hopefully one day soon you can plan a trip to Zion and go horseback riding.
Lenore
Posted at 13:19h, 14 MayThese are great suggestions. I’d love to go horseback riding or experience stargazing. It’s good to know there’s plenty of things to do besides hiking!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 11:51h, 16 MayYou can start off your day with a hike or two and then plan for some of these activities to rest the legs!
Ashley
Posted at 13:36h, 02 MayThis is great! When I went to Zion, I had only really planned on hiking. After doing Angel’s Landing in the morning, I was so exhausted and unsure how to spend the rest of the day. Horseback riding would be so fun! I love the desert, and this area especially is so beautiful!
Alaina Thomas
Posted at 10:17h, 07 MayAngel’s Landing is exhausting for sure! It is nice to have some of these other, more relaxing activities to fill the day after that.