Zion National Park is my favorite place visit in Utah. The Navajo sandstone cliffs here are absolutely amazing, and there’s hiking trails for everyone’s tastes and abilities, from paved trails like the Parus trail to the adrenaline rush of walking the the spine of the precipitous drops to Angel’s Landing.

Try to visit Zion in the Fall, when the yellow leaves of the trees create striking patterns against the ocher of the canyon walls. Winter is also an excellent time, with the contrast of white snow on dark red sandstone. There are also waterfalls aplenty, some of which are not running unless it’s the rainy season, but caution is advised during this time – stay out of slot canyons like the Narrows when it rains, even if the rain is happening 20 miles away from where you are.

Rock and tree on Virgin River near the Narrows in Zion National Park.

Rock And Tree On The Virgin River

Virgin River flowing by the Riverside Walk in Utah's Zion National Park.

Virgin River Near Riverside Walk

Virgin River framed by leaves as it flows beneath sandstone cliffs.

Virgin River Near Riverside Walk 2 BW

Spectacular view of Zion Canyon as seen from Weeping Rock.

View From Weeping Rock

Brick foot bridge spanning creek below Weeping Rock at Zion National Park in Utah.

Foot Bridge To Weeping Rock

Bridge spanning the Virgin River along the Parus Trail in Zion National Park

Bridge Over Virgin River

Virgin River flowing through green canopied oaks at Utah's Zion National Park.

Virgin River And The Watchman 2

Fence-lined trail head below the Watchman in Zion National Park.

The Watchman Trail-head

Scenic view of mountains bordering Parus Trail in Zion National Park.

The View From The Parus Trail

Boulder-filled view of the Virgin River flowing through Utah's Zion National Park.

Virgin River And The Watchman 1

Zion Canyon Lodge and courtyard.

Zion Canyon Lodge 1

View on the Canyon Overlook Trail where it goes goes under a ledge.

Canyon Overlook Trail 1

Entrance to the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel in Zion National Park.

Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel Entrance

Stunted Ponderosa Pine growing out of red sandstone.

Amazing Ponderosa 10

Stunted Ponderosa Pine growing out of red sandstone.

Amazing Ponderosa

Red sandstone cliffs of the Temple Of Sinawava in Zion National Park.

Temple Of Sinawava

Back-lit waterfall at Lower Emerald Pool in Zion National Park.

Waterfall At Emerald Pool

The West Temple in Zion National Park.

The West Temple

Initial view of Zion National Park upon exiting Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel.

First Impression Zion National Park

Red sandstone feature from upper east "slick-rock" area of Utah's Zion National Park.

Red Rock In Zion

Checkerboard Mesa in the early morning light.

Checkerboard Mesa