National Parks have been the name of my game during the pandemic. It has been a nice way to well…not lose my mind during the insanity that has become our lives. Now that I’ve visited a few, it’s safe to say my bucket list has suddenly tripled and I can’t wait to see more! Zion National Park was no exception and, because why not, we tacked on Horseshoe Bend as well. Here’s how to visit both Zion and Horseshoe Bend in 4 days!
Check out my hiking tips for beginners here.
Guide to Zion National Park and Horseshoe Bend in 4 Days
Is Zion National Park & Page safe to travel to as a solo woman traveler?
I would consider Zion National Park safe to travel to as a solo woman traveler. Just like always, I recommend not hiking alone or if you do, to take the necessary precautions. What’s great about the town is that there is a shuttle service that goes in a straight line, making it incredibly easy to get around. I also found Page equally as safe, albeit a bit sleepier than Zion.
Know Before You Go
The closest airport is McCarran International Airport located in Las Vegas. The airport is 170 miles from the park.
I highly recommend renting a car if you’re following this itinerary.
Figure out what time you need to be at the parks to avoid the crowds. Depending on the time of year you visit, this can differ!
Look into the shuttle service as soon as you book your trip. Due to COVID-19, you have to have to reserve a ticket to board the shuttle. While some hikes can be accessed with a personal vehicle, a lot of them are restricted to shuttle access only. It’s worth checking the website to see what the updates are when you book your trip. Note this only applies to the shuttle service within the park, the shuttle in Springdale does not require advance tickets and you can simply just show up and board.
If you aren’t able to get a shuttle ticket, they release another batch 24 hours in advance of boarding but you have to be on top of this. If you still don’t get a ticket, there are private companies that can take you to your hikes, it just is costlier. Ask your hotel for a list of these companies if this ends up being you (this happened to us). We had no issues securing a transportation option the day of.
Where to stay near Zion National Park
We stayed in Springdale which was the perfect location for easy access to the park. If you’re planning on doing multiple national parks, you may want to consider a halfway point but for purposes of this itinerary, Springdale is the way to go. We stayed at Bumbleberry Inn which was perfect for us: no frills, affordable, had a hot tub, and was close to everything we wanted to do.
Things to do in Zion National Park
Day 1
Drive to Sprindale
Land in Las Vegas the night before so you can start your morning by getting on the road and heading to Springdale. You will not need Zion shuttle tickets this day so no need to reserve anything in advance.
Lunch and Check In
Check into your hotel and grab lunch before you start your hikes. I highly recommend Oscar’s Cafe, located just across the street from Bumbleberry Inn. Their portions are massive and there are plenty of options on the menu that will satisfy both vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Overlook Hike
Your first hike is a pretty easy one. The Overlook Hike is one that you can access with your personal vehicle so no need to worry about a shuttle. The hike will take you approximately one hour RT and is suitable for all skill levels. We even saw quite a few kids on the hike. This is a great hike to start with as you get sweeping views of Zion.
Watchman Trail
If you’re up for a second hike, drive back down towards the visitor center and park in the lot. You’ll see signs pointing the way to the Watchman Trail. We did this hike right at sunset and loved it. It’s about 3 miles RT so it’s another great hike to do on your first day. Plus, it’s one that’s often overlooked by visitors to Zion.
Dinner and Hot Tub
Unwind from your travel day and first couple of hikes in Zion with dinner at Whiptail Grill and then a soak in the hot tub.
Day 2
Coffee and Quick Breakfast at FeelLove Zion
If you’re a coffee fanatic like me, you have to check out this place! I’m a sucker for lavender so I went for their Bay latte which is was delicious. They do have some options for a quick breakfast as well which was perfect for us before we started the day.
Get Your Gear for the Narrows
The Narrows is such a unique hike and a must do when you’re in Zion. Depending on what time of year you go, I’d recommend at least renting water boots and a hiking stick. There are a plethora of outfitter rental spots so you should have no issues finding gear to rent. Note: you do need a shuttle ticket for this hike. As we were unlucky and didn’t procure a ticket beforehand, we booked a transportation option when we picked up our gear.
Hike the Narrows (Shuttle Ticket Required)
Get ready to fall in love. Even just the walk up to the start of the trail is absolutely gorgeous. You aren’t able to hike the whole Narrows without obtaining a permit so you’re in control of how long you want to spend hiking since you will have to return to the same entrance. You can expect to be in the water a good bit of the time and water levels can vary depending on the time of the year. For the most part, it was calf deep for us. I truly have never done a hike like this and can’t recommend it enough!
Dinner and Unwind
Unwind after your hike and grab some dinner at the Spotted Dog Cafe. This was one of my favorite meals in Zion. Be sure to get the cheesecake. It was positively sinful.
Day 3
Scouts Lookout Hike (Shuttle Ticket Required) or Drive Through the Park
Our original plan for this day was to do the Scouts Lookout Hike however we were unlucky on the shuttle ticket front yet again. Rather than pay for another van, we opted to just drive through the park and stop and take photos wherever we could.
Scout’s Lookout is one of Zion’s most popular trails and leads you to Angel’s Landing, Zion’s infamous hike. We had planned on doing Scout’s Lookout because I’m a completely scaredy cat when it comes to heights and I knew I couldn’t attempt Angel’s Landing. Scout’s Lookout, on the other hand, has a stunning viewpoint and is still a challenging hike without the whole crippled by fear of falling. I hope to make it back and try this hike!
Quick Lunch
After your morning, grab a quick lunch at Cafe Soleil (great for sandwiches and soups) because your next stop is Page!
Drive to Page
The drive to Page is a little under two hours and it’s really quite a pretty drive so the time flew by. I highly recommend stopping to grab some photos whenever you can.
Check Out the Glen Canyon Dam
Be sure to make a stop and check out this damn. The vistas from the overlook were absolutely stunning and it was well worth the stop.
Dinner and Drinks
Head to State 48 Tavern for dinner! This was another one of my favorite restaurants on the trip. The service, food, and cocktails were all impeccable. I highly recommend the beer battered avocados.
Day 4
Horseshoe Bend
It’s hard to recommend what time of day to visit Horseshoe Bend. I did a ton of research and saw a lot of conflicting information. We ended up going late morning and there were still some shadows. Regardless, it’s breathtaking no matter what time of day you decide to visit!
Drive Back to the Airport
After Horseshoe Bend it’s time to head to the airport and catch your evening flight out! The drive is about 4.5 hours away so be sure to plan accordingly.
Bottom Line
Zion National Park and Horseshoe Bend are two destinations that should be on everyone’s list. And they both are completely doable in just four days. Follow this guide if you’re looking for the perfect beginner guide to Zion National Park.
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