Zion National Park with kids is recommended for any age. For parent and kid, it is a real experience which should not be missed during your tour of America with kids. It is a beautiful natural park which is among the “Mighty Five” list of the state of Utah. Are you a real hike family, do you still need the stroller or just a wheelchair, all options are welcome in this wonderful park. In this blog, we list all the important information for visiting Zion National Park with kids.
Zion National Park with kids
Zion National Park is known for its large rock formations. The sights and activities are mainly in the gorge. There are also a few activities out there or on top of it, such as the well-known “Angels Landing. It is a beautiful green park where the river flows centrally through the canyon. Wildlife is certainly present in the park, but it does not show itself easily, except for squirrels and deer.
#1 Visitor Center
A visit to a “Visitor Center” should really be a must during your visit to any nature park. You can think of it as a free museum that tells a lot about the flora, fauna and history of the park. In the process, you can pick up a free booklet for the kids that allows them to participate in the “Junior Ranger Program.
This booklet is full of fun and educational assignments they can do while traveling in Zion National Park. The assignments are divided into difficulty levels, allowing each kid to complete it at their own level. The booklets are, of course, in English, but with a little translation help from parents, they will come a long way.
When the booklet is completed, you may return it to the visitor center. The Ranger will review the booklet, take the Junior Ranger oath together and present the Junior Badge. Each park has its own booklet and badge. Our kids found this one of the most fun activities in the park. It makes them really look and listen to nature.
It is very educational, even secretly for the parents. Also, don’t forget to check for an interesting presentation by a Ranger, as these are often very educational. Of course, you can also get all the information you need at the visitor center, including park information, biking and hiking routes and weather conditions.
They are very welcoming and happy to help you with any questions you may have. There is also a nice little store with souvenirs. If you want to buy souvenirs from the national parks, do so in the little store near the visitor center. This way you support the park in its maintenance. Each park has affordable, general and park-related souvenirs.
#2 The Narrows
This is an activity you really shouldn’t miss during your visit! After a short walk via the “Riverside Walk” (about three kilometers there and back), the trail stops. You will already see many people in suits and with sticks walking by, and from that point you can enter the water. Without a “permit,” you can walk about eight kilometers through the water, but you can turn around at any time when you’ve had enough.
Even if you only walk a few hundred meters, it is already worth it. As the name of the hike gives away, the gorge gets narrower and narrower from here. You can walk through this impressive gorge via water. Kids can come along on foot or in a carry-on backpack. We walked here with a Nordic walking stick and water shoes.
When the sun comes through a bit, the water is wonderfully refreshing. A stick is really necessary though because of the many stones in the water. We were here in early May and the coldness of the water was manageable and just a wonderful cool down. Should you still find it exciting, there are plenty of options to rent waterproof overalls, shoes and poles.
Only if you fall into the water, of course, you still get soaking wet. It really is a great activity for young and old: a real experience. By the water you can also enjoy a picnic and paddling.
#3 Hiking
Zion NP has plenty of hiking trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. At the visitor center, all walks are indicated, including times and lengths. The times indicated give a good estimate of how long it will take you to walk. All walks are accessible by shuttle bus, except one.
The “Canyon Overlook Trail” (out and back 1.6 km) treats you, as the name implies, to stunning views of the gorge. Definitely worth it if you are not afraid of heights.
Parking for this hike is immediately after the “Mount Carmel” tunnel on your right. In addition, there are some options along the street. Keep in mind that these parking lots fill up quickly, so be on time or get lucky. For RVs, parking here is incredibly difficult because of its size.
Should you want to go for the well-known Angels Landing, keep in mind that you need to apply for a “permit” for this. Keep a close eye on the Zion National Park website to see when you can sign up from when.
#4 Cycling
There is a possibility to rent (electric) bikes, possibly with child seats, in Springdale. You may enter the park by bicycle through the pedestrian entrance.
In the park, you may ride your bike on the main road, where the shuttle bus also runs, and on the “Pa’rus Trail. These are the only two options for cycling. With a regular bike, you are also allowed to use the free shuttle bus; electric bikes, on the other hand, are prohibited. Should you wish to bike in the park, carefully read the rules on the Zion National Park website.
#5 Guided family adventure
For the real daredevils, there are plenty of exciting organized activities to book, such as Via Ferrata, canyoning, rock climbing and horseback riding. These activities are organized by various providers in Springdale.
Although spots are often still available, it is wise to book in advance and do good research on the organization you want to go on the trip with. Zion NP is a popular park, so it can be quite crowded even in the off-season and on weekends.
#6 Tubing
Fancy a relaxing activity, but still want to do or see something? Then tubing is the perfect solution. Just relax after the many days of travel or tired calves. Just a twenty-minute drive from Zion National Park, in Virgin, there is an organization where you can tub on the Virgin River (no, not the one from the Netflix series 😉 ).
You will be taken away by van and then you can relax in your band and float down the river. The river will naturally take you to the end point, where they will be waiting for you again. Kids will love lying down or frolicking in the water. The river flows at a “Lazy River” pace, so don’t be afraid it looks like rafting. This activity welcomes kids as young as four years old.
#7 Stargazing
Maybe stargazing sounds a little boring for kids at first, but in Zion that is absolutely not the case. Zion is known as an “International Dark Sky Park. With minimal light pollution, you can enjoy beautiful starry skies here. When it gets dark, almost all the lights in the park go out.
Find a dark place, let your eyes adjust and look at the stars. Do you see the constellations, satellites, shooting stars or even the Milky Way? They can all be seen in Zion. Don’t forget your binoculars, because you can see much more with them than with the naked eye.
Through the park’s official website, you can also download a “Junior Ranger Night Explorer” booklet. In it, kids learn how to find the North Star, what the phases of the moon are, and discover more about stars and galaxies. Once again, a very educational and interesting activity!
Family-friendly hotel Zion National Park
In the park, you can stay overnight at the Zion Lodge or at one of the campgrounds. The Zion Lodge has a rich history, as this hotel has been around since 1925. It is well worth walking in and seeing the unusual architectural style of the building.
The park has three campgrounds, one of which is on the other side of the park. So look carefully at the location before booking a place. The “Watchman Campground” is a beautiful campground with clean plumbing and spacious sites. A nice detail: in the early morning you can just see deer walking across the campsite here.
At both lodge and campsites, be sure to get there early. Once bookings come online, they often fill up quickly. Should you just miss out, there are plenty of options outside the park to stay overnight. In Springdale, for example, you will find several hotels and campgrounds. So check online for more family-friendly accommodations in Springdale.
If there is no more space available there either, look at campsites along Route 9 or at Mount Carmel Junction. This is also an ideal base if you are traveling to or from Bryce Canyon, as it is only a twenty-minute drive from Zion National Park.
Tips Zion National Park with kids
Family-friendly restaurant Zion National Park
At the Zion Lodge in the park, you can go for both big and small draws. There are two restaurants: the Castle Dome Café and the Red Rock Grill. Both restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
At the Castle Dome Café, you get fresh food prepared quickly and can sit outside on the terrace. The Red Rock Grill is more of a classic restaurant where you are served at the table. Would you rather bring something or have a picnic? Then there is a small supermarket near the café. Picnicking is perfect on the large grassy area in front of the Zion Lodge, where the kids can also have a good run.
Outside the park, in Springdale, there is also a wide range of cafes and restaurants.
Best travel time Zion NP
You can visit Zion National Park with kids year-round. Each season has its own charm, but also limitations. Therefore, always check the official website of Zion National Park to see current conditions. Here you will also find information about any shuttle bus stop or trail closures.
Transportation in and to Zion National Park
Springdale is the town at the foot of Zion. The easiest way is to drive here in a rental car or RV. Are you dependent on public transportation? If so, Springdale is easily accessible by bus from several cities.
A free shuttle bus leaves from Springdale from mid-March to mid-November, and during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. This will take you to the entrance of the park.
Within the park, a free shuttle bus also runs during the same period, taking you to various attractions. On the park’s website you can see the driving schedule and thus make your planning in advance. The buses are suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Outside this period, you may drive your own vehicle through the park.
If you want to travel on to Bryce Canyon or are just coming from Bryce, it is easiest to drive through the “Mount Carmel” tunnel. Are you traveling with an RV? If so, this can only be done until mid-2026. In fact, traffic will be stopped for RVs so they can drive in the middle of the tunnel because of the clearance height.
For safety reasons, this will not be allowed after 2026. Until then, you can still drive an RV through the tunnel for a fee. You indicate this at the entrance to the park, where you will receive a certificate valid for seven days. This certificate allows you to drive through the tunnel once there and once back.
Parking at the park is free, but usually not worth it unless you are a really early bird, as the parking lots fill up quickly. Most visitors stay overnight in Springdale or in the park itself, where free parking is usually offered. Always check with your accommodation.
Park entrance fees range between $20 and $35 per vehicle. Are you visiting multiple parks during your tour? Then the purchase of the “America the Beautiful” pass is definitely recommended. It costs $80 once and gives you access to all national parks for a year.
The pass is in the name of one person in the travel party, who must always be present at the park entrance. Because of this, the pass is not transferable and therefore you cannot buy it second-hand.
About the author: we, Chris and Ruben, together with our boys, try to make as many great memories and experiences as possible for life.
