Zion National Park Attractions
Zion National Park Attractions
 | Hiking Zion National Park, UT You may have heard of Zion's most famous hike, Angel's Landing, a death-defying trail that winds over a narrow ridge to a precipitous, vertigo-inducing summit. This five-and-a-half-mile hike is certainly not for young children (physically fit teens who are not afraid of heights may be able to handle Angel's Landing), but there are plenty of other trails in the park that are well-suited to families. The Emerald Pools trails (Lower, Upper and Middle Emerald Pools) are very popular hikes for families; they lead hikers to serene ponds and cliff-side waterfalls. Another noteworthy trail for families is Riverside Wail, which winds alongside the pretty Virgin River. Stop by the Visitor Center to get a trail map and more information about hiking in the park. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Horseback Riding Zion National Park, UT Experience the beauty of Zion National Park by horseback -- the same way intrepid frontiersmen have been exploring for generations. Canyon Trail Rides offers one-hour and half-day guided tours of Zion. There is a 7-year age limit for the one-hour tour ($40 per person) and a 10-year age limit for the half-day tour ($75 per person), but horseback riding experience is not necessary. Horseback excursions start at the Emerald Pools trailhead, and are available from March through October. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Junior Ranger Programs Zion National Park, UT Kids ages 6 to 12 can become certified Zion National Park Junior Rangers by taking part in one of two ranger classes at the Nature Center (classes cost $2 per child). Or kids can earn the Junior Ranger badge on their own by completing an activity booklet. The booklet costs $1 and can be picked up at the Visitor Center. Kids ages 7 and older who complete the handbook, which contains questions about the park, will earn a special Explorer Patch. Kids ages 6 and under are also eligible to receive a special patch by completing a free activity sheet, which is also available at the Visitor Center as well as the Human History Museum. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12) |
 | Ranger-led Programs Zion National Park, UT Enjoy a free educational ranger walk, talk or ride during your visit to Zion. Programs include 20- to 30-minute talks on subjects ranging from the history of Zion to park wildlife, ranger-guided hikes, and guided shuttle tours of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If your family has little hiking experience and you're nervous about hitting the trails alone, joining a ranger-led walk is a great introduction to hiking the park. It's important to make reservations for the popular ranger-led programs, especially during summer. Reservations can be made at the Visitor Center, and you can find a seasonal schedule of ranger-led programs on the Zion National Park Web site. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Zion Canyon Theatre Zion National Park, UT You may be surprised to find a giant-screen theater that plays 3D movies at the entrance of a national park -- but it's there! The six-story Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theater is located right near the entrance of the park, alongside gift shops and a Thai restaurant. You can catch the latest blockbuster movies here, as well as a unique film about the park, "Zion Canyon Treasure of the Gods." The theater schedule varies, so check the Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theater Web site for the latest showings. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for children. The Zion Canyon Shuttle stops at the theater. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Zion Cycles 868 Zion Park Boulevard Springdale, UT There's only one trail in Zion National park on which bicyclists may ride -- the Pa'rus Trail. This is a scenic paved route that can be picked up at Zion Canyon Visitor Center and winds along the pretty Virgin River. The Pa'rus Trail is just three-and-a-half miles long, which makes biking in the park somewhat limited for experienced bikers. Zion Cycles offers various maps of local bike trails that aren't in the park if you're looking for more options. Zion Cycles' bikes can be rented for one hour to a full day. They also offer tandem bikes, a kids' trailers to hook up to the back of an adult bike, strollers and other great choices for families. Kids' bike rentals start at $7 per hour and $15 for a full day, and adult bike rentals start at $20 per hour and $50 for a full day. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Zion Human History Museum Zion National Park, UT Located in the park, the Zion Human History Museum is dedicated to the fascinating history of the people who have lived in and explored Zion over the centuries. The museum has a free 22-minute video on the park's history, which is shown every half hour while during museum operating hours. This video is a great introduction to the park, so we recommend seeing it at the beginning of your stay. The Human History Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the park shuttle stops here. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Zion Outback Safaris Zion National Park, UT Want to get off your feet for a while? Take the family on an adventurous Zion jeep tour. Zion Outback Safaris offers day and evening jeep tours of the park and its stunning surrounding areas. The tour takes riders into the Zion National Park's rugged outback, to places less-experienced and younger hikers might otherwise never get to see. Choose from an Outback Safari Tour, a three-hour ride through the backcountry of Zion, or a Sunset Safari Tour, a two-hour excursion that lets riders to enjoy the sun setting over multi-colored Smith Mesa. Tours start at $58 per adult and $41 per child, not including taxes and fees. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Zion National Park, UT Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and enjoy panoramic views of the park from outside your car window (if you have a convertible, this route is a must!). This drive takes cars through the amazing Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, a mile-long tunnel that was the longest in the U.S. when it was completed in 1930. There are several "windows" cut through the rock on the side of the tunnel from which drivers can glimpse incredible views of the park. This year, there may be construction on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Get information about possible construction delays by calling 435-772-3256 (press 1, then 4). Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
Read more about Zion National Park Resorts Read more about Zion National Park Family Vacations
© Copyright 2012. The Independent Traveler, Inc.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
- Independent Traveler independenttraveler.com
- Cruise Critic cruisecritic.com
-
FREE Family Travel Newsletter -
Family Travel Tips (10 New)
– Family Planning and Tips
Sure, free drinks and complimentary Wi-Fi rank high on the lists of most desirable hotel perks among travelers in general, but when it comes to visiting with kids in tow, which hotel amenities are most revered by families? From onsite airline check-in to in-room babysitting and kid concierges, con...
Favorite family biking locales in North America combine stunning scenery with a relatively easy grid of bike trails and uncongested backcountry roads. All of these locales offer exhilarating rides, guaranteed to inspire all ages to travel on two wheels. Many of the cities on the list, like San Anton...
1. Celebrate a Historic Anniversary. Boston's historic Fenway Park celebrates its 100th anniversary this year -- the perfect time to take in a ballgame while enjoying the history of America throughout the city. Give your school-aged children an up-close and personal history lesson by visiting some ...
The unofficial start to summer is nearly here, and this May 25 to 28 weekend is filled with enticing deals for families. Get out there and start your summer!
Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Escape to the Colorado mountains for a two-night Memorial Day Family Escape at the Broadmoor. ...
There are few rites of passage as exciting as taking a child on his or her first camping trip. Families bond while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, making shadow animals on the tent wall, chasing after fireflies and inhaling fragrant whiffs of pine. Whether you are an experienced camper from pre-...
1. The National Mall
There's no question that the National Mall, the two-mile strip of wide-open green stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol and surrounded by Smithsonian museums and national monuments, is a must-see destination for kids. "The Mall," chock full of our nation'...
1. gogo Kidz Travelmate
If you're traveling with a child weighing less than 50 pounds, you won't want to leave home without this ingenious contraption that in seconds lets parents convert most car seats into a stroller. With the gogo Kidz Travelmate, there's no more lugging both a heavy car seat ...
On a recent ski vacation, my family of five traveled with five cellphones, three laptops, three iPads, two iPods and just for good measure, a GPS! Given the prevalence of electronic devices in our daily lives and our somewhat compulsive reliance upon them, taking a true vacation feels almost imposs...
The 1969 film, "If It's Tuesday, This Must be Belgium," depicted a funny, but sometimes all too true, look at a tour group of Americans traveling through Europe so quickly they barely knew where they were and what they were seeing.
Today, tour groups are quickly becoming an attractive option for ...
When you think of an all-inclusive vacation, your mind goes straight to the Caribbean, doesn't it? But you don't need to leave the country to get an all-in-one vacation -- resorts in the U.S. also provide all-inclusive getaways with accommodations, meals, and activities all packaged in one easy pric...