Nick's 3 Favorite Views

Hurricane Mesa via Mesa Road

Drive-up sunset photo spot, 30 minutes from Springdale. All paved roads. Explore the area from the Mesa Overlook Trailhead.

Smithsonian Butte Rd

Great for all-day exploring and sunsets. Rougher gravel roads. Explore the area from the Wire Mesa Trailhead.

Gooseberry Mesa

Great free off-grid camping and mountain biking. Rough roads and limited cell service. Explore the area from the Gooseberry Trailhead.

Nick's Top 3 Zion National Park Hikes

4 miles one way, 8 round trip, of mostly flat hiking through high desert forest. Great at sunrise. Not passable in wet conditions.

1.5 miles one way, 3 round trip, gently uphill through quiet Kolob Canyons. A beautiful primitive trail that skips the crowds and ends at a unique climbing crag. Great at sunset.

Great for avoiding the crowds, with cooler summer temperatures and cool history. Consider the Deertrap Mountain detour.

Nick's Top 3 Greater Zion Area Hikes

1 Day Trip to Bryce Canyon
1 Day Trip to Buckskin Gulch

Road Trip Itineraries

1 Day Trip to Snow Canyon
Hiker in the narrow red slot canyon walls of Buckskin GulchHiker in the narrow red slot canyon walls of Buckskin Gulch
Bryce Canyon hoodoos, a day trip from Zion National ParkBryce Canyon hoodoos, a day trip from Zion National Park
Black lava rock and desert trail in Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, UtahBlack lava rock and desert trail in Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, Utah

3 Must-Watch Geology Videos

3 Great Local Restaurants

El Rancho Mexican restaurant building with cactus mural near Zion National ParkEl Rancho Mexican restaurant building with cactus mural near Zion National Park
Restaurant patio with string lights at dusk near Zion National ParkRestaurant patio with string lights at dusk near Zion National Park
Cozy wood paneled dining room at a restaurant near Zion National Park
Cozy wood paneled dining room at a restaurant near Zion National Park
Street tacos with cilantro, onion, radish and lime from El Rancho
Street tacos with cilantro, onion, radish and lime from El Rancho
Organic smoothie from Desert Smoothie in Virgin, Utah near Zion National ParkOrganic smoothie from Desert Smoothie in Virgin, Utah near Zion National Park
Desert Smoothie trailer in Virgin, Utah on the road to Zion National ParkDesert Smoothie trailer in Virgin, Utah on the road to Zion National Park
Contact Nick

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Virgin, Utah · A local's guide to Zion National Park

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