In 2021 alone, Zion National Park welcomed more than five million guests. While that year broke records, the park continues to top lists of the most visited national parks in the country year after year. A large portion of the park’s annual visitors make their way to Southern Utah during the summer months. If you’re planning a summer visit to Springdale resorts, especially on the weekend or around the holidays, you can expect the park to be a little busy.
One option is to enjoy an activity outside the park. But It’s still possible to enjoy a fun adventure in the park this time of year. We recommend giving yourself a break from riding the shuttle or hiking busy trails. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to do this. If you’re planning a visit to Zion Wildflower Resort this summer, keep reading as we explore a few of the best ways to explore the park on a busy day.
Take a Drive
Zion National Park covers more than 220 square miles. It would be impossible to cover it all on foot during your stay in our Zion National Park bungalows. A scenic drive is a great way to experience more of the park, as well as the surrounding areas.
For much of the year, when the Zion Canyon Shuttle System is in operation, you won’t be able to drive the Lower Canyon. But you can still drive through Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel into the Upper Canyon. Wind your way past Checkerboard Mesa, stop at an overlook or two to get some incredible pictures of the Lower Canyon far below, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. If you have a day to explore, you can even continue on to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Enjoy the Nighttime Views
In 2021, Zion National Park joined the rest of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks and was named an International Dark Sky Park. This means that the park experiences little light pollution, which makes for incredible night skies. It also means that the park takes precautions to direct light from its facilities downward to reduce any unnecessary pollution. Head into the park in the evening or stay past dark to see for yourself.
When you stay at Zion Wildflower Resort, you won’t even have to go all the way to the park to enjoy the view. Step right outside your Zion National Park bungalows to enjoy the views of the night sky. After, head to one of our fire pits to relax, roast marshmallows, and swap stories about your day.
Get Off-Road
Technically you can’t enjoy this next activity in Zion National Park. But you can take an exciting, heart-pounding off-road ride nearby. Off-roading, in Jeeps, UTVs, or ATVs, is a fun way to see a different side of Southern Utah. There are plenty of places just a short drive away from your Zion National Park lodging where you can rent an off-road vehicle or sign up for a tour.
Nearby Sand Hollow State Park is one of the region’s most popular off-road destinations and offers more than 62,000 acres of technical trails and sand dunes for you to explore.
Cruise the Park on an E-Bike
Looking for a unique, leisurely way to experience Zion? Why not take a cruise on an e-bike?
E-biking is one of the newest ways to enjoy the park. You can rent an electric bike from an outfitter in Springdale, and cruise right into Zion. Unlike other vehicles, e-bikes are allowed in Zion’s Lower Canyon while the shuttles are in operation. On busy days, e-bikes make it easy to skip the lines at shuttle stops to get around or to simply enjoy a different view of the park.
Guests of our Zion National Park bungalows can also take advantage of our complimentary regular bikes to zip around the property during their stay.
Dive into a Slot Canyon
Canyoneering is a sport that combines hiking with rock climbing, rappelling, and scrambling as you travel from point A to point B in a narrow slot canyon. Southern Utah is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of slot canyons. While you will need experience to attempt canyoneering on your own, without experience, you can book an excursion with a tour company to give this exciting sport a try!
Planning a Stay at Springdale Resorts
It might be tougher to enjoy an Angels Landing hike or ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle this time of year. But with a little planning, it’s still possible to enjoy a fun and memorable visit to Zion National Park in the summer. If you’re planning a stay in our Zion National Park bungalows in the summer, we recommend mixing in some of these activities to take a break from hiking or riding the shuttle.
Another great tip for visiting this time of year is to make sure that you’re booking a hotel with swimming near Zion. Zion Wildflower Resort is home to one of the newest and coolest pools ZIon National Park has to offer. This is the perfect spot to cool off on a hot day in Southern Utah.
Ready to start planning your own summer adventure? Book your summer stay at one of the best Springdale resorts today!
