Free
Nung'wu Poa (Paiute Trail)
A roughly two-mile shared-use trail that starts at George A. Barker River Park, climbs a low mesa on Paiute land, and looks toward the walls of Zion Canyon. Parking at the park is free.
Springdale sits on the Virgin River where the canyon walls of Zion open into a wider valley. You can see The Watchman and the Towers of the Virgin from town without a park pass. George A. Barker River Park and the Nung'wu Poa trail, on Paiute land at the edge of town, give you river shade and a mesa view before you ever reach the entrance station.
Zion National Park begins at the north end of Zion Park Boulevard. An entrance pass is required inside the park. In 2026 there is no timed-entry reservation; when the shuttle is running, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
George A. Barker River Park
A town park on the Virgin River at 1615 Zion Park Boulevard, with shade, picnic tables and a footbridge. Open daily, roughly 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
Season Open daily, roughly 6 a.m.–11 p.m. (check before you go).
Free
Springdale trails along the Virgin River
Paved and natural-surface paths through town, including a stretch of the Zion Canyon Trail linking Springdale toward the park.
Cheap
Pa'rus Trail
A paved, relatively flat trail along the Virgin River from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, open to walkers, bikes and leashed pets. An entrance pass is required.
Season The park is open year-round; the Zion Canyon shuttle typically runs roughly early March–late November, with a mid-winter break (check before you go).
Cheap
The Watchman Trail
A moderate climb from near the visitor center to a canyon overlook, with views back toward Springdale and up the walls. An entrance pass is required.
Cheap
Emerald Pools
A set of trails from Zion Lodge to lower, middle and upper pools under the canyon walls. An entrance pass is required.
Cheap
The Narrows
A walk upstream in the Virgin River from the Temple of Sinawava, where the canyon walls close in. No separate permit for the bottom-up hike; check flood and water conditions. An entrance pass is required.
Cheap
Canyon Overlook Trail
A short trail near the east end of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel to a view over Pine Creek Canyon. Reached by the highway, which stays open to cars year-round. An entrance pass is required.
Cheap
Angels Landing
A steep hike to a narrow fin above Zion Canyon. A day-use permit is required for the chains section; the trail to Scout Lookout does not need one. An entrance pass is also required.
Season A day-use permit is required for the chains section year-round (check before you go).
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Grafton ghost town
A preserved pioneer village a few miles west in the Rockville valley, with a schoolhouse, church and fields under the same red cliffs. No entrance fee.
Cheap
Zion Human History Museum
Indoor exhibits on the people and geology of Zion Canyon, with a patio view of the Towers of the Virgin. Open seasonally; an entrance pass is required.
Season Open seasonally; recently 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (check before you go).
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
Zion Park Boulevard shops and galleries
A walkable main street of shops, galleries and outfitters under the canyon walls, between the river park and the park entrance.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Zion National Park entrance pass
A valid entrance pass is required. In 2026 you do not need a timed-entry reservation to enter the park or to ride the shuttle.
Season The park is open year-round. In 2026 no timed-entry reservation is required (check before you go).
Angels Landing day-use permit
A permit is required for the chains section from Scout Lookout to the summit.
Zion Adventures guided trips
Guided hiking, canyoneering and Narrows trips from Springdale. Permits may apply on some routes.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Part of our Utah canyon country guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The walls are better at the edges of the day, when the shuttle lots empty and The Watchman turns from red to purple.
- The Narrows, a mesa trail in town, and a day in Zion Canyon are too much for a single pass through.
- A night in Springdale means you can walk to the river at dusk without driving back out.
Nearby and worth the drive
Moababout 5 h 30 · Guide ↗
Arches, Dead Horse Point and the Colorado River, about five and a half hours north.
Sedonaabout 5 h · Guide ↗Red-rock buttes and Oak Creek Canyon, about five hours south.
Ready-made trips with Springdale and Zion
Good to know
- Zion National Park: A valid entrance pass is required. In 2026 you do not need a timed-entry reservation to enter the park or to ride the shuttle. During the shuttle season the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private cars. Check nps.gov/zion before you go.
- Angels Landing: A day-use permit is required for the chains section from Scout Lookout to the summit. You do not need a permit to hike to Scout Lookout. See the official permit page.
- The Narrows: The bottom-up hike from the Temple of Sinawava does not need a separate permit, but the Virgin River can rise quickly in a flash flood. Check the official forecast and water conditions before you wade.
- Nung'wu Poa: The Paiute Trail climbs onto Paiute tribal land at the edge of town. Stay on the trail, and treat it as you would any land you are a guest on.
- Heat: Summer canyon walls and slickrock can be far hotter than the air in town. Start early and carry more water than you think you need.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: The Watchman from Springdale, Jared, CC BY 2.0
Photo: The Pa'rus Trail at sunset, Vulturesong, CC0
Photo: The Watchman in Zion National Park, An Errant Knight, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Zion Canyon from the Emerald Pools Trail, Vulturesong, CC0
Photo: Riverside Walk at the gateway to The Narrows, John Manard, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: The view from Canyon Overlook Trail, Óðinn, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: The view from the Angels Landing trail, Tobias Alt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The schoolhouse and church at Grafton, Triberocker at English Wikipedia, Public domain