This 5-day 4-Night Zion National Park Itinerary Will Blow You Away!

Here’s the deal: you could visit Zion for a day or two and say, “been there, done that.”

Or you could stay longer, get more out of your vacation and say, “wow, that was amazing.”

Here at East Zion Adventures, we say five days is the sweet spot to experience a lot of what Zion has to offer (and we’re pretty sure you’ll still wish you had stayed longer!)

Check out this 5-day/4-night Zion National Park itinerary we’ve put together in collaboration with Zion Ponderosa—where you’ll find us!

Zion Itinerary Day 1

Arrive at Zion Ponderosa and get checked in to your glamping tent, cabin, Conestoga wagon or vacation home. Get settled, then go for a swim, soak in the hot tub, paddle around the pond, or play a few rounds on the 18-hole mini golf course. You’ll definitely want to end your first day with a sunset Jeep tour—perfect adventure to get you pumped for the days ahead!

Zion National Park Itinerary Day 2

Today you’ll spend the day hiking and exploring in Zion National Park! You’ll want to wake up early and head over to Ponderosa Eats for a hearty breakfast, or grab a quick coffee and snack to go at The Narrows Coffee Bar.

Drive 15 minutes to the east entrance of Zion National Park. Or, since the park shuttle is mandatory in Zion Canyon most of the year, consider hitching a ride on the Zion Ponderosa shuttle down into the park (you’ll want to book this in advance).

From the shuttle, you’ll have easy access to viewpoints and trailheads throughout the canyon. Hit up a few easy, scenic trails like Canyon Overlook, Pa’rus or Riverside Walk for an introduction to Zion National Park. Or plan ahead to hike the iconic Angels Landing or The Narrows. 

Pro tip: Angels Landing and the Narrows are more strenuous so you’ll want to plan your time accordingly. You’ll need a permit for Angels Landing. No permit? No problem! We’ve got a limited number of Angels Landing guided hikes—just ask how to book!

Return to Zion Ponderosa for a late afternoon or sunset guided horseback ride with East Zion Adventures. 

Zion Itinerary Day 3

Drive UTVs through the desert to a remote slot canyon where your group is likely to be the only ones there! Check out your UTV/slot canyon adventure options here. 

Explore the canyon until it’s time to go back to the ranch and relax for the rest of the evening. We have hot tubs and a swimming pool, mini golf, tennis courts, a pond, and more! When the sun goes down, see the stars like you’ve never seen them before. Our stargazing tours feature a high-power telescope, a guide to teach you about constellations, and hot cocoa to keep you warm! Who knows, you may even see the Milky Way or a shooting star!

Zion Itinerary Day 4

Roadtrip an hour and a half to Bryce Canyon National Park and spend the day hiking around the hoodoos in this otherworldly landscape! There are some great hikes in this park that are definitely doable in a day—Navajo Loop, Queens Garden and the Rim hike to name a few. Plus, you can easily take in highlights by making viewpoint stops along the Scenic Drive. Return to Zion Ponderosa in the evening for a bonfire, more stargazing, and family time.

Pro tip: Proximity to not one, not two, but THREE national parks is one of the perks of staying at Zion Ponderosa. Add another day to your stay to visit Grand Canyon North Rim, just 2.5 hours away and accessible May through October. 

Zion Itinerary Day 5

Finish your trip off with a hike to Observation Point, one of the best views in Zion. The trailhead is 5-10 minutes from us and can be easily reached with our shuttle system! Check out and start daydreaming about your return trip to Zion!

Click here for East Zion Adventures and Zion Ponderosa lodging seasonal specials!