Best Things To Do In Zion National Park (besides hiking!)

Zion National Park is best known for hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows, but honestly, there’s still plenty to do here even if you don’t want to spend your trip tackling difficult trails… or any trails at all.

Some of my favorite Zion experiences have nothing to do with hiking at all. Simply riding the shuttle through Zion Canyon, driving the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, watching sunset over the cliffs, or spotting wildlife from the side of the road can easily fill an entire day here.

Whether you’re visiting with kids, trying to avoid the intense summer heat, recovering after a long road trip, or simply not interested in strenuous hiking, there are still lots of ways to experience Zion’s incredible scenery.

Below are some of the best things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking. 

Best Things To Do In Zion National Park Besides Hiking

Ride The Zion Canyon Shuttle

The Zion Canyon Shuttle follows Zion Canyon Scenic Drive through the heart of the park beneath massive sandstone cliffs and alongside the Virgin River. Even without hiking, this is one of the best ways to experience Zion.

Since private vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during the busy season, the shuttle is required most of the year and is where almost all visitors naturally find themselves at some point. In winter, however, private vehicles are usually allowed in the canyon, which honestly makes winter one of my favorite times to visit Zion. The drive alone is so fun.

The shuttle stops at many of the park’s most popular areas including Zion Lodge, Big Bend, The Grotto, and Temple of Sinawava. I highly recommend getting off at a few random stops even if you don’t plan to hike — some of the best views in Zion are just steps from the shuttle pull-offs.

One important thing to know is that parking at the visitor center fills extremely early during peak season, especially in summer. Many visitors end up parking in Springdale and taking the town shuttle into the park instead. Expect shuttle lines during peak season as well, especially in the afternoon.

Drive Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is one of my favorite parts of the park and, in my opinion, one of the best non-hiking experiences in Zion.

This scenic drive connects Zion Canyon to the park’s east side and passes through narrow canyon walls, slickrock landscapes, unusual sandstone formations, and the historic Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. The scenery feels completely different from the main canyon — and has no shuttle.

There are lots of pull-offs along the drive, so take your time here. Some of the best viewpoints are found at random roadside stops.

Checkerboard Mesa is one of the most popular stops along the route, known for its unusual crisscross patterns carved into the sandstone. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep as well, especially east of the tunnel where sightings are fairly common.

Like much of Zion, this area can still get quite crowded during peak summer season, and tunnel wait times can become long in the middle of the day. It’s also worth noting that oversized vehicles and RVs have tunnel restrictions.

Note:  Guide Along is an audio tour downloaded to your phone which will guide you through Zion National Park. Not only does it supply tons of information about the park but it also provides tips about where to pull over for the best viewpoints.

Watch Sunrise Or Sunset

Sunrise and sunset are some of the best times to experience Zion National Park. The cliffs glow in shades of orange, red, and gold, temperatures are much cooler, and the canyon feels significantly calmer compared to the middle of the day.

For sunrise, I love the area around Canyon Junction Bridge and the Pa’rus Trail. Early mornings in Zion are incredibly peaceful, and during the busy summer season this is one of the best ways to experience the park with smaller crowds.

Sunset is beautiful throughout the park, but Canyon Junction is one of the most popular spots thanks to the iconic Watchman view above the Virgin River.

If you’re driving the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway around sunrise or sunset, the east side of the park can also be stunning and typically feels a little quieter than Zion Canyon.

Visit Kolob Canyons

Kolob Canyons is one of the most overlooked sections of Zion National Park and a great option if you want a quieter experience away from the crowds.

Located about an hour from Zion Canyon off Interstate 15, this area features a short scenic drive with beautiful red rock canyons, sweeping viewpoints, and far fewer visitors than the park’s main section.

Even though Kolob Canyons is smaller, I definitely think it’s worth visiting if you have extra time — especially if you’ve already been to Zion before or want a more relaxed experience.

There are also a few short walks here if you want to stretch your legs a bit, including Timber Creek Overlook Trail.

Ranger Programs & Ride With A Ranger

If you want to learn more about the park without committing to a long hike, Zion’s ranger programs are absolutely worth looking into.

Depending on the season, the park offers a variety of free ranger-led programs covering topics like geology, wildlife, human history, and astronomy. These can be especially fun for first-time visitors or families traveling with kids.

One of the most unique options is Ride With A Ranger, a ranger-led shuttle experience through Zion Canyon. During the ride, rangers share information about the park’s geology, plants, wildlife, and history while you travel through the canyon.

These programs are seasonal and programs regularly change, so it’s worth checking the schedule ahead of time on the NPS website or at the visitor center once you arrive as some require in-person-only reservations.

Wildlife Viewing In Zion

One of the best parts of visiting Zion is how often you’ll spot wildlife without even trying.

Mule deer are extremely common throughout Zion Canyon, especially during the quieter morning and evening hours. Bighorn sheep are often spotted along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and on the park’s east side, usually high up on rocky slopes.

If you’re lucky, you may also spot California condors soaring above the canyon walls. These massive endangered birds have wingspans reaching nearly 10 feet across and are one of the rarest birds in North America. One of the best places to look for them is near the Big Bend shuttle stop, where park rangers will sometimes set up spotting scopes for visitors.

Biking Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Biking Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is one of the best ways to experience the park without hiking.

Since private vehicles are not allowed on the road for most of the year, biking allows you to explore the canyon at your own pace while still enjoying the same incredible scenery as the shuttle route. You can stop whenever you want for photos, viewpoints, or short walks without worrying about shuttle schedules or lines.

The ride from the visitor center to Temple of Sinawava is about 8 miles one way. While there are some gradual inclines, most visitors in decent shape should be fine, especially with an e-bike.

Bike and e-bike rentals are available just outside the park entrance in Springdale through companies like Zion Peddler, Zion Cycles, Utah eBike Adventures, and Zion Outfitters. During busy seasons, I’d recommend reserving rentals in advance since they can sell out.

One important thing to know is that there are no bike lanes on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, so cyclists share the road with shuttle buses and need to follow certain rules and etiquette. For example, when a shuttle bus approaches from behind, cyclists are required to pull over completely and place one foot on the ground before the shuttle can safely pass. Thankfully, rental companies will explain everything you need to know before heading into the park.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is one of the most unique ways to experience Zion National Park and a great option if you want to explore the scenery without hiking.

Guided horseback rides follow scenic trails through Zion Canyon, along the Virgin River and beneath the massive sandstone cliffs, with 1 and 3 hour routes available. Even if you’ve never ridden before, these tours are generally beginner friendly and move at a pretty relaxed pace.

Rides are seasonal (typically March – October) and reservations are needed, you can book horseback rides through the official Canyon Trail Rides.

This is definitely more of a scenic experience than an adrenaline activity, but that’s honestly part of the appeal. It’s a very peaceful way to experience the canyon.

Zion Human History Museum

The Zion Human History Museum is a small museum located near the beginning of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (at Stop #2) and is an easy add-on while exploring the park.

The exhibits focus on the geology, plants, animals, and human history of Zion Canyon, including how people have lived in and traveled through this landscape for thousands of years.

It’s not a huge museum, but it’s a worthwhile addition if you want a little more context about the park beyond just the scenery. The views outside the building are beautiful as well.

Keep in mind that operating hours can vary seasonally, and the museum may occasionally close.

Zion Visitor Center & Zion Lodge

The Zion Canyon Visitor Center is where most people begin their day in Zion, it’s located right where the shuttle begins. Inside you’ll find maps, exhibits, water refill stations, bathrooms, a gift shop, and park rangers available to answer questions about current conditions, shuttle logistics, weather, and trail closures.

Additionally, Zion Lodge is one of the most popular stops along the shuttle route and a nice place to take a break from the crowds for a bit, even if you’re not an overnight guest. There’s a large grassy lawn, shaded areas to sit, food options, restrooms, and some really beautiful canyon views right from the property.

During summer especially, both locations can be helpful places to cool down, refill water, and regroup between activities. They also have some of the best restrooms in the park.

Stargazing

Zion National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, making it one of the best national parks in the country for stargazing.

Thanks to minimal light pollution, clear nights here can be incredible. On a good night you can often see the Milky Way stretching across the sky with the canyon cliffs silhouetted below.

Some of the best areas for stargazing are along the Pa’rus Trail, near Canyon Junction, and around Zion Lodge. If you want darker conditions and fewer people, the east side of the park can also be excellent after sunset.

Even during warmer months, temperatures can drop quite a bit after dark in the desert, so bring extra layers if you plan to stay out for a while.

The park also occasionally offers seasonal astronomy ranger programs with telescopes and guided night sky talks.

Adventure Activities In (& Near) Zion

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, there are also plenty of guided activities available near Zion beyond traditional hiking.

Canyoneering is one of the most popular adventure activities in the area, combining rappelling, scrambling, and slot canyon exploration. While technical routes inside Zion National Park are generally only appropriate for experienced climbers and require permits, beginner-friendly guided trips are available just outside the park. Check out this Slot Canyon Canyoneering Tour.

UTV tours are another popular option, especially around the east side of Zion where the landscape becomes more open and rugged. These tours usually follow sandy backroads and slickrock terrain with huge desert views along the way. There are numerous options but this Half Day UTV / Canyoneering Tour is especially popular.

Helicopter tours are available as well and offer a completely different perspective of the surrounding cliffs and canyon systems, especially if you’re short on time and want to see a large area quickly. Zion Helicopters is a popular company.

And finally, even if you’re not a rock climber yourself, keep an eye on the canyon walls while exploring Zion. Advanced climbers regularly scale the massive sandstone cliffs here, and spotting them high above the canyon floor is honestly pretty fascinating once you notice them (bring your binoculars!).

Easy Walks & Short Trails

Okay, I know we said “besides hiking,” but there are a few very short and relatively easy walks in Zion that are still worth mentioning. These are great if you want to stretch your legs a bit without committing to one of the park’s more strenuous hikes.

Riverside Walk – This is one of the easiest and most scenic walks in Zion National Park. This mostly paved trail follows the Virgin River through a narrow section of Zion Canyon ending at the start of The Narrows. Because there’s very little elevation gain, this is one of the best options in the park for casual visitors or families. If you’re only going to do one easy hike, do this one.

Pa’rus Trail – The Pa’rus Trail is another easy paved path that starts at the visitor center and follows the Virgin River. It’s popular for walking, biking, sunrise photography, and wildlife spotting. This is also the only trail in Zion that allows bikes and dogs.

Zion Grotto Trail – Finally, the Zion Grotto Trail is a short and easy connector trail between Zion Lodge and The Grotto shuttle stop. Most people use this trail to access nearby hikes, but honestly it can also just be a nice quiet walk in an otherwise busy area. It’s also worth knowing about for shuttle logistics… Long lines often build at the Zion Lodge shuttle stop during busy afternoons, and sometimes it’s faster to simply walk this trail to The Grotto stop and catch the shuttle there instead.

For more easy trails, check out my guide to the Easiest Hikes In Zion National Park.

While hiking may be one of Zion’s main attractions there’s still tons of fun things to do here without hitting the trail!

Any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Utah and national park guides.

More Information For Your Zion National Park Visit:

• Zion National Park 2-Day Guide
• Most Famous Things To Do In Zion National Park
• Easy Hikes In Zion National Park
• Where To Stay Near Zion National Park
• Best Time To Visit Zion National Park: What To Know About Each Season

More Utah Guides:

• Arches National Park Guides
• Bryce National Park Canyon Guides
• Canyonlands National Park Guides
• Moab, Utah Guides