Zion Itinerary
To reach Zion National Park from Cave Lakes Canyon, take US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction and head west on U-9. The park is just 40 miles away, making it an ideal day trip destination for your stay at Cave Lakes Canyon. Drive through the 1.1-mile long Zion/Mt. Carmel tunnel from the park's east entrance, which leads to Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This is the best way to see the park on a one-day visit.

The first landmark past the east entrance is Checkerboard Mesa, a sandstone mass that shows the cross-hatched effects of wind and water erosion. Head through the tunnel to Canyon Overlook where a short trail leads to an impressive view of the West Temple. From here, you're not far from the visitor center, where you can either drive or shuttle along the 6.5-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive leads to the park's major landmarks. At the first stop, the Court of the Patriarchs, a short trail leads to a view of the Three Patriarchs. The next stop is for the trailhead to the Emerald Pools, an easy, paved stroll to the Lower Emerald Pool. You can continue the more strenuous hikes to Middle and Upper Emerald Pools, or hop back on the shuttle or in your car and head to the Grotto. This is where you'll find the trailheads for Angel's Landing and the West Rim, two of the more challenging hikes in Zion National Park.

Weeping Rock is the next stop along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. A half-mile hike will lead you to the sandstone and shale alcove. The Great White Throne is the next milestone, towering 2,500 feet above the canyon floor. The scenic drive ends at the Temple of Sinawava near the Riverside Walk. This easy, two-mile roundtrip trail is one of the most popular in Zion National Park. The paved trail is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly and leads to the mouth of the Narrows.

The Narrows is one of the most challenging and beautiful hikes in the park, and requires a permit which can be obtained at the visitor center. You'll need more than one day at Zion National Park to explore The Narrows and some of the other strenuous trails like Angel's Landing and Observation Point.