United States | Zion National Park Visit Experience and Recommendations
🚗 The last national park of this trip, not too many surprises. It is said to be the Top 2 national park in the US last year, which feels a bit exaggerated. The entire park is built in a valley, with mountains, water, and forests. There really are a lot of people, and finding a parking spot takes half a day; it's also one of the few parks that require a shuttle. The park is famous for the Angels Landing trail and The Narrows trail within the park, both of which are fairly well-known trails in the US.
🚗 Visit Experience
1. Indeed, as netizens have said, there are a lot of people, reportedly the second highest in visitor traffic last year.
2. Parking is difficult, the largest parking lot is on the outside, and by the time we arrived after 10 am, it was already full. We were lucky to find a spot at the second stop, and needed to walk back to the first stop to take the bus.
3. There are a total of 9 stops in the park, private cars can enter the first three stops, and the rest can only be accessed by the park shuttle. The shuttle is free.
4. Around the fifth stop inside the park, there is a hotel, which you can consider if your budget allows. However, you probably need to book in advance.
5. Not all stops on the shuttle are two-way; the second and third stops only go one way.
6. To hike Angels Landing, you get off at the sixth stop, and soon after entering the trail, there is a checkpoint to check for permits. If you're only going to Scout Lookout, you don't need to queue, just go to the front and tell the ranger, and you can pass without having to wait in line.
7. Permits need to be applied for online in advance, and it is not recommended to take risks without a permit, as getting caught can result in a $500 fine.
8. The route from stop 6 to the pools along the other side of the river has nice scenery and not much elevation gain; it's worth a visit if you have the time.
9. Currently, the bridge at stop 5 is closed, so if you're going from stop 6 to the trail at stop 5, pay attention.
10. The Narrows water trail is at the last stop, and many people head straight for it upon entering the park. Be cautious of natural disasters and keep an eye on the weather.
11. You need professional waterproof gear and shoes, as well as a support item (usually a walking stick). If you want to hike this trail, make sure to allocate enough time, as walking through water is very tiring and there's no way to exit midway. Many people are seen wearing the same clothes and shoes, which can be rented in the small town outside the park.
12. Pay attention to the last shuttle time in advance, as it varies slightly with the season.
13. There is a tunnel carved out of rock on the way to Bryce Canyon, which is worth a visit if you have the time.