Hiking and Camping in Zion

Hiking and Camping in Zion

3 Days Starting and ending in St George

Visiting: Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

SKXZ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 6

Physical rating:

High

Age range:

12-99 years

Trip Styles:

Camping

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Experience Utah’s most famous national park as a standalone canyon country hiking experience or an add-on to a longer trip. Hike to the rim of Zion Canyon, wade through the cool waters of the Virgin River Narrows, and immerse yourself in the incredible red rock surroundings of Zion National Park. This unique natural environment sits on the border of an incredible physiographic region called the Colorado Plateau which is filled with spectacular rock formations. Sleep under the stars in the heart of Zion National Park on a backcountry camping and hiking adventure that is big on beauty.

Highlights

  • Zion National Park is a natural playground for adventure lovers where you can explore highlights and hidden wonders like Scout Lookout and the Virgin River Narrows hike.

  • Take a stroll down the paved River Trail, buttressed by tumbling water on your left and a 3,000-foot cliff face on your right.

  • Experience the iconic Virgin River Narrows hike as you walk through moving water with your leader who will help you get your “stream legs” on your way to Orderville Canyon.

  • Take in the beauty of the serene Emerald Pools, named for their glorious green tones, then descend to the lawn of the historic Zion Lodge and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.

  • Explore Snow Canyon which is like a mini Zion and cuts impressive walls from the lava-covered country above the rim through the slickrock country below.

  • Take a stroll down the paved Riverside Walk Trail, buttressed by tumbling water on your left and a 3,000-foot cliff face on your right.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Snow Canyon State Park

Location: Snow Canyon State Park

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Leaving St. George in the rear-view mirror, your trip begins with a drive to Snow Canyon State Park. Like a mini Zion, Snow Canyon (named after a man, not precipitation) is in the same Navajo Sandstone layer as Zion, and cuts impressive walls from the lava-covered country above the rim through the slickrock country below. Along the way, enjoy stunning views, visit (and perhaps explore) young lava tubes, and get a great introduction to canyon country. Eat lunch along the trail and complete the loop then drive to Zion where you will setup camp and cook dinner.

Included Activities:
-Shuttle from St George
-Snow Canyon State Park hike

Day 2: Zion National Park

Location: Zion National Park

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Your second day’s hike is arguably the most iconic in Zion — the Virgin River Narrows. Your hike begins with a stroll down the paved River Trail, buttressed by water on our left and a 3,000-foot cliff face on the right. After walking along hanging gardens and under the dappled shade of cottonwoods, the sidewalk ends and you will enter the river. Hiking in moving water can be a new and exciting experience so you will have time to get your “stream legs” before walking another 1.5 miles upriver to the turnaround point at Orderville Canyon. Before heading back downstream, get a few more photos of the Narrows’ beauty and stop-off for a relaxing shoreline lunch.

Included Activities:
-Zion National Park - Virgin River Narrows hike inc equipment

Day 3: Zion National Park

Location: Zion National Park

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

On your final morning, eat breakfast, breakdown camp and embark on an exciting exploration of Zion Canyon. After enjoying a lesser-travelled hike through the lower canyon, board the Zion shuttle bus and hike up to Scout Lookout. Admire unrivalled views of the dramatic canyon system below then follow trails along the canyon walls which offer a fantastic vantage point over the canyon floor. Emerge at the serene Emerald Pools, named for their glorious green tones, then descend to the lawn of the historic Zion Lodge and sit down to a late picnic lunch. From here, head back to St. George where your trip will come to an end at approximately 5 pm.

Included Activities:
-Zion National Park - Scout Lookout hike
-Zion National Park - Emerald Pools hike
-Shuttle to St George

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Camping (2 nights)

  • Shuttle from St George

  • Snow Canyon State Park hike

  • Zion National Park - Virgin River Narrows hike inc equipment

  • Zion National Park - Scout Lookout hike

  • Zion National Park - Emerald Pools hike

  • Shuttle to St George

  • Meals

    3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

  • AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
  • We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.

Accommodation

  • You’ll stay in a campground with convenient access to exceptional hiking opportunities. These may be national park, state park, or private campgrounds and can vary by trip date, depending on availability and seasonality. You’ll find everything for a comfortable camping holiday here, from cold and hot drinks to campfires (where permitted), camp chairs, showers, fresh food, roomy tents, sleeping bags, camp pillows, and more. Bring your sense of adventure and let us take care of the rest.

Important Information

  • 1. Please note this trip requires a minimum number of booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 30 days out from departure. We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.
  • 2. A completed registration form is required to join these trips. You will not be confirmed for the trip until your form has been received and reviewed. We may ask for a medical release signed by your physician for medical conditions or circumstances which could possibly compromise your safety or the safety of others on this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
  • 3. A signed disclaimer (Acknowledgement of Risks Form) is required at the time of booking for this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
  • 4. To help ensure this trip is right for you, this trip is subject to additional ‘Essential Eligibility Requirements’ – see the ‘Itinerary Disclaimer’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.
  • 5.This trip is operated and run by Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Wildland Trekking customers and Intrepid customers.
  • 6. You will rendezvous with the guide and group in St. George, Utah for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip starts to specify the orientation location. The guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. This trip will conclude at approximately 5:00 PM on the last day in St. George.
  • 7. A single tent is provided to all solo travellers at no extra cost.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This is a hiking trip so a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included hikes and activities.

    This trip involves hiking from 5 to 7.5 miles (8 to 12 km) per day with a total trip distance of 18 miles (29 km). The maximum daily elevation gain/loss is 2100 feet (640 m). Please check the trip itinerary for more details.

    On this trip, you’ll be required to carry a daypack weighing approximately 8-12 lb (3.5- 5.5 kg).

    In the event of high water, the Virgin River Narrows hike will be rerouted to a different trail in Zion. The Park is full of unforgettable hiking and scenery, so it’s easy to find an excellent substitute.

    On our final day we will reach St. George in the late afternoon or early evening. This night’s accommodation is not included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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