The First Timer's Visit to Utah's 5 National Parks, Day 2 Finding the MAGIC in Zion National Park

Day 2  Finding the Magic in Zion National Park

Day 2 Overview

Early Hike or Sleep In -whichever is most magical for you. 

Later Breakfast at Oscars

Hike The Narrows 

(And/Or choose multiple other hikes to your liking)

Dinner at Bit and Spur (make reservation when you know your arrival time)

Sunset

HIKE 1: Sunrise Hike - Canyon Overlook Trail (No shuttle required) We were still on East Coast time and woke up very early so we headed out for a sunrise photo-op with head lamps. (Bless my husband's heart.) Just after exiting the tunnel on Route 9, you’ll see the trailhead on the left across from a parking area on the right for the Canyon Overlook Trail. There is additional parking on the left further along the road and street parking that fills up as it gets more crowded. An easy 1-mile hike ends with a view of Zion Canyon. (Look to the left of the official lookout point for another hidden vantage point.)

Orion Dancing Over Zion
Canyon Overlook Trail*
First attempt at photographing stars.

Most of the locations on this trip are also International Dark Sky Parks: Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Dead Horse Point State Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Zion NP.  My trip also coincided with a full moon so I had to time photography before the moon came up. 

Zion Canyon at Sunrise
Canyon Overlook Trail*

 

HIKE 2: After a late breakfast, we chose to hike The Narrows via Riverside Walk next.  The shuttle ride to The Narrows is 30 min from the park entrance. Exit the shuttle at the Temple of Sinawava stop.   (This hike will likely take up the rest of your day unless you cut it short.) As our B&B host explained, it really is better to start after the mob at the popular spots.  We found the mob returning as we were hiking up river.  On our return there were times when we had sections of The Narrows completely to ourselves.  This is definitely the better option in October because it also warmed up a bit by this time!

Or Choose an alternative hike.

Riverside Walk
an easy, flat, scenic paved walk.

This hike begins with the Riverside Walk and then takes you wading up the Virgin River between canyon walls. Most people, like us, turned around at some point.and made their way back the way they came. This way you control your time and distance.  Or you can continue on for a full RT hike of 9..4 miles and take up to 8 hrs. We hiked to Floating Rock when the water reached our waists, that was our turn around point.

*You can also hike The Narrows from the top down but that requires a permit.

The Narrows in Zion

• The difficulty hiking The Narrows is affected by the cubic feet per second of discharge.  The higher the water level the more difficult the hike. When we hiked it was in the 50s cfs.  Check that info here. Lower than 70 cfs is doable with potential water levels to your waist. Over 70 cfs is more difficult with potential water levels to your chest. The Narrows is closed for flows of 150 cfs and above. 
• You should not hike The Narrows if there is a chance of a flash flood, that forecast is here.
• Carry any electronics in a water safe container.
• Yes you do need a slip proof, closed toe shoe for this hike along with a rubber tipped hiking pole.
• Check with rangers about the possibility of flash floods as this can affect your plans.

Alone!  The advantage of outsmarting the mob. 

Alternatives or HIKE 3. If you didn't do the full Narrows hike you have time for something else. Choose an afternoon hike.  We spent the rest of our day in The Narrows but this was my alternative option: 

Return to the shuttle for a 15 minute ride to Emerald Pools Trail Stop 5/Zion Lodge on the shuttle.  From the Zion Lodge Shuttle Stop, walk southeast past the lodge to the bridge crossing over the Virgin River to the trailhead. 

There are 3 pools: 

Lower Pool

Rating: Easy

Hiking Time: 1 hour
Distance: 1.2 miles, round-trip
Elevation Change: 70 feet

Middle Pool

Rating: Moderate
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 1.7 miles, round-trip
Elevation Change: 150 feet

Upper Pool and Falls

Rating: Moderate
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Distance: 2.2 miles, round-trip
Elevation Change: 200 feet

Dinner Break

King's Landing Bistro TA #3 5p-9p

*Oscar's Cafe TA #2 7a-9p (Awesome breakfasts)

Deep Creek Coffee TA #4 Br&Lu

Spotted Dog TA #5 5a-9p

MeMe's Cafe TA #7 8a-10p (It was OK. Slow service.)

*Bit and Spur (Very good dinners, excellent and prompt service.)

The Classic Sunset is at Canyon Junction Bridge. Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy., Hurricane. You'll face south, and shoot down the Virgin River to The Watchman focal point. Sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge is popular for photographers, so get there early to find your perfect vantage point.

OR if you (like me) hate a bunch of photographers stressing about their vantage point and getting the perfect shot and ruining yours, go somewhere else for sunset. Photographers can be rude that way. The east side of Zion is stunning, I can't imagine not getting great images there from any number of locations.

*I packed light.  My Canon 24-105L lens stopped communicating with my Canon 5D Mark IV so most of 

my photos were taken with a Sony Point and Shoot.  I was soooo disappointed. But lesson learned. Never pack light! 

Go to Zion National Park 3rd day

Click any link to go directly to that day:

Day 1 Arrive Las Vegas NV drive to Springdale UT

Day 2 Zion National Park

 Day 3 Zion National Park

Day 4 Bryce Canyon National Park

Willis Creek Slot Canyon and Kodachrome Basin

Day 5 Route 100, Burr Trail Road

Day 6 Capitol Reef National Park

Day 7 Goblin Valley State Park & Little Wild Horse 

Day 8 Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park

Day 9 Canyonlands National Park

Day 10 Travel Home via Salt Lake City 

MAPS

The First Timer's Visit to Utah's 5 National Parks, Day 1 & Planning Your Trip to Magical Southern Utah

That would be us:

first timers in Utah.

Check one-off of the bucket list. 

 I researched this trip extensively 

and here is what we did. 

The Narrows in Zion

The Full Trip Itinerary Overview

• We flew Southwest, not the cheapest airline, but we prefer them.  (I selected our dates using the low fare finder options to and from Utah.) 
• I traveled with my husband in the second half of October. 

We traveled Zion to Arches, 

but with some tweaks you can reverse the order.

Click any link to go directly to details for that day.

Day 1 Arrive Las Vegas NV drive to Springdale UT

*If you have time stop at Valley of Fire on your way to Springdale. 

None of the itineraries I read suggested this and I wish we had.

Day 2 Zion National Park

 Day 3 Zion National Park

Day 4 Bryce Canyon National Park

Willis Creek Slot Canyon and Kodachrome Basin

Day 5 Route 100, Burr Trail Road

Day 6 Capitol Reef National Park

Day 7 Goblin Valley State Park & Little Wild Horse 

Day 8 Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park

Day 9 Canyonlands National Park

Day 10 Travel Home via Salt Lake City 

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands NP

Zion Planning for Day 1-3

The best planning aide to Zion has already been written and you will find it here.  I am not going to replicate all that info, rather share what we thought would be the best fit for us as first timers.

Some Additional Planning Aids:

Zion Information Guide has up to date info on everything from hours, trails, map, and fees.

Zion Introduction Video

Zion Area Map

Map of Shuttle and Parking in Springdale. Parking is not well labeled, take this map.  There is a Springdale Shuttle that delivers you to the busy section where the Zion Shuttle is located.  Use the shuttle.  It is easy. From May to November this section of the park is accessed only by a shuttle from the Visitor Center.  (You can rent a bike if waiting for a shuttle isn't your thing.) You park once and get shuttled throughout the park.  Park in town, the lot by the park fills quickly and is expensive. The first park shuttle is either 6am or 7am depending on the season but every.single.guidebook tells you to get there early so that is what everyone does.  HOWEVER...If you want to avoid the crowds arrive after the rush...between 10-12 or so.  If you get a shuttle from a point further from the park you less chance of having a full shuttle drive past you. 

Pack lunch or snacks so you don't have to leave and return to the park. That would be crazy!

An alternative to any of the activities in this busy part of Zion is to visit Kolob Canyons, 40 miles north of the center of tourist activity.  This is a wilderness area off the beaten path and does not require the shuttle for access. But as a first timer I wanted to see the top picks, although I kept this info in my back pocket just in case it was needed. 

In hindsight I would have spent time exploring Upper East Canyon, that is where the magic is. 

Day 1 Travel

• Your first day is a travel day and to settle into your hotel in Springdale. I recommend without reservation the Red Rock Inn.  Super cute, updated cottages and breakfasts at Oscar's are included.  The property also features a hot tub, fire pits, grills, and a great view.  The host, Sharon, is top notch!  Listen to any advice she gives you. She is a treasure! 
• Pick up your rental car, preferably 4WD SUV 
• It takes about 2 1/2  hours to drive to Springdale from Las Vegas.
• If you need bottled water and groceries, there is a Walmart on the route to Zion, 625 W Telegraph St, Washington, UT 84780 and a nearby Costco with gas station 835 N 3050 E, St. George, UT 84790.  Groceries in Springdale are rather expensive.
• Check the Zion park website for any last minute Alerts in Effect that may affect your plans. If there is chance of flash floods you will not be able to hike The Narrows.
• Rent water gear if needed to hike The Narrows tomorrow. You can rent river boots, hiking poles, neoprene socks and wet suits. Protect your electronics with waterproof coverings. 

If you arrived with time to spare you can hike the Watchman Trail, if you time it right you can finish at sunset and enjoy the view.  We enjoyed the sunset from our B&B, Red Rock Inn. Click here for other Optional Sunset locations. 

Dinner: 

King's Landing Bistro TA #3 5p-9p

*Oscar's Cafe TA #2 7a-9p (Awesome breakfasts)

Deep Creek Coffee TA #4 Br&Lu

Spotted Dog TA #5 5a-9p

MeMe's Cafe TA #7 8a-10p (It was OK. Slow service.)

*Bit and Spur (Very good dinners, excellent and prompt service.)

Most of the locations on this trip are also International Dark Sky Parks: Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Dead Horse Point State Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Zion NP.  My trip also coincided with a full moon so I had to time photography before the moon came up. 

Go To Day 2 Zion National Park

MAPS

Trip overview.  We ended in Salt Lake City to fly home.

Zion

*I packed light.  My Canon 24-105L lens stopped communicating with my Canon 5D Mark IV so most of 

my photos were taken with a Sony Point and Shoot.  I was soooo disappointed. 

But lesson learned. 

Never pack light! 

First Timer's Impression of Smokey Mountain National Park

A common scene through the park

We love our national parks. 

So when an opportunity presented itself 

to visit The Smokies, 

we took it.  

Little River Gorge Rd.

Wow, it was not like the other National Parks 

we have visited. 

It was soooooo crowded.  

And everyone was in their cars! 

?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Another common scene through the park. 

We approached from the east 

via a small section of the 

The Foothills Parkway 

and arrived into honky-tonk Gatlinburg, TN  

which was very crowded also. 

View from the Foothills Parkway

Our 4 night stay was in the 

Holiday Inn Express 

which was free if we sat through 

a 1 hour time-share sales pitch. 

My husband almost took the bait but   

I kicked him back to reality. 

Can you find the bear?
Cades Cove Loop Road

We started out with the go-to attractions:

1. Roaring Fork Motor Trail 

(We did this early to avoid traffic.

We hiked along one of the trails.)

View From Roaring Fork Motor Trail

2. Cades Cove Loop 

(My advice, drive there early or later, 

and instead of doing the whole loop, 

take one of the two other roads off the loop. 

Rich Mt. Rd. or Parson Branch Rd 

to the Foothills Parkway 

and explore.  

We did not do this 

but I wish we had. 

I am sure there would have been a lot less people 

and a lot of beauty.  

View from Cades Cove Loop

After spending a lot time stuck in traffic - 

and god forbid someone sees a bear...

because then the traffic is standstill for miles - 

we found an off the beaten path section of the park

 that WAS off the beaten path. 

But yikes...the potholes! 

It was good we had our Pilot 

and not the Accord. 

Ramsey Prong Road

Our off the beaten spot took us down 

*Ramsey Prong Road*, 

across a couple bridges to a parking location. 

From there we decided to explore...

we heard there was a waterfall. 

The early trail was easy going 

and that was all we planned to do.

But the call of the falls beckoned us on 

and we went despite having no water with us. 

After hiking up an very steep and rooty trail 

and over lots of boulders 

we arrived at 

Ramsey Cascade Falls.

Ramsey Cascade Falls

  

What a beautiful and refreshing sight. 

Photos do not do this 100 foot cascade justice! 

In person, it was beautiful. 

Hike to Ramsey Cascade

The trail is 16 miles round trip and 2,000 feet uphill from the parking location. 

It took us over 3 hours up and 2 hours down. 

When we got back to the car, 

I was exhausted. 

We guzzled our water, 

showered the dirt off our tired bodies, 

and went to Bennet's BBQ for dinner. 

I ordered a blackberry sparkler 

after which my husband said I 

was basically sliding off the chair 

into a puddle on the floor. 

Smaller cascades along the trail.

My recommendation is to spend a day in this section of the park. 

It is located in the Greenbriar area, 

6 miles east of Gatlinburg.

 The 4.5 miles drive to the parking area is scenic 

but also on unmaintained roads 

so it is slow going. 

You will find others there 

but nothing like the main section of the park. 

There is a picnic area with restrooms. 

(If this hike sounds too strenuous for you, 

check out the 4 mile round trip hike to 

the 50 ft. Fern Branch Falls.)

 

Cades Cove View

A one time visit to Gatlinburg 

was enough for both of us 

so we probably won't be going back, 

but at least now it is off the bucket list. 

More photos are stored here. 

Have you been to the Smokies?

Tell me what I SHOULD have done. 

Fantastic Views From the Ridge in Shenandoah National Park

In about 1 hour from the southern boundary of Pennsylvania 

you can be in Shenandoah National Park. 

The highlight of the park is Skyline Drive, 

105 mi of curvy tree lined road 

which navigates north - south along the 

ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. 

I tried to find a view with the most ridges. 

Approximately every 1-2 miles there is an overlook, 

a place to pull over and take in the view. 

The overlooks on the north end of the park 

are better maintained than on the south end

where many trees were overgrown 

and now block what was once a view. 

Sunset View from Big Meadows Lodge

You can be obsessive, 

like we were,

 and stop at each overlook. 

But no need, 

the view is very similar from most of them. 

Our drive, 

with stops 

and 2 hikes 

took a full day. 

An afternoon 

-with an overnight in the park-

and the following morning. 

The waterfalls we encountered were pretty but small. 

You'll need to get a pass 

to drive along Skyline Drive. 

This is easily obtained at any of the 

4 Entrance points. 

We paid $30 for our vehicle 

and the pass was good for one week. 

Tips:

1.  Autumn leaf peeping is the most crowded time.  You will enjoy the colorful leaves but be surrounded with traffic. I went at the very beginning of color and there was hardly anyone there.

2.  Pack a lunch and eat at an overlook.  There is dining in the park but you will save time and money this way. 

3.  Park accommodations are easy from Skyline Drive.  We did not need to advance reserve but depending on when you go, you may have to.  Accommodations are rustic but clean and have dining available.  

We picked up Skyline Drive at the Front Royal entrance.

If you love scenic drives, 

outdoor hikes,

and fresh air 

visit Skyline Drive 

in Shenandoah National Park.

Here is the related photo gallery: 

https://www.rebeccahaegelephotography.com/Travel/Virginia/VA-Shanandoah-National-Park

Fall in Valley Forge

Most of these leaves have probably fallen by now 

since my visit to Valley Forge National Park was a few weeks ago. 

 

This was the site of a Revolutionary War encampment 

of the Continental Army under George Washington. 

The park is beautiful any time of year - 

but most beautiful in fall with so many vibrant colors. 

National Memorial Arch

I have come to realize that being a Philly suburban girl 

really does have advantages. 

This field really was like a painting.
I edited with Topaz Impression to enhance that feel. 

In about an hour I can be at the beach to the east 

or mountains to the northwest. 

I can make a day trip to New York City, Baltimore Harbor or Washington DC. 

And the history - there's so much history!

Washington's Headquarters  

I just have to remind myself of these things 

with every traffic jam I encounter.  

To Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice 

Valley Forge National Park is definitely worth the visit. 

You can drive, bike or hike through the roads and/or trails. 

There is a six mile loop that hits most of the sights. 

1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406

My photos of the park can be seen here.