Best Things to Do in Zion National Park Besides Hiking

Wondering whether Zion National Park is worth visiting if you aren’t all that into hiking? Well I have some great news for you! There are so many things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking.

And more good news — there are several incredible views you can drive to, and a few that are a very short “hike” (really more of an easy 10-minute walk). You won’t miss out if you choose not to complete any hikes in Zion.

In this article:

• What to do in Zion for non-hikers
• Scenic drives and the best viewpoints in Zion
• The best activities and tours

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The Best Things to Do in Zion National Park Besides Hiking

While Zion National Park has some incredible hikes, it’s also very possible to see many of its incredible views without a lot of effort. From multiple scenic drives, to many short and easy walks there’s a huge list of things to do in Zion National Park without hiking!

1. Take A Scenic Drive

Zion has several scenic drives! Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they all offer incredible views.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

The most popular is Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is the main road through the canyon and along the Virgin River.

NOTE: The only way to access Zion Canyon Scenic Drive between March and November is on the free Zion shuttle, or by bike. However, if you’re visiting Zion in the winter you can drive yourself!

A majority of the best things to do in Zion are along this route, including Court Of The Patriarchs, Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk.

If you only have one day in Zion National Park, this is the area where I would prioritize spending your time.

TIP: Download this self-guided audio tour ahead of your trip. It’s a great way to learn more about the park, for a fraction of the cost of a guided tour. It uses GPS (no cell service needed) to automatically play information as you approach important sites and viewpoints so you don’t miss anything. This one covers Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Whether your driving your own vehicle, taking the shuttle, or biking Zion, it’s a great option.

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is an iconic scenic drive. It’s a 25-mile stretch of road with incredible views, including Checkerboard Mesa. On the drive you’ll pass through the Mount-Zion Tunnel, which is over 1-mile long, and along several switchbacks.

This is also the most direct route from Zion to Bryce Canyon, and from Grand Canyon to Zion National Park… although it doesn’t always show up on Google Maps navigation, so double check before you end up on the longer (and far less scenic) route!

Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive

Fewer people check out Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive, but it’s a great 5-mile drive and is much less crowded than the main area of the park.

Kolob Canyon is part of Zion National Park, but has a separate entrance which is about 1 hour from the main entrance for Zion Canyon near Springdale. At the end of Kolob Canyon Scenic Drive is Kolob Canyons Viewpoint.

Depending on how many days in Zion National Park you have, this is a great option to add after seeing the Zion Canyon and Mt-Zion areas. It’s equally great if you’re a returning visitor, or if you’re visiting on one of the busiest days of the year — free National Park entry days.

2. Easy Walks In Zion For Non-Hikers

Zion is an especially great National Park if you’re hoping to find some incredible views, but you don’t want to hike for hours to reach them. Several of these trails are more like greenway path’s with a small incline and/or a very short walk.

Court Of The Patriarchs

Court Of The Patriarchs offers a great view of the three Patriarch Peaks. The viewpoint is a short walk from the shuttle stop (0.1 miles total) along a paved path, but it is fairly steep – you’ll climb the equivalent of 3 stories to reach the viewpoint.

Weeping Rock Trail

Weeping Rock Trail is another great option for an easy walk in Zion. It’s only 0.3 miles, but does have a bit of elevation gain.

If you’re up for it, it’s definitely worth the payoff! The trail ends at an enchanting alcove with dripping springs and lush hanging gardens.

This trail had been closed for a few years after a rockfall in 2023, but recently reopened in September 2025!

Canyon Overlook

Canyon Overlook is a quick one-mile round trip with a bit of elevation gain. It’s definitely approaching “hike” territory, but I’m putting it on this list because it’s relatively short, and is truly the best view in Zion National Park.

The trailhead is located on the east side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, so you don’t need the shuttle to get there. However, the parking at the trailhead is very limited. You may need to try a few times to find parking, particularly around sunrise or sunset.

Another thing to note about this trail are the steps — most of the trail is fairly flat, but there are a couple of sections that have short, steep inclines with stone steps.

Pa’rus Trail

Pa’rus Trail is a flat, paved, and dog-friendly path in Zion. It runs along the river from the Visitor Center and is a great option for sunrise or sunset.

It’s also the only bike-friendly path in Zion (besides riding on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.)

The path is an out-and-back a little under 3.5 miles in total, but you can do as much or as little as you want. As you leave the Visitors Center you’ll be on the uphill portion, and on your return it’s all downhill! Although, by foot it’ll feel relatively flat.

Riverside Walk

Riverside Walk is at the very end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It’s a flat, fairly shaded and paved walkway that follows the Virgin River.

This trail is very accessible, and a great option for the afternoon when the temperatures rise. It’s just under 2 miles total, but you can do as much or as little as you’d like.

At the end of Riverside Walk is the entrance to the Narrows. Sections of Riverside Walk look very similar to the tall rock walls you’ll see in photos from the Narrows – except you don’t have to hike through water to see them.

3. Attend A Ranger Program

Ranger programming is one of the best free activities in Zion National Park, in my opinion! Most parks offer these, but so few people take advantage of them. They’re a great way to learn more about the parks geology, history, and wildlife.

Some of the programs offered at Zion include patio talks, guided hikes, and even a guided tour on the shuttle.

Schedules change fairly frequently so the best way to stay updated is to check the calendar on Zions website.

Best Tours In Zion National Park

Zion also has a range of guided tours to choose from that do not require any hiking! There are tons of options, but the top of my list are off-roading tours so you can escape the crowds and see more of the Zion wilderness, helicopter tours for a birds eye view and bicycling tours through Zion Canyon.

4. Take An Off Road Tour

You need to get off the main roads in order to see some of the best views in Zion. If you’re not interested in hiking, then this one-hour Jeep tour is the perfect option.

You’ll see sights like Checkerboard Mesa, Jolley Gulch and ride along the canyon rim with stunning views of the Virgin River valley below.

5. See Zion From The Sky In A Helicopter

This is one of the best things to do in Zion National Park if you’re short on time! You’ll be able to see Zion Canyon from the sky with a scenic helicopter tour!

There are a variety of tour options, depending on your interest, schedule and budget.

6. Bike Zion Canyon

After my last trip to Zion National Park, I’m convinced that a bicycle is the best way to see Zion (assuming the weather is decent, and not scorching.)

Bikes are permitted on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and Pa’rus Trail. Both are relatively flat and easy to bike!

Additionally, biking on the main road is pretty easy for most of the year because only shuttles operate in Zion Canyon from March through November.

Of course, shuttles have the right of way so watch out for them! But overall you won’t have to worry about other vehicles, which is nice.

During the busy season, there can be long lines for the shuttle. Biking is a great way to explore without having to wait in line.

In total, it’s less than 7 miles from the visitor center to the end of the road at Temple of Sinawava, and about 400 feet of elevation gain.

If you have at least 3 days in Zion National Park, this is a great way to explore the highlights of the park in more detail and on your own schedule. I would spend a full day biking along the river.

TIP: If you have a traditional bicycle (not an e-bike) you can use the bike racks on the shuttle for a one-way trip to the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, then bike one-way on the downhill portion back to the visitors center.

There are a few ways to rent bicycles in Zion National Park:

A guided e-bike tour with Outta Here Bikes, which would be my recommendation for first-time visitors.

It’s a 3-hour tour through Zion Canyon with a local guide to show the parks highlights and share interesting history. The itinerary also includes some “free time” so you can explore on your own or revisit any spots you want to see again.

If you’d prefer to go at your own pace, you can rent bicycles in town from Zion Outfitters, Zion Peddler, Zion Cycles or Zion Adventure Company. Zion Outfitters is right next to the entrance, but the others are only a few blocks away and still very convenient.

TIP: I recommend calling ahead to reserve a bike during the busy summer season!

7. Canyoneering In Zion National Park

This tour offers two great things — an opportunity to try canyoneering and explore some of the coolest slot canyons in Utah.

It’s a small group, with a guide so you can feel extremely comfortable about safety and personalized attention. This half day repelling tour in Zion is about 5 hours long and gives you the chance to repel 100 feet multiple times!

8. Explore Slot Canyons On Horseback

Another option for exploring slot canyons is with a guided horseback riding tour in Zion National Park. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before, this is a great activity for everyone.

9. Climb Zion’s Via Ferrata

If you aren’t familiar with a Via Ferrata, it’s a really fun type of protected climbing. You’re harnessed to a cable system for safety, and instead of hiking you climb a series of iron rungs installed into the side of a rock wall. It’s definitely not for anyone with a fear of heights, though!

There are via ferrata’s all over the world, including this one in East Zion at Elk Heart Cliffs.

It’s a great alternative to Angels Landing (especially if you weren’t able to get an Angels Landing permit).

Best of all, it’s beginner friendly so even if you have no prior experience you’ll still have a blast with this Via Ferrata tour in Zion!

Best Zion Hikes (If You Change Your Mind)

If you change your mind and want to hit a few trails in Zion National Park, these are some of my favorite trails — not just in Zion but the entire US!

The Narrows is one of the most unique hikes in any National Park. You will hike (or wade) upstream in knee to waist-high water, between huge rock walls.

The entire hike is around 9 miles out-and-back, but you don’t have to complete the entire hike. I do recommend heading at least a mile upstream, where the crowd things significantly and the walls start to narrow.

Read more about what to expect and my personal tips for hiking the Narrows here.

Angels Landing is another epic hike in Zion. It starts out along the Virgin River and then quickly climbs up through the canyon, scaling Walters Wiggles (a series of robust switchbacks) before leveling out at Scouts Landing.

Technically, Angels Landing permits are only required past Scouts Landing. This is the portion of the trail that follows the ridge-line of the narrow rock mass that extends out into the canyon.

It’s not an incredibly technical hike, but you do want to have good balance and not be nervous around heights to complete this last section of the trail.

In total, hiking Angels Landing is 4.2 miles and 1,738 feet in elevation gain.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Zion

• Start early — Especially if you want parking at the Visitor Center. I try to arrive before 8 am. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to park in Springdale and catch the free town shuttle into the park.
• Shuttle season limits driving — during the shuttle season (March–November + Christmas week), private vehicles aren’t allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The shuttle is free and does not require a reservation, but anticipate some lines and delays during peak weeks.
• Zion entrance fee — $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. If you have an America the Beautiful pass ($80/year), entrance is free at all National Parks (per vehicle, or up to 4 people if walking in.) If you’re planning to see all Mighty 5 National Parks, the pass will save you money.
• Permit timing — your Angels Landing permit time block (before 9 am, 9–12, after 12) may force you to shift your schedule. Plan flexibility into your itinerary, especially if you’re trying to snag a last minute lottery permit. (Read more details and my tips for Zion Permits here)

Zion Road Trip Ideas

Zion is a perfect stop on any Southwest road trip. Conveniently, it’s only 2 hours from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. Even better, Vegas typically has the best car rental deals and tons of direct flight options. This makes Zion easy and affordable to get to.

It’s central to several bucket list destinations, so you can build the perfect road trip itinerary regardless of how many days you have:

• Less than 3 days – pair it with Bryce Canyon (under 2 hours away)
• 3-5 days – make the loop from Zion to Bryce and down to Kanab, Utah.
• One week – complete the Utah Mighty 5 road trip, or head south from Zion to see Grand Canyon.
• Two+ weeks – See all 5 National Parks in Utah, plus Moab, Page and Grand Canyon for the ultimate southwest road trip loop.

I spent a lot of time in Utah, Arizona and Nevada while living full-time on the road in my campervan and I wrote my best tips and itineraries to help you plan your road trip.