Zion National Park Self-Guided Driving & Shuttling Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  We’re almost at Canyon Junction Bridge. There’s a lot going on there: First, it’s a great sunset spot. Be sure to come back here later. Second, there are great views of the Watchman and other mountains. If you find parking, take it and listen to the Learn More stories about the peaks. Third, this is where the road splits: Turn left if you want to drive along the Scenic Road and visit the Narrows, Angel’s Landing, or the Emerald Pools.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Welcome to Zion National Park! This raw landscape has it all: staggering mountain peaks, stunning natural pools, and gorgeous vistas. We’ll explore it all today.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Continue straight. Just before the bridge, you’ll see a path on the left. That’s the start of the Pa’rus Trail. And just after the bridge is another path -- the Watchman Trail. Both are popular hikes with great views at the end.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  While we don’t know too much about those Ice Age hunters, newer residents left their stories behind. Around 300 BCE, people started settling down here and farming. They grew squash and corn, and gradually learned how to better cultivate the land and survive the unforgiving climate. One group, the Fremont, cultivated a drought- and cold-resistant species of corn which could thrive even at high altitudes.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Zion National Park is a southwest Utah nature preserve distinguished by Zion Canyon’s steep red cliffs. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through its main section, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River. The river flows to the Emerald Pools, which have waterfalls and a hanging garden. Also along the river, partly through deep chasms, is Zion Narrows wading hike. Note: The tour is over 25 miles long, with more than 30+ audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

  Admission ticket free
• 2

  Whew, what a view! Those three mountains are the iconic Court of the Patriarchs. And who are these patriarchs? Well, a local Christian minister named them after three figures from the Bible: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from left to right.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  The park service works hard to keep this place as natural and untouched as possible… while simultaneously handling over 4 million visitors each year. But that wasn’t the case in the early 1900s. No one knew about this place and that meant no revenue... and that meant… development.

  Admission ticket free
• 3

  First, bring lots of water! You may think you’ve got enough… but you probably don’t. This might seem obvious, but Utah’s heat is unforgiving, and heat-stroke or sun-stroke can easily ruin a fun vacation. Second, make sure you don’t overtax yourself! Hiking around here is going to be more difficult than you might be used to, thanks to the elevation. Be sure you don’t embark on journeys you’re not certain you’ll be able to finish.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  This park has a ton of great trails, but Angel’s Landing stands in a league of its own. Those who complete the hike describe it as a breathtaking experience like no other, offering impossible views and a major adrenaline rush.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  his spot offers picnic tables, restrooms, and fire grates. But the surrounding trails are the main attraction!

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  A continuous stream of water trickles down its face from a stream far above

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  As we round the Big Bend of the Virgin River, we’ll approach the last viewpoint on this drive. Stop there for magnificent views of the Great White Throne and the towering peak of Angel’s Landing.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8

  To see the Narrows, you’ll want to follow the paved Riverwalk all the way to the end. It’s a flat, easy walk, full of beautiful greenery and towering natural skyscrapers. But before you set off, let’s talk about the Temple of Sinawava.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  That towering summit ahead is the East Temple, standing at 1,700 feet. Notice how the cliff isn’t all one color? You’ve probably seen this on the other rock faces as well. That’s because these cliffs are actually made of rock from a bunch of different eras in the earth’s history.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10

  At the next hairpin turn, you’ll see a pull off. If there’s room, stop there for some incredible views. While stopped, click on Learn More to hear why the Mormons called this place Zion.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11

  Make sure to turn on those headlights -- because the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is just ahead! Once inside, you might be tempted to stop and take photos, but you’ll have to resist the urge: stopping is strictly prohibited.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12

  The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of East Zion’s finest -- even though it’s short and easy. Why? Simple -- the spectacular views from the top.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  If you look closely at the Altar of Sacrifice, you’ll notice that it’s got streaks of rusty red running down the sides. Early Mormon pioneers saw this and thought it looked like blood spilling from a sacrificial altar. Of course, there’s a much less gruesome explanation.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14

  Look at that mesa rising into the sky. Notice anything peculiar? As you get closer, you should be able to make out a strange grid of criss-crossed lines all over it. It looks a bit like a checkerboard, which is how it gets the name Checkerboard Mesa!

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15

  We’re at the East Ranger Station, which means we’ve reached the end of our tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the formation of this majestic place and all the people who’ve lived here over the millennia. If you’re planning to visit other parks in the southwest, such as Bryce, Arches, or Monument Valley, be sure to check out my other tours.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you

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