צִיוֹן (Zion)

We pulled into one of the most impressive parks of the Southwest's "Grand Circle" in yet another rainstorm. Moving cautiously through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone canyon dripping with water only added to the unbelievable formations we were seeing around every turn. We checked in with the ranger at the park entrance and she said, "Without a doubt, Zion is better in the rain."

We traveled from the East on HW9. Note for other OVERSIZED travelers: any vehicle 11 feet 4 inches high or higher and 7 feet 10 inches wide or wider will need to pay $15 for one-way traffic control service through the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Tunnel. The Tunnel was built in 1930 and not to be missed.

Campground options inside NP:

South Campground - 120 ish walk up only sites - cars line up daily starting around 7am
Watchman Campground - can make resi and will fill up months in advance

Recs for day hikes:

Angels Landing - hike up to a beautiful canyon overlook (so high that someone once said only Angels could land there) - last .5 miles are a chain hike to the top
Observation Point - my favorite hike in the park - little less crowded than Angels Landing and the view is unreal throughout entire hike
Hidden Canyon - shortest and the least crowded out of the three - if you like rock scrambling this hike is for you!
The Narrows - we hiked in from the bottom and went up stream for the day - first section was EXTREMELY crowded but the longer you go the less people you run into - we rented shoes + neoprene socks (I am from FL after all and but would recommend to anyone this time of year) from Zion Rock Guides in Springdale (less than 10 min drive)

And lastly, one rec for grub + beers +sports = Jack's in Springdale, UT

Top of Observation Point (you can see Angels Landing point straght our to the right)

A few shots from Narrows hike:

The Narrows, Zion National Park