Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Zion National Park

So wife wants to check this out late July, probably will have kids with (19-23) All good with hiking and looking forward to that. Any other must see things in the area while we are there? Fishing opportunities out there as well? Thanks

Will you have 19 to 23 kids or kids 19 and 23 years old?

Reservations are necessary as it might be crowded. With the CV19 one never knows how busy the park will be. Great place to visit and there's a lot to see.

Bryce Canyon NP is like 1-2 hours from Zion. North Rim of the Grand Canyon is like 2-3 hours from Zion. The North Rim of Grand Canyon is better in my opinion.

There are trout streams and lakes not too far from Zion near Panguich.

There have been numerous threads about Utah vacations. Anywhere you go here is simply amazing.

This year may not be the best to visit, though. The entire area of the five national parks is in Exceptional Drought status, which is the worst category possible. By late July there may be severe water restrictions in place that could impact a visit. At this moment, that's only a possibility, but it would be terrible if you arrived and everything was suddenly closed.

My family did the Big 5 last year. Beautiful area! Get reservations! The crowds are bad and much worse this year. No joking. We were unable to secure reservations so we were unable to see part of Zion. We had hoped to hike angels landing and the narrows. Without reservations you can’t even get near that area.
I know someone who arrived today to hike angels landing. Arrived at 3:30am to get in line and wait on the shuttles that take them there. I personally would not put that much effort to hang with a crowd. I prefer solitude!
Good luck and enjoy the parks.

Its gonna be hot. Understatement of the year.

Great basin nat park in Nevada was a unknown jewel back when I worked there. Well worth a couple days, like being in a paperback western.

Bryce Canyon ..Been to 45 states and Bryce is in the top 3 places..

Bryce is astounding. You arrive through an unremarkable sage flat, go through the entrance and walk down a plain pine-bordered path. You turn left and climb a few stairs up a 10-ft embankment that blocks your view to the east.

And at the very top, you will stop dead in your tracks, your jaw drops, and you become utterly speechless at what plunges away in front of you. It is a moment and a sight you will recall the rest of your life.

^^^^^^^^^^ What Rocky said, in spades. Very spectacular place. Take binoculars, there's lots to see.

It truly is. It is also highly varied. It's like a completely new world with almost every mountain pass you top.

Thanks fellas, when you say reservations, are you talking shuttle reservations? My wife thought shuttle passes were discontinued May 28. Sounds like Bryce is a must for us...

If I may suggest you get a National Park Pass before the trip to save on all the entrance fees. You might stay in Cedar City and visit Kolob Canyon just a few miles south of there on I-15 as an "appetizer" for the other parks. And don't miss seeing a play at the Utah Shakespeare Festival - one of the finest in the world. You can make day drives to Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, and the others from there. On your way through Bicknell, DO stop for lunch and a slice of pickle pie. Really.

Each park will have different rules about how many visitors they can handle and when. Some do require time slot reservations. Go to each one WELL in advance (like NOW) to see if you need to book a time slot or arrange shuttle bus seats.

Just to point out - it rhymes with "lion".

By the end of July maybe the temps will be lower/better...prob not

Although Zion elevation varies...expect 4000' average

Bryce is where ya wanna be in July at 8000' plus

Expect traffic/crowds of course

Highway 12 east of Bryce & Boulder are worth the drive/look see

Oh yea.....bring your own water.....really......

coming from Iowa ?

Hiking at Utah elevations if not climatized can be issues for some...just a thought

It will be hot and crowded but still worth the effort. If you can read a map and are in decent shape there are places to access the backcountry that see far less traffic. If you don't have a gallon of water per person at hand at all times stay in the towns, this is unforgiving country once you leave the pavement.

I have traveled the world and Southern Utah is a unique gem in natures crown.


mike r

for example.....

105-108* all this week coming.....

Maybe reconsider.....

High Unita Mtns in NE Utah........low 70 highs

The best thing to do in Zion this time of year is to hike the narrows. At least you are in the water for some of it and can cool off - along with 1000 other aholes who are going to be wanting to do the same thing. Too hot & crowded for Zion NP this time of year IMHO.