This is a bucket list adventure that you don’t want to miss when you go to Zion National Park in Utah:

🥾Rent gear. Adults and big kids should have a minimum of boots, neorpene socks and trekking poles to prevent falls and ankles twisting. Little kids wear full dry suits unless it is summer. We hiked in November on a warm day and didn’t do any dry suits. Our kids wore wetsuits with coats on top which worked fairly well until the coast got wet.  We should have opted for the dry suits for our little ones. Definitely check the water temps before you go. There are plenty of gear rental spots in Springdale.

🧤Wear hats, coats and gloves if it isn’t summertime. The canyon is colder than it is in Springdale and the sun isn’t shining down into the canyon much at all. 

🧦Bring extra dry clothes, gloves, jackets and socks (especially if you skip dry suits)…our kids complained the most of cold hands which wouldn’t have been helped by a dry suit. We kept changing out dry socks on hands and that helped a ton.

🎒 Bring a toddler carrier for littles. This hike is doable with all ages if the water is running low. We think babies in carriers the whole time. Our five year old hiked to Wall Street and needed carried back. It will be up to your kid and how far they can go.

💧Snacks and water! You can fill water at the shuttle stop. There are river banks to stop for a snack. We don’t do lunch on trails often. The goal is that the kids and adults all work hard for a good meal at the finish. We headed into to town for pizza and beer after this long hike.

This hike took us 5 hours for six miles of hiking, but some families may take longer if you need more breaks. We recommend an afternoon hike to avoid crowds. We saw very few people on our return hike. Hike in as far as you can and be sure to leave enough time to get back so you don’t miss the shuttle. Time yourself on the way in to know how long it will take you to get back. Give yourself an extra thirty to account for any extra breaks. You don’t want to have to hike in the dark for 8 miles with little ones back to the visitor center where your car is parked!

To see all of our hike recommendations for Zion National Park, go HERE.

~Mel