Here's my plan for how I attacked Zion last May
o Leave at 5:00 am - Drive 45 minutes to
Zion National Park Visitor Center. Park & Ride 6am shuttle bus.
o Shuttle to Stop #6
Angels Landing 5 miles, 1.75 hours up, enjoy view 30 minutes, 1 hour down. Great!!
o Shuttle to Stop #5
Zion Lodge rest under the huge shade tree ice cream and coffee.
o Shuttle to Stop #8 for viewpoint
The Great White Throne, but be sure to hike down to the river great!
o Shuttle to Stop #5 for
Lower Emerald Pools 1.2 mi RT (this was just ok would skip.)
o Shuttle to Stop #4 to hike
Court of the Patriarchs lookout to see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob peaks.
o Skipped
The Narrows riverbed hike go to where it forks and turn back heavy snow so closed for us.
o Skipped Shuttle Stop #7 and the
Weeping Rock Hike .4 miles RT.
o Skipped Shuttle Stop #9 and the
Riverside Walk Hike 2.2 miles - 90 minutes.
Drive 45 minutes back for dinner at Thunderbird Restaurant
can't do all of that in 1 day but some research I found
as others said, check out other parks while you are out!
o Drive 15 minutes to
Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. Opens at 8am. Park and hop on the shuttle.
o Exit Bryce Point and walk short hike to the Viewpoint, then Shuttle to Inspiration Point for that Viewpoint.
o Shuttle to Sunset Point hike 10 minute Rim Trail to the start of the
Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop Trail that ends back at Sunrise Point. Then Shuttle back to Visitor Center. All of Bryce done in 4 hours.
o Leave the park and drive 10 mins for Lunch at
Ruby's Inn on Center Street ice cream and rock shops.
o Drive 10 minutes north to 1 mile RT
Mossy Cave Trail and the Waterfall trail too fun!
o Drive 30 minutes to
Kodachrome State Park and hike
Angels Palace climb up and around fun!
Also check out to
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park park and hike through the sand out to the
Dune Overlook. Rent a board and play in the sand! Then drive further back to the Campground area and discreetly find the showers to clean up before leaving. Sand everywhere but fun.