Uncover distinct activities near Zion National Park beyond hiking; explore climbing up, wine tasting, and more adventures waiting for you.
There’s more to the Greater Zion location in southern Utah than Zion National Forest and more to do than hike the park’s trails. From climbing up one of the few via ferrata routes in the United States to red wine tasting in a brand-new viticulture area, here are 7 things to do near Zion National Park you might want to try on your next go to.
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Canyoneering in Zion National Forest
Canyoneering– likewise called canyoning– involves checking out a canyon from one end to the other, utilizing whatever implies required. This can consist of hiking, swimming, climbing up, rushing, rappelling, and rock climbing. You might even require to outline your own route through the canyon, and if you wish to deal with the Subway or the Narrows in Zion National Park, you’ll require a wilderness permit.
Canyoneering may include hiking, climbing, swimming, and squeezing through tight spaces. Image courtesy of Greater Zion Convention & Tourist Office Choosing a guide is a fantastic alternative, especially if you’re canyoneering for the very first time. Business like Zion Guru instruct on how to rappel or navigate over challenges. They likewise offer helmets and needed equipment. With Zion Master, you can opt for a half-day or full-day trip and go solo or with up to 12 buddies. Before you go, make certain to comprehend what you’re entering. You will likely face heights and tight spaces, so if you have fears of either, you might want to skip the experience.
E-bike through Snow Canyon
Another method to explore the Greater Zion location’s unique landscapes is by bike. You can rent bikes and e-bikes from a number of providers in Springdale, the community outside Zion National Park, and ride into the park. As soon as within, you can take the Pa’rus Trail from the Visitor Center to Canyon Junction.
< img src="https://www.wanderwithwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/snowcanyon-40-1000x667.jpg"alt="Rugged peaks in Snow Canyon
State Park “width= “1000 “height=”667 “/ > On an e-bike, you can ride from one end of Snow Canyon State Park to the other and back, stopping to hike along the way. Picture thanks to Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Workplace For a less congested trip, skip cycling in the national forest and head to Snow Canyon State Park near St. George instead. You’ll still get sensational views and can rent a conventional or an e-bike to pedal into Snow Canyon. Unless you bike regularly, choose the e-bike. An e-bike permits you to pedal when you
want but provides a boost when needed. Consider pedal assist as the additional oomph to get you up a slope. You can rent an e-bike from Rampage Rental & Repair. Given that it’s a short trip from the state park’s southern entryway, you can ride from there to the northern entrance and back. Rampage Rentals supplies a lock so you can pick up a hike to Scout Cavern, Petrified Dunes, or Lava Circulation Overlook.
Off-road on Sand Mountain
After a day of hiking, canyoneering, or biking, give your legs a day of rest and take a seat in an off-highway lorry (OHV). Mad Moose Rentals and Tours rents multi-person Polaris vehicles, which you can drive to BLM-managed Sand Mountain on paved roadways. Since it’s an open OHV area, you can ride anywhere within its designated limits. You can likewise take an assisted trip through Mad Moose Experience like I did.
You can check out Sand Mountain alone or on a directed tour with Mad Moose Rentals and Tours. Photo thanks to Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office In any case, your experience begins with a short security video. Then, the personnel fits you with a helmet and safety glasses and strolls you through how to run the vehicle.
Occupants go out by themselves at that point while trip groups follow their guide. Despite the fact that I utilized to own an OHV, I’m delighted I picked the guided trip. My guide asked how adventurous I felt and crafted the best trip for me. I didn’t have to stress over damaging the Polaris I drove or getting in over my head. Rather, I might follow him up rugged buttes, understanding precisely where to drive, and over orange dunes. I could enjoy the ride– and the views.
Navigate a through ferrata near Zion National Park
In southern Utah, you can climb a steep cliff without special training or extreme risk on a by means of ferrata trip. Via ferrata, which equates to “iron roadway” in Italian, refers to a ladder-like series of bars protected into a mountain. World War I soldiers first used these tracks to train to survive the Dolomite Mountains. After the war, climbing clubs enhanced these paths for recreational use.
On a through ferrrata trail, you climb up a series of iron rungs up the side of a mountain or cliff. Photo thanks to Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Workplace As via ferrata has actually caught on, new paths have opened throughout the world, consisting of a few in the US. The Greater Zion location has two. Zion Adventures guides climbers up the 450-foot Eye of the Needle. On The Other Hand, Utah Experience Center takes tours on its Above Zion by means of ferrata. You’ll require a specific amount of physical fitness to finish either track.
Expect to spend 3 to 4 hours practicing for the climb, treking to it, and scaling the by means of ferrata trail. Security is the primary concern. Guides will connect you to a safety cable before you begin the climb. The views from the top will make the journey worth the effort.
Stargaze Near a Dark Sky Park
Zion National Forest has a few of the darkest night skies in the US. In 2021, the International Dark Sky Association recognized it as a Dark Sky Park. To make this classification, the park has to restrict light pollution and work to safeguard its dark skies. This makes Zion and the surrounding location perfect for stargazing.
The dark night skies over Zion National forest and the surrounding area offer ideal conditions for stargazing. Photo thanks to Greater Zion Convention & Tourist Workplace If you have a telescope or state-of-the-art binoculars, you can scan the skies by yourself. The park has numerous locations to see the stars, consisting of the Human History Museum patio area, Lumber Creek Parking Lot, and Lava Point Overlook. According to the national forest’s site, you’ll find the darkest skies on the park’s east side along Kolob Balcony Roadway. For an assisted look at the stars, book a trip with Stargazing Zion. The company supplies visitors with Celestron field glasses, bean bag chairs, and blankets. As the 2-hour program starts, astronomers explain constellations and worlds. Next, you move to the bean bags and see the skies with field glasses. Astronomers then focus cutting edge telescopes on worlds, distant galaxies, and nebulae. You’ll look deep into area and entrust to a much better understanding of the universe.
White Wine Taste in Southern Utah
Not all southern Utah adventures need you to break a sweat. A number of wineries welcome you to sample a glass of Utah white wine simply north of St. George. Skeptical of United States white wines produced outside of California and the Pacific Northwest? Do not be. Southern Utah’s wineries line up with wine-producing regions such as Italy, Portugal, and Spain along the 37th parallel north.
Vibrant & Delaney Winery’s tasting space is open by visit every Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Photo courtesy of Greater Zion Convention & Tourist Office On my journey, I went to Bold & Delaney Winery in Dammeron, Utah. The 10-acre vineyard grows 14 varietals, varying from cabernet sauvignon to orange muscat. For $25, you can sample 5 labels. (My favorite was the Estate Pinot Noir.) Do yourself a favor and order a charcuterie plate to complement your tasting.
If you can’t make it to Strong & Delaney for a tasting, you can buy a glass at The Painted Pony in St. George. Sommelier and restaurant co-owner John Delaney also co-owns the winery with Mark Bold.
Glamping near Zion National Forest
Camping isn’t for everyone, however anyone can glamp. Glamping elevates camping with high-end facilities like plush bedding and rains showers. It’s camping without the troubles.
You can glamp throughout the United States, from Governors Island in New York to Big Sur, California. However couple of destinations rival Zion National forest. While the area has several glamping resorts, Open Sky Zion sticks out. Not only do the websites have facilities like hot tubs and telescopes, but it’s 3.5 miles from the highway. (That has to do with a 10-minute drive on easy-to-drive dirt roadways.)
< img src="https://www.wanderwithwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/open-sky-resort-041-1000x667.jpg"alt="A glamping camping tent in a wilderness setting. "width="1000 "height ="667"/ > At Open Sky Zion, guests take pleasure in outdoor showers and hot tubs. Photo courtesy of Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office Even at the resort, you’ll feel away from it all. The owners designed the home so you don’t see any of the other 12 glamping websites when you look out from your camping tent. Do not worry about being too remote. Open Sky Zion likewise boasts a farm-to-table restaurant onsite and bookable excursions.
The stay is a splurge, though, with rates balancing $800 per night. For a glamping experience right off State Path 9, think about Zion White Bison Resort. Visitors can book a night in a cliff residence tower, a strong tepee, or a temperature-controlled covered wagon. Summer season rates range from about $250 to $600 per night.
When You Go To Zion National Park
As you can see, the Greater Zion area uses numerous adventures that extend far beyond the stunning tracks of Zion National Park. Whether you’re seeking the adventure of climbing up a through ferrata route, indulging in wonderful wine tastings, or finding concealed gems, this area is abundant with experiences just waiting to be explored. Each activity adds an unique layer to your journey, making your check out to southern Utah genuinely unforgettable. So, load your bags and step off the beaten path to discover what else this breathtaking landscape has to use.
Check Out Other Interesting Areas in Utah
Check out Wander With Marvel for more of our favorite things while checking out Utah. And don’t miss our articles on our favorite national parks for a lot more inspiration on your next experience!
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