Utah National Park Trip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from visiting "The Mighty Five."

Zion was a disappointment. It was so overcrowded and the buses were packed all the time with standing room only. The popular hikes (The Narrows) were like a non-stop assembly line of people and many of them were obviously not in physical condition to be doing it. Overheard of several instances where people had fallen or otherwise were hurt. We stayed in the lodge on Zion and even with that head-start it was still packed with people.

There were also large tour groups comprised of busloads of people who were only trying to get the perfect Instagram-type shot and were blocking viewpoints, blocking trails, etc. to do so. Bringing changes of outfits, even! Completely oblivious to the beauty around them.

As far as we were concerned, Zion was a one-and-done and we don't have plans to go back.

Which month did you visit Zion, was it this month or September? My family is planning a trip there for late Sept of next year, as we thought (and read) that the crowds are gone by then.

I’m the one with the coworker who just went. She was there end of Sept and it was bananas crowded.

Mid October was no better...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from visiting "The Mighty Five."

Zion was a disappointment. It was so overcrowded and the buses were packed all the time with standing room only. The popular hikes (The Narrows) were like a non-stop assembly line of people and many of them were obviously not in physical condition to be doing it. Overheard of several instances where people had fallen or otherwise were hurt. We stayed in the lodge on Zion and even with that head-start it was still packed with people.

There were also large tour groups comprised of busloads of people who were only trying to get the perfect Instagram-type shot and were blocking viewpoints, blocking trails, etc. to do so. Bringing changes of outfits, even! Completely oblivious to the beauty around them.

As far as we were concerned, Zion was a one-and-done and we don't have plans to go back.

Which month did you visit Zion, was it this month or September? My family is planning a trip there for late Sept of next year, as we thought (and read) that the crowds are gone by then.

I’m the one with the coworker who just went. She was there end of Sept and it was bananas crowded.

Were you there middle of the week, or weekend? Did you get out the door early, or sleep in and saunter out mid to late morning?

We went late September last year, mid-week, early rising. It was not bad crowd-wise. Actually, the return part of the Narrows was crowded near the end, as the masses were just starting their hikes. If you choose to go when everyone else does, you reap what you sow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from visiting "The Mighty Five."

Zion was a disappointment. It was so overcrowded and the buses were packed all the time with standing room only. The popular hikes (The Narrows) were like a non-stop assembly line of people and many of them were obviously not in physical condition to be doing it. Overheard of several instances where people had fallen or otherwise were hurt. We stayed in the lodge on Zion and even with that head-start it was still packed with people.

There were also large tour groups comprised of busloads of people who were only trying to get the perfect Instagram-type shot and were blocking viewpoints, blocking trails, etc. to do so. Bringing changes of outfits, even! Completely oblivious to the beauty around them.

As far as we were concerned, Zion was a one-and-done and we don't have plans to go back.

Which month did you visit Zion, was it this month or September? My family is planning a trip there for late Sept of next year, as we thought (and read) that the crowds are gone by then.

Early October. There may not have been the typical crowds of families with kids, but it was PACKED with large foreign tour groups. I guess they plan their trips when US kids are back in school and thus they can get blocks of rooms everywhere.

Ugh that’s a bummer. Were there long waits at the restaurants?
Did your hotel feel crowded and loud?
Was parking in town or at the park a challenge?

Such drama!

I was in Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion Sept. 11-15th this year (2023). We didn't think it was overly crowded. Of course, we weren't just getting to the park at 10 a.m.! We used the fact that I was on East Coast time, and my sister was on Central time. So, getting up at 5:30 (UT time) (which was 7:30 Eastern time) and being at the breakfast buffet at 6:00 a.m. (which was 8 a.m. to me) was how we capitalized on the time changes. I think we drove into the park almost every day before the rangers were taking fees or looking at passes. We just drove in -- no waiting. We didn't have any trouble parking. Sure, if you come late, you're going to wait in lines to get in and to get parked.

But, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in all of the parks. I would recommend going to Canyonlands -- it is surreal!

We stayed at the Springhill Suites (closest hotel to Arches) in Moab. Then in the Best Western in Springdale (Zion). I have previously stayed at the Desert Pearl --- a nice treat if it is your last stop. BW was fine.

We flew into SLC and flew out of Las Vegas. One way car rental that we dropped off in Vegas.

We did the Narrows in Zion, and yes, it was busy -- but it never hindered us. It tends to be somewhat crowded in the first section, and then you start looking around after an hour into the hike and wonder where everyone went! They turned back, that's where they went. My sister did the lottery for Angel's landing tickets and got that for the next day.

[Anonymous]

20:41 here.

We also never had to wait at a restaurant or had any trouble parking in Moab. I think we waited 15 min. at a restaurant in Zion.

Again -- the key is to stay on EAST COAST time. You eat your dinner at 4 pm (local time -- which is 6 pm East Coast time). You get up and go to bed on East Coast time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from visiting "The Mighty Five."

Zion was a disappointment. It was so overcrowded and the buses were packed all the time with standing room only. The popular hikes (The Narrows) were like a non-stop assembly line of people and many of them were obviously not in physical condition to be doing it. Overheard of several instances where people had fallen or otherwise were hurt. We stayed in the lodge on Zion and even with that head-start it was still packed with people.

There were also large tour groups comprised of busloads of people who were only trying to get the perfect Instagram-type shot and were blocking viewpoints, blocking trails, etc. to do so. Bringing changes of outfits, even! Completely oblivious to the beauty around them.

As far as we were concerned, Zion was a one-and-done and we don't have plans to go back.

Which month did you visit Zion, was it this month or September? My family is planning a trip there for late Sept of next year, as we thought (and read) that the crowds are gone by then.

Early October. There may not have been the typical crowds of families with kids, but it was PACKED with large foreign tour groups. I guess they plan their trips when US kids are back in school and thus they can get blocks of rooms everywhere.

Ugh that’s a bummer. Were there long waits at the restaurants?
Did your hotel feel crowded and loud?
Was parking in town or at the park a challenge?

Such drama!

I was in Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion Sept. 11-15th this year (2023). We didn't think it was overly crowded. Of course, we weren't just getting to the park at 10 a.m.! We used the fact that I was on East Coast time, and my sister was on Central time. So, getting up at 5:30 (UT time) (which was 7:30 Eastern time) and being at the breakfast buffet at 6:00 a.m. (which was 8 a.m. to me) was how we capitalized on the time changes. I think we drove into the park almost every day before the rangers were taking fees or looking at passes. We just drove in -- no waiting. We didn't have any trouble parking. Sure, if you come late, you're going to wait in lines to get in and to get parked.

But, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in all of the parks. I would recommend going to Canyonlands -- it is surreal!

We stayed at the Springhill Suites (closest hotel to Arches) in Moab. Then in the Best Western in Springdale (Zion). I have previously stayed at the Desert Pearl --- a nice treat if it is your last stop. BW was fine.

We flew into SLC and flew out of Las Vegas. One way car rental that we dropped off in Vegas.

We did the Narrows in Zion, and yes, it was busy -- but it never hindered us. It tends to be somewhat crowded in the first section, and then you start looking around after an hour into the hike and wonder where everyone went! They turned back, that's where they went. My sister did the lottery for Angel's landing tickets and got that for the next day.

OP- thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from visiting "The Mighty Five."

Zion was a disappointment. It was so overcrowded and the buses were packed all the time with standing room only. The popular hikes (The Narrows) were like a non-stop assembly line of people and many of them were obviously not in physical condition to be doing it. Overheard of several instances where people had fallen or otherwise were hurt. We stayed in the lodge on Zion and even with that head-start it was still packed with people.

There were also large tour groups comprised of busloads of people who were only trying to get the perfect Instagram-type shot and were blocking viewpoints, blocking trails, etc. to do so. Bringing changes of outfits, even! Completely oblivious to the beauty around them.

As far as we were concerned, Zion was a one-and-done and we don't have plans to go back.

Which month did you visit Zion, was it this month or September? My family is planning a trip there for late Sept of next year, as we thought (and read) that the crowds are gone by then.

Early October. There may not have been the typical crowds of families with kids, but it was PACKED with large foreign tour groups. I guess they plan their trips when US kids are back in school and thus they can get blocks of rooms everywhere.

Ugh that’s a bummer. Were there long waits at the restaurants?
Did your hotel feel crowded and loud?
Was parking in town or at the park a challenge?

Such drama!

I was in Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion Sept. 11-15th this year (2023). We didn't think it was overly crowded. Of course, we weren't just getting to the park at 10 a.m.! We used the fact that I was on East Coast time, and my sister was on Central time. So, getting up at 5:30 (UT time) (which was 7:30 Eastern time) and being at the breakfast buffet at 6:00 a.m. (which was 8 a.m. to me) was how we capitalized on the time changes. I think we drove into the park almost every day before the rangers were taking fees or looking at passes. We just drove in -- no waiting. We didn't have any trouble parking. Sure, if you come late, you're going to wait in lines to get in and to get parked.

But, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in all of the parks. I would recommend going to Canyonlands -- it is surreal!

We stayed at the Springhill Suites (closest hotel to Arches) in Moab. Then in the Best Western in Springdale (Zion). I have previously stayed at the Desert Pearl --- a nice treat if it is your last stop. BW was fine.

We flew into SLC and flew out of Las Vegas. One way car rental that we dropped off in Vegas.

We did the Narrows in Zion, and yes, it was busy -- but it never hindered us. It tends to be somewhat crowded in the first section, and then you start looking around after an hour into the hike and wonder where everyone went! They turned back, that's where they went. My sister did the lottery for Angel's landing tickets and got that for the next day.

OP- thank you.

OP, remember that everyone's experiences are different. While PP may consider others' experiences "drama" the fact remains that Zion is a VERY crowded park and unless you are confident you can get your young-adult kids to get up at the crack of dawn and eat like an Early Bird senior, your experience may be more akin to what MOST people experience - crowds and lack of parking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from visiting "The Mighty Five."

Zion was a disappointment. It was so overcrowded and the buses were packed all the time with standing room only. The popular hikes (The Narrows) were like a non-stop assembly line of people and many of them were obviously not in physical condition to be doing it. Overheard of several instances where people had fallen or otherwise were hurt. We stayed in the lodge on Zion and even with that head-start it was still packed with people.

There were also large tour groups comprised of busloads of people who were only trying to get the perfect Instagram-type shot and were blocking viewpoints, blocking trails, etc. to do so. Bringing changes of outfits, even! Completely oblivious to the beauty around them.

As far as we were concerned, Zion was a one-and-done and we don't have plans to go back.

Which month did you visit Zion, was it this month or September? My family is planning a trip there for late Sept of next year, as we thought (and read) that the crowds are gone by then.

Early October. There may not have been the typical crowds of families with kids, but it was PACKED with large foreign tour groups. I guess they plan their trips when US kids are back in school and thus they can get blocks of rooms everywhere.

Ugh that’s a bummer. Were there long waits at the restaurants?
Did your hotel feel crowded and loud?
Was parking in town or at the park a challenge?

Such drama!

I was in Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion Sept. 11-15th this year (2023). We didn't think it was overly crowded. Of course, we weren't just getting to the park at 10 a.m.! We used the fact that I was on East Coast time, and my sister was on Central time. So, getting up at 5:30 (UT time) (which was 7:30 Eastern time) and being at the breakfast buffet at 6:00 a.m. (which was 8 a.m. to me) was how we capitalized on the time changes. I think we drove into the park almost every day before the rangers were taking fees or looking at passes. We just drove in -- no waiting. We didn't have any trouble parking. Sure, if you come late, you're going to wait in lines to get in and to get parked.

But, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in all of the parks. I would recommend going to Canyonlands -- it is surreal!

We stayed at the Springhill Suites (closest hotel to Arches) in Moab. Then in the Best Western in Springdale (Zion). I have previously stayed at the Desert Pearl --- a nice treat if it is your last stop. BW was fine.

We flew into SLC and flew out of Las Vegas. One way car rental that we dropped off in Vegas.

We did the Narrows in Zion, and yes, it was busy -- but it never hindered us. It tends to be somewhat crowded in the first section, and then you start looking around after an hour into the hike and wonder where everyone went! They turned back, that's where they went. My sister did the lottery for Angel's landing tickets and got that for the next day.

OP- thank you.

OP, remember that everyone's experiences are different. While PP may consider others' experiences "drama" the fact remains that Zion is a VERY crowded park and unless you are confident you can get your young-adult kids to get up at the crack of dawn and eat like an Early Bird senior, your experience may be more akin to what MOST people experience - crowds and lack of parking.

It's Not "eating like an early bird senior" when your own body is saying that's it's 6pm or 7 pm. and you are eating dinner despite the local time being 4pm or 5pm.

If you are waiting until it's local time of 7 a.m. to get up, that is 9 a.m. to your body (if on East Coast Time) and you are just wasting your morning time -- which is when you can get into the park without paying and without lines. It's not exactly THAT early to be at the breakfast buffet at 6 a.m. (local time) when your body is saying that it's 8 a.m.

Of course if you want the "sleep in" style of vacation -- then yes, you are going to spend 45 min or an hour waiting in line to get into the park. Not smart in my opinion... but it's an option for those who want to sleep later than they normally do. There is a price to pay. It's just not accurate to say that the parks are so crowded and unusable and terrible and whatnot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. We also really like our horseback riding to the bottom of Bryce. After a decent amount of hiking at Zion this was a nice change of pace.

do you need to be experienced to do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just returned from visiting "The Mighty Five."

Zion was a disappointment. It was so overcrowded and the buses were packed all the time with standing room only. The popular hikes (The Narrows) were like a non-stop assembly line of people and many of them were obviously not in physical condition to be doing it. Overheard of several instances where people had fallen or otherwise were hurt. We stayed in the lodge on Zion and even with that head-start it was still packed with people.

There were also large tour groups comprised of busloads of people who were only trying to get the perfect Instagram-type shot and were blocking viewpoints, blocking trails, etc. to do so. Bringing changes of outfits, even! Completely oblivious to the beauty around them.

As far as we were concerned, Zion was a one-and-done and we don't have plans to go back.

Which month did you visit Zion, was it this month or September? My family is planning a trip there for late Sept of next year, as we thought (and read) that the crowds are gone by then.

Early October. There may not have been the typical crowds of families with kids, but it was PACKED with large foreign tour groups. I guess they plan their trips when US kids are back in school and thus they can get blocks of rooms everywhere.

Ugh that’s a bummer. Were there long waits at the restaurants?
Did your hotel feel crowded and loud?
Was parking in town or at the park a challenge?

Such drama!

I was in Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion Sept. 11-15th this year (2023). We didn't think it was overly crowded. Of course, we weren't just getting to the park at 10 a.m.! We used the fact that I was on East Coast time, and my sister was on Central time. So, getting up at 5:30 (UT time) (which was 7:30 Eastern time) and being at the breakfast buffet at 6:00 a.m. (which was 8 a.m. to me) was how we capitalized on the time changes. I think we drove into the park almost every day before the rangers were taking fees or looking at passes. We just drove in -- no waiting. We didn't have any trouble parking. Sure, if you come late, you're going to wait in lines to get in and to get parked.

But, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in all of the parks. I would recommend going to Canyonlands -- it is surreal!

We stayed at the Springhill Suites (closest hotel to Arches) in Moab. Then in the Best Western in Springdale (Zion). I have previously stayed at the Desert Pearl --- a nice treat if it is your last stop. BW was fine.

We flew into SLC and flew out of Las Vegas. One way car rental that we dropped off in Vegas.

We did the Narrows in Zion, and yes, it was busy -- but it never hindered us. It tends to be somewhat crowded in the first section, and then you start looking around after an hour into the hike and wonder where everyone went! They turned back, that's where they went. My sister did the lottery for Angel's landing tickets and got that for the next day.

OP- thank you.

OP, remember that everyone's experiences are different. While PP may consider others' experiences "drama" the fact remains that Zion is a VERY crowded park and unless you are confident you can get your young-adult kids to get up at the crack of dawn and eat like an Early Bird senior, your experience may be more akin to what MOST people experience - crowds and lack of parking.

It's Not "eating like an early bird senior" when your own body is saying that's it's 6pm or 7 pm. and you are eating dinner despite the local time being 4pm or 5pm.

If you are waiting until it's local time of 7 a.m. to get up, that is 9 a.m. to your body (if on East Coast Time) and you are just wasting your morning time -- which is when you can get into the park without paying and without lines. It's not exactly THAT early to be at the breakfast buffet at 6 a.m. (local time) when your body is saying that it's 8 a.m.

Of course if you want the "sleep in" style of vacation -- then yes, you are going to spend 45 min or an hour waiting in line to get into the park. Not smart in my opinion... but it's an option for those who want to sleep later than they normally do. There is a price to pay. It's just not accurate to say that the parks are so crowded and unusable and terrible and whatnot.

So anyone who has a different experience than yours is not being accurate?

Zion is crowded. THAT IS A FACT. Even Zion admits that on their own website. A simple on-line search of Zion and crowds will confirm that. Including some very telling photos which show what it is really like.

I was just there and every port-a-potty/dry toilet we had to use were full to the brim with feces splattered all over them. I guess I could have taken a photo to prove that point for skeptics.

There are multiple news outlets that have covered Zion (and other NPs) including video coverage. Is that all inaccurate?

I would say that it is your experience which is not accurate and far from what the vast majority of people experience at Zion.

[Anonymous]

So testy!

If you show up late, you will have trouble getting in.

There are ways around that if you want to get in and enjoy the parks. We never had any trouble getting into ZION, Canyonlands, Arches (or Bryce -- that was in August several years ago.) We had no trouble riding the shuttle or finding parking (in the other parks, not Zion). We had no trouble going to restaurants in Moab or Springdale. (Sept 2023).

Crowds were simply not an issue for us. I guess it's a matter of good timing and good planning. You may have a different experience. It IS possible to enjoy the parks in Aug and in Sept if you want to.

[Anonymous]

Stay at the lodges inside the parks in Zion and Bryce. Very nice and significantly more convenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay at the lodges inside the parks in Zion and Bryce. Very nice and significantly more convenient.

Not OP. I thought about that for Zion. Then I realized that if you want to go into Springdale for anything you will still have to wait in lines to get into the park (with the visitors). Depending on the time you are trying to come back into the park, it might not matter. But, that was the reason we decided to stay in Springdale rather than the Zion cabins (part of the lodge).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stay at the lodges inside the parks in Zion and Bryce. Very nice and significantly more convenient.

Not OP. I thought about that for Zion. Then I realized that if you want to go into Springdale for anything you will still have to wait in lines to get into the park (with the visitors). Depending on the time you are trying to come back into the park, it might not matter. But, that was the reason we decided to stay in Springdale rather than the Zion cabins (part of the lodge).

Same poster--The two times we've visited we've stayed at Zion Lodge and have only left the park to go to dinner and to get gear for the Narrows, which we did while getting dinner. There was no problem getting back in on any of the days we did this (3-day stay each time). I use the word 'magical' sparingly, but staying at the lodge at Zion felt that way to me. You're nestled in the middle of the canyon with the Emerald Pools right across the street and wild deer and other animals/birds wandering the grounds after the crowds leave. We will not stay elsewhere when we go back again.

[Anonymous]

Thinking about Zion mid March, which is spring break for us. Too cold?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thinking about Zion mid March, which is spring break for us. Too cold?

Not sure. You can Google that kind of info. Likely the water levels will be too high for the Narrows. I think that's one of the must do hikes for me. I wouldn't go if the Narrows was in doubt.