Our first visit to Zion National Park was in 2016 during our adventure through Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. We set ourselves the challenge of visiting all five parks in just one week, and Zion was our very first stop.

After a 14-hour drive from home, we couldn’t wait to arrive. As we got closer to the park, the landscape began to transform. Towering sandstone cliffs rose around us, and with every mile the scenery became more breathtaking. By the time we reached the entrance, we already knew this place was something special.

We camped inside the park and ended up with the perfect campsite. It offered incredible views in every direction and was just a short walk to the restrooms and dishwashing area—an ideal home base for exploring Zion.

During that first visit, we experienced many of the park’s most iconic destinations. We hiked to Angels Landing, explored The Narrows, stopped at Canyon Overlook, and spent time driving through the park, taking in the spectacular scenery from every angle. It didn’t take long for us to fall in love with Zion.

We’re usually the type of travelers who visit a national park once and then move on to discover somewhere new. Zion, however, became the exception. We returned in 2017, 2024, and again in 2026, and each visit reminded us why it remains one of our favorite places in the National Park System. No matter how many times we come back, Zion continues to amaze us with its beauty, its towering cliffs, and the sense of peace it brings.