Zion National Park with a Baby
Getting around Zion National Park with a baby can look intimidating but it doesn’t have to feel that way. We spent 2 days, 1 night there and we couldn’t have imagined a better time. Here’s what you need to know about Zion National Park with a baby.
Trails to do:
Emerald Pools
We did all three pools, first thing in the morning on day two so we could sneak back into our hotel to rinse off and then check out! I definitely recommend doing all three pools but pro tip: when you get to the start go RIGHT not left, you’ll still see all three but you’ll deal with a lot less uphill climbing.
River Walk
This is the trail that leads to the narrows, it’s about 2 miles and we loved it most because there were a lot of places to let Ryah down to walk around without us constantly worrying about her falling. It’s so beautiful to walk right by the water. When we got to the end we saw everyone starting/ending The Narrows but we didn’t feel confident enough to tackle that with her strapped onto my chest… maybe next time!
The Grotto
If you’re staying at The Zion National Park Lodge we definitely recommend getting off of the shuttle at the stop BEFORE the lodge so you can enjoy a short hike in nature before you make it back to your room.
Where to stay:
If you’re willing to spend a little more, The Zion National Park Lodge is our recommendation every time. It’s BEYOND convenient when you’re doing a trip to Zion National Park with a baby because you only have to hop on and off of the shuttle to get around the park (no car seat buckling necessary), you can pop back to your hotel room for snacks, naps, and just to get a break. You can enjoy the beautiful and massive lawn outside at anytime, it’s best when the park closes because it’s empty and animals come out! We saw a turkey and deer.
If you’re looking for some spots outside of the park, look at Springdale, UT for hotels that will bring you into the park via shuttle or if you’re looking for a better price and you’re willing to drive a bit, we highly debated the Fairfield Inn & Suites Virgin Zion National Park. It’s about 20 minutes from the park entrance but nearly half the price and includes breakfast!
Where you stay depends on what you are looking for. We wanted to enjoy the scenery as much as possible so the lodge view was really what pulled us in and we wanted convenience. If you’re okay with a drive and enjoying the views only when you’re in the park through the day, then there are great alternative options!
What to bring:
The most important questions for parents going to Zion National Park with a baby (or really any outdoor adventure).
Baby carrier, we use the Ergo 360 but we’re debating a more constructed carrier now that she’s older!
Water and lots of it. This is our favorite insulated baby cup.
Snacks, we had puffs, fruit, sandwiches, bars, and more. You never know what they’ll want on the go.
A hat, this one is our favorite!
Shoes, if your little one is walking, they WILL want to get down and explore. Just make sure to only let them down when it’s 100% safe to roam. Keen has great baby shoes for hiking but we just had some sneakers on her and they were perfect.
Sunscreen, we use it, some mamas don’t, but it’s hot enough in the carrier, layering her up to cover her skin just doesn’t feel practical. We use Think Baby sunscreen.
That’s really all you NEED when you hike with them, don’t overpack you’ll regret it when you’re halfway through! HERE’s what we have!
Questions? Drop them below or send me a DM on IG!
