Are you looking for... the best hike? a scenic drive? an easy trail suited for kids? the best coffee in town? a cool place to escape the summer heat? Or are you just looking for an evening hang-out to relax with friends, drink beer, and listen to live music? We have the answers to these questions and much more! This guide will help you make the right decisions based on your time, interests, goals and motivation.

A visit to Zion provides us with the opportunity to encounter spectacular and wild places. Often times, this requires the visitor to accept inherent risks involved with negotiating some pretty rugged and hairy terrain. Being keenly aware of and understanding these risks before you head out the door will help you safely enjoy your adventure.

Some of the trails in Zion are like big jungle gyms. They are fun and exciting, but they also require the hiker to be alert and careful. Trails like Angel's Landing and Hidden Canyon lure the hiker along uneven exposed steps with chains for balance. The Narrows hike is, at times, similar to hiking on greasy bowling balls. It also has a few small cliffs and waterfalls that become diving boards for excited children. The adventure factor is high, but the risk of injury is also high for the unknowing visitor. The number one reason to call out the Zion Search and Rescue Team is falling/slipping accidents. Don't be careless and keep your children close! The Canyon Overlook trail, Emerald Pools, and Observation Point have steep drop-offs, be aware of your surroundings especially around the cliff edges. Suppress the urge to jump, make good decisions. Not only are rescues in Zion labor intensive and difficult, but the rescuers are often putting their lives in danger to save you.

One of the most striking features of Zion are the sheer vertical sandstone cliffs. Many of the trails are quite steep. Hiking these natural stair-masters in the desert heat works up a great deal of sweat. Heat and sun exposure incidents are common in Zion. Drink! And Eat! It is important to keep your body well hydrated and fueled throughout the day with frequent snacks. Save your skin and regulate your temperature by wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing. The desert is a harsh environment with extreme temperature changes in just one day. Sunny and hot one minute, freezing cold and storming the next. You should be prepared for anything! Weather happens! Cold, hot, wind, rain, hail, or snow can occur any time of the year. Always carry appropriate clothing for a wide range of conditions, you'll be happy you did!

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This is canyon country. Flash floods are a serious threat in Zion. July, August, and September are considered our “monsoon season” and therefore, flash floods are more likely to occur during this time of year. However, these powerful and potentially fatal floods can happen any time of the year. Your ambivalence and lack of information can kill you. Before you go, be sure you know! Stop by the Zion Backcountry desk or Zion Rock and Mountain Guides to find out the current weather conditions and patterns, flash flooding potential, and specific trail information.