While summer might still be a few months away, it’s never too early to start thinking about your next vacation! If you’ve never had the chance to experience Zion National Park—and Flanigan’s Resort—2023 is the year to do so! This incredible national park grows in popularity every year, and for good reason. From the stunning peaks to the unique hikes, it’s truly a bucket list-worthy destination.
Being a tourist in Zion National Park is never a bad thing! But there are a few common tourist mistakes that can disrupt other park visitors or even damage the plant and animal life that call the park home. If you have a stay in our Zion National Park hotel, keep reading. We’re breaking down a few things you need to know if you want to learn how to visit Zion without looking like a tourist.
Stay on Marked Trails
One of the biggest things that draw millions of visitors to Zion National Park each year is hiking. Zion is home to some of the most iconic trails in the U.S. The Narrows, which requires you to hike up or downstream through the Virgin River, through a narrow canyon, is a truly unique hike. The park’s most famous trail, Angels Landing, features a dangerous stretch of trail that has hikers crossing a narrow ridgeline with steep drops on either side and only a chain handrail to help you keep your balance.
Angels Landing is so popular that the National Park Service decided to implement a Pilot Permit Program in 2022. Part of this was because of the damage to the trail and the park’s delicate ecosystem that was occurring as a result of crowding.
No matter which trail you choose to hike during your visit, make sure to stay on the marked path. Straying from the trail can damage plants and small wildlife.
Never Approach Wildlife
Zion National Park is home to 68 species of mammals. They range from larger mule deer and bighorn sheep to small rock squirrels. Some wildlife, like mountain lions and beavers, are a rare sight in the park. They are often active at night when tourists are asleep.
But other wildlife, particularly rock squirrels and mule deer, are not only active during the day, but are often seen in picnic areas, on hiking trails, and in other high-traffic areas. Because these animals have become accustomed to park visitors, they may even try to approach you. For your safety, and the safety of the wildlife, never approach, touch, or feed any kind of wildlife in the park. Many can bite, and some even carry diseases. Feeding the animals can cause a dependence on humans, which can impact their ability to survive.
Don’t Balance Rocks
Rock cairns are stacks of rocks that were first used in ancient times by explorers and sailors to mark paths and destinations. Evidence suggests that they were once used in the American Southwest by Native American tribes to mark trails.
Today, many tourists in Zion attempt to follow the tradition. But while these stacks of rocks, often found along the Virgin River, may look neat, they are actually damaging to the park’s ecosystem, and are prohibited in Zion.
Moving rocks can disturb the habitats of bugs, small mammals, and reptiles. When stacked along trailheads, they can pose a danger to other visitors. They also contribute to erosion.
Hike in Small Groups
One of the easiest ways to spot tourists in the park is to look for the large groups of hikers on a popular trail. Hiking with a large group can make it difficult for other hikers to pass on the trail. It also often leads to noise, which disturbs the experience of other guests and can also disturb wildlife.
If you’re visiting Zion with a large group, break into smaller groups of six or fewer to hit the trails. This is especially important on popular trails and busy days in the park.
Pack Out Your Trash
If you want to learn how to visit Zion like a local, the most important thing that you can do is to always seek to leave the park better than you found it. Besides not stacking rocks or straying from marked trails, this also means packing out any and all garbage that you bring into the park. This includes empty water bottles, plastic, and food waste. if there isn’t a garbage can close by, package up your garbage and take it with you until you can find a place to properly dispose of it.
Learning How to Visit Zion Like a Local
Learning how to visit Zion without looking like a tourist will help you enjoy a safe, fun trip, without putting the park’s plant and animal life at risk or disturbing other guests’ experience.
If a visit to Zion National Park is on your bucket list in 2023, now is a great time to book your stay at Flanigan’s Resort. Our Zion National Park hotel is a popular destination for visitors to the park. Our location, just a short distance from the South Entrance to Zion, in the heart of Springdale, makes it easy to get to and from the park each day. You can drive into the park, or walk to the Springdale Shuttle Stop located in front of Flanigan’s Resort and ride to the entrance. This is a great way to avoid having to find parking on a busy day.
Book your stay at Flanigan’s Resort today to start planning your summer vacation.