Zion’s otherworldly rock formations, slot canyons and starry skies are spectacular on your own, but a good tour can take you places you’d struggle to reach alone: backcountry slot canyons on private land, a guided day in The Narrows with all the gear, or a permit for Angels Landing. The list of things to do in Zion is a great starting point for your itinerary; these tours add something extra.
From canyoneering to a day trip from Las Vegas, here’s what each one involves, what it costs and what’s included. Many of the East Zion tours run outside the park boundary, so you won’t need a park pass for those; we’ve noted where the entrance fee is included.
The Best Zion National Park Tours
East Zion: Crimson Slot Canyon Exploration and UTV Tour
Exploring a slot canyon, a thrilling UTV ride and big desert views, all in two hours: this Crimson slot canyon tour with East Zion Adventures is one of the best-reviewed tours in the area, with a 4.9 rating from more than 700 reviews.
Your guide drives you along dirt roads into the backcountry of East Zion, outside the park, to the mouth of Crimson Canyon. From there you hike into the slot, between red walls more than 100 feet high and just 6 to 10 feet apart, scrambling over boulders of 8 to 10 feet along the way. Your guide will point out Native American writings and explain how the canyon formed.
It’s fairly strenuous, so it isn’t suitable if you’re pregnant or have limited mobility. Groups are capped at five, and it costs from around $129. You check in at the Sinclair petrol station coffee shop in Orderville.
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East Zion: Red Cave Slot Canyons UTV Tour
The Red Caves near Mount Carmel Junction are among the most photogenic slot canyons around Zion, but every route in crosses private land, so a tour is now the way to see them. ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co’s two-hour East Zion slot canyons UTV tour takes you across the sand by UTV to both the Upper and Lower Red Cave.
There’s only about a quarter of a mile of walking, so it suits all ages. Goggles and a neck gaiter are provided for the dusty ride. It costs from around $149 and meets at ROAM’s storefront on Highway 89 in Orderville, next to East Zion Resort.
East Zion: 1-Hour White Mountain Horseback Tour
Prefer four legs to four wheels? This White Mountain horseback tour combines two of southern Utah’s favourite activities: horse riding and slot canyons.
After a short lesson at the corral (the horses are well trained, so beginners are fine), your guide leads you along a quiet trail through the East Zion backcountry, with cowboy history and tall tales along the way. At the mouth of a slot canyon you dismount and walk a short way in between walls several hundred feet high, before riding back.
It costs from around $75 with East Zion Adventures. Riders must be at least 8 years old and under 220 pounds, and groups are limited to six.
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Horse Riding Inside the Park with Canyon Trail Rides
To ride inside Zion itself, book with Canyon Trail Rides, the park’s official horse-riding operator, from mid-March to October. The one-hour Virgin River ride ($60, ages 7 and over) follows the river to the Court of the Patriarchs and back, while the three-hour Sand Bench Trail ride ($125, ages 10 and over) climbs about 500 feet for big views of the canyon.
Riders must weigh under 220 pounds. Rides start from the Emerald Pools trailhead car park, opposite Zion Lodge, and you’ll need a park pass.
East Zion: Stargazing Trip with Hot Chocolate
Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, and its night skies easily rival its daytime sights. This one-hour East Zion stargazing trip is an easy, affordable way to see them with an expert.
There’s almost no hiking: you meet at the recreation barn at Zion Ponderosa Resort and walk 5 to 10 minutes to the viewing spot. Wrapped in a blanket with a hot chocolate, you’ll learn to pick out the constellations, and get a closer look through a telescope. On a clear, moonless night, the Milky Way is spectacular. It costs from around $20.
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From Springdale: The Zion Narrows Hike with Lunch
Want to hike The Narrows, one of the best hikes in Zion, without worrying about gear or logistics? This full-day guided Narrows hike with Zion Guide Hub takes care of everything.
You’re fitted with waterproof boots, neoprene socks and a walking pole in Springdale (plus dry suits and jackets in the colder months), then driven into the park to the Temple of Sinawava. You’ll spend around six hours wading up the Virgin River between towering striped walls, past alcoves and hanging gardens, with a packed lunch along the way.
It lasts about eight hours and costs from around $325, including the park entrance fee, transport and lunch. Groups are capped at 13.
Book Your Spot on The Zion Narrows Hike
Springdale: Angels Landing Guided Hike with Permit
Hiking Angels Landing beyond Scout Lookout requires a permit from the park’s lottery, so getting one is never guaranteed. Book this guided Angels Landing hike and the permit comes with it.
Zion Guide Hub’s guides lead you up the switchbacks and along the chains to the summit, around 7.5 hours in total, from around $293. The park entrance fee isn’t included, so buy your pass before you go.
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Springdale: Half-Day Canyoneering Experience
Fancy abseiling into a slot canyon? This half-day canyoneering experience from Springdale is designed for all levels, including complete beginners, with ropes, helmets, transport and instruction included.
Because of park rules, guided canyoneering takes place just outside Zion. The tour lasts about four hours and costs from around $210, with a perfect 5.0 rating.
Book Your Canyoneering Experience
Zion National Park: 10- or 20-Minute Scenic Helicopter Tour
For a different perspective, take to the skies. This scenic helicopter tour with Zion Helicopters takes off from Virgin, just west of Springdale, and flies along the park’s southwest edge.
Flights last 10 or 20 minutes, with narration from your pilot, and take in the Virgin River valley, the towering West Temple and the volcanic landscape around Crater Hill. The flights don’t go over Zion Canyon itself. Prices start at around $129, and seats are assigned by weight.
Book Your Seat on This Scenic Helicopter Tour
From Springdale: 4-Hour Zion Canyon Scenic Hiking Tour
If you want a guide but the freedom to choose your route, this private Zion Canyon scenic hiking tour with Zion Guide Hub is a great option.
You meet your guide via the free park shuttle and decide together on the day: several short and moderate hikes, or one longer, tougher trail, depending on your fitness. Along the way your guide explains the geology, plants, wildlife and history of the canyon. It lasts about four hours and costs from around $210, including the park entrance fee.
Book Your Zion Canyon Hiking Tour
From Springdale: Zion Sunset Bike or E-Bike Tour
Cycling is a brilliant way to see Zion Canyon, and this three-hour sunset bike tour with Zion Guide Hub follows the Pa’rus Trail and the Scenic Drive, timed to catch the Watchman glowing at sunset.
You can choose a pedal bike or an e-bike (riders must be 13 or over for an e-bike, and there are trailers for younger children). It costs from around $209, with the park pass included.
East Zion: Parunuweap Canyon Sunset Off-Road Jeep Tour
For a classic Southwest sunset, this two-hour Parunuweap Canyon sunset jeep tour with East Zion Adventures heads off-road into the backcountry east of the park.
After a short stretch on the highway, your driver and guide takes to the rough trails, ending at a west-facing viewpoint as the sun sets over Zion’s West Temple, Parunuweap Canyon and Elephant Gap, before a second viewpoint and the ride back. It starts at the golf shop behind the Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge (hotel pickup is included) and costs from around $79. It’s a bumpy ride, so it isn’t suitable if you’re pregnant or have back problems.
Book Your Seat on This Off-Road Jeep Tour
From Las Vegas: Zion National Park Small-Group Day Trip
No car? This small-group day trip from Las Vegas picks you up from your hotel and spends the day in Zion, with stops at the Visitor Center, the Canyon Overlook Trail and the Riverside Walk, plus lunch.
It’s a long day, around 12 hours, and costs from around $138. The $100 non-resident park fee isn’t included, so non-US visitors should budget for it.
Book Your Zion Day Trip from Las Vegas
Practical Tips for Booking Your Zion National Park Tour
- Check what the price includes. Some tours include the park entrance fee, lunch or hotel pickup; others don’t. Tours in East Zion generally run outside the park, so no park pass is needed for those.
- From 1 January 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay a $100 fee per person to enter Zion, on top of the entrance fee, unless they hold an annual pass. It applies to tour passengers too, so check whether your tour covers it.
- Always arrive at your meeting point early; tours won’t wait for latecomers.
- Many tours have age, weight or fitness requirements, so check them before you book.
- Check out our Utah travel tips to make planning your trip as easy as possible.
