For Zion day hikes, pack one gallon of water, sun gear, sturdy shoes, layers, salty snacks, and permits where a route requires them.
Zion rewards hikers with sheer walls, gardens, and slot canyons, but the desert setting is unforgiving if you shortchange your pack. This guide gives a list for day hikes and short overnights, with reasons and field tips to keep you safe and comfy.
Packing For Hikes In Zion National Park: Must-Have Items
Gear choices at Zion start with heat, sun, dry air, and steep stone. Many trails have little shade and limited water. Pack for sun, hydration, footing, and sudden weather shifts. Use the checklist below, then scan the notes that follow.
| Item | Why It Matters | Pro Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Water (min. 1 gal per person) | Dry air and exertion drain you fast. | Carry bottles or a bladder; sip often; add electrolytes. |
| Electrolyte mix | Helps balance lost salts when you sweat. | Single-serve packets keep dosage simple in the canyon. |
| Sun hat & UPF shirt | UV is fierce even in cooler months. | Wide brim and long sleeves beat sunscreen alone. |
| Broad-spectrum sunscreen | Exposed slickrock reflects light. | Reapply every 2 hours; don’t forget ears and hands. |
| Sturdy hiking shoes | Rocky grades and loose gravel. | Sticky rubber helps on sandstone; break them in first. |
| Trekking poles | Improve balance on descents. | Rubber tips grip rock and protect surfaces. |
| Layers (fleece + light shell) | Morning chill and ridge wind are common. | Packable jacket rides in the top of the bag. |
| Salty, calorie-dense snacks | Fuel keeps pace steady. | Nuts, jerky, bars; snack every 45–60 minutes. |
| Headlamp | Short days and long shadows. | Fresh batteries; keep in an outer pocket. |
| Map or offline app | Signals drop in side canyons. | Download maps; carry a paper backup. |
| Small first-aid kit | Blisters and scrapes happen on sandstone. | Include moleskin, tape, gauze, and pain relief. |
| Water treatment | Natural sources can have hazards. | Use a filter or tablets; avoid raw river water. |
| Permit (where required) | Some routes control daily use. | Have it on your phone and a paper copy. |
| Emergency whistle | Sound carries farther than a shout. | Three blasts is the standard distress signal. |
| Compact trash bag | Pack out every crumb. | Zipper bags are light and reliable. |
How Much Water And Salt Do You Need?
The park advises carrying at least a gallon per person for a full day. Heat, dry wind, and long climbs push sweat rates higher than many hikers expect. Drink small amounts often and pair water with salty food or an electrolyte mix to keep balance steady. Never rely on untreated river water; blooms and runoff can make it unsafe.
Hydration Strategy That Works In The Canyon
Set a timer to sip every 15–20 minutes. Target a bottle per hour in hot periods; ease off in shade. Keep a backup bottle in the car. If your pack has room, bring two liters more than you think you’ll use; extra capacity is a comfort when the sun bounces off the walls.
Footwear And Traction For Sandstone
Well-treaded shoes with grippy rubber shine on slickrock. Rigid soles help on long stairs like Walters Wiggles; soft road-running shoes feel tender on edges. If you use poles, keep the rhythm on the climb and shorten the shafts for steep downhills. Gaiters keep grit out.
Sun, Wind, And Temperature Swings
UV exposure is strong even when air temps feel mild. A brimmed hat, neck coverage, and UPF fabric beat constant reapplication. Pack a light puffy or fleece for shade and a thin shell for ridge gusts. In shoulder seasons, mornings start cold and shade after 3 p.m. cools fast.
Permits, Conditions, And Route Rules
Some routes use permits to protect both hikers and the resource. One famous ridge requires a timed entry permit, issued by lottery on Recreation.gov. Check your email and bring a copy on your phone. Before any hike, scan the park’s conditions page to see river flow thresholds, weather alerts, and any closures tied to storms or cyanobacteria.
Why Conditions Matter In Zion
Flash floods can arrive with little warning when storms drift over the watershed. The river can jump from ankle-deep to roaring in minutes, and narrow walls leave few escape lines. If the forecast hints at storms or the flow rate crosses closure thresholds, pick a dry trail day instead.
You can review permits and current alerts here: Angels Landing permits and Zion current conditions.
Trail-Specific Add-Ons
Different trails reward a few smart extras. Pick based on your plan and your comfort with heights and water.
Steep Ridges And Viewpoints
Gloves improve grip on cool mornings. A small sit pad makes breaks on rock easier. Keep a camera leash if you bring a phone or mirrorless body near cliffs. Leave drones at home; they are not allowed in national parks and fines are steep.
Rivers And Water Walks
Closed-toe water shoes with a firm sole protect against cobbles. Neoprene socks add warmth in shoulder seasons. A quick-drying layer under shorts limits chafe on long wades. Always avoid submerging your head and never drink from the river.
Food That Travels Well In Heat
Pick snacks that give steady energy without melting. Salty mixes, nut-butter bars, jerky, dried fruit, and tortillas with shelf-stable spread ride well in a hot pack. Pair each water break with a bite. If you feel crampy or foggy, pause, eat, and sip electrolytes.
Clothing By Season
Temperatures swing across the year, so tune your layers to the month. Use the table below as a quick guide, then check the forecast the day before.
| Season | What To Wear | Extra To Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers, wind shell, quick-dry pants. | Warm hat and gloves for dawn starts. |
| Summer | UPF shirt, shorts, brimmed hat, sun gaiter. | Extra water, electrolyte packets, cooling towel. |
| Fall | Long sleeves, breathable pants, light puffy. | Headlamp for early dusk, spare socks |
| Winter | Insulating midlayer, soft-shell, beanie. | Microspikes for icy mornings, thermals |
Safety Basics That Save Hikes
Tell a friend your route and return time. Start early to beat heat and crowds, take breaks in shade pockets, and carry a whistle. If thunder rumbles, leave high points and wash bottoms. Give wildlife distance and stay on signed paths.
Water Treatment In The Desert
Filters, UV pens, and tablets each have tradeoffs. Filters remove grit and many microbes; UV pens are quick and light; tablets are tiny backups. Here, surface water can carry toxins you cannot treat with standard filters, so start with full bottles and refill only at developed taps.
What Not To Bring
Leave drones and speakers at home. Skip glass bottles. Keep perfume and open-food smells sealed; tiny scraps attract chipmunks. Fireworks are banned. Leave large knives and novelty gear that add weight without real trail use.
Overnight Add-Ons For Permitted Camps
If you scored a backcountry site, add a small stove, fuel, pot, and a spoon. A compact foam pad warms you on slickrock. Carry a bear-resistant canister or hang kit where rules require it. Pack a few wet wipes and a trowel for proper catholes.
Quick Prep The Night Before
Charge your phone and headlamp. Download offline maps. Freeze a bottle for a cold start, then add fresh water in the morning. Pre-mix an electrolyte bottle for the first hour. Check park alerts, look at wind and storm chances, and pick a plan that matches conditions.
Final Pack Check Before You Hit The Trail
Stand your pack on the floor. Can you reach water, hat, and sunscreen without digging? Do laces feel snug across the midfoot? Is your headlamp where you can grab it in the dark shuttle lot? If yes, you’re set for sandstone, switchbacks, and big walls. Stay alert, hydrated.