4 Days Overlanding Zion National Park and Valley of the Gods, UT

This 4 day overlanding itinerary links the canyon trails of Zion National Park with the remote red rock spires of Valley of the Gods in southern Utah. Travelers start with an easy hike along the Virgin River and a sunset climb to Watchman Overlook, then drive east to Goosenecks State Park before tackling the 17 mile unpaved Valley of the Gods loop and camping on BLM land beneath dark skies. The return leg passes through the historic Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel with a stop at Canyon Overlook, and the final day explores Weeping Rock and the Riverside Walk before wrapping up at the park visitor center. The trip is rated easy and suits a full size overlanding truck such as a Chevrolet Silverado 3500.

Built stop by stop, not written as an article.

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Days
4
Stops
33
Driving
318 mi
On foot
11.9 mi
Overnights
2
Level
easy

Published by Xploreum · September 2026

ARE YOU XPLORER MATERIAL?

The average Xplorer every year...

  • Sleeps outside 24 nights

  • Explores 1,800 miles

  • Covers 500 miles on foot, skis, bikes, boats and trails

  • Experiences a 120°F temperature difference

  • Discovers 18 new places

  • Does something for the first time 18 times

  • Sees the Milky Way 11 nights

  • Takes 6 people on their first adventure

  • Spends 240 hours away from notifications

  • Creates stories remembered for decades

The shape of it

How the route moves

4 days and 33 stops, covering 318 mi of driving, 11.9 mi on foot. Every distance comes from the route records behind this Xpedition.

Route overview map for 4 Days Overlanding Zion National Park and Valley of the Gods, UT: 33 stops from Zion National Park Visitor Center to Zion National Park Visitor Center.

Route overview, not navigation

Start: Zion National Park Visitor CenterEnd: Zion National Park Visitor Center33 numbered stops, in itinerary order© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Stops are shown at place level. Each leg is coloured by the travel mode we infer from the stops at either end, then drawn along that network: blue for driving and magenta for walking. The mode is our inference, not a confirmed record of how the route was travelled. A grey dashed leg is one we could not route, shown as a straight overview instead. This is an overview of the route, not a turn-by-turn track, and it is not suitable for navigation.

The itinerary

Day by day

All 33 stops, free to read. Every day is editable once the route is yours.

Tree-lined river flows beneath towering red and cream sandstone cliffs in Zion National Park.

Photo by Yannick Menard on Unsplash

Day 1

Virgin River Trails and Sunset at Watchman Overlook

  • 3.7 mi drive
  • 6 mi on foot

Begin at the Zion National Park Visitor Center, where you can purchase a 7 day vehicle pass and pick up trail maps. From there, drive a short distance to the Pa'rus Trailhead and set out on the paved, flat Pa'rus Trail, a 3.5 mile round trip shaded by cottonwoods as it follows the Virgin River. After the hike, head into Springdale for a meal at a local restaurant known for Mexican inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, and patio seating. Settle in for the night at Watchman Campground, an NPS campground inside the park with tent sites, restrooms, and evening amphitheater programs. Before dark, drive to the nearby Watchman Trailhead for a 3.3 mile round trip hike with about 368 feet of elevation gain, climbing to an overlook above Springdale for panoramic canyon views at sunset. Return to Watchman Campground for the night.

  1. Zion National Park Visitor CenterDrive

    Park entrance and visitor center. Purchase 7-day vehicle pass and pick up trail maps.

  2. +0.3 mi along the route

    Pa'rus TrailDrive

    Drive to Pa'rus Trailhead parking area near visitor center.

  3. +3.5 mi along the route

    Pa'rus Trail North EndHike

    Paved accessible trail along Virgin River. 3.5 miles round trip, flat, shaded by cottonwoods.

  4. +3.5 mi along the route

    Pa'rus TrailDrive

    Return to trailhead parking.

  5. +1.3 mi along the route

    Local Restaurant in Springdalemeal

    Restaurant in Springdale. Mexican-inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, patio seating.

  6. +0.9 mi along the route

    Watchman Campgroundlodge

    NPS campground inside park with tent sites, restrooms, and evening amphitheater programs.

  7. +0.5 mi along the route

    Watchman Trail TrailheadDrive

    Short drive from campground to Watchman Trailhead.

  8. +1.7 mi along the route

    Watchman OverlookHike

    Overlook above Springdale. 3.3 miles round trip, 368 ft gain, panoramic canyon views at sunset.

  9. +1.7 mi along the route

    Watchman Trail TrailheadDrive

    Return to trailhead parking.

  10. +0.5 mi along the route

    Watchman Campgroundlodge

    Return to camp for the night.

Sweeping red sandstone formation curves through the Utah desert beneath a vivid blue sky.

Photo by Mark Nemenzo on Unsplash

Day 2

Long Drive East to Valley of the Gods

  • 161 mi drive
  • Night: Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping, BLM Land','total_km_driven':521.8,

Break camp early at Watchman Campground and grab breakfast before the long drive east. The route leads to Goosenecks State Park, where the San Juan River has carved dramatic meanders roughly 1,000 feet deep, viewable via a short walk to the overlook. From there, continue to the east entrance of Valley of the Gods and begin the 17 mile unpaved scenic loop, an overlanding route through towering red rock spires and mesas often compared to a mini Monument Valley. After exiting the loop on the west side, stop for dinner at a roadside steakhouse in Mexican Hat known for generous portions and character. Finish the day at Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping, free tent camping on BLM land in a remote desert setting under dark skies.

  1. Watchman Campgroundlodge

    Wake up early, break camp, grab breakfast for the long drive east.

  2. +115 mi along the route

    Goosenecks State ParkViewpoint

    Dramatic 1,000 ft deep meanders of the San Juan River. Short walk to overlook.

  3. +11.2 mi along the route

    Valley of the Gods East EntranceDrive

    Start of 17-mile unpaved scenic loop through towering red rock spires and mesas.

  4. +16.8 mi along the route

    Valley of the Gods West ExitDrive

    Complete the Valley of the Gods loop. Remote overlanding through mini-Monument Valley terrain.

  5. +13 mi along the route

    Local Steakhouse in Mexican Hatmeal

    Roadside steakhouse in the area. Known for generous portions and character.

  6. +5 mi along the route

    Valley of the Gods Dispersed Campinglodge

    Free dispersed tent camping on BLM land near Valley of the Gods. Remote desert setting under dark skies.

Hiker rests on a sandstone ridge overlooking the rugged red rock landscape of southern Utah.

Photo by Katie Polansky on Unsplash

Day 3

Muley Point Sunrise and Return to Zion

  • 134 mi drive
  • 1 mi on foot
  • Night: Watchman Campground, Zion National Park','total_km_driven':466.2,

Wake up in the desert at the dispersed campsite, pack up, and grab breakfast before a short drive to Muley Point Overlook. This spot offers a spectacular 360 degree panorama taking in Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, and the San Juan River, best seen at sunrise. From Muley Point, it is a long drive back toward Zion, entering the park through the historic Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel, a 1.1 mile passage carved through solid rock in 1930. Just east of the tunnel, stop at the Canyon Overlook Trailhead for a 1 mile round trip hike with about 163 feet of elevation gain, rewarded with striking views of Pine Creek Canyon and the Great Arch. Head into Springdale for a meal at a local cafe serving fresh Mediterranean and American fare, salads, wraps, and smoothies. Finish the day back at Watchman Campground for your final night in the park.

  1. Valley of the Gods Dispersed Campinglodge

    Wake up in the desert, pack camp, breakfast.

  2. +2 mi along the route

    Muley Point OverlookViewpoint

    Spectacular 360-degree panorama of Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, and San Juan River at sunrise.

  3. +123 mi along the route

    Zion Mount Carmel TunnelDrive

    Historic 1.1 mile tunnel carved through solid rock in 1930. Eastern approach to Zion.

  4. +1.4 mi along the route

    Canyon Overlook TrailheadDrive

    Small parking area east of tunnel for Canyon Overlook Trail.

  5. +0.5 mi along the route

    Canyon OverlookHike

    Stunning views of Pine Creek Canyon and the Great Arch. 1 mile round trip, 163 ft gain.

  6. +0.5 mi along the route

    Canyon Overlook TrailheadDrive

    Return to parking area.

  7. +6.5 mi along the route

    Local Cafe in Springdalemeal

    Fresh Mediterranean and American fare in Springdale. Salads, wraps, smoothies.

  8. +0.9 mi along the route

    Watchman Campgroundlodge

    Return to Watchman Campground for final night.

Shallow river flows through a narrow sandstone canyon filled with rocks and towering canyon walls.

Photo by Salomé Guruli on Unsplash

Day 4

Weeping Rock, Riverside Walk, and Departure

  • 19.3 mi drive
  • 4.8 mi on foot

On the last morning, break camp at Watchman Campground and drive to the visitor center to catch the free park shuttle. Ride to the Weeping Rock stop for a short, paved 0.5 mile round trip hike with about 98 feet of elevation gain, leading to an alcove with hanging gardens. Back on the shuttle, continue to the Temple of Sinawava at the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the gateway to The Narrows. From the Riverside Walk Trailhead, follow the paved trail 2.2 miles round trip with about 57 feet of elevation gain along the Virgin River to the entrance of The Narrows. Shuttle back to the visitor center, then head into Springdale for a final meal at a casual pizza restaurant with wood-fired pizza, craft beer, and an outdoor patio. Return to the Zion National Park Visitor Center to officially wrap up the trip.

  1. Watchman Campgroundlodge

    Wake up, break camp, pack up for final day.

  2. +7.1 mi along the route

    Weeping Rock TrailheadDrive

    Drive to visitor center, take free shuttle to Weeping Rock stop.

  3. +0.2 mi along the route

    Weeping RockHike

    Short paved trail to alcove with hanging gardens. 0.5 miles round trip, 98 ft gain.

  4. +0.2 mi along the route

    Weeping Rock TrailheadDrive

    Return to trailhead, shuttle to Temple of Sinawava.

  5. +1.7 mi along the route

    Riverside Walk TrailheadDrive

    End of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Gateway to The Narrows.

  6. +2.2 mi along the route

    Riverside Walk EndHike

    Paved riverside trail along Virgin River. 2.2 miles round trip, 57 ft gain, ends at Narrows entrance.

  7. +2.2 mi along the route

    Riverside Walk TrailheadDrive

    Return to trailhead, shuttle back to visitor center.

  8. +9.2 mi along the route

    Local Pizza Restaurant in Springdalemeal

    Casual spot in Springdale with wood-fired pizza, craft beer, outdoor patio.

  9. +1.2 mi along the route

    Zion National Park Visitor CenterDrive

    Trip complete. Depart Zion National Park.

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Before you go

What this route assumes

Only the fields this route actually holds data for.

Where you sleep

Overnight areas in route order: Valley of the Gods Dispersed Camping, BLM Land','total_km_driven':521.8,, Watchman Campground, Zion National Park','total_km_driven':466.2,. Xavier pairs each with live lodging options once the route is yours.

Vehicle

Built as a 2019 chevrolet silverado 3500 route, overlanding. Xavier adapts it to what you actually drive.

Level

Paced for easy travelers. Days can be split or merged to change the load.

How this Xpedition was built

Assembled from structured route and waypoint records, not written as an article, and reviewed before publication. Confirm conditions, closures, and permits before you travel.

  • Route structured
  • Distances calculated
  • Reviewed before publication
  • Published September 2026

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