Osprey
Day Hiking Backpack
Big enough for a full day's water, snacks, and a shed layer, with a hipbelt that carries the load off your shoulders on the long climbs.
Zion · Gear Guide
What to pack for Zion
Zion runs hot, dry, and steep, and the right kit changes by what you're actually doing — a shuttle-and-scenic-drive day asks for almost nothing, Angels Landing in July asks for a lot. Below is the gear that earns its place, grouped by the kind of day you're planning, with a trusted brand for each and links to REI, Backcountry, and Amazon so you can buy where you already shop. Prices are ballpark and shift often — confirm at the retailer before you buy.
The core kit
Big day hikes — Angels Landing & the long trails
For Angels Landing, Observation Point, or any full day on Zion's trails: carry water and layers comfortably, get grip underfoot, and save your knees on the descents.
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Black Diamond
Trekking Poles
The single best add for Angels Landing and Observation Point — they take the load off your knees on the steep descents and steady you on the exposed switchbacks.
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Salomon
Trail Runners
Grippy and light for Zion's slickrock and sandy trails; most day hikers here don't need a heavy boot.
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Hydro Flask
Insulated Water Bottle
Keeps water cold in desert heat; pair it with a reservoir on the longest days.
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Darn Tough
Hiking Socks
Merino cushioning that fends off blisters on long descents — cheap insurance for a big hiking day.
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Adventure Medical Kits
Hiking First-Aid Kit
Covers the blisters, scrapes, and hot-spots a long Zion day tends to produce.
Desert summer
Sun & heat
Zion bakes from late spring through early fall, and most of the marquee trails have little shade. Cover up, keep water cold, and stay ahead of the sun rather than chasing it.
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Outdoor Research
Sun Hoody
Sun-blocking coverage that beats sunscreen on your arms and neck through a long exposed day — the desert-hiking staple.
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CamelBak
Hydration Reservoir
Lets you sip hands-free and carry more water than a bottle alone — worth it on the long summer climbs where you'll drink more than you expect.
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Sunday Afternoons
Wide-Brim Sun Hat
A wide brim shades your face and neck on the shuttle, the overlooks, and the trail alike.
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Sun Bum
Mineral Sunscreen
Mineral protection for the high-desert sun; reapply more often than you think at elevation.
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Buff
Neck Gaiter
Soak it at a water stop and wear it on your neck — simple, cheap heat relief on a scorching day.
Spring & fall
Cool mornings & shoulder season
Spring and fall swing from cold mornings to warm afternoons, and canyon shade stays cool all day. Layer so you can shed and add as the temperature moves.
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Smartwool
Merino Base Layer
A merino base regulates temperature across the morning-to-afternoon swing without getting clammy.
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Patagonia
Midlayer Fleece
The do-everything midlayer for chilly trailhead starts and breezy overlooks.
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prAna
Hiking Pants
Stretchy and quick-drying for the trail, presentable enough for dinner in Springdale after.
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Patagonia
Down Puffy Jacket
Packs to nothing and takes the edge off cold desert mornings and evenings around camp.
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Smartwool
Warm Beanie
A few ounces that make a pre-dawn start or a cold campsite morning a lot more pleasant.
Light days
Shuttle rides & the scenic drive
Plenty of Zion is enjoyed without a hard hike — the canyon shuttle, the overlooks, the short paved walks. Pack light and comfortable for these days.
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REI Co-op
Packable Day Bag
Packs flat in a suitcase, then carries water and a layer for shuttle stops and short walks.
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Merrell
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Comfortable enough for the Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools paths without committing to a hiking boot.
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Nikon
Binoculars
Bring the canyon walls close and spot the California condors that ride the thermals above the cliffs.
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REI Co-op
Reusable Water Bottle
Refill at the visitor center and shuttle stops — Zion's water stations make a reusable bottle the easy call.
In-park camping
Camping at Watchman & South
Zion's in-park campgrounds — Watchman and South, both near the south entrance — put you a shuttle stop from the canyon. Here's the car-camping kit to set up a comfortable site.
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Coleman
6-Person Camping Tent
Room to stand and spread out at a Watchman site; the extra space pays off across a multi-night stay.
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REI Co-op
Car-Camping Sleeping Bag
Rated for the cool desert nights that follow hot Zion days, even in summer.
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REI Co-op
Self-Inflating Camp Pad
A thick self-inflating pad is the difference between sleeping and lying awake on hard campground ground.
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Coleman
Two-Burner Camp Stove
Two burners cook a real camp breakfast before you catch the early shuttle.
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YETI
Hard Cooler
Holds ice for days in the heat — the one piece of camp gear Zion's climate really tests.
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Black Diamond
Headlamp
Hands-free light for the campsite and any pre-dawn start to beat the crowds and the heat.
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REI Co-op
Camp Chair
Somewhere to sit out the hot mid-afternoon at camp before the evening cools off.
With kids
Hiking Zion with kids
Zion is one of the most family-friendly big parks — the Riverside Walk and lower Emerald Pools suit small legs. A little kid-specific gear keeps everyone comfortable and moving.
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Osprey
Child Hiking Carrier
Carries a toddler in comfort on the paved walks and easy trails when their legs give out.
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REI Co-op
Kids Daypack
Lets an older kid carry their own water and snacks — and feel part of the hike.
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Merrell
Kids Hiking Shoes
Grippy, durable shoes for scrambling around the river and the trails.
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Sunday Afternoons
Kids Sun Hat
Shade for small faces under the strong Zion sun, on the trail or the shuttle.
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Adventure Medical Kits
Family First-Aid Kit
A family-sized kit for the scrapes that come with kids on slickrock.
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