7 State Parks That Are Better Than Zion National Park

Summary

• Snow Canyon State Park offers Zion-like scenery with fewer crowds and easy access from St. George.
• The alien terrain and unique formations of Goblin Valley State Park make it an otherworldly alternative to Zion.
• Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada features stunning sandstone formations and vibrant colors like Zion.

Okay, first things first. When it comes to being “better” than Zion National Park, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In fact, it’s pretty hard to compare anything to Zion National Park, which is home to one of the top-rated hiking trails in the US on Alltrails and some of the most iconic scenery in Utah. After experiencing many amazing things on our own trip to Zion National Park, I can safely say that Zion is worth the hype.

Despite the wonders, there are some aspects of Zion National Park that may leave something to be desired. As the third most visited national park in the United States, Zion very crowdedBecause the shuttles feel more like a ride through Disneyland than a national park bus, this park can be a bit overwhelming. Additionally, the high percentage of challenging hiking trails may not be accessible to every Utah visitor.

Luckily, there are some truly spectacular state parks in the region that are just as beautiful as Zion. With fewer crowds and plenty of unique views, these state parks may even be better than Zion National Park.

7 Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon offers a small glimpse of Zion’s landscape, with fewer visitors

For anyone hoping for an equivalent to Zion National Park, Snow Canyon State Park may be the best state park in Utah.

The relatively compact state park is perfect for a scenic drive, with the road passing all the sights including bright sand dunes, lava flows and petrified sand dunes.

Located just outside of St. George, Snow Canyon State Park is also much more convenient for travelers from Utah, being close to the main highway and a major city with all the essential amenities.

Therefore, Snow Canyon is a very flexible destination, perfect for all visitors, whether they have an hour or a whole day.

6 Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley looks more like another planet than a state park, but this alien terrain is what makes it so special

To put it bluntly, Goblin Valley State Park looks nothing like Zion National Park, but that’s one of the best things about it. Nowhere else in the world does Goblin Valley State Park look like Zion National Park, and that may be why it’s even better than Zion National Park.

Goblin Valley State Park is like another planet. The “goblins” are strange formations left over from the floor of an ancient ocean. The rocks are supported by petrified sand, creating unusual mushroom shapes.

Unlike Zion’s attractions, which you can only look at but not touch, Goblin Valley allows visitors to walk, run and climb through the park’s three valleys at will. The park is fairly remote, so there are hardly any crowds. With its expansive valleys, this is one of the few parks in Utah where guests can feel completely alone.

5 Valley Of Fire State Park (Nevada)

The bands of colorful sandstone in Valley of Fire State Park are something even Zion cannot replicate

That might be a bit of a cheat, since Valley of Fire State Park is located in Nevada. But since the two destinations are less than two hours apart, it’s not surprising that the landscapes are quite similar.

Valley of Fire State Park is a popular alternative for people who can’t get a permit for Utah’s elusive Wave hike, but its striking colors and spectacular sunrises rival even Zion.

Similar to Zion National Park, Valley of Fire State Park is one of the most underrated state parks in the United States for hiking enthusiasts, with its spectacular views and plenty of challenging terrain.

4 Dead Horse Point State Park is a national park with a population of 1,000 and is located 1,750 m above sea level.

This morbid name hides dramatic canyon and river views just outside Moab

The name may not be particularly enticing, but when it comes to drama, even the dangerous Angels Landing can’t compete with Dead Horse Point State Park.

With its spectacular views of a river with a horseshoe bend and steep canyon walls, Dead Horse Point State Park is as impressive as the views from the many overlook hikes in Zion Canyon.

Like many other state parks in Utah, Dead Horse Point State Park benefits from its proximity to Moab, a decent-sized city that offers plenty of amenities (and reliable Wi-Fi!) in a relatively desolate landscape.

3 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Ancient forest trunks and dinosaur tracks prove that southern Utah has more to offer than canyons and red rocks

Not to be confused with Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is as ancient as it is picturesque. One of the best alternatives to Utah’s Zion National Park, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is visually stimulating in a completely unique way.

The remains of an ancient forest lie ready for hikers and explorers. The Escalante Petrified Forest, with its stone logs, offers something that not even Zion National Park has.

As if the namesake petrified forest wasn’t enough, dinosaur fossils can also be found around the park, reminding us of another side of Utah’s ancient history.

Fun fact! Not only is Escalante Petrified Forest State Park awe-inspiring for those who look beyond Zion, but it is also supposedly cursed. Legend has it that those who attempt to steal artifacts from the park are cursed by the Skinwalkers, one of the most famous cryptids in Utah’s parks, who bring bad luck to the thieves. The only way to break free from the curse is to return the objects.

2 Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin combines earth pyramids and river formations and is home to several national parks in Utah

Utah’s desert parks are full of color, and those colors are on full display at Kodachrome Basin State Park, where you’ll find towering red formations as well as streaks of green, cream, and even light blue.

Kodachrome Basin is just 26 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, and in many ways the landscape acts as a bridge between Bryce Canyon and Zion.

A combination of earth pyramids and winding rivers makes Kodachrome Basin both a great example of Utah’s parks and a creation all its own.

And to top it all off, the park also has its own slot canyons, one of the most popular experiences in Zion National Park.

1 Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

The great adventure and the lack of trails make the Coral Pink Sand Dunes an ideal destination for adrenaline fans who avoid Zion

Zion National Park is a land of adventure. From the dizzying drops along Angels Landing, one of the most dangerous hikes in the US, to challenging canyoneering routes frequently plagued by flash floods, Zion knows how to get the adrenaline pumping.

However, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park has plenty of other exciting things to offer, and the competition is just a fraction.

The brightly colored sand dunes are not only perfect for social media highlights, but also ideal for 4WD driving, dune buggies and dune sledding.

Because Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park has no official hiking trails and acres and acres of sand, it’s even better than Zion National Park for those looking for an adrenaline rush.