Packing list for Zion Canyon

A general main-canyon day (dry trails such as the West Rim toward Scout Lookout). About a 22 L pack. Angels Landing past Scout Lookout needs a permit. The Narrows is a separate, conditions-dependent wade — check NPS before you treat it as the plan. This day pack is for dry trails. The river list is the Narrows kit. Season clothing for the dry hikes is on what to wear.

Day-hike essentials laid out on red ground: hat, sunscreen, water bottle, snacks, phone, map, and first-aid kit.
Day-hike essentials. A packing photo from the Bureau of Land Management, Utah. Photo: Bureau of Land Management Utah, public domain (U.S. Bureau of Land Management work), via Wikimedia Commons.

Essentials

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  • More water than you think for exposed trails (a couple of liters per person is a starting point, not a summer maximum)
  • Sun hat, UPF shirt, high-SPF sunscreen, and a light layer for wind or a cold river
  • Sturdy shoes with grip on sandstone. For The Narrows, closed-toe shoes you can wade in, plus a way to keep a dry layer
  • Electrolytes / salty snacks, and a small flashlight if you might return near dusk
  • Offline park info, a photo of your entrance pass, and a charged phone — coverage in the canyon is spotty
  • If Angels Landing or a permitted route is on the plan: the permit confirmation, downloaded before you lose signal

River flow, flash-flood risk, and what to wear in The Narrows are on the NPS Narrows page, not in a gear ad. Trail closures are on current conditions.

Water pouring down a tall cliff above the Upper Emerald Pool after spring rain and snow, Zion National Park.
Upper Emerald Pool in April, Zion National Park. Photo: NPS Photo / Jonathan Fortner, public domain (U.S. National Park Service work), via Wikimedia Commons.

Main-canyon day loadout (about 22 L)

Ten slots for a dry canyon day, plus a headlamp because NPS tells Angels Landing hikers to carry one, and an optional dry bag only if wading is actually open. Prices were on the product page on Oct 3, 2026. Blue Lizard and the Petzl page did not show a price that day.

Checked against NPS on Oct 3, 2026: Angels Landing permits (page updated September 30, 2026) — permit required past Scout Lookout; West Rim to Scout Lookout does not need one; day-before lottery runs 12:01 a.m.–3 p.m. MT. The Narrows (page updated September 18, 2026) — bottom-up to Big Spring needs no permit; the 16-mile through-hike does; NPS closes the route above 150 CFS and during a Flash Flood Warning. The "open most of the time" line for 2026 on that page is a snowmelt history note, not today's status. Current conditions. NPS suggests about 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person per day. Two 32 oz bottles are not that. Do not drink the river.

Pack — Osprey Hikelite LT 22

Ventilated 22 L daypack with side pockets and a raincover.

Hikelite LT 22

Water — Nalgene 32 oz wide mouth

Start with two and add more on a hot or long day. Fill at the Grotto or visitor center.

Nalgene 32 oz

Shoes — Merrell Moab 3

Closed toe and a Vibram outsole for dry sandstone. Not sold as a Narrows wading shoe. If you wade, follow the NPS shoe note that day.

Men's Moab 3

Sun layer — OR Astroman Air Sun Hoodie

Darker colors listed as UPF 50+; lighter colors UPF 30+. Specs also say "UPF 30."

Astroman Air Sun Hoodie

Sunscreen — Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50

Mineral lotion, up to 80 minutes water resistant per the brand.

Blue Lizard SPF 50

Electrolytes — Liquid I.V. Lemon Lime, 16 sticks

One packet per 16 oz. Contains sugar. $24.00 one-time seen Oct 3, 2026.

Liquid I.V. 16 count

Sunglasses — goodr Nine Dollar Pour Over

Polarized UV400. Take them off if you are on the chains.

Nine Dollar Pour Over

Headlamp — Petzl ACTIK CORE

625 lumens, USB-C rechargeable (cable not included), also takes AAA. NPS asks Angels Landing hikers to carry a light.

ACTIK CORE

Optional — Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag

Only if NPS says wading is open. Roll-top; the maker says avoid submersion. $15.95 seen Oct 3, 2026 matched the 1.5 L display — recheck price if you pick a larger size.

Lightweight Dry Bag

Want the full shopping list? See the complete Day Hike kit, with quantities and a printable checklist.