Zion is home to over 200 square miles of stunning Colorado Plateau scenery, but most visitors don't venture beyond the most popular destinations found in Zion Canyon. With high peaks, conifer forests, hidden arches, and remote canyons, the park offers a grand array of places to explore.

This quieter side of the park sits well away from the popular trails and views in Zion Canyon. Hop off I-15 and head up the scenic drive to views of high peaks and parallel canyons cut into the sandstone. Trails venture into the backcountry from Lee Pass and Taylor Creek, providing access to some of Zion's most tranquil spots.

This is as high as you can drive in the park, 7,890 feet above sea level on Zion's northern edge. The road is usually open May to September, granting access to summer views across the Horse Pasture Plateau and into the heart of the park. There are trails to hike and a small campground here, too – perfect destinations for travelers hoping to avoid the crowds in Zion Canyon.

The park's main attraction is popular for a reason. Zion Canyon is a dramatic, narrow gorge carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River, replete with sheer cliff faces and stunning sandstone hues. Park shuttles provide access up and down the canyon during the busy seasons as parking is extremely limited in the close confines above the river's meandering course. Look for rock climbers on the big walls and California condors soaring overhead.

Perhaps the best-known feature in the park, Angels Landing is a soaring fin of rock situated in the heart of Zion Canyon. An impressive and historic trail hewn from the sandstone leads up to the summit, but it is not for the faint of heart. Steep steps and sheer dropoffs await, complemented by a half-mile of chains that serve as hand holds on the exposed spine. Permits are required for all hikes beyond Scout Landing.

This has become the iconic Zion experience: hiking up the Virgin River from the Temple of Sinawava, where the canyon walls draw close and the river usually runs shallow enough for visitors to wade upstream and marvel at the wonder of it all. Summer and fall are the best times of year for a Narrows hike, but it's crucial to be aware of changing weather conditions and potential flash floods.

If you enter the park from the east, the first viewpoint you'll encounter is Checkerboard Mesa. The name of this scenic formation was inspired by the intersecting cracks and crevices that cover its sandstone face. Checkerboard Mesa serves as a gateway to the spectacular landscapes that line the road beyond as the route winds its way through Zion's upper east canyons.

A two-mile hike from the Wildcat Canyon trailhead delivers hikers to a remote and less-visited viewpoint in the heart of Zion's backcountry, halfway between Zion Canyon to the southeast and Kolob Canyons to the northwest. White and red peaks rise above the forest while canyons cut into the landscape beyond.

Part of a collection of spires known as the Towers of the Virgin, the Altar of Sacrifice is a massive, square-topped summit with a prominent blood-red stain on its face. The best views are found behind the Zion Human History Museum, and sunrise often paints the most vibrant hues across the rock faces.