What to Wear in Zion in October: My Full Packing List and Tips

If you’re planning a fall trip and wondering what to wear in Zion in October, here’s exactly what worked for me.

I visited in mid-October, and the weather can change a lot in a single day. Mornings were cold, afternoons warmed up quickly, and evenings cooled off again. Packing the right layers made a big difference.

In this post, I’m sharing my full Zion packing list and how I managed to fit everything into just a personal item backpack. I flew Allegiant to Las Vegas, and if you’re planning your trip itinerary as well, check out my Zion National Park itinerary to see everything my husband and I did during our time there.

Here is a brief overview of my must-have items when packing for Zion in October:

Hiking Backpack – This one folds down into a small bag, making it easy to pack. It fit our water, phones, snacks, and layers during the day.
Portable Phone Charger – These are always a must when traveling to keep your phone charged while on the go.
Hiking Boots – These are my favorite hiking boots! They required no break-in time for me and gave me no blisters!

What is the Weather Like in Zion in October?

October is one of the best months to visit Zion National Park. The summer crowds are gone, temperatures are more moderate, and hiking is much more comfortable than in the peak summer heat.

We visited October 9–13. The week before and after our trip had highs in the 80s°F, but during our stay, temperatures were mostly in the 70s°F, perfect for hiking.

Here’s how the weather looked during our trip:

Mornings: 40s°F–50s°F, chilly enough for layers
Afternoons: 70s°F to low 80s°F
Evenings: Cooling off quickly after sunset

We usually left our Airbnb around 6:00 AM, grabbed coffee and breakfast from Deep Creek Coffee Company, and aimed to be inside the park by 7:00 AM. At that hour, it was definitely chilly enough for a jacket and crewneck. By mid-morning, once we started hiking, I was shedding layers fast and putting them in my hiking backpack.

If you’re visiting Zion in October, keep in mind that mid-October can overlap with school fall break. We noticed slightly bigger crowds during that time, but it was still very manageable and nowhere near as busy as summer.

My husband and I posing for a photo with the glowing orange on the canyons as the sun rose in the morning at the Zion Canyon overlook.

How I Packed for Zion in October

We flew Allegiant into Las Vegas and decided to bring 1 personal item only to avoid baggage fees. I’m normally an overpacker, so I wasn’t sure I could make it work, but I did.

I used an XL travel backpack that’s designed to fit under the airplane seat. It opens like a suitcase, which made organizing everything much easier. It holds more than you’d expect if you pack strategically, and I definitely recommend using a backpack made specifically for travel since they’re designed to maximize space while still meeting airline size requirements.

We were in Zion for 3 full days plus 2 travel days, and this setup worked perfectly for that length of trip. Any longer, and I probably would’ve needed a carry-on.

➡️ For a shorter trip or if you only have a couple of days, my 2-Day Zion National Park Itinerary shows the best hikes and sights to fit into a quick visit.

My Zion Packing List

We were in Zion for 3 full days plus 2 travel days, so this is exactly what I packed for that timeframe. Since I was flying with only a personal item, I had to be intentional about what I brought.

If you’re planning a similar length trip and wondering what to wear in Zion in October, here is what worked for me.

Clothing

1 Pair Lululemon Softstreme pants – I wore these on travel days. Here is an Amazon alternative at a more affordable price.
3 Pairs of Lululemon Leggings – My go-to for hiking each day. I also like the CRZ Yoga leggings from Amazon for a cheaper alternative.
2 Tank Tops – Perfect for layering under a crewneck or jacket.
1 Short-Sleeve Shirt – Good for layering if you want your shoulders covered from the sun.
1 Crewneck – I wore this while hiking the Narrows in October because it was especially cold during that hike due to the sun not reaching the inside of the canyon until the afternoon.
1 Jacket – Wore this on the plane to save space. Early mornings were cold, especially before 9:00 AM. A fleece jacket was perfect. I never needed anything heavier.
3 Pairs of Wool Socks – I like these socks for hiking! They keep your feet warm but not too hot.
2 Pairs of Regular Socks – These are my go-to everyday socks because they go higher up on the heels to help prevent blisters.
1 Pair Compression Socks – I like wearing compression socks on flights, especially if the flight is longer than 3 hours to help with blood flow. These are my favorite compression socks because they don’t feel too tight or make me itchy.
Undergarments
1 Pair Hiking Boots – I wore these on the plane to save space in my personal item. Good hiking boots or trail shoes are a must while hiking in Zion. I love these hiking boots because they didn’t require any “break-in” time and gave me zero blisters. I didn’t bring any other shoes to save space since I was just packing in my personal-item sized backpack.

For three hiking days, this ended up being the perfect amount. I rewore a few layering pieces, but since most of my outfits were just leggings and tank tops, it was easy to mix and match without overpacking.

October in Zion really comes down to layers. Mornings are cold, especially before the sun is fully up, but once you start hiking, you warm up quickly.

Accessories & Technology

Collapsible Hiking Backpack – This was one of my most-used items. I carried water, snacks, sunscreen, my portable charger, and any clothing layers I took off. Since it folds into a small pouch, it packed easily inside my travel backpack.
Portable Phone Charger – Between photos, maps, and checking AllTrails, my phone battery drained quickly. This was absolutely worth bringing and a must in my opinion!
Sunscreen (Face + Body) – There isn’t much shade in Zion. Even in October, the sun is strong, especially midday, so sunscreen is a must. I love this Neutrogena sunscreen for my face because it doesn’t make my skin breakout like some oily sunscreens do.
Toiletry Bag – I genuinely don’t know how I used to travel without this! It keeps all my non-liquid toiletries organized in one place, and it folds up compactly in my bag. The best part is that it hangs on a hook or the back of a bathroom door, which is especially helpful when you’re working with limited counter space in a hotel room.
Liquids Bag (TSA-Approved) – I love this one. It’s the right size, sturdy, and actually stands up on its own. I’ve used the thin grocery store versions before, and this just feels so much better quality.
Personal Item Travel Backpack – I love this backpack made for travel. It opens like a mini suitcase and holds a surprising amount of stuff while still fitting under the airplane seat. I used the XL size on my Allegiant flight to Las Vegas, and it fit perfectly under the seat with no issues.

The start of the Narrows hike in Zion National Park where you walk across the rocky riverbed and are surrounded by the tall canyon walls. — **Narrows Hike**

The view of Zion Canyon and the surrounding red rock canyon walls and green vegetation that you see from the Angels Landing summit. — **View from Angels Landing Hike**

What I Actually Wore in Zion in October

Almost every morning looked the same for us!

We were getting into the park around 7:00 AM, and it was cold at that time. Not freezing, but definitely too cold to start the day in just a tank top or t-shirt.

Here’s what I wore most days in Zion in October:

Early mornings in October are chilly, especially before the sun fully hits the canyon. Once we started hiking, though, I warmed up fast. Within 20–30 minutes, I was shedding layers and by late morning was usually just in a tank top or short sleeve.

Having all my layers in my hiking backpack made it easy to adjust throughout the day.

➡️ For more details on hiking trails and difficulty levels, check out my post on the Best Hikes in Zion National Park.

The jaw dropping view of Zion National Park you get at the end of Observation Point hike which is a great alternative from Angels Landing if you do not want to deal with exposed sections and drop-offs. — **View from End of Observation Point Trail**

The tall cable portion of the Angels Landing hike at Zion National Park with its narrow path and steep exposed drop offs on either side. — **Angels Landing**

What Worked Really Well When Packing for Zion in October

Looking back, here’s what I’m glad I packed for Zion in October:

Layers: Mornings were cold and afternoons warmed up quickly. Having pieces I could mix and match made it easy to adjust throughout the day.
Light Jacket: Perfect for mornings and evenings. I never needed anything heavier.
One Good Pair of Hiking Boots: I wore mine every single day and love them!
Hiking Backpack: Carrying water, snacks, and extra layers made hikes way easier and kept my hands free.
Portable Phone Charger: This is a must since my phone battery always dies much quicker while traveling due to using Google Maps and AllTrails as well as taking photos.

If you’re making your Zion packing list for October, these are the things I wouldn’t skip.

➡️If you’re planning to hike Angels Landing, be sure to check out my guide to Hiking Angels Landing based on my experience since we were lucky enough to get permits! 🤩

Zion Packing Tips (Especially If You’re Flying a Budget Airline)

I flew Allegiant with only a personal item that had to fit under the airplane seat. I wasn’t sure it would work since I tend to be an overpacker 😂.

But the XL travel backpack I got actually fit under the seat. The main compartment opens like a mini suitcase, which made organizing everything way easier than I expected.

We flew in on Monday and left Friday, so I packed for three full days plus two travel days. That felt like the max I could realistically fit in this personal item.

Here are some packing tips that worked for me:

Roll clothes instead of folding to save space and keep everything compact
Pack only one pair of shoes and wear them on the plane (I wore my hiking boots on the plane)
Stuff socks inside shoes if you do pack an extra pair
Use a compact toiletry organizer to keep everything contained and prevent leaks
Wear your bulkiest layers on the plane so they don’t take up room in your bag
Plan outfits ahead and skip “just in case” items that you probably won’t wear