Zion National Park [Guide, Maps, Itineraries & More] (2024)

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Zion National Park [Guide, Maps, Itineraries & More] (1)
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A thousand-foot deep red rock canyonnested in dramatic surroundings. Whether you are trying to catch your breath while climbing the trail to Observation Point or watching the shadows constantly change the mood of the Court of the Patriarchs, Zion National Park is always ready to quench your appetite for outdoor wonder.

Learn more about these hikes and all the other adventures you can havein Zion National Park, and be sure to check the shuttle schedule for free transportation to and throughout the park.

How to Visit Zion Winter in Zion

Discover the Zion Region

Things to Do

  • Backpacking Find your way out of the crowds into the park’s tranquil backcountry. Explore Zion’s backpacking camp areas, hiking trails, and preparation resources.
  • Camping End your day under Zion’s internationally certified dark skies at any campgrounds within or near the park. Dispersed, developed and RV campgrounds are all available, but make your reservation early; campgrounds fill quickly during peak travel months.
  • Canyoneering Are you looking to add some adrenaline to your vacation? Explore Zion’s most popular canyoneering routes. Be sure to get the details about permits and local guide services beforehand.
  • Hiking Zion is famous for its remarkable hiking trails. Take an adventurous scramble up to Angels Landing or a family hike on the Emerald Pools Trails, among others. Learn more about hiking in Zion.
  • Horseback Riding

    Trot through pine forests and red rock views during a horseback riding tour through the park. Local guides offer rides for every experience level, and are available year-round in certain park regions.

  • Winter Activities With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Zion National Park is a great place to enjoy sunny skies, fresh air and get a little extra Vitamin D in the winter months. Plan a winter visit to soak up the sunshine while enjoying moderate temperatures and a stunning sandstone kaleidoscope of reds, oranges and pinks. Winter visitors will find plenty to do, including hiking, photography and gazing up at the wonders of the night sky.

Hotels and Lodging

Numerous lodging options, from hotels to bed and breakfasts, are available in the park and nearby Springdale, East Zion and St. George, Utah. Visitors may also opt for overnight accommodations in or near the less-trafficked parts of Zion: Cedar City and Kanab.

Where to Stay near Zion

Camping

South Campground and Watchman Campground are the nearest to Zion’s primary entrance on scenic S.R. 9, just outside of Springdale. The Lava Point Campground is further north, about an hour outside of Zion Canyon on Kolob Terrace Road. If the park’s campgrounds are full, or you’re looking for something a little more secluded, there are several campgrounds to choose from just outside the park.

Explore Camping at Zion

More Zion Inspiration

  • How to Visit Zion Looking for the best way to see Zion? Read our Zion National Park guide for expert advice on planning your visit to one of the most visited parks in Utah.
  • Things to Do in Zion National Park No matter the season, there are many things to do in Zion for all levels of thrill-seekers and nature lovers: hiking, camping, canyoneering, scenic driving and more.
  • Zion National Park Hikes Visiting Zion National Park? Here are the best hikes in Zion for all hikers, from family-friendly trails to multi-day backpacking trips.
  • Zion Where to Stay Looking for places to stay near Zion National Park? Check out our guide to vacation lodging at this magnificent park and book your stay today!

Nearby Basecamps

  • Springdale Springdale, UT As the gateway to Zion National Park and nestled along the North Fork of the Virgin River, Springdale is an ideal place to get outfitted for adventure in Zion and numerous other parks, monuments, and recreation areas of the western Colorado Plateau and the desert southwest.
  • East Zion Welcome to the east side of Utah's Zion National Park. Visitors who stay on this side of the park enjoy what is often referred to as the quiet side of the park, and they also have much closer access to other destinations such as Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and even the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
  • St. George St. George, UT St. George is perfect for family adventures, luxury spas, extensive shopping, championship golf and nearby outdoor recreation assets.
  • Cedar City Cedar City, UT Cedar City, Utah offers plenty of great experiences thanks to nearby ski resorts, a national forest, great national parks and a superb arts scene.
  • Kanab Kanab, UT Kanab, Utah is classic American West, surrounded by towering Navajo sandstone cliffs and vistas of sagebrush. Kanab's self-proclaimed title, "Little Hollywood," is fitting for its many abandoned film sets.

Travel Tips

  • For the best experience, arrive early and take the Zion National Park shuttle.

  • Always hike respectfully and carry extra water and sun protection.

  • There are popular hikes at Angels Landing(permit required) and The Narrows, but serious hikers may consider Hidden Canyon, Observation Point, and guided canyoneering in lesser-known canyons.

  • Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway's distinctive red asphalt leads through a narrow 1.1-mile tunnel to lesser-known hikes near the East Entrance. Fee for large RVs, with limits.

  • Follow @zionnps on Instagram and Facebook and visit nps.gov/zion for park alerts.

  • Read these resources to learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Zion National Park most fully.

  • View a downloadable map of Zion National Park
More travel tips for visiting Zion National Park


Weather

Visitors from May to October will encounter highs in Zion from 90-100+°F. Escape the heat by entering the river or stopping in the visitor center or museum. Afternoon thunderstorms occasionally drench the canyon — which can lead to flash floods in the narrowest sections of the canyon. Expect somewhat cooler temperatures (sometimes up to 30 degrees difference) early in the morning and late in the evening, as well as in early spring and late fall. Though winter days can be cold, the park is open, serene and beautiful.

See All Itineraries

Zion National Park [Guide, Maps, Itineraries & More] (11)

01

4 Days

Butch Cassidy's West

For movie buffs, this scenic tour of the state of Utah comes alive with nostalgia for Robert Redford’s iconic film, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and some of Butch Cassidy's real-life haunts.

Film Tourism, Ghost Towns, History and Heritage, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Grafton Ghost Town
  • Snow Canyon State Park
  • Sundance Mountain Resort

See Itinerary

Zion National Park [Guide, Maps, Itineraries & More] (12)

02

10 Days

The Mighty 5: Ultimate Journey

Grab a national parks annual pass for best access to The Mighty 5®.

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

  • Arches National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Zion National Park

See Itinerary

Zion National Park [Guide, Maps, Itineraries & More] (2024)

FAQs

How many days are enough for Zion National Park? ›

Ideally, you need two to three days to really explore Zion National Park. This will give you enough time to hike one of the longer trails such as Angels Landing or the Narrows and enjoy all the major viewpoints.

What is the best route through Zion National Park? ›

The two major scenic drives in the park: Zion Canyon and Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, both offer amazing views of the beautiful and characteristic rock formations you come to Zion for in the first place.

Do you need a tour guide for Zion? ›

A guided tour of Zion National Park is the best way to make the most of your time. You'll not only get to hit the highlights of Zion, but you'll learn all about the park's history, geology, and ecology from your knowledgeable guide who's experienced almost every inch of the park.

What is the most famous site in Zion National Park? ›

Top Attractions in Zion National Park

Angel's Landing is one of Zion's most spectular scenic outlooks; it can be reached only by a very demanding hike on the West Rim Trail.

What is the busiest day of the week at Zion National Park? ›

Zion National Park is a pleasure to experience and a wonder to behold at all times of the year, but there are a few days that entail especially high visitation. These include Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and any park-sponsored “free” days. In general, all holidays and weekends are busier than weekdays.

Which is better, Zion or Bryce? ›

Both of these Parks offer great outdoor activities for all ages. For canyoneering and rappelling, Zion beats Bryce. You'll find world-class hiking in either Park, but in Zion you can find yourself hiking through streams or on sandstone ledges, like Angels Landing – one of the scariest hikes in the world!

How long is the scenic drive in Zion? ›

How long is the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive? Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is approximately 7 miles long. The up-canyon shuttle routes takes about 45 minutes to reach the last stop, Temple of Sinawava. The entire round-trip ride takes about an hour and a half.

Which entrance to Zion is better? ›

The South Entrance is by far the most popular entrance of Zion National Park, and as such, sees the most crowds. Location: The South Entrance is located nearly 4 hours away from Salt Lake City in Southern Utah.

What is the most famous hike in Zion? ›

The Narrows is one of the most famous hikes in Zion National Park. There are two ways to hike it; the most popular—from the bottom up, starting at the Riverside Walk at the Temple of Sinawava, or from the top down, from Chamberlain Ranch.

Can I drive through Zion without shuttle? ›

Since the Zion shuttle only runs during the high season (March through November), private vehicles are allowed up the Scenic Drive the rest of the year when the shuttles are not operating...which means visitors can drive themselves to upper Zion Canyon.

Do I need a reservation to enter Zion National Park? ›

You do not need a permit or reservation to enter the park. You do need to pay the park fee.

Is the Zion shuttle mandatory? ›

Spring, Summer, Fall Visitors

All visitors are required to use the shuttle to travel around the park, including along the six-mile Zion Canyon Scenic drive.

What not to miss in Zion National Park? ›

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is one of four main roads in Zion National Park. Along this road, visitors can access famous park landmarks, including Zion Lodge, Angel's Landing, the Court of the Patriarchs and Weeping Rock, to name a few.

What is the best town to stay in for Zion? ›

Springdale. As the gateway to Zion National Park and nestled along the North Fork of the Virgin River, Springdale is an ideal place to get outfitted for adventure in Zion and numerous other parks, monuments, and recreation areas of the western Colorado Plateau and the desert southwest.

Where is the most photographed place in Zion? ›

Canyon Junction Bridge is one of Zion's most popular locations for photographers. Dozens of photographers in this relatively small area are common at sunset. Fortunately, you can also get excellent shots at sunrise and at night with much less company.

What is a good month to visit Zion? ›

Visiting Zion in The Summer (May-September)

In my opinion, summer is when Zion is at her most beautiful. Everything is so green and lush in the canyon and if you like water, well this is the best time to visit Zion National Park and play in the Virgin River.

Can you see Zion in 2 days? ›

And I can answer: Yes, two days is long enough for a trip to Zion to see the highlights but if you can stay longer by all means do. I'm sure we could have spent a week in this majestic place and still felt like it wasn't enough.

How far apart are Bryce and Zion? ›

Getting from Zion to Bryce Canyon. Connecting two of the Southwest's most iconic national parks, the drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon, spanning about 84 miles, typically takes around 1:50 hours.

Is it better to stay inside or outside Zion National Park? ›

Because Zion is a relatively small national park, it's easy to stay close to the park without actually being in the park. I recommend staying outside of Zion if you want nicer amenities, more variety in pricing, or more dining and activity options.

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