Gateway: Springdale, UT (5 min)
Regional Hub: Las Vegas, NV (2.7h)
Accessibility: High (Shuttle)
Difficulty: Moderate – Strenuous
🗓️ When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
🔼 Peak Season: May – Sept
🔽 Low Season: Jan – Feb
Avg Highs: 100°F Summer / 52°F Winter
✅ Must Do: Hike The Narrows
✅ Iconic Landmarks: The Narrows, Angels Landing, Court of the Patriarchs
✅ Notable Wildlife: Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Wild Turkeys, Golden Eagles
⏱️ Time Required: 2-3 Days
🧠 Trivia: The canyon’s name comes from a 19th-century Mormon settler who called it ‘Zion’ — a Hebrew word for a sacred citadel or holy place.
Our Expert Insights for Visiting Zion National Park
Find the right time to experience the best of Zion National Park, a sanctuary of towering Navajo Sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and emerald pools carved by the relentless Virgin River.
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From the geysers of Wyoming to the ancient swamps of Georgia, America’s parks are a treasure map of natural wonder. Here’s your guide to the one must-see natural gem in every single state!
With Expertise on Zion National Park
Not Everything You Need to Know, But a Good Place to Start
The best time to visit is in the spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). During these months, daytime temperatures are pleasant (70s and 80s °F, and the shuttle buses are running frequently. Spring features waterfalls and wildflowers, while fall offers stunning autumn colors against the red rocks. Summer is extremely hot and crowded, while winter offers solitude but colder temperatures and potential ice on trails.
Read our season-by-season guide on choosing the right time to visit Zion National Park.
No. Unlike Arches or Rocky Mountain, Zion does not require a timed-entry vehicle reservation to enter the park. You simply pay the entrance fee at the gate. However, you absolutely need a permit to hike the specific chain section of Angels Landing. You must enter a lottery online at Recreation.gov (either the seasonal lottery or the day-before lottery) to get this permit.
The closest major international airport is Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, which is about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from the park’s south entrance. Salt Lake City (SLC) is about 4.5 hours away. The smaller St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is only 45 minutes away but has fewer flight options.
You need a car to get to the park, but you generally cannot drive in the main canyon. From March through November (and holiday weekends in winter), the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles. You must park at the visitor center or in the town of Springdale and use the free park shuttle to access trailheads like The Narrows and Angels Landing.
Inside the Park: The Zion Lodge is the only hotel inside the park boundaries. Staying here allows you the unique privilege of driving your car into the canyon even when the shuttle is running.
Springdale: This town sits immediately outside the south entrance. It is filled with hotels, restaurants, and outfitters. It is very convenient because a free town shuttle takes you directly to the park’s pedestrian entrance.
The Riverside Walk is an easy, paved 2-mile round trip that follows the Virgin River to the start of The Narrows; it is lush and dramatic (beware of squirrels). The Watchman Trail is a moderate 3-mile hike that starts near the visitor center and offers great sunset views without needing a shuttle ride. Canyon Overlook is an easy 1-mile trail on the east side of the tunnel offering one of the best views in the park.
Emerald Pools can be underwhelming in late summer or dry years when the waterfalls are barely a trickle; check recent flow reports before committing to the hike. Also, waiting in the shuttle line at the visitor center between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM can waste hours. Avoid the “attraction” of the line by arriving at the park before 7:00 AM or entering in the late afternoon.
You will almost certainly see mule deer resting in the shade near the lodge. Rock squirrels are everywhere and can be aggressive beggars (do not feed them). On the east side of the park, look for desert bighorn sheep navigating the slickrock. California condors can sometimes be seen soaring near Angels Landing.
Zion is the most dog-friendly of the “Mighty 5” Utah parks, but still restrictive. Leashed dogs are allowed on the Pa’rus Trail, a paved multi-use path along the river near the visitor center. They are strictly prohibited on all other trails, on the shuttle buses, and in wilderness areas.
The Narrows is a hike in the Virgin River. You will be wading upstream in water that can be ankle-deep to chest-deep. For the standard “Bottom-Up” day hike, you do not need a permit. You should rent the proper gear (canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, and a walking stick) from an outfitter in Springdale to protect your feet and stay warm, as the water is cold year-round.
This historic 1.1-mile tunnel connects the east and south sides of the park. It cuts through solid sandstone. If you are driving an RV or a large trailer (over 7 feet 10 inches wide or 11 feet 4 inches high), you must pay a fee ($15) at the entrance station to have rangers stop traffic so you can drive down the center of the tunnel.
Flash floods are a life-threatening risk in Zion, particularly in slot canyons like The Narrows and The Subway. Storms miles away can send a wall of water rushing down the canyon with no warning. Always check the flash flood potential rating at the visitor center before entering any canyon; if the risk is “Probable” or “Expected,” do not go.
Yes, the Kolob Canyons district is located in the northwest corner of the park, accessible via Exit 40 on Interstate 15. It features a spectacular 5-mile scenic drive and quieter hiking trails. It is about a 45-minute drive from the main Springdale entrance and does not require a shuttle.
The Subway is a famous tubular slot canyon hike. Unlike The Narrows, it requires a Wilderness Permit to hike. The “Top-Down” route is a technical canyoneering route requiring ropes and rappelling skills. The “Bottom-Up” route is a strenuous hike but requires no technical gear. Both require advance permits via a lottery system.
Hydration is critical in the high desert; bring refillable water bottles (there are filling stations at most shuttle stops). Sun protection (hat, sunglasses) is mandatory. If hiking The Narrows, bring a waterproof bag for your phone and car keys. Sturdy hiking boots with good grip are essential for the sandstone.
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