On April 4th Shuttle System Resumes Operation in Zion National Park

Date: March 27, 2009
Contact: Ron Terry, 435-772-0160

The resumption of the Zion Canyon Transportation (Shuttle) System signals the start of the 2009 visitor season in Zion National Park. The shuttle system will resume its tenth season of operation on Saturday April 4th. Parks Transportation, Inc., a subsidiary of McDonald Transit of Fort Worth, Texas, operates the shuttle system.

The shuttles operate both within the park and the town of Springdale. The park shuttle loop provides access to points of interest, trailheads, and the Zion Lodge along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. While the shuttle system is in operation, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, except that Zion Lodge guests may drive as far as the lodge. All other roads in the park, including Highway 9 through the park, are open to private vehicles. 

The daily schedule begins with an express shuttle departing the Majestic View shuttle stop at 6:30 a.m. and the Zion Canyon Visitor Center at 6:45 a.m. Regular shuttle service starts at 7 a.m., both in the park and in Springdale. Initially, the last park shuttle will depart at 9:30 p.m. from the visitor center and the last town shuttle will depart the Zion Canyon Theater shuttle stop at 10 p.m. The hours of operation will expand as the summer season progresses. The Springdale Loop serves nine stops, and the Canyon Loop serves nine stops including the Zion Human History Museum and the Zion Lodge. Shuttles will depart from designated stops every seven to ten minutes during the middle of the day and approximately every 10-15 minutes in the morning and evening. There is no charge for riding the shuttles.

Visitors are encouraged to park in designated parking areas in Springdale and ride the shuttle to the park.  Canyon Loop Shuttles depart from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, offers shuttle information, current park information, backcountry permits, lodge reservations, maps, and a wide selection of publications. 

Additional information may be obtained by visiting the park’s website at www.nps.gov/zion or calling the park at 435-772-3256.