Directions

Many visitors to Zion National Park come from Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, or nearby parks.

NPS Map

Mailing Address

Zion National Park
1 Zion Park Blvd.
Springdale, UT 84767

Zion Canyon Visitor Center coordinates (near Springdale)

37.200190, -112.987139


Zion Canyon Visitor Center is the park's main visitor center, and it is where visits to well-known destinations like Angels Landing and the Narrows begin. Especially in summer, parking fills early. Check the Zion Canyon Shuttle System schedule before you arrive.

Kolob Canyons Visitor Center coordinates (near New Harmony)

37.453462, -113.225640


Kolob Canyons Visitor Center is about an hour from Zion Canyon. Learn more about Kolob Canyons.

 

Getting Here

Zion National Park is located on State Route 9 in Springdale, Utah. All mileages below represent the distance from Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
 

By Car

Zion Canyon

• To reach Zion Canyon from the south, travel to Springdale, Utah. The park's South Entrance and Pedestrian Entrance are located on the north end of town.
• To reach Zion Canyon from the east, travel to Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah. Then, drive west on State Road 9. The park's East Entrance is located 13 miles west of Mt. Carmel Junction. Make sure your vehicle is not too big to traverse the highway. Vehicles that are too big will have to take an alternate route to the park's South Entrance.

Other Locations

• Kolob Terrace Road begins in the town of Virgin, Utah. The start of this road is located 13.5 miles from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
• Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive is located located at Exit 40 on Interstate 15. This is 40 miles from Zion Canyon and 17 miles south of Cedar City.

By Plane

International Airports

Las Vegas, Nevada (170 miles)
Salt Lake City, Utah (300 miles)

Regional Airports

Saint George, Utah (49 miles) has flights from Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colorado.
Cedar City, Utah (60 miles) has flights from Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

Parking for Zion Canyon

Zion Canyon has limited parking space, and spots fill up quickly. When spaces inside the park are full, visitors can park in Springdale and ride the shuttle instead. Check the tabs below for parking options. Vehicles parked outside of designated spaces are subject to citation and/or towing. 

Zion Canyon Visitor Center

The Zion Canyon Visitor Center has Zion's largest parking lot, featuring over 350 parking spaces and more than a dozen accessible parking spots. Stop 1 of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System is located just north of this parking lot.

Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors just have to pay the park entrance fee in order to reach the parking lot.

Large Vehicle Lot (No Cars)

Located across from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, this parking lot is designed for large vehicles and motorcycles. Stop 1 of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System is near this parking lot.

There are over 20 parking spaces for large vehicles (such as RVs, trucks with trailers, and buses). There are also 22 spaces for motorcycles. Normal size cars are not allowed to park in this location.

Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors just have to pay the park entrance fee in order to reach the parking lot.

Zion Human History Museum

The Human History Museum has 51 parking spaces, including 4 accessible parking spaces. Stop 2 of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System is located on the west side of this parking lot.

Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors just have to pay the park entrance fee in order to reach the parking lot.

Zion Nature Center

Parking at the Nature Center is limited due to ongoing construction at the South Campground. There are currently 16 parking spaces, including one accessible parking spot. This parking lot is meant for visitors to the Nature Center and its picnic areas. The shuttle does not stop at this location.

Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors just have to pay the park entrance fee in order to reach the parking lot.

Other Zion Parking Areas

Visitors may park in designated pullouts along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway within park boundaries, as space allows. Many of these pullouts are only large enough for normal size cars. Make sure to follow all posted signs. Do not park outside of designated areas, such as on vegetation, walking paths, or in shuttle stops. Violators may be cited or towed.

Be aware that many of these spots are a long distance from shuttle stops or restrooms. Be prepared to walk to a shuttle stop in order to access the canyon. Parking is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors just have to pay the park entrance fee.

Nearby Communities

Springdale, the town just outside Zion's entrance, offers parking for a fee. Parking is available on streets and in parking lots throughout town. There is also designated parking for large vehicles (such as RVs or trucks with trailers). A free shuttle runs during the summer season, allowing visitors to park and ride to the Pedestrian Entrance.

SunTran is a bus service based in St. George. SunTran's Zion Route connects St. George, Washington, Hurricane, La Verkin, Virgin, and Springdale, allowing visitors to park in any of those communities and ride to Zion National Park. Check the SunTran website for details.

Remember to park legally and responsibly in these communities. Parking regulations are strictly enforced, especially during the summer season. Be sure to follow all posted signs.

 

Parking in Other Locations

Kolob Canyons, Kolob Terrace Road, and the park's east side offer designated parking at trailheads and points of interest. Kolob Canyons and the east side both have paved parking areas. Kolob Terrace Road typically has dirt or gravel lots for its trailheads. Parking is limited - make backup plans and arrive early if possible.

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Large Vehicles

Vehicles sized 11'4" in height or 7'10" in width, or larger, are required to have an escort, or traffic control, through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

Beginning June 7, 2026, large vehicles will no longer be permitted to drive the highway between park’s East Entrance and Canyon Junction. Plan to take an alternative route through Springdale.

 

Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

The Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway was completed in 1930 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Its bridges, tunnels, and sharp switchbacks were designed for vehicles much smaller than today’s buses and RVs.

What is considered a large vehicle?

A "large vehicle" is any motor vehicle that exceeds the size and weight limits established for safe travel on the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway and within the Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

• Length: Greater than 35 feet, 9 inches (10.9 m)
• Width: Greater than 7 feet, 10 inches (2.39 m)
• Height: Greater than 11 feet, 4 inches (3.45 m)
• Weight: Greater than 50,000 pounds (22,680 kg)
• Combined vehicles must not be longer than 50ft (15.2m) total. Length from the hitch to the rear axle must not exceed 26ft (8m).

These dimensions are based on engineering studies of the historic highway’s curves, switchbacks, bridges, and tunnels, as well as Federal Highway Administration validation.

Any vehicle exceeding these thresholds will not be permitted to drive through Zion National Park on the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway starting June 7, 2026.

 

Examples of large vehicles can include:

• Motor coaches (tour buses)
• Recreational vehicles (RVs), especially those with tow-behinds or slide-outs
• Dually trucks