Zion Planning Guide

Important Resources

• Shuttle Schedule
• Current Conditions
• Safety
• Accessibility
• Pets
• Ranger-led Activities
• Fees & Passes

Welcome to Zion National Park!

National Parks are special places that are set aside by the American people to conserve and experience their heritage. The resources on this page will help you learn how to properly enjoy and protect Zion.

Experiencing this desert oasis can be magical, but it can also be dangerous if you are unprepared. Zion is shaped by forces to be reckoned and respected. Planning ahead can help you prepare for scorching heat, frigid cold, or roaring flash floods.

Your safety is your responsibility. Use the resources linked above to help inform a safe, enjoyable visit to Zion National Park.

Once you're ready, Zion offers many unique experiences. You can follow the paths where dinosaurs, indigenous peoples, and pioneers traveled. You can gaze up at cream, pink, and red sandstone cliffs that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Or, you can explore the Wilderness through broad plateaus and narrow slot canyons. The park's unique landscapes, plants, animals, and history will enchant you as you encounter their rich past while enjoying the excitement of present day adventures. 

 

The shuttle system serves millions of visitors each year.

NPS Photo / Abi Farish

Need-to-Know Information

Weather & Closures

Check current conditions before you get to the park. Read the forecast before you enter the park, dress in layers, and bring plenty of water no matter what season you visit. Flash floods are always possible. Trails and roads roads are sometimes closed due to rockfall, flooding, or snowfall.

Fees & Passes

Everyone who visits Zion needs to have a valid pass. If you already have a pass, simply bring the pass and your ID to the park entrance. If you need a pass, you can purchase a pass online or at the park entrance.

If the fee station is not open when you enter the park, please pay online or visit a station when it is open.

Parking & Transportation

Be sure to arrive early for the best chances of finding parking. No matter the time of year, spaces fill quickly. Check out our Traffic & Travel Tips page for an overview of parking options.

Always park legally and responsibly in Zion and nearby communities. Parking outside of designated spots will reduce safety, delay traffic, and harm natural or cultural resources. If our parking lots are full, you can instead park in Springdale and ride the free shuttle or walk to our pedestrian entrance.

Shuttles

During the busiest times of year, the park provides free, convenient shuttle service in Zion Canyon and the town of Springdale. Check the current schedule or learn about routes before visiting.

When the shuttle system is operating, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (the road that starts north of Canyon Junction) is only accessible by shuttle. Private vehicles can instead drive on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, Kolob Terrace Road, and Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive.

Large Vehicles

Large vehicles are not allowed to drive on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway between Canyon Junction and the park's East Entrance. Vehicles that exceed size limits must reroute through the town of Springdale. For more information on restrictions, visit our large vehicles page.

Visitor Center Hours

Zion National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. However, visitor center hours change seasonally. Be sure to check the current hours before your visit.

Junior Rangers

Zion offers a free, self-guided Junior Ranger booklet for visitors who are four years of age or older. You can get a booklet at any park visitor center, or you can download the Junior Ranger booklet to complete at home.

Explore other fun activities on our Kids & Youth page. Programs and activities vary by season.

Maps

Most park maps are available on our Maps page. For other guides and materials, such as our park brochure or Wilderness Guide, visit our Publications page.

An interactive map is available below. To take a closer look at the park, use your mouse or fingers to move around and zoom in on specific locations. The area highlighted in green is Zion National Park's boundaries. Zion Canyon is found near the south end of the park, while Kolob Canyons is found to the northwest.

 

 

Popular Activities

Hiking in Zion Canyon

Zion Canyon offers a variety of hiking options, from relatively flat walks to strenuous hikes up the canyon walls.

Camping Information

Learn about camping options in and around Zion National Park.

Ranger Programs

Learn about the landscapes, plants, animals, and history that define Zion.

 

Other Tips for Your Visit

Make the most of your visit by following the tips below:

• Pack your patience. The park can be crowded at any time of year.
  • In general, fewer people visit Zion on weekdays than weekends.

  • Consider arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the busiest times of day.

• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and watch for signs of heat stress.

• Go Before You Go. Use restrooms at trailheads and shuttle stops before venturing out on trails.

• Plan ahead for pets. Pets are not allowed in most areas of the park. Stick to campgrounds, roads, and the Pa’rus Trail if you plan to bring a pet.

• Ride your bike on the road or the Pa’Rus Trail.
  • Bicycling is not allowed on any other trail in the park.
  • If you are riding in the road, you must stop to let buses pass you.

 

Calendar of Events

Park rangers share their knowledge through free, interactive programs. Check our calendar to see when and where you can participate in programs during your visit.

Some programs require advance registration at a visitor center ahead of time, so be sure to read the details of each event before you attend.