Zion National Park: 10 Things to Know Before You Go

Things YOU need to know before YOU go to Zion National Park in Utah. Zion National Park is big… 229 square miles! Zion's perpendicular cliffs are nearly 3,000 feet high. Unlike other canyon parks - where many visitors view the canyons from their rims - Zion draws visitors to its floor. Elevation: Lowest 3,666 ft and a high elevation of 8,726 ft at Horse Ranch Mountain.

Admission is for a week
$35 per vehicle
$20 per pedestrian

Getting In:
Zion is located in the South west corner of Utah.
The closest major airports are:
150 Miles from Las Vegas
Or 300 Miles from Salt Lake City
Driving time that’s about 3 hours from Vegas, 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City, or 8 hours from Los Angeles
There’s a couple of other small airports closer by, Saint George is just 49 miles from the park, and Cedar City is 60 miles

In the high season Summer & WInter Holidays, you have to take a shuttle in to the park, so you have to park your car in Springdale.

If you want to drive your car in, most people recommend getting in by 10am before all the lots fill up.

Getting Around:

Springdale operates a shuttle service within the town to take you from your parking lot or hotel to the park entrance.

The NPS operates another shuttle that runs on the scenic drive in the park making 9 stops.

Visitor Information
There are 2 visitor centers, the main one in Springdale, and another, the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center is located off of Interstate 15 at the west entrance of the park

Lodging

4 options in the park

3 Campgrounds -- only the Watchman Campground is open year round

1 Hotel, the Zion Lodge -- in 2019 it’s about $220 a night

Reservations for the Lodge can be made up to 13 months in advance. Starting with the 1st of each month, the calendar opens for that whole month in the following year. The Lodge books quickly

But tons of hotels just outside the park in Springdale.

You can also stay in St. George which is about a 45 minute drive from the park.

What to bring:

Everything you need to be in a canyon for day, at least water, sunscreen. You can refill your water in the park at the Zion Lodge, Campgrounds, or Visitors Centre.

And if you’re hungry, the Zion Lodge serves breakfast and dinner… or pack a picnic from the supermarket in Springdale.

Food:

Rositas in Springdale -- pretty good Santa Fe Style Mexican food

Subway:

Yes -- Zion has a subway! But it’s not a mode of transportation - it’s a hiking trail! It’s so popular, it requires permits in advance that are gained through a lottery. And it’s hard! Think rappelling with 60 feet of rope, and swimming through cold murky water!

When to go:

The park is open year round. Most visitors come during Spring and Fall. Campgrounds March-October. There are fewer visitors December - March (with the exception of Christmas break).

What to do besides hiking:
Backpacking
Bicycling
Birding
Camping
Canyoneering
Climbing
Horse Back Riding
Ranger Led Activities
River Trips
RIde a bike
Stargazing and the Sunset
And finally
Shopping -- there’s a little gift shop at the Visitor Center

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[wolfhounds]

Zion is a great park. I usually get a 10 day package deal to Vegas for about $900 and use it as a homebase. I hate casinos so I'm usually out the door by 5:00 AM in my rental car and hitting all of the State and Federal Parks during the day. Zion Park officials are very accommodating and allowed me access to the park after the buses stopped running. They gave me a special photography permit to roam the park at night which was awesome. They do discourage any night hikes which is totally understandable, still driving the park at 2:00 AM during clear skies is a sight to behold. There are plenty of pull offs for night Photography. Two thumbs up for Zion.

[tamarriontaloness]

I am a local, and visitors need to know that Zion lodge is not the only place to get food or lodging.
You have lots of motels and restaraunts in springdale,
Or if you want to save money go to either laverkin or hurricane which is only 30 minutes away from the park.
And they have restaurants and groceries just down the street,
And its not expensive like springdale or zion lodge.
Hurricane and laverkin have nice motels like motel 6, clarion, windam resorts, best western, ect.
You name it its here.
From Really nice restaurants to fast
food.
Also 4 wheeler rentals, guided tours,
River tubing in springdale.
Helicopter tours and lots more.

Yes watch the weather for flash floods, but its really safe most of the year.
As a local that has lived here his life,
I have to say that it is an awesome place to be, and a great place to raise children.
The crime is extremely low, and the people are really good people.

[The_man_with_the_plan]

Bonus tip: If you stumble upon some Legionaries don't ask about the name Joshua Graham.

[simonbroddle]

We stayed at the Arrowhead Cabins at Mt Carmel, UT. Lovely cabins and a great breakfast and nice and close to Zion and Bryce Canyon. A great location right in the middle of the Utah parks area.

[marymary]

A fabulous lodging option is Under Canvas, Zion - a Glamping set-up. A campsite with large tents containing king sized beds with private bathrooms.

[LoganCharlesII]

An easy way to get there is to take a vacation to Las Vegas and then go to Zion by riding a shuttle that goes from one of the Vegas tour companies to Zion. The one I went on also took me to Bryce Canyon National Park. You just have to be prepared to spend the whole day in Utah.

[firestepher]

As a native Utahn I strongly suggest you DO NOT go to Zion during the summer. It's too crowded and HOT!!! I would recommend going in the off season months. Also don't forget to check out the other National Parks as well. Arches, Canyonlands, and Bryce Canyon. Southern Utah has some of the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery.

[dianacarter]

We locals love seeing the excitement visitors have when experiencing the beauty and sense of peace of the park. Be sure to visit the other attractions outside of the park as there are many. Also you may not want to mispronounce Zions as non locals pronounce it Zi-Ons while locals pronounce it as Zi-Uns. There's much to see and enjoy!

[carncats]

I'm Australian and I visited Zion N.P in September 2017. Loved it. I'm pretty sure that the restaurant there was where they had all you can make and eat tacos for lunch.

[openmythirdeye]

The first is you better arrive very early, or you won't find parking. Invest in quality hiking shoes.
If angels landing seems too scary to climb, try the observation point ( 8 miles), or the canyon overlook (if you aren't in great shape). Observation point was the best for me, plus walking through echo canyon was amazing too.

[FranticMonster]

Visited Zion in October on my first trip to America.... absolutely loved it!!! Can't wait to go back to the USA

[RickW]

Love Zion! Been twice on day trips from Las Vegas!

[Simonofcalifornia]

There’s no better feeling then walking the narrows in summer. $25 to public park in stingy town Springdale.

[robertace]

It's free parking if you have a national park pass

[JT_]

There are plenty of places to stay in nearby LaVerkin, Hurricane and St George. It’s an easy 20 mile or so drive from Hurricane. Get there early to beat the lines and park in the Visitor’s Center lot. Street parking in nearby Springdale is $30. If thinking about hiking to Angel’s Landing check out some YouTube videos first. Food at the lodge is outrageously priced and service is very slow. If the water level (volume) is high the narrows are closed to hiking. Emerald Pool is a nice, fairly easy hike. Take the shuttle to the last stop, #9, hike that trail (& the narrows, if open) then work your way back. Late April is a great time to go - no crowds, plenty of free parking early in the day, good weather. Don’t miss the Canyon Overlook Trail just outside the tunnel but good luck finding parking on the side of Hwy 9.

[ThatOneGuy-gdzr]

I leave on a solo trip to Zion in 6 days and I couldn’t be more excited .

[james_the_darklord]

I visited Zion 3 years ago with some friends to hike the Narrows trail. Instead of staying at a smelly cigarette hotel in Las Vegas which I don't like, we rented a cabin in one of the small towns called Tropic near Bryce Canyon in which we also hiked. Inside the park we just parked along the main road and it's free, we did not pay a parking fee. The best way to visit Utah is by driving around on a road trip.

[shawnws]

We just went, drove right in and parked after doing our own 20 minute drive, then went back and rode the shuttles and the last Stop is Gorgeous! 1200 year old water, sooo peaceful especially at 5 pm when the sun is going down! 🥰🥰🥰

[kelleyhice]

Canyon Overlook is easy to miss. Trailhead is on the north side of the road, parking is on the south side. In other words, you park and cross the street unlike your usual turnout. The tunnel entrance/exit and traffic stop all come together there too. I was paying attention to the rangers and the tunnel and missed the sign for Canyon Overlook trail, then had to go all the way through the tunnel and turn around.
You can drive through the park and see a lot without riding the shuttle.

[j.r.]

This was so helpful for my trip in October! Please do more of the National Parks (Bryce Canyon NP, Death Valley NP, Grand Canyon NP, Monument Valley)! I love your videos and appreciate all of the honest and detailed advice!