The Extensive Guide to Zion National Park For 2021

We have created this guide to help you with everything you need to know for planning a trip to Zion National Park. Here you will find the best places to stay, eat, and activities you can find in Zion. You will learn about Zion National Park weather and the best time to visit, as well as some interesting facts about this beautiful place.

For more than 8,000 years, humans have called the area surrounding Zion National Park home. Today, it attracts nearly 4 million visitors annually and continues to be one of the country’s most unique natural environments – home to a huge variety of unusual plants and animals throughout the four separate life zones: desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest. Once inside you’ll find spectacular geography, including mountains (the tallest standing 2,660 m high), canyons as deep as 1,117 m, monoliths, rivers, natural arches and much more.

The star of the show, however, is the Zion Canyon. Stretching 229 square miles (590 square kilometers) this canyon cuts a strip 24.1 km long and up to a 800 m deep into the crimson Navajo Sandstone. With such a varied landscape that boasts vast open spaces, stunning slot canyons, high elevations and an expansive river valley, Zion National Park will stun even the most seasoned traveler.

Zion is located in the southern corner of Utah bordering the city of Springdale. This makes it very convenient to not only access the park, but also find a wide variety of accommodation options within walking distance to the entrance. The main road to get to Zion is from State Route 9, which connects to Interstate 15 for visitors from both Las Vegas (to the south) and Salt Lake City (to the north).

Here we’ll take you through the basic overview of hiking in Zion National Park – including how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, what to see and what to watch out for.

CLOSEST AIRPORT TO ZION NATIONAL PARK

Zion National Park is most accessible from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Located roughly 275.0 km away, it is also the closest airport to Zion National Park. Another good option is Salt Lake City International Airport which isroughly 480.0 km away. There are also two regional airports: Saint George Regional Airport, about 80.0 km away and Cedar City Regional Airport roughly 97.0 km away. From there, you can rent a private vehicle to drive to the park or hire a shuttle such as the Saint George Shuttle to drive you to Zion. 

DRIVING TO ZION NATIONAL PARK

Las Vegas to Zion National Park. Driving from Las Vegas to Zion takes around 2 h 40 min via I-15 N.
St George to Zion National Park. Going from St George to Zion National Park should take you just a bit more than 50 min via UT-9 E/W State St and UT-9 E.
Denver to Zion National Park. Driving from Denver to Zion National Park takes around 9 h 20 min via I-70 W.
Los Angeles to Zion National Park. Driving from Los Angeles to Zion National Park should take you around 6 h 35 min via I-15 N.
Salt Lake City to Zion National Park. Driving from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park can take you around 4 h 30 min via I-15 S.
Albuquerque to Zion National Park. Getting from Albuquerque to Zion National Park takes around 8 h via I-40 W.

ZION NATIONAL PARK WEATHER

Zion National Park experiences all four seasons, however winters are relatively mild (more chilly and wet) and little snow tend to fall on the canyon. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall, when temperatures range from average lows in the 40s F (single digits C) to highs in the 80s F (upper 20s to low 30s C). Keep in mind that during these seasons, Zion National Park weather conditions can vary greatly, with spring tending to be wetter at times and fall more dry and cool.

During summer, average temperatures can hover above 100 F (38 C) and thus hiking may not only be unpleasant, but even unsafe during mid day. If you do visit in summer, however, we recommend hiking in the early mornings, especially because afternoon thunderstorms are frequent during July and August.

To avoid the crowds, the best times to visit are again the spring and fall. During the summer, there tends to be the most visitors, especially because kids are out of school for the season. Accommodation prices also tend to be the highest during this time.

Average precipitation and weather in Zion National Park:

Average monthly temperatures in Zion National Park

HOW TO GET AROUND IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

To combat limited parking and reduce the environmental impacts of road traffic, the park authorities introduced The Zion National Park shuttle. The Zion shuttle system that runs from March to November each year. Free shuttles leave the visitor’s centers roughly every 15 min from 7 am to 6:45 pm every day. For more information and Zion shuttle schedule, click here.

Taylor Creek Trail is a must-visit place in Zion National Park

Visiting Pa'rus Trail is a must-do in Zion National Park

ZION NATIONAL PARK MAP

You can download this high-resolution Zion National Park Map by using the following link: Zion National Park Map

Map of hiking in Zion National Park, Utah

WHERE TO STAY IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

Zion National Park Hotel

The Zion Lodge is an only hotel-style option open inside the park itself. Located roughly halfway up the canyon and open throughout the year, they offer a variety of options including suites, motel rooms and cabins. The lodge was originally built in the 1920s, and today features an authentic rustic design. But as the only lodging in the park – it fills up very quickly! Make sure to make your reservations far in advance.

Zion National Park campgrounds

Zion also features three campgrounds: South and Watchman Campground in Zion Canyon and Lava Point Campground on the Kolob Terrace Road. Reservations are possible, but getting there early will give you the best chance of securing a place to sleep if you didn’t manage to plan ahead.

Find a Hotel in Zion National Park

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Hotels near Zion National Park

Outside of the park, you’ll also find a variety of lodging options, especially budget chain motels, small bed and breakfasts and a few historic homes. Right on the border of the park, you’ll find the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Stretching 4,000 acres just minutes from the eastern entrance, you’ll find a huge variety of lodging options and activities – from tents and RV parks to cabins, suites and luxury vacation rental homes. They also offer adventures such as ATVs, zip lining, canyoneering, a two-tiered outdoor pool and much more.

Free Camping Near Zion National Park

There is one last option if you did not manage to get a spot in the campgrounds or the nearby hotels (and this can happen during the summer high-season) - free camping near Zion National Park. Yes, that’s right, there are BLM controlled lands nearby, where you can camp for free. Some people do that when they don’t find anything else in the park, others to save money. But bear in mind that you are responsible for your own safety out there.

The free BLM camping near Zion is by the Toquerville Falls, spread along the Verkin Creek. Click this link to see the approximate location. Just look for the other tents.

Canyon Overlook Hike in Zion National Park is a must-do for every hiker in Utah

Every hiker should do Hidden Canyon hike while in Zion National Park

ZION NATIONAL PARK RESTAURANTS

Within the park, eating options are available solely at the Zion Lodge. The Red Rock Grill is open all year long for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They feature beautiful views of the canyon and varied menu to suit all tastes. The more casual Castle Dome Café is located just next to the lodge and has a large patio to accommodate up to 100 guests. They serve a variety of snack-bar type foods as well as craft beers, coffee and more.

If you’re looking to pick up food for a picnic, there are no stores located within the park. Just outside the south entrance, however, in the town of Springdale, you’ll find shops, bakeries and delis.

Your trip to Zion National Park is not complete without hiking in the Narrows

East Rim Trail must be included in planning your trip to Zion National Park

THINGS TO DO IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

There’s a lot more things to do besides tackling the best hikes in Zion National Park. Featuring spectacular canyons, 610 m sandstone cliffs and two large boulders, canyoneering and climbing are two very popular activities in Zion. Many of the routes are difficult to manage and thus not suitable for inexperienced climbers. You must obtain a permit for both activities and make sure to stay up to date on route closures. It’s also possible to join a guided tour or obtain equipment with companies such as Zion Rock Guides, Zion Adventure Company and Zion Guru.

To stay firmly on the ground, check out another popular way to explore the park – on horseback. Access is available with guided tours from Canyon Rides. Or you may way to take a swifter route – the river! Watercraft use on the Virgin River requires a wilderness permit, but is a great way to see the park while staying cool.

Zion National Park also boasts more than 200 species of birds. Spectacular species such as the Peregrine falcon, the California condor, the Mexican spotted owl, and the bald eagle are all found within the park’s boundaries. For more information on bird spotting in Zion, click here.

For a taste of history, check out the Zion Human History Museum located roughly a 0.8 km north of the park’s South Entrance. Here you can learn more about the previous inhabitants of the area including Native Americans and pioneers as well as the effects of water on Zion.

Emerald pools hike is a great way to spend time in Zion National Park

Weeping Wall in Zion National Park is a must-see place

DANGERS IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

• Flash flooding can occur at any time of the year, though it is most common in July, August and September, especially in the narrow canyon areas.
• Summer heat regularly reaches above 100 F (38 C) – avoid heat-related illnesses by drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, don’t hike in the middle of the day and eat well before a hike.
• Wildlife such as mountain lions or poisonous snakes can be potentially dangerous. Never approach, touch or feed animals.
• Loose pebbles or stones are present on trails and steep cliffs have resulted in the deaths of hikers before. Always stay on trails and observe posted warnings.
• Water must be boiled before drinking.

ZION NATIONAL PARK FACTS

• Phone coverage. Cell phone coverage may be unavailable while hiking, have a backup way to communicate.
• Zion National Park entrance fees. The cost of Zion National Park entrance fees are is $35 per week for private car/truck and $30 per week for a motorcycle, and $20 per week for pedestrians. You can also get the Zion Park Pass for $50 or America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass for $80.
• How big is Zion National Park? The size of Zion National Park is 229 square-miles.
• Zion name meaning. Zion, in ancient Hebrew, means sanctuary or refuge. This name was given to the land by the first Mormon settlers.
• Cliff dwellings in Zion National Park. The cliff dwellings, as well as rock art, were left by the Anasazi, who were the original occupants of Zion Canyon. The cliff dwellings we see today are between 800 and 1,500 years old.
• Zion National Park animals. There are 289 species of birds, 8 species of fish, 32 species of reptiles and amphibians and 79 different species of mammals in Zion National Park, including mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions and coyotes.
• What else do I need to know before visiting Zion? Check out the 7 tips you should know before visiting Zion National Park to be even more prepared.