Zion National Park | Great American Hikes

Zion National Park

Park Overview

Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park protects one of the most dramatic landscapes in the American Southwest, where towering Navajo sandstone cliffs rise thousands of feet above narrow canyons, desert valleys, forested plateaus, and the winding Virgin River. The area was first federally protected in 1909, when President William Howard Taft established Mukuntuweap National Monument to preserve the spectacular scenery of Zion Canyon and its surrounding landscape. The monument was renamed Zion National Monument in 1918, and Congress officially established Zion National Park on November 19, 1919, making it Utah’s first national park. The name Zion predates the national park and is generally credited to Mormon pioneer Isaac Behunin, who settled near the mouth of Zion Canyon in the early 1860s and called the canyon “Zion,” a biblical term associated with a place of refuge, sanctuary, or holy place. Although the federal government initially used the Southern Paiute-derived name Mukuntuweap when creating the national monument, the name was changed to Zion in part because it was already familiar to local residents and was believed to be easier for visitors to pronounce and remember. Today, the park encompasses nearly 150,000 acres of remarkably diverse terrain ranging from the depths of Zion Canyon to elevations exceeding 8,000 feet in the park’s high country. The heart of Zion is Zion Canyon, where enormous cliffs such as the Great White Throne, Angels Landing, and the Towers of the Virgin rise above the Virgin River and some of the park’s most famous trails. Highlights include the exhilarating climb to Angels Landing, the journey through the Virgin River into The Narrows, the waterfalls and hanging gardens of Emerald Pools, the sweeping views from Canyon Overlook, and the spectacular drive along the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway and through its historic tunnel. Farther north, Kolob Canyons offers a quieter side of the park filled with towering red-rock cliffs, deep canyons, wilderness, and significantly smaller crowds. Whether hiking beneath thousand-foot canyon walls, cycling through Zion Canyon, watching sunrise illuminate the sandstone cliffs, exploring along the Virgin River, or simply taking in the scenery aboard the park shuttle, Zion combines immense scale, striking geology, and remarkable diversity to create one of the most unforgettable landscapes in the National Park System.

Closest Airports

St George Regional - 50 miles (1 hr)

Cedar City Regional - 60 miles (1 hr)

Las Vegas Harry Reid Int'l - 170 miles (3 hrs)

Salt Lake City Int'l - 300 miles (4.5 hrs)

Lodging

Visitors to Zion National Park can stay directly inside Zion Canyon or choose from an extensive selection of hotels, resorts, cabins, and unique accommodations in the surrounding communities. The historic Zion National Park Lodge is the only lodging inside the park, placing guests beneath Zion's towering sandstone cliffs with immediate access to the park shuttle and nearby trails, including Emerald Pools and The Grotto; accommodations include traditional lodge rooms, suites, and historic cabins, while on-site dining makes it possible to spend the evening inside the canyon after many day visitors have departed. Just outside the South Entrance, Springdale is the most convenient place to stay, with restaurants, shops, the town shuttle, and accommodations ranging from traditional hotels to upscale resorts. Standout choices include Cable Mountain Lodge, located immediately outside the pedestrian entrance; the riverfront Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton; Desert Pearl Inn, a boutique property along the Virgin River; and Flanigan's Resort and Spa Springdale UT - Hotel Zion National Park, which combines accommodations with a spa and wellness-focused atmosphere. Visitors looking for something more unusual have several excellent options farther from the park entrance, including the covered wagons and glamping accommodations at Zion Wildflower Resort - Glamping Zion National Park and the distinctive wagons, teepees, and other themed accommodations at Zion White Bison Glamping + RV Resort near Virgin. On the eastern side of Zion, East Zion Resort offers particularly memorable treehouses and elevated cabins, providing a quieter alternative to busy Springdale and a convenient base for exploring Zion's east side. The National Park Service also points visitors toward Rockville, Mt. Carmel Junction, Hurricane, St. George, and Kanab for additional lodging. For first-time visitors focused on Zion Canyon, staying at Zion Lodge or in Springdale provides the greatest convenience, while the cabins, treehouses, covered wagons, and other distinctive accommodations farther outside the park are worth considering for travelers who want the overnight stay to become part of the Zion experience itself.

Camping

Camping in Zion National Park ranges from convenient sites near Zion Canyon to primitive camping high in the park's backcountry. The park has three developed campgrounds: Watchman Campground, South Campground, and Lava Point Campground. Watchman Campground, located beside the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and South Entrance, is the most convenient option for exploring Zion Canyon and provides easy access to the park shuttle, Pa'rus Trail, and the shops and restaurants of Springdale; it is open year-round and reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Zion NP South Campground is also located near the South Entrance and offers 124 tent and RV sites surrounded by views of Zion's towering cliffs; it operates seasonally and reservations are released up to 14 days in advance. For a much quieter experience, Lava Point Campground sits at nearly 7,900 feet along Kolob Terrace Road, roughly 80 minutes from Zion Canyon. With only six primitive tent sites, pit toilets, no running water, and cooler temperatures, Lava Point feels considerably more remote than the campgrounds near the South Entrance and is one of the park's most unique developed camping experiences. Backpackers can also camp in Zion's wilderness with the appropriate wilderness permit. Outside the park, campers will find numerous tent and RV campgrounds around Springdale, Virgin, Hurricane, and Zion's east side, including Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort just outside the South Entrance and Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground along the Virgin River. The Zion area is particularly notable for its glamping and unconventional camping experiences. Under Canvas Zion offers safari-style canvas tents in a secluded desert setting along Kolob Terrace Road, while Zion Wildflower Resort - Glamping Zion National Park features glamping tents and covered wagons near Virgin. Zion White Bison Glamping + RV Resort takes the concept even further with covered wagons, teepee-style accommodations, and cliff-dwelling-inspired units, and AutoCamp Zion offers a more modern take on camping with Airstream suites, cabins, and canvas-tent combinations. For an upscale and secluded experience, Open Sky Zion offers luxury tented accommodations designed around privacy and stargazing, while East Zion Resort has an unusually broad selection of yurts, glamping tents, treehouses, tiny homes, and stargazing cabins on the eastern side of the park. For visitors who want the traditional national park experience, Watchman is difficult to beat for location, while Lava Point provides greater solitude and the area's glamping resorts offer some of the most memorable places to spend a night near Zion.

When to Visit

The best times to visit Zion National Park are generally spring and fall, particularly late April through May and late September through October, when temperatures are comfortable for hiking and crowds are lighter than during summer. Spring brings wildflowers, flowing waterfalls, and greener scenery, although snowmelt can raise the Virgin River and temporarily close the Narrows. Summer offers long days and excellent trail access but is extremely hot and crowded, with temperatures frequently reaching triple digits and monsoon storms creating a greater risk of flash floods. Fall is arguably Zion's best hiking season, with cooler temperatures, generally lower river levels, decreasing crowds, and fall color appearing from late October into November. Winter is quiet and scenic, with cold nights, occasional snow, and icy conditions at higher elevations, but it also provides the unique opportunity to drive your own vehicle along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The Zion Canyon Shuttle typically operates from early March through late November, with additional holiday service in late December, and private vehicles are prohibited on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive while shuttle service is in season. Outside the shuttle season, visitors can normally drive the Scenic Drive themselves. The Zion–Mount Carmel Highway (UT-9), which passes through the park, remains open to private vehicles year-round, weather and road conditions permitting.

Best Hikes

West Rim Trail - 14.5 miles, 1,510'+ elevation gain (stunning views, excellent backcountry camping)
Angel's Landing - 4.9 miles, 1,800' elevation gain (
The Narrows - 2 miles+, 100' elevation gain (river wade, incredible salt canyon views)
Observation Point - 7 miles+, 700'+ elevation gain (stunning canyon views of many of the park's most iconic landmarks, excellent sunset views)
The Subway (bottom up) - 8 miles, 1,450' elevation gain (river wade, incredible rock formations, stunning ending)
The Subway (top down) - 9 miles, 600' elevation gain (river wade, exceptional canyoneering, not for beginners)
Zion Canyon Overlook - 1.3 miles, 220' elevation gain (stunning sunrise hike, extremely limited parking, exceptional canyon views)

Hiking to Observation Point: The Trail That Looks Down on Zion's Best

Backpacking Zion's West Rim Trail: Jaw-Dropping Views and Wilderness Solitude

Hiking the Subway (Bottom-Up) in Zion National Park

Inchworm Arch Escalante National Monument

Ten Days in Southern Utah: The Mighty Five & Beyond

More to Do

There is plenty to do in Zion National Park beyond hiking, beginning with simply exploring its spectacular scenery by road and shuttle. Visitors can ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle through the heart of Zion Canyon, hopping on and off at stops beneath some of the park’s most impressive sandstone cliffs, or drive the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway, which climbs through dramatic switchbacks, passes through the historic 1.1-mile Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, and continues through the colorful sandstone formations of Zion’s east side. The quieter Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive offers another beautiful road trip through towering red cliffs and canyons away from the crowds of Zion Canyon. Bicycling is one of the best alternative ways to experience the park, particularly along the paved Pa’rus Trail and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, where cyclists can travel beneath the canyon walls and largely avoid private vehicle traffic during shuttle season. Visitors can also attend ranger-led programs covering Zion’s geology, wildlife, plants, and human history, explore the Zion Nature Center and visitor centers, watch for mule deer, wild turkeys, California condors, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife, enjoy a picnic along the Virgin River, or photograph the park’s towering cliffs during sunrise and sunset. Rock climbing and canyoneering provide more adventurous ways to explore Zion’s vertical landscape, although many routes require specialized equipment, experience, and permits. Horseback riding is another option, with designated trails open to stock use, while after dark Zion’s relatively remote desert setting provides excellent opportunities for stargazing and night-sky photography. Whether cycling through Zion Canyon, photographing the Towers of the Virgin at sunrise, watching bighorn sheep on the park’s east side, exploring Kolob Canyons, or simply riding the shuttle beneath thousand-foot cliffs, visitors can experience much of what makes Zion special without setting out on a traditional hike.

Know Before You Go

There is no general timed-entry reservation. You do not need a reservation to enter Zion National Park or ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle, although you must pay the regular park entrance fee. Certain activities, most notably Angels Landing, require separate permits.
Understand the Zion Canyon Shuttle before you arrive. During shuttle season, private vehicles are prohibited on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, including before the first shuttle and after the last shuttle of the day. You'll generally park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or in Springdale and use the shuttle to reach destinations such as Zion Lodge, The Grotto, Weeping Rock, Big Bend, and Temple of Sinawava.
The shuttle is free and doesn't require a reservation. Buses generally arrive every 5–10 minutes inside Zion Canyon, although lines can become lengthy during busy periods.
Know the shuttle season. Daily shuttle service generally operates from early March through late November, followed by a period when private vehicles can access Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Holiday shuttle service resumes December 26 through January 2, when private vehicles are once again prohibited.
You can usually drive Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during winter. When the shuttle isn't operating, private vehicles are generally permitted into Zion Canyon. However, parking is limited, and the NPS can temporarily restrict access when parking areas fill.
The shuttle restriction doesn't apply to the entire park. The Zion–Mount Carmel Highway (UT-9), Kolob Terrace Road, and Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive remain accessible to private vehicles when road conditions permit.
Parking fills extremely early. The visitor center lot can fill early during busy periods. If it's full, you'll generally need to pay for parking in Springdale and take the free Springdale shuttle to the pedestrian entrance. The NPS recommends arriving early or after 3 p.m. to avoid the busiest periods.
Angels Landing requires a permit. Everyone hiking beyond Scout Lookout onto the famous chain section needs a permit. Permits are distributed through seasonal and day-before lotteries, so don't arrive expecting to simply hike Angels Landing.
You don't need an Angels Landing permit to reach Scout Lookout. You can hike the West Rim Trail through Refrigerator Canyon and Walter's Wiggles to Scout Lookout without an Angels Landing permit; the permit is required to continue onto the chain section.
The bottom-up Narrows doesn't require a permit. Hiking upstream into the Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava does not require a wilderness permit, although water conditions can close the route.
Always check the Virgin River before hiking the Narrows. River flow, flash-flood potential, weather, and water quality can all affect whether the Narrows is safe or open. Spring snowmelt can produce high water, while summer thunderstorms can create sudden flash floods.
Flash floods are a serious concern. Zion's slot canyons can flood rapidly, sometimes because of storms occurring miles away. Never enter a narrow canyon when flash-flood potential is elevated, and check the weather immediately before setting out.
Summer heat can be extreme. Temperatures in Zion Canyon frequently reach triple digits, and many trails have prolonged sun exposure.
Don't underestimate the temperature difference between elevations. Zion ranges from roughly 3,700 to 8,700 feet in elevation, so conditions around Kolob Canyons and the park's higher plateaus can be substantially cooler than Zion Canyon.
Large vehicles face significant restrictions. As of 2026, vehicles exceeding 35 feet 9 inches long, 7 feet 10 inches wide, 11 feet 4 inches high, or 50,000 pounds cannot travel the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance. Combined vehicles also have length restrictions.
The Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel isn't the only restricted section. The 2026 large-vehicle limits apply to the entire highway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance, not simply the tunnel itself. RV travelers should measure their vehicle before planning to cross the park.
Pets are extremely restricted. Dogs aren't permitted on most hiking trails. The Pa'rus Trail is the only trail where pets are allowed, and pets can also be in campgrounds, along public roads, and on other paved surfaces where permitted.
Cell service can be unreliable. Download trail maps, shuttle information, permits, and other important information before heading deeper into the park.
Don't miss the last shuttle. This is particularly important if you're hiking late in the day. If you miss the final shuttle from Temple of Sinawava, you could face a walk of eight miles or more back toward Zion Lodge or the visitor center.
Have a backup hike or destination. Parking congestion, shuttle lines, high river flows, flash-flood warnings, trail closures, and weather can disrupt plans. Zion has plenty of alternatives outside the main canyon, including Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace, which many first-time visitors overlook.

Visitor Center

Zion National Park has two primary visitor centers, along with several smaller interpretive facilities. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center, located just inside the South Entrance near Springdale, is the park’s main visitor center and the best starting point for most first-time visitors. Rangers provide maps, current trail and road conditions, trip-planning assistance, Junior Ranger materials, and information about hiking, weather, flash floods, and other safety concerns. The Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk is also located here and handles permits for backpacking, canyoneering, and other wilderness trips. Visitors will find a Zion Forever Project bookstore, outdoor interpretive exhibits, restrooms, drinking water and bottle-filling stations, Wi-Fi, and the park’s largest parking area, with more than 350 spaces. Most importantly, the visitor center is Shuttle Stop #1 and the main boarding point for the Zion Canyon Shuttle when it is operating, making this the primary transportation hub for reaching destinations along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

About a mile farther into Zion Canyon is the Zion Human History Museum, which is not technically one of the park’s primary visitor centers today but is well worth visiting. Once Zion’s main visitor center, the museum now contains exhibits exploring thousands of years of human history in Zion Canyon, along with displays about geology, plants, wildlife, water, survival, and the communities that have called the region home. A 22-minute orientation film introduces visitors to Zion’s landscapes and history, and the building also contains a ranger information desk and Zion Forever Project bookstore. Outside, the patio provides excellent views of the West Temple and Towers of the Virgin. The museum is seasonal, generally opening from spring through fall, and is served by Zion Canyon Shuttle Stop #2.

Zion’s other primary visitor facility is the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center, located at Exit 40 along I-15 in the park’s much quieter northwestern Kolob Canyons District, roughly 40 miles north of Zion Canyon. Visitors entering this portion of the park stop here to pay the entrance fee or show their park pass, speak with rangers, obtain maps and park information, browse books and souvenirs, use restrooms, and learn about the area before driving the spectacular five-mile Kolob Canyons Road. There is no park shuttle in Kolob Canyons, and visitors should also be aware that wilderness permits are currently handled through the Zion Canyon Visitor Center rather than here. Kolob Canyons Road can occasionally close because of snow and ice during winter.

Zion also has the smaller Zion Nature Center, located about half a mile from the South Entrance. The seasonal facility is particularly geared toward families, offering exhibits, activities, and Junior Ranger programming. For most visitors, however, Zion Canyon Visitor Center is the essential stop for exploring Zion Canyon and riding the shuttle, the Human History Museum is best for learning about the park’s cultural history, and Kolob Canyons Visitor Center serves travelers exploring Zion’s separate and considerably quieter northwestern district.