Best Time to Visit
April-May and September-October for mild temperatures and fewer crowds; summer is hot and very busy, winter is quiet and cold
Language
English
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Time Zone
MST (UTC-7), MDT (UTC-6) in summer — Utah observes daylight saving time
Airport
St. George Regional (SGU, ~1 hr); main gateways are Las Vegas Harry Reid (LAS, ~2.5 hrs) and Salt Lake City (SLC, ~4.5 hrs)
Population
the park is uninhabited; gateway town Springdale approx. 600 residents; the park draws ~4.6 million visitors a year
Climate
High desert (~1,200 m at the canyon floor): hot summers often topping 38°C, cold winters with occasional snow
Safety Rating
Very Safe (Level 1) — main hazards are heat, flash floods, and exposed cliff-edge trails
Park Entry Fee
$35 per private vehicle, valid 7 days; covered by the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass
Zion's most famous (and most exposed) hike, finishing along a knife-edge spine with chains bolted to the rock and 450 m drops on either side. A permit, awarded by lottery, is now required for the final chains section. About 5.4 miles round trip, 4-5 hours; not for anyone with a fear of heights. Start at dawn to beat heat and crowds.
A bucket-list hike straight up the Virgin River through a slot canyon where 300 m walls close to 6 m apart. From the bottom (Riverside Walk) no permit is needed — wade as far as you like and turn back. Allow 4-8 hours; rent neoprene socks, canyoneering boots, and a sturdy stick, and always check the flash-flood forecast first.
A network of shaded trails past spring-fed pools and seasonal waterfalls tucked into the canyon wall, starting from Zion Lodge. The Lower Pool is an easy 1.2-mile loop; adding the Middle and Upper pools makes ~3 miles. Free with park entry; a great moderate option for families when bigger hikes are too crowded or hot.
A short, rewarding clifftop hike on the park's east side reached through the historic Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel, ending at a sweeping view down the main canyon. Just 1 mile round trip, ~1 hour, with some drop-offs but no permit needed. Free; a favourite for sunset and far less crowded than the canyon-floor trails.
The 6-mile road into the heart of the canyon, served by a free shuttle that's mandatory most of the year (private cars are barred March-November). Hop on and off at the Court of the Patriarchs, Weeping Rock, and the Temple of Sinawava. Free with entry; ride early or late for soft light and shorter trailhead queues.
A higher, less crowded viewpoint that actually looks down on Angels Landing, reached via the East Mesa Trail (~7 miles round trip, mostly flat) when the in-canyon route is closed by rockfall. Free; no permit needed. The reward is arguably the best panorama in the park — a quieter alternative to the famous chains hike.
A separate, far quieter section of the park in the northwest, off I-15 about 40 minutes from the main entrance, with crimson finger canyons and the Timber Creek Overlook. Free with the same park pass; a 5-mile scenic drive plus short trails. A hidden gem for skipping the main-canyon crowds at sunset.
Fly into Las Vegas (LAS) and drive the ~2.5 hours northeast on I-15 to Springdale, the gateway town pressed right against the park's south entrance. Pick up your $35/vehicle entrance pass (or the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass if you'll hit Bryce or the Grand Canyon later), settle into your lodging, and ease into canyon time with a flat evening walk.
Drive Las Vegas to Springdale(2.5 hours)
I-15 north to UT-9 east through the towns of Hurricane and Rockville; the cliffs come into view about 20 minutes out
Check in and stop at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center(45 min)
Grab the flash-flood forecast, shuttle schedule, and trail-condition board; the lot fills by mid-morning, so this is your scouting run
Evening stroll on the Pa'rus Trail(1.5 hours)
Paved, flat 3.5mi round trip from the Visitor Center along the Virgin River — the only trail where bikes and dogs are allowed, and the cliffs glow rust-orange at golden hour
Dinner at Oscar's Cafe in Springdale(1.5 hours)
Local favorite for green-chile burgers and big plates on a patio under the cliffs; budget ~$20-30 per person
The marquee day. Angels Landing's chained final half-mile needs a permit awarded by lottery on recreation.gov (~$6 application fee plus a per-person fee) — apply weeks ahead or try the day-before lottery. Without a permit you can still climb the spectacular switchbacks to Scout Lookout. Either way, start at dawn to beat heat and crowds.
Catch the first Zion Canyon shuttle (~6-7AM in summer) to The Grotto(30 min)
Private cars are banned on the scenic drive March-November, so the free shuttle is mandatory; the first runs are blissfully empty
Hike the West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout(2.5 hours)
2mi each way and ~1,000ft up via Refrigerator Canyon and Walter's Wiggles, the 21 tight switchbacks engineered into the rock
Angels Landing chains (permit required)(1.5 hours)
The exposed final 0.5mi clings to a knife-edge spine with 1,500ft drops on either side and chains bolted to the sandstone — not for anyone uneasy with heights; turn back at Scout Lookout if you don't have a permit
Lunch at the Zion Lodge / Red Rock Grill(1 hour)
The only food inside the canyon; book ahead for the sit-down grill or grab a quick bite at the cafe
Recover with the Lower Emerald Pool loop(1 hour)
Easy 1.2mi loop from the Lodge past a seasonal waterfall curtain — a gentle cooldown for tired legs
Wade straight up the Virgin River into the slot where 1,000ft walls close to 20ft apart. The bottom-up route from Riverside Walk needs no permit — go as far as you like and turn around. CRITICAL: check the NPS flash-flood potential rating that morning and never enter when it reads 'probable'; the canyon also closes when the river runs too high. Gear up in Springdale first.
Rent gear at Zion Outfitter or Zion Adventure Company(45 min)
Neoprene socks, canyoneering boots, and a sturdy walking stick run roughly $25-55 for the day; a dry pack keeps your phone safe
Shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava (last stop)(40 min)
Ride the canyon shuttle to its end; go early to beat the river-traffic-jam crowds
Walk the paved Riverside Walk to the river entry(30 min)
1mi flat path hanging gardens line the canyon wall before the pavement ends and the river becomes the trail
Wade upstream toward Wall Street(4-5 hours)
Most day-hikers reach the dramatic Wall Street narrows (~3.5mi up) and turn back; current is strong and rocks are slick, so the stick earns its keep
After two big days your legs have earned a slower pace. Sleep in, wander Springdale's galleries and shops along the main drag, and pick a gentle canyon trail in the afternoon when the morning crowds have cleared. The free Springdale town shuttle loops the length of town so you can leave the car parked.
Late breakfast at MeMe's Cafe(1.5 hours)
Crepes and strong coffee; a relaxed start to a non-hiking day, ~$15-20 per person
Browse Springdale's galleries and the Worthington Gallery(2 hours)
Local pottery, photography, and Navajo work; the town is one walkable street hugged by red cliffs
Full Emerald Pools circuit (Lower, Middle, Upper)(2.5 hours)
Shuttle to Zion Lodge and link all three spring-fed pools (~3mi total) — shaded, moderate, and far calmer than the headline hikes
Dinner at Whiptail Grill(1.5 hours)
A converted gas station serving inventive Southwestern plates; the prickly-pear margaritas are a local rite of passage
Today you drive your own car east on the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway, climbing switchbacks through the historic 1.1mi tunnel onto the slickrock east side. Note the tunnel's size restrictions: RVs and rigs over 7'10" wide or 11'4" tall need a $15 traffic-control permit and one-way escort. The landscape flips from canyon to a Dr. Seuss world of cross-bedded sandstone.
Drive the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway through the tunnel(1 hour)
Six tight switchbacks then the dark, window-pierced 1927 tunnel; pull off at the gallery windows are not allowed, so soak it in while driving slowly
Hike the Canyon Overlook Trail(1.5 hours)
Just 1mi round trip from the lot east of the tunnel with some drop-offs but no permit needed; it ends at a sweeping view straight down the main canyon
Photograph Checkerboard Mesa(30 min)
A few miles east, this cross-hatched dome is one of the park's most photographed formations — best light is mid-to-late afternoon
Picnic lunch on the slickrock east side(1 hour)
Pack supplies from the Springdale market; the quiet pullouts here are a world away from the canyon-floor bustle
Escape the main-canyon crowds at Kolob Canyons, a separate northwest section reached off I-15 about a 40-minute drive from Springdale. Crimson finger canyons, the Timber Creek Overlook, and the Taylor Creek trail reward you with near-solitude. Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, so cap the night with stargazing back near the main canyon.
Drive to the Kolob Canyons entrance off I-15 (exit 40)(45 min)
Same $35 park pass; the small visitor center has the trail board and current conditions
Drive the 5mi Kolob Canyons Scenic Road(1 hour)
Crimson Navajo-sandstone finger canyons rise on both sides; pull off at the viewpoints along the climb
Hike Taylor Creek to Double Arch Alcove(2.5 hours)
5mi round trip crisscrossing a creek past two historic homestead cabins to a towering streaked alcove — a quiet gem
Sunset at the Timber Creek Overlook(1 hour)
A short 1mi round-trip stroll from the road's end to a panorama of the finger canyons going crimson at dusk
Stargazing near the main canyon(1 hour)
Drive back and find a dark pullout; with little light pollution the Milky Way is vivid on clear, moonless nights
Squeeze in one last hike before the drive out. The Watchman Trail starts right at the Visitor Center — no shuttle needed — and the morning light on the cliffs is the best of the trip. Then pack up and return to Las Vegas (~2.5 hours), or push on to your next park if you're road-tripping the Southwest.
Hike the Watchman Trail at sunrise(2 hours)
3.3mi round trip with ~370ft of gain from the Visitor Center to a bench overlooking Springdale and the Watchman peak — early light makes it glow
Final coffee and breakfast at Deep Creek Coffee or the Spotted Dog(1 hour)
Fuel up before the road; the Spotted Dog does a hearty breakfast at the Flanigan's Inn
Drive Springdale to Las Vegas (LAS)(2.5 hours)
Allow buffer for the airport return; if you're continuing the Southwest loop, Bryce Canyon is only ~1.5 hours northeast on UT-9 and UT-12
Visa Waiver Program travellers (UK, EU, Australia, Japan, and others) need an approved ESTA (US$21, valid 2 years) before flying; most other nationalities need a B-2 visitor visa. There's no separate entry process for the park itself — just standard US entry at your arrival airport, typically Las Vegas or Salt Lake City for a Zion trip.
The Narrows is a slot canyon with no escape from rising water — flash floods from storms miles away have killed hikers here. Always check the National Park Service flash-flood potential rating that day, never enter when it's 'probable', and get out immediately if the water turns muddy or rises. The canyon also closes when the river runs too high.
Zion's small lot fills by mid-morning in season, and private cars are banned on the scenic drive most of the year. Stay or park in the gateway town of Springdale and take the free town shuttle to the pedestrian entrance, then the free park shuttle up the canyon. Arrive before 8AM or after 3PM to find parking and shorter shuttle lines.
Since 2022 the chained final section of Angels Landing requires a permit (~$6 application fee plus per-person fee) awarded by lottery — there are seasonal advance lotteries and a day-before lottery. Apply on recreation.gov before you go; without a permit you can still hike the spectacular switchbacks up to Scout Lookout but not the summit ridge.
Entry is $35 per vehicle for 7 days, but the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers Zion plus Bryce, the Grand Canyon, and other parks on a Southwest road trip — it pays off after roughly three parks. The NPS also waives entry fees on a handful of designated free days each year; check the calendar before you book.
Get AI-powered recommendations for your trip
Plan a Trip to Zion National ParkTravel GuidesWhen to go, how the Angels Landing permit works, whether the shuttle is mandatory, the easiest and hardest hikes, visiting with kids, and combining Zion with Bryce or the Grand Canyon. A practical Q&A.
StoriesArrive in Springdale, ride the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava, and build up to Angels Landing and the Narrows over three days. A second-person plan that paces the big hikes right.
TipsThe Angels Landing permit lottery, the mandatory shuttle, flash-flood checks for the Narrows, and where to park in Springdale. Everything that trips up first-timers at Zion, sorted before you arrive.
