National park · United States

Zion National Park

Go, but pick your canyon: shuttle-only Zion Canyon April–October, Angels Landing with a permit, or drive the Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace roads for quiet. Arrive before 9:00 or after 16:00.Go, but pick your canyon: shuttle-only Zion Canyon April–October, Angels Landing with a permit, or drive the Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace roads for quiet. Arrive before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM.

Not field-verified

Source checked: A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked: Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated: Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Special national site 1919Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

596 km² (230 sq mi)230 sq mi (596 km²)

approximate

Established

1919

Best months

Apr–May, Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

At a glance

Country: United States
Area: 596 km² (230 sq mi)230 sq mi (596 km²); About 229 sq mi (593 km²); figures vary slightly by source (check).
Established: 1919
Best months: Apr–May, Oct
Permits: For some areas

Zion is a canyon you walk into rather than look down at: the North Fork of the Virgin River has cut a gorge with walls 600–900 m high, and the park's best-known trails start on the canyon floor. Zion Canyon itself is shuttle-only for most of the year, so the day is planned around bus stops, not parking. Two other sections — Kolob Canyons off I-15 and the remote Kolob Terrace road — see a fraction of the traffic and need a car.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

Special national site · 1919First protected as Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909; designated a national park in 1919. Kolob Canyons added in 1956.

Size and age

596 km² (230 sq mi)230 sq mi (596 km²) · national park since 1919

About 229 sq mi (593 km²); figures vary slightly by source (check).

Why go

Angels Landing: a 4 km (2.5 mi) round trip up a fin of rock with chains on the last section — permit required.Angels Landing: a 2.5 mi (4 km) round trip up a fin of rock with chains on the last section — permit required.
The Narrows: wade up the Virgin River between walls that close to a few metres.
The Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway and its 1930 tunnel, with Checkerboard Mesa east of it.
Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace: red-rock overlooks and slot canyons with almost no queue.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanCaution
FebCaution
MarGo
AprBest
MayBest
JunCaution
JulCaution
AugCaution
SepGo
OctBest
NovGo
DecGo

JanCold; ice on high trails; canyon drive open to cars
FebCold, quiet; some services closed
MarWarming; shuttle starts mid-month; wettest month
AprMild days; shuttle running; crowds build
MayWarm, dry; book lodging early
JunHot (35 °C (95 °F)+); afternoon heatHot (95 °F (35 °C)+); afternoon heat
JulMonsoon storms; flash-flood risk in slots
AugMonsoon peak; Narrows often closed
SepStorms ease late month; still hot
OctClear, mild; shuttle until end of month
NovCars allowed in canyon; cold nights
DecSnow possible; fewest visitors

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Zion National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mule deer in the canyon and at the lodgeAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
California condor and peregrine falcon over the cliffsMar–Oct	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Rattlesnakes and lizards on desert trailsApr–Oct	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Mountain lion (rarely seen)All year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map

How to get there

From Las Vegas (LAS)

I-15 north to SR-9 via St. George and La Verkin; the closest major airport.

2.5–3 h

Open the page →

From St. George

I-15 to SR-9 through Hurricane, La Verkin and Springdale; public transit options vary by season, check local bus schedules before relying on them.

1–1.5 h

From Salt Lake City (SLC)

I-15 south to SR-17 at Anderson Junction, then SR-9.

4.5–5 h

From East entrance / Mt. Carmel Junction

US-89 to SR-9, through the tunnel and down into Zion Canyon.

From Utah travel guide

Zones and sectors

Zones of Zion National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Zion Canyon	The scenic drive, Angels Landing, the Narrows trailhead and the lodge.	Shuttle-only mid-March to end of October; cars allowed in winter.
Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway	The tunnel, Great Arch and Checkerboard Mesa between the south and east entrances.	Open to cars year-round; oversized vehicles need an escort.
Kolob Canyons	Red-rock canyons and overlooks off I-15, exit 40.	Open to cars; small visitor centre.
Kolob Terrace	Remote road to Lava Point and slot canyons such as the Subway.	Open in season; closed by snow in winter.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions for orientation; the Kolob Canyons entrance is about 65 km north of Zion Canyon.

1Zion Canyon Visitor Center · Headquarters≈37.200, -112.987Map ↗
2Springdale · Town≈37.189, -112.998Map ↗
3Zion Lodge · Sleep≈37.251, -112.957Map ↗
4Angels Landing · Viewpoint≈37.269, -112.948Map ↗
5Temple of Sinawava (Narrows trailhead) · Trail≈37.285, -112.948Map ↗
6Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel · Gate≈37.211, -112.950Map ↗
7Checkerboard Mesa · Viewpoint≈37.218, -112.880Map ↗
8Kolob Canyons Visitor Center · Headquarters≈37.454, -113.222Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.

Approximate positions for orientation; the Kolob Canyons entrance is about 65 km north of Zion Canyon.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsHard3–4 hAngels LandingAbout 8 km (5 mi) round trip with 450 m of climb; the last 800 m uses chains above a drop.Booking: Permit required

TrailsHard3–8 hThe Narrows (from the Temple of Sinawava)Wade upstream in the Virgin River; check the flash-flood forecast and rent canyon shoes and a staff.

TrailsEasy1.5–3 hEmerald PoolsLower, middle and upper pools from the Zion Lodge stop; the upper pool adds a climb.

TrailsEasy1–1.5 hPa'rus TrailPaved and bike-legal from the visitor centre to Canyon Junction; the one trail where bikes are allowed.

TrailsEasy1–1.5 hRiverside WalkPaved path from the Temple of Sinawava to the mouth of the Narrows.

ViewpointsEasy1–2 hZion–Mt. Carmel Highway driveTunnel, Great Arch and Checkerboard Mesa; pull-outs fill in the middle of the day.

ViewpointsEasy1–2 hKolob Canyons overlooksFive-mile road to Timber Creek Overlook; far quieter than Zion Canyon.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related

Entry fees and permits

USD ranges · check

Fees for Zion National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Entrance, private vehicle	US$35	vehicle	Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate (check).
Entrance, motorcycle	US$30	motorcycle	Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate (check).
Entrance, per person on foot or bike	US$20	person	Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate (check).
America the Beautiful annual pass	US$80	pass	Covers entry at federal sites for a year; price rose to $80 in Jan 2025, verify current 2026 rate as NPS fees are under review.
Angels Landing permit application fee	US$6	person	Non-refundable application fee for the lottery; no additional cost if selected. Seasonal and day-before lotteries available (check).
Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel escort, oversized vehicle	US$15	vehicle	Required over 7 ft 10 in wide or 11 ft 4 in tall; valid for a round trip (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Angels Landing chains section permit or guide

Seasonal lottery online in advance, plus a day-before lottery; carry the permit and ID.

The Narrows top-down (overnight) permit or guide

Backcountry permit from the visitor centre; day trips up from the Temple of Sinawava need no permit.

Overnight backpacking permit or guide

Backcountry permit and reserved campsites; talk to rangers at the visitor centre.

Oversized vehicle through the tunnel permit or guide

Pay the escort fee at the entrance station; escorts run during busy hours.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

Nights or days

Entrance, private vehicleper vehicleUS$35
Entrance, motorcycleper motorcycleUS$30
Entrance, per person on foot or bikeper personUS$20
America the Beautiful annual passper passUS$80
Angels Landing permit application feeper personUS$6
Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel escort, oversized vehicleper vehicleUS$15

Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.

A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Zion fees and passes before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Shuttle-only canyon: Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles from mid-March to the end of October; lodge guests with a red pass are the exception.
Angels Landing: No one may pass the chain section without a permit; rangers check.
Drones: Launching or landing a drone anywhere in the park is prohibited.
Bikes: Allowed on roads and the Pa'rus Trail only, never on other trails or off-trail; not through the tunnel.
Fires: Campfires only in rings at campgrounds; no fires in the backcountry.
Pets: Not allowed on any hiking trails (including Pa'rus Trail), on shuttles or in the backcountry; permitted only on paved roads and in campgrounds.

Where to stay

Near the park

Springdale

Walk-in gateway town at the south entrance; hotels, motels and the shuttle stop.

In the park

Watchman and South campgrounds

In-park camping near the visitor centre; reserve months ahead.

In the park

Zion Lodge

The only in-canyon lodging; book far ahead.

Near the park

Hurricane, La Verkin and Virgin

Cheaper rooms 30–45 minutes west by car.

Safety

Flash floods in slot canyons and the Narrows high

Check the forecast at the visitor centre; do not enter a slot canyon when storms are possible anywhere upstream.

Falls on Angels Landing chains high

Use the chains, keep three points of contact, turn back if wet, icy or windy; people have died here.

Heat and dehydration medium

Start early in summer, carry 3–4 litres per person and salty snacks.

Cold water in the Narrows medium

Rent neoprene socks and canyon shoes; spring snowmelt keeps the river cold into June.

Icy roads and trails in winter medium

Traction devices help on the high trails; the Kolob Terrace road closes with snow.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

Time out

Finding the local time zone…

Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.

Accessibility

The Pa'rus Trail and Riverside Walk are paved and usable with a wheelchair or stroller.
Zion shuttles are accessible and carry bikes and packs.
The visitor centre, museum and lodge have accessible facilities; most other trails are rough or steep.

Visiting lightly

Ride the shuttle instead of driving the canyon; it is the reason the road closes to cars.
Pack out everything, including food scraps, from the Narrows and backcountry.
Stay on rock or established trail in the Narrows to limit damage to river life.
Refill bottles at the visitor centre rather than buying plastic.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Zion National Park?

A private vehicle pays about US$35 for seven days, a motorcycle about US$30 and a person arriving on foot or by bike about US$20 (2026 estimate). The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers Zion and other federal sites for a year. Angels Landing adds a small per-person lottery fee.

What are the best hikes in Zion National Park?

Angels Landing (8 km, chains, permit) and the Narrows (river wading from the Temple of Sinawava) are the famous ones. For easier days, the Pa'rus Trail and Riverside Walk are paved; Canyon Overlook is a short, rocky walk with a big view; Kolob Canyons has quiet overlooks.

When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?

April–May and September–October for mild days and a running shuttle. July–August brings monsoon storms and flash-flood closures in the Narrows. November–March is cold and quiet, and private cars are allowed up Zion Canyon.

Do I need a permit for Angels Landing?

Yes. The chain section requires a permit from a seasonal lottery, with a day-before lottery as a second chance. Carry the permit and photo ID; rangers check at the trailhead.

Can I drive my own car through Zion Canyon?

Not from mid-March to the end of October — the scenic drive is shuttle-only, except for lodge guests with a red pass. In winter, private vehicles can drive the canyon road.

Where should I stay near Zion?

Springdale is at the south entrance and walkable to the shuttle. Watchman and South campgrounds and Zion Lodge are inside the park and book out months ahead. Hurricane, La Verkin and Virgin are cheaper, 30–45 minutes west.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

officialNational Park Service — Zion National Park
officialNational Park Service — Zion fees and passes
officialNational Park Service — Zion shuttle system
officialNational Park Service — Angels Landing permit lottery
secondaryWikipedia — Zion National Park
secondaryWikivoyage: Zion National Park, revision 5298354 (CC BY-SA 4.0)