Visiting Zion National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year

Zion National Park is open all year round (though services are more limited in winter), so you can visit it at any time of the year.  However, if you are wondering when to visit Zion National Park, it is useful to know what to expect each season throughout the year. 

The best time to go to Zion will depend on several factors including the weather, the crowds and the trails.

I’m James and I’m a national park expert. In this guide, I’ll go into detail for each season about exactly what to expect, so you can plan a trip that suits your needs.

If you just want a quick snapshot about my thoughts on the best time to visit Zion National Park, check out my Best Time to Go To Zion National Park guide. 

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Spring in Zion National Park (March – May) 

Is spring the best time of the year to visit Zion National Park? 

As spring starts, temperatures become comfortable, the winter snows start to melt and things start to open up more.  Wildflowers burst into bloom, the waterfalls actually have water and baby animal can be seen.  However, the weather can be unpredictable, so if you visit in spring, prepare for various conditions and be flexible.  

PROS 

• Lovely temperatures.  The winter chills disappear, but the scorching heat of summer hasn’t arrived.  Spring has the perfect temperatures for hiking. 
• Wildflowers.  From mid- to late-March, the wildflowers burst into bloom and put on a show. There are hanging gardens at Weeping Rock and Emerald Pools and these are especially beautiful in spring, though you can see the flowers throughout the park.    
• Not too many people.  Although there are more people in spring than in winter, the canyon and trails are still not too crowded in spring. 
• Wildlife.  Spring sees the birth of baby animals, so you may see baby mule deer and even baby bighorn sheep.  They are very cute!
• Shuttle.  From spring to fall, most of the road through the park is closed to private traffic.  Instead, there is a free shuttle that runs along the canyon floor.  This makes visiting Zion National Park very easy and convenient, especially with zero or very short wait times for the shuttles in spring.  

CONS 

• Trail closures. As the snow melts, river levels rise and there can be some flooding, which can cause some trails to be closed.  The Narrows is usually not open until summer due to high water levels (though it can open in May if the snow melt was early). 
• Weather.  The weather can be unpredictable in spring.  In some years, the snow melts early in spring and by May, water levels have receded and you can even hike the Narrows in May (which I did).  In other years, there can even be a snow storm in late May, causing trail closures.  
• More crowds than winter. While there are certainly fewer people than summer, there are also definitely more people than winter.  Spring break especially can be crowded.  

Summer in Zion National Park (June – August) 

Is summer the best time for Zion National Park?  

Summer is by far the busiest time of year in Zion National Park, as this is when schools are out and many people can take a summer vacation.  This can mean crowds, but is also means that all services are open.  

PROS 

• Early summer temperatures.  Although it gets extremely hot by late June and in July and August, early June is actually usually a lovely time. 
• Everything is open.  All of the accommodations, restaurants, services, tours and activities are open in summer, so there is nothing that you can’t do. 
• Shuttle. The shuttle service runs throughout summer. 
• Trails. Although hiking the trails can be hot and crowded, they are typically all open for most or all of the summer. In other seasons, trails can be closed due to the snow or rain.

CONS 

• It gets hot. The average temperature in Zion National Park in July is 100°F/ 38°C, though it can get up to 115°/ 46°C and 30 of the 31 days in July exceed 90°F/ 32°C.  August and late June aren’t much cooler.  This can making hiking in exposed trails quite unpleasant. If you do hike, make sure you have:
  • a sun hat. Check out the Columbia unisex sunhat.
  • sunscreen. Buy sunscreen on Amazon
  • plenty of water. Check out the Que collapsible bottle
• Crowds. Zion is not a huge park and it is also very popular in summer.  Although the shuttle bus prevents traffic jams inside the park, there can still be lines at the park entrance, lines at shuttle stops and even lines to get on some of the trails. Holiday weekends are the busiest times of all. This also means that it is more difficult to win permits in the lotteries for Angel’s Landing and The Subway.
• Expensive. With crowds comes demand for services and with that comes increased prices.  Expect to pay a premium on accommodations during the summer. 
• Limited availability. In addition to being peak prices, accommodations also fill up fast.  There are a lot of options in Springdale, which is right at the park entrance, but even so, accommodations there can fill up.  Campgrounds and the lodge inside the park are even more popular and tend to book out as soon as they open up their reservations.  
• Trail closures.  In early June, some trails may still be closed if the snow melted late or there was lots of spring rain (though all of the trails are generally all open through most of the summer months, as noted above).   
• Possibility of flash floods.  The area around Zion is riddled with narrow canyons, which increases the possibility of flash floods when it rains.   

Fall in Zion National Park (September – November) 

Is fall the best time of year for Zion National Park? 

In fall, the temperatures finally drop, crowds thin out and many of the trees inside Zion Canyon turn beautiful golden colors.   

PROS 

• Fall foliage.  Seeing the beautiful fall foliage of the trees lining the Virgin River that winds it ways through Zion Canyon, surrounded by red rocks and framed by blue sunny skies is an incredible experience.   
• Lovely temperatures.  The cooler fall temperatures are great for hiking.   
• Fewer people.  After Labor Day, kids head back to school and there are significantly fewer people visiting the park most of the time. 
• Shuttle Service.  The shuttle buses run until mid-November, making it easier to get around. 
• Hike the Narrows.  Fall is the best time to visit Zion Narrows, as the water level is not too high and the water temperature is not too cold.  Plus, the risk of flashfloods is lower than at other times of the year. 

CONS 

• Possible trail closures.  By late fall, winter weather can have set in and caused some trail closures.  
• Possible crowds.  On early fall weekends, Thanksgiving and school holidays, it can still get pretty crowded.   

Winter in Zion National Park (December – February) 

Is winter the best season to visit Zion National Park? 

Winter may be least popular time to visit Zion, but the bottom of the canyon has fairly mild winter temperatures and the snow dusting the red rock of the upper reaches of the canyon is beautiful.  

PROS 

• Mild winter temperatures.  The main road through Zion runs along the canyon floor, rather than the rim, and the temperatures at this lower level are pretty mild in winter.  The Zion National Park average temperature in December and January is in the low 50’s F/ around 11°C, so snowfall here is not common.  If it does snow on the canyon floor, it usually melts within hours.
• Fewer people. Winter is the season when there is the least amount of people, so you will have the park pretty much to yourself (at least much more than any other time of the year).  
• Beautiful winter scenery. When the snow drapes over the red rocks of the upper reaches of the park, it is truly magical.
• Wildlife.  Animals such as mule deer stick and bighorn sheep tend to head down to the warmer lower elevations in winter, which means you have a better chance of seeing them than in the hotter summer months.   
• You can drive through the canyon. The shuttle system is closed throughout the winter and you can drive the entire length of the canyon. 

CONS 

• Trail closures.  While most of the trails are technically open year-round, the snow and ice can make them dangerous and even cause temporary closures.   If you are hiking in winter, be sure to have the appropriate gear.  You will need:
  • Crampons/ microspikes.  I use (and love) these Kahtoola MICROspokes 
  • Winter hiking boots.  Read my top picks for the best winter hiking boots for women and the best men’s winter hiking boots. 
  • A winter coat.  Read my guide to the Best Winter Jackets. 
  • Gloves. Get cold weather winter gloves here. 
  • Wooly Hat. Check out wooly ski hats (perfect for hiking) here. 
  • Winter socks.  Get men’s winter socks here and winter socks for women here. 
• Fewer activity options.  Many of the activities that are available in summer such as canyoneering, are closed in winter. 
• Road closures.  Some roads such as the Kolob Terrace Road are closed throughout winter.  Even those that are open may be temporarily closed if it snows.  
• High river levels.  Due to high precipitation, river levels can be high and rock slides and flash floods are possible.   

No matter what time you visit Zion, you will have an amazing time!

Additional help with your Zion trip planning:

>> Best Vacation Rentals Near Zion National Park
>> How to Plan a Trip to Zion National Park
>> Best Hikes in Zion National Park
>> How to visit Zion Without Shuttle Tickets
>> Zion Shuttle Guide
>> Best Photo Spots in Zion National Park
>> How Many Days to Spend in Zion National Park
>> Best Airports for Zion National Park
>> Fascinating (and Useful) Books About Zion National Park

What do you think is the best time to travel to Zion National Park?   I’d love to hear from you.  Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.

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About the Author 

James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and all of the main national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks. 

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

Read more…

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