Zion National Park is one of the most incredible Utah parks. The main part of the park is Zion Canyon, and unlike most canyons, it is the canyon floor, rather than the rim, that is the main place to visit. The surrounding area is riddled with narrow slot canyons, which make for unique hikes and epic experiences canyoneering for the more adventurous.
When you visit Zion National Park, you can spend the time on the flat canyon floor surrounding by incredible red rock views, or embark on some of the most unique hikes in the country. There is a reason that Zion is the best national parks in the United States.
However, planning a trip to Zion National Park can be tricky. The park is incredibly popular and can get crowded. Use this guide to visiting Zion National Park to get all the information you need to have an amazing Zion trip.
Zion National Park Travel Guide
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Zion National Park at a Glance
State: Utah
Main attractions: Canyon, slot canyons, views, hikes
Table of Contents
Itineraries for Zion National Park
Get a one-day, two-day or three-day detailed itinerary for Zion National Park here.
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Zion National Park Guide
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How to Plan a Trip to Zion National Park
Planning trip to Zion National Park can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. Use this Zion National Park visitors guide for all your Zion National Park trip planning. Click on the links below to go to detailed guides and get answers to your questions.
The best option to take away the overwhelm is to pick up a detailed itinerary. I have done all the heavy lifting for you. Choose from one, two or three days. Each itinerary is crammed with detailed driving and hiking maps and hour-by-hour suggestions of what to do and where to go to avoid spending your precious vacation time waiting in lines or competing with crowds on the trails.
Get a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day itinerary for Zion National Park here
Make your planning easier with this step-by-step guide to all you need to think about and do when planning a trip to Zion.
Read More: HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO ZION
7 things you should AVOID doing when planning a trip to Zion National Park.
Read More: 7 MISTAKES TO AVOID IN ZION NATIONAL PARK
There is a reservation system for the iconic Angels Landing hike. This guide breaks it all down for you.
Read More: HOW TO GET ANGELS LANDING PERMITS
To access the main part of Zion Canyon, you need to take a (free) shuttle most of the year. But it’s possible to visit Zion without dealing with the crowded shuttle. Learn how here.
Read More: HOW TO VISIT ZION WITHOUT THE SHUTTLE
Entrance Fee for Zion National Park
There is an entrance fee for the park. Find the latest fees on the NPS website .
To avoid long lines and save money, if you are planning to visit more than just Zion this year, it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
The one-year pass includes standard entrance at all sites managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers. The pass covers the entrance fee for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person.
Get an America The Beautiful pass here.
Zion National Park Entrances
Zion National Park has four main sections.
- East Mesa: The East Entrance Station is here. This is where you’ll enter the park if you come from Kanab, Grand Canyon’s North Rim, or Bryce Canyon. You’ll go through the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel soon after entering. There are several hiking trails into the park in this area of the park, too.
- Zion Canyon: Zion’s main entrance is here, the South Entrance Station. The main gateway town of Springdale is also here. This is where you’ll enter the park if you come from Las Vegas.
- Kolob Terrace: Enter along Kolob Terrace Road near Virgin (open seasonally only). There is no formal entrance gate here. The road continues all the way to Kolob Reservoir and beyond.
- Kolob Canyons: This is a more remote section of the national park that is accessed separately and has its own entrance station.
Zion National Park Visitor Centers
There are three Visitor Centers in Zion National Park.
- The main Zion Canyon Visitor Center is just inside the South Entrance.
- The Zion Human History Museum also has a smaller Visitor Center.
- There is also the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center.
For opening hours, which vary seasonally, visit the NPS website.
Things to Do in Zion National Park
There is no shortage of things to do in Zion National Park, no matter when you go.
Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or prefer to enjoy scenery on a scenic drive, there are plenty of activities in and around Zion to enjoy.
Read More: 17 THINGS TO DO IN ZION
Zion is famous its breathtaking scenery. Don’t miss out on any of the amazing views with this detailed list and description of the best photo spots in the park.
Read More: BEST PHOTO SPOTS IN ZION
One of the most fun – and most adventurous – activities in and near Zion is canyoneering. Rappelling down a series of narrow slot canyons is something you’ll never forget. Get full details and description in this comprehensive guide.
Read More: CANYONEERING IN ZION
Best Tours of Zion National Park
Where to Stay In/ Near Zion National Park
Places To Near Zion National Park
The main gateway town for Zion National Park is Springdale, which is just outside the main South Entrance. Find accommodations in Springdale here
If you’d prefer to stay in a house, cabin or apartment in and around Springdale, my guide to the best vacation rentals in Springdale has some top suggestions.
Read More: BEST RENTALS NEAR ZION
Places To Inside Zion National Park
There is one lodge inside the park. Check availability for Zion Lodge.
There are three campgrounds. South Campground and Watchman Campground are both just inside the South Entrance in the main Zion Canyon section. Lava Point Campground is in the Kolob Terrace section of the park. There are no campgrounds in the Kolob Canyons part of the park.
How to Get To Zion National Park
When you plan a trip to Zion National Park, you need to know the best way to get there.
Read More: HOW TO GET TO ZION NATIONAL PARK
If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
If you’re looking for a flight, find a good deal on Skyscanner
The Best Airports for Zion National Park
There are several airports you can fly into/ out of for Zion. The largest is Las Vegas, but others like St. George Regional Airport are closer.
Read More: CLOSEST AIRPORTS TO ZION
Use Skyscanner to scan the Internet for the cheapest deals to help you decide and book.
The Best Time to Visit Zion National Park
In general, the best times to go to Zion National Park are May and September. You’ll avoid the summer crowds and heat, but everything will be open. However, these aren’t the only good times to go.
Read the quick summary of the best times to visit Zion National Park so you can make the right decision.
Read More: BEST TIME TO VISIT ZION
This Zion National Park trip planner has detailed information on every season, so you can make the most informed decision for your own trip.
How Long to Spend in Zion National Park
How many days you should go to Zion for depends on your interests, how much you like to hike (and how fit you are), your budget, and how much time you have available. I recommend at least three days for the main section of the park, and longer if you want to visit Kolob Canyons as well.
If you have less or more time, and/ or want to see what you can realistically expect to see and do in that time, this Zion guide has a more detailed breakdown for you.
Read More: HOW MANY DAYS FOR ZION
Best Hikes in Zion National Park
Zion National Park has two of the most famous hikes in the US – Angels Landing and The Narrows. But there are dozens of other amazing trails as well. This Zion hiking guide describes the top hikes. It includes trail details so you can choose the best hikes for you.
Read More: BEST HIKES IN ZION
The Narrows is an iconic hike in the Virgin River through a narrow slot canyon a few feet wide and hundreds of feet high. Get full trail details and descriptions in this detailed guide.
Read More: THE NARROWS TRAIL GUIDE
There is a reservation system for the iconic Angels Landing hike. This guide breaks it all down for you.
Read More: HOW TO GET ANGELS LANDING PERMITS
Travel Insurance for Zion National Park
In addition to using this Zion National Park visitor guide for trip planning, you should also think about travel insurance. Protect yourself against trip cancellation, loss or theft of your property, or any medical emergencies.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
Travel Tips for Zion National Park
My top three tips for a Zion National Park visit are:
- Have a plan. Avoid the crowds as much as possible and see all the highlights. Get one of my detailed itineraries – they tell you when and where to go to have the least chance of getting caught in crowds and the best chance of being in the right place at the right time to enjoy the trails and take the best photos. Get the 1-, 2-, and 3- day itineraries here.
- Get an early start each day. This is the best way to beat the crowds and have the best light for photos.
- Don’t just do the famous hikes. There are dozens of incredible trails in Zion that are less crowded but no less spectacular than their famous counterparts.
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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.
