June brings full summer conditions to Zion National Park.
The days are long. The canyon walls glow in intense sunlight. And temperatures climb quickly.
If you’re planning a trip to Zion National Park in June, you’re probably wondering:
How hot does it get?
Is The Narrows open?
Are crowds manageable?
Is June a good time to visit?
June is one of the busiest months of the year in Zion. While everything is typically open, heat and heavy visitation require smart planning.
Here’s what you can realistically expect when visiting Zion in June.
‼️ 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. ‼️
Visiting Zion National Park in June
June is one of the most popular months to visit Zion National Park. With warm weather, long daylight hours, and fully accessible trails, it’s an ideal time for hiking, sightseeing, and exploring the park’s iconic red-rock landscapes. However, because summer is peak season, you should also prepare for crowds and higher temperatures.
What’s Open in June at Zion National Park
June is part of the peak summer season, so most park services, roads, and activities are open. Here’s what you can expect.
Zion Canyon Shuttle System
The free shuttle system is running in June and is the main way to travel through Zion Canyon. Private cars are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during shuttle season.
There are two shuttle routes: the Park shuttle operates inside Zion Canyon and the Town shuttle runs along the main road in nearby Springdale. They connect at the Visitor Center just inside the park’s main south entrance.
The shuttles run early morning to evening (typically around 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM in summer). They stop at all the major trailheads like The Narrows and Angels Landing.
Scenic Roads
Zion–Mount Carmel Highway (including the famous tunnel) is open in June.
Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive is technically open all year and is usually OK in June, but always check the NPS website for current conditions.
Kolob Terrace Road typically opens in late May, but this is dependent on weather conditions, so it can still be closed in early June.
However, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only in summer.
Visitor Centers
The visitor centers are typically open in June, including:
Zion Canyon Visitor Center – about 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Kolob Canyons Visitor Center – open with midday closure for lunch
You can get maps, permits, park information, shuttle info and trail closure updates.
The Zion Human History Museum is also usually open in June.
Accommodations
Zion Lodge is open year-round and operating in June. This is the only hotel located inside the park.
It includes lodging rooms and cabins, a restaurant and café, and a gift shop. June is a popular month, so rooms book far in advance.
The main gateway town – just outside the main South Entrance to the park – is Springdale and there are plenty of places to stay there.
➡️ The Best Hotels Near Zion National Park
➡️ The Best Hotels in Springdale
➡️ The Best Vacation Rentals Near Zion National Park
Campgrounds
Campgrounds are open in June.
Watchman Campground is open year-round. It’s inside the canyon and fills up fast during shoulder season. Make reservations up to six months ahead of your visit. Reservations are strongly recommended.
South Campground is closed for a long-term rehabilitation project. It’s typically opens mid-March through October and is near the Visitor Center and shuttle line.
Lava Point Campground is about a 1-hour drive from Zion Canyon on the Kolob Terrace Road. It’s typically open from June through October, depending on weather.
Hiking Highlights in June
June is a good month for hiking – but it’s starting to get hot, so you need to be very sun and heat aware.
Angels Landing
One of Zion’s most iconic hikes, this steep, dramatic trail requires a permit year-round. Daily and seasonal lotteries fill quickly, so planning ahead is essential. June is a popular month, so -permits are harder to win in the lottery.
➡️ Read my Guide to Getting Angels Landing Permits
The trail is snow-free but busy.
➡️ Read my Guide to Hiking the Angels Landing Trail for more info.
➡️ Read 12 Helpful Angels Landing Tips
The Narrows
This epic river hike starts at Temple of Sinawava and follows the Virgin River through towering slot canyon walls.
Conditions are typically good in June. The water is chilly, though. Keep in mind that the NPS close the hike completely of water levels are too high or if there is a danger of flash flooding. so, always check with rangers before hiking.
No special permit is needed for the classic bottom-up Narrows hike (unless you plan to go through-hike (tow-down) from Chamberlain’s Ranch, which does require a permit).
➡️ Read my Guide to Hiking The Narrows for more info.
Other Great June Hikes
Emerald Pools Trails — waterfalls and pools are still fairly full from the snow melt, though getting less spectacular than earlier in spring. (This is one of my favorite hikes at any time of the year, though)
Observation Point — stunning overlook high above the canyon.
➡️ Read East Mesa Trail to Observation Point Trail Guide
➡️ Read East Rim Trail to Observation Point Trail Guide
Canyon Overlook Trail — excellent sunrise/sunset views with fewer crowds.
Watchman Trail & Pa’rus Trail — great lower-elevation walks in mild weather.
➡️ Read The 10 Best Hikes in Zion National Park
Is June a Good Time to Visit Zion?
Yes — June is a fantastic time to visit Zion National Park, especially for hiking and scenic exploration. While crowds and heat can be challenging, starting early in the day and planning ahead will help you make the most of your trip.
If you want to experience Zion’s dramatic canyon landscapes, epic hikes, and unforgettable desert sunsets, June is an excellent month to visit. But there are still cons.
Pros
- Long daylight hours
- The Narrows is typically accessible
- Full park access
- Clear desert skies
Cons
- Heat
- Heavy crowds
- Shuttle wait times
- Limited shade on many trails
✨ PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER ✨
Deciding when to go to Zion National Park is a very important step in planning your trip, and I hope this guide is helping.
However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one thing of many to decide.
Once you’ve decided the timing of your trip, you still need to
make an actual plan.
In fact, the thing that most people ask me about is
how to put it all together into an itinerary that makes sense. They decide when they’ll go and maybe even book their flights, but still worry about how to minimize the crowds, what to do – and when – and how to coordinate it all.
To help
take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Zion National Park, I’ve created several super
detailed itineraries.
Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them, they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus,
there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.
There are 1-, 2-, and 3- day options for Zion National Park: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and
everything else you need to make the most of your time in Zion National Park.
➡️ Check out the 3 Zion National Park itinerary options
No matter what time you visit Zion, you will have an amazing time!
Additional help with your Zion trip planning
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.
If you liked this article about Zion National Park in June, Pin It to your National Parks and Zion National Park boards!
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 most of the 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 many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources 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 USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
Read more…
I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
