Zion National Park

Park Overview

Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is a breathtaking testament of the Virgin River.  The park draws visitors from around the globe to marvel at its towering cliffs, verdant valleys, and winding rivers. These cliffs are part of the greater Colorado Plateau, a vast uplifted region characterized by its colorful sedimentary rock layers, sculpted over millions of years by the forces of erosion. With elevations ranging from the canyon floor at around 3,700 feet to the towering heights of Angels Landing at over 5,790 feet, Zion's diverse landscapes offer endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. 

The park's lower elevations are dominated by desert flora, including the desert cottonwood and prickly pear cactus. As elevation increases, visitors encounter diverse habitats, including pinyon-juniper woodlands, ponderosa pine forests, and montane meadows. These varied ecosystems support a rich diversity of plant and animal life, making Zion a haven for biodiversity enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.

Its central location within the Grand Circle, a region renowned for its concentration of national parks and monuments, makes it a perfect road trip stop for a Southwest American road trip.

Zion National Park welcomes millions of visitors each year, making it one of the most visited parks in the United States. From leisurely strolls along paved pathways to challenging ascents up sheer rock faces, Zion offers activities suitable for all levels of adventure seekers.

In addition to its natural beauty, Zion National Park is also recognized for its cultural significance. The ancestral lands of several Native American tribes, including the Paiute, Southern Paiute, and Ute, encompass the area now protected within the park boundaries.

Planning a Visit

Be up to date on park alerts

Park alerts include trail and road closures, weather conditions, construction areas, fire bans, and other information that can heavily influence your travel arrangements. Alerts for Zion can be found here. 

Reservations

No reservations are required to enter Zion National Park at any time of year. No reservations are required to utilize the shuttle system. Simply pay the park entrance fee or present your America the Beautiful pass upon arrival.

Staying Overnight

Stay inside or outside the park?

Staying inside the park gets you an early start, which can be extremely important for beating the crowds and being the first on the shuttle (catching the shuttle mid-day during the peak of summer can mean long lines and delayed schedules!)

If you want to stay in the park but don't secure a site at Watchman Campground during the 6-month rolling reservation schedule, it may be difficult to know where you will sleep until possibly the day of. Other options include securing a back county permit, a walk-up site, or a South Campground/Lava Campground site 2-weeks in advance. 

Campgrounds in the Park

• Watchman Campground
• • My favorite campground in Zion! Reservations must be made up to six (6) months in advance and are booked in a matter of seconds. If you don't snag one, get on the waitlist to receive alerts when a site becomes available.
  • Tent and electric campsites are available year-round.
  • Watchman Campground is next to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, ¼ mile away from the South Entrance in Springdale, Utah. Great location for utilizing the shuttle system. 
  • No sites set aside for walk-up campers. 
    
• Lava Point Campground
• • There are only 6 primitive campsites available at this campground (max. 19 feet for RVs/campers).
    
  • Typically open May through September, as weather allows.
  • Reservations are available on a 2-week rolling window.
  • Cellular service in the area is very limited.
  • There are 6 primitive campsites available for reservation. The campground has pit toilets and trash cans, but no water. Vehicles longer than 19 feet are not permitted on the road to the campground. Please note that food must be stored in a vehicle or a hard-sided lockable container.

• South Campground
• • Offers over 100 non-electric sites and group sites.
  • Flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, firepits and a dump station are provided at this facility. There are no hook-ups in this campground.
  • Decent cell coverage depending on carrier. 
  • Typically open from early March to the end of October. 
  • Reservations are available on a 2-week rolling window
  • 6 sites reserved for walk-up.

Unable to secure a site inside the park? There are so many great campgrounds outside the park, many of which can be found on the map embedded on this page!

Utilizing Zion's Shuttle System

Zion's shuttle system is up and running from mid-May to December 1st each year and during the shuttle season visitors cannot drive personal vehicles on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The most up-to-date information on the shuttle system can be found here. 

I have created the map above for planning purposes. Shuttle stops are denoted on the map in yellow using the same number system utilized by the NPS.

Hiking in Zion

The hiking guide below details the most popular trails in the park! The Narrows and Angles Landing are known worldwide as two of the most amazing US hikes and more details are provided for these hikes below. 

• Angle's Landing
• • Both strenuous and dangerous, this hike is 4.3 miles and takes you to one of the most amazing views in the park!
  • Only need a permit for the portion following Scout Lookout. 
  • Enter the lottery ($6) two months prior to your trip on recreation.gov. You will get to pick seven ranked days and times. View the dates that the lottery opens here.

• The Narrows
• • High water, forecast rain, and other factors can affect whether The Narrows are open for hiking. Water levels will typically close the Narrows from April to mid-May or June. 
  • This hike requires hiking in the Virgin River. You must get your feet wet since there is no trail.
  • A permit is not required until you reach Big Springs which is 8.9 miles from the Temple of Sinawava (Shuttle stop 9).  
  • The entire hike though the Narrows totals in at 16 miles one way and hikers must arrange transportation to the trailhead (trail ends at the Temple of Sinawava). Use this page to plan your trek and secure your permits. 
  • Wearing the proper gear is essential and equipment can be rented in the park. 

*The hike guide was created by the NPS