Can you drive through Zion National Park?

Can I drive my private vehicle into Zion Canyon? A. From March through late November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by shuttle bus only. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the Shuttle System is not in operation.



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Taking a personal vehicle through the open areas of Zion National Park is a great way to see the scenery and get to trails and scenic viewpoints that are outside of the Main Canyon. However, you should be alert when driving through Zion. The roads in the park twist and turn sharply in some spots.

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You do not need a permit or reservation to visit most areas in Zion Canyon. You do not need a permit or reservation to ride a park shuttle. You do not need a permit or reservation to enter the park. You do need to pay the park fee.

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The important thing to know is that you can't drive private vehicles into Zion National Park during “shuttle season” which is March 11 through November 26 (in 2023). On these dates, you must ride the free Zion Canyon Line Shuttle from the Visitor Center.

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How long does it take to drive through Zion National Park? It's a 17-and-a-half-mile round trip to follow Zion Canyon Road from the South Entrance to its northern end at the Temple of Sinawava. This works out at around a 50-minute drive if you self-drive.

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You do not need a permit or reservation to visit most areas in Zion Canyon. You do not need a permit or reservation to ride a park shuttle. You do not need a permit or reservation to enter the park.

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Route 9 is a beautiful scenic byway. It is a great alternative to taking the highway (rt 15) and takes you through Mt Zion Park.

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The best way to see Zion is to spend a week in the park, starting with the visitor center displays and programs, then taking a Zion Canyon Scenic Drive trip on the shuttle bus, and gradually working from short hikes and walks to full-day and overnight treks into the backcountry.

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Two Zion activities that we'll include as honorable mentions are the Kolob Canyons scenic drive which is about 40 miles north of the main canyon as well as Zion National Park helicopter tours. Both Zion activities are amazing and don't require any hiking at all!

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Zion National Park has three entrances, the South Entrance, East Entrance, and Kolob Canyons Entrance. As far as which one is best, really depends on where you want to go in Zion, but by far the most popular entrance is the South Entrance.

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Since the two parks are only an hour and a half apart from one another it's completely possible to explore both parks in one day. You can become a driving warrior, hit lots of high spot lookouts and drive the scenic Zion Canyon Road.

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A. From March through late November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by shuttle bus only. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the Shuttle System is not in operation.

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To avoid the crowds make sure to get out first thing in the morning. Never, never, never try to get on the shuttles anytime after 8:00 am if you want to avoid crowds and lines to get on the shuttles. The early start time is so worth it you guys!

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Top ways to experience Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and nearby attractions. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 100% of travelers recommend this experience.

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Zion National Park is Open The park is 24 hours a day 7 days a week year round. When the Zion Canyon Shuttle System is operating, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible by shuttle.

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You don't need a SUV unless you are traveling with a lot of luggage or cargo. A sedan will be easier to maneuver and park.

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Is a four-wheel drive vehicle advisable during March in the Zion area? You won't need it, all the major roads are paved. If it snows, it does not stick around too long on the valley floor. Only if you intend to drive off road to some obscure trailheads.

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Route 12 is one of the most scenic roads in Utah, and all of the US for that matter, so this is a drive to enjoy. I definitely recommend doing this hike during the day so you can soak up all of the views along the way.

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How long is the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive? Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is approximately 7 miles long. The up-canyon shuttle routes takes about 45 minutes to reach the last stop, Temple of Sinawava. The entire round-trip ride takes about an hour and a half.

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Top ways to experience Zion Shuttle and nearby attractions. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 98% of travelers recommend this experience.

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Absolutely! While Angels Landing is a popular and iconic hike at Zion National Park, there are still plenty of other amazing sights to see in the park. We rarely hike Angels Landing when we visit, and yet we visit every year.

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