Do I need a reservation to enter Zion National Park?
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.
People Also Ask
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.
While Zion is one of the most popular national parks in the country, the National Park Service has opted not to require a timed-entry ticket or advance reservation. Instead, the park has taken other measures to help alleviate crowding. One is the Zion Canyon Shuttle.
Zion is open 24/7, though car traffic may be limited at different times of the day or year as mentioned above. You can drive into certain parts of the park at any point during the night for stargazing.
If you enter Zion, even if it is to pass through the park, you will need to buy a recreational use pass (park pass). Passes are non-transferable. Zion only sells park passes in person, and you can get a pass at any entrance station.
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.
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!
No, you do NOT need reservations to get into Zion National Park. But there are other things you might need permits or reservations for, such as popular hikes, campgrounds, lodging, restaurants, and driving an RV through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
You can enter the park as early as you like since the park is technically never closed! However, if you would like to access the Zion shuttle, want to drive through the Mt Carmel tunnel, want to stop by the visitor center, or get permits, you will need to visit during the hours those are open.
You need a permit to hike Angels LandingThese include but are not limited to: Hikers going to Scout Lookout do not need a permit. Visitors using the park shuttle do not need a permit or reservation. Visitors entering the park do not need a reservation, but do need to pay the park fee.
When shuttles are not available, visitors can drive to the various trailheads on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Please be advised we expect the shuttle to fill daily when they operate, limiting access. Visit the Zion NPS website for more details.
With about 230 square miles to explore, driving is the best way to experience a Zion National Park tour. However, like any national park, you'll have to buy an entrance pass to get in. At Zion, the fee for a single vehicle is $35.
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.
No reservations are required to enter the park. Reservations for lodging within the park are highly recommended. Of the park's two campgrounds only Sunset Campground accepts reservations. All 100 sites are reservable on a 6-month rolling basis.
No reservations are required to enter the park. Reservations for lodging within the park are highly recommended. Of the park's two campgrounds only Sunset Campground accepts reservations.
If you are planning to hike the Narrows from the bottom up—starting at Temple of Sinewava, you do not need to obtain a permit. However, if you are hiking from the top down, either as a day hike or an overnight trip, you will need a permit. For reservations, click here.
Depending on where and when you board one of Zion's free shuttle buses you may have to wait 30 minutes or more for an available spot. Shuttles run every few minutes but they fill to standing room only for most of the day. Expect a wait at the Visitor Center in the morning with peak wait times from 8:00AM to noon.
Parking. Parking within Zion National Park usually fills up between 8 a.m and 9 a.m. Once the park lots are full, visitors should park in the town of Springdale and ride the town shuttle to the park.
Zion National Park is open all year. All park visitors are required to purchase a recreational use pass upon entering Zion National Park. Find out what there is to do in Zion, from hiking to horseback riding. The Map and Guide and other park brochures are available to view or download.
As with most national parks, Zion's busiest season is when the kids are off school and most people take their vacations. That means weekends much of the year and the most crowded time between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
A Utah roadtrip routeIf you're only doing these two parks then it doesn't matter which you do first. If you're going over to the other Utah national parks (on the east side of the state), then it makes sense to do Zion first, then Bryce and head on east.
Entrances to Zion1. The main entrance to Zion Canyon, the most popular place in the park, is through Springdale, Utah. 2. The second most popular entrance is on the east side, on Zion-Mt Carmel Road.