How crowded is Zion National Park in the summer?

Summer is the busiest season in Zion National Park—this means long lines for the shuttle buses, limited parking inside the park, and lots of people on trails. The crowds can be truly overwhelming as all you can see is a sea of people in line or on the trail.



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The park shuttle bus is required to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and most of the hikes in Zion Canyon. Summer is the busiest time to visit Zion. Be prepared to share the park with around a half million other people each month.

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A good rule of thumb is to check Zion's current conditions, no matter the season. Summer in Zion is hard to beat. This is when you'll get the most time to explore because of long summer days and extended park hours. July is the hottest time to visit, with daily highs averaging 100 degrees.

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Best Time to Go to Zion National Park to Avoid Crowds The least crowded months in Zion are December to February when the weather is cold. If you're looking for warmer weather with fewer crowds, consider visiting from March to April or October to November instead.

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Zion National Park is open year-round, but about 70 percent of visitors come between April and September. If you have the flexibility, making the trip during the park's off-peak months of October through March means less crowded hiking trails and fewer view-blocking selfie sticks.

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Summer in Zion is hard to beat. This is when you'll get the most time to explore because of long summer days and extended park hours. July is the hottest time to visit, with daily highs averaging 100 degrees. Thunderstorms are most common in July and August.

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5 Tips to Avoid the Crowds in Zion National Park – Best Time to Visit
  1. Hike as early as possible. Our guides have a saying–”an hour earlier, a mile farther”. ...
  2. Head to Kolob Canyons. ...
  3. Hike Observation Point. ...
  4. Go In Winter. ...
  5. Last: Embrace the humanity.


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Ideally, you need two to three days to really explore Zion National Park. This will give you enough time to hike one of the longer trails such as Angels Landing or the Narrows and enjoy all the major viewpoints.

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The Least Crowded Hike in Zion: Kolob Canyons The air was that perfect temperature when it's a little chilly to stand still in, which motivated us to keep moving. The La Verkin Trail runs parallel to stunning red cliff faces, and then heads into the trees for some gorgeous hiking in the shade.

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Typically, when you're not much of a hiker or have young children in tow, Zion can be done in a 1- or 2-day trip. Give yourself enough time to catch a few shuttle rides and sightsee. You may even want to set aside a day to do a scenic drive in your personal vehicle around the park.

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Zion is also very hot in August, frequently reaching into the high 90s or triple digits during the day. This forces guests to plan an itinerary to ensure enough water for the day.

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While June can be very hot during midday, the heat is better than the closed trails due to the ice and snow you would find earlier in the year. Even trails at very high elevations are open in June, including famous options like Angels Landing via Scout Lookout.

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From November until early spring, Zion Canyon is usually open to vehicles. ALL OTHER sections of the park, including Kolob Canyons, Kolob Terrace Road, and Highway 9 are open to vehicles year-round.

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Summer in Zion National Park is typically a very hot and dry season. Daytime temperatures usually sit in the 90s and can often even reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit on some especially hot days.

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Take a dip For outdoor water recreation, consider exploring local state parks like Sand Hollow, Quail Creek, or Gunlock. When it's so hot that it feels like everything is on fire, water is the best thing to put it out with. Luckily, Greater Zion has plenty of options to choose from.

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Best Hikes to Avoid The Crowds in Zion National Park
  • The Watchman Trail (kid-friendly) - panoramic views you don't have to share.
  • Pa'Rus Trail (kid & dog-friendly) - for sunset lovers & landscape photographers.
  • Canyon Overlook Trail (kid-friendly) - Angels Landing views without the congestion and chains.


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Crowds and wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park Crowds are common at most scenic overlooks and a number of trails, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is quieter than at Zion.

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Both parks are incredibly popular destinations with unique features that draw in visitors from all over. While Zion tends to be busier due to its proximity to Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon offers incredible views of its iconic red-rock hoodoos and stunning natural landscapes.

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Zion National Park is crowded with visitors! Planning and navigating a trip to Zion National Park can be frustrating because of its popularity. The crowds and shuttle system can be confusing to navigate.

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Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are approximately 80 miles apart and one can be reached from the other in under 2 hours by car, about 1 hour and 40 minutes without traffic. The fastest route between the two parks starts on Route 12, takes you south on Interstate 89 and then west on Route 9.

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In general, no need. I camp in bear country all the time with no gun. Preventive measures of not leaving food out for them to smell will go much further to be safe than a gun Bear spray is also much more effective than a gun.

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In many national parks, staying inside the park is important. At Zion, staying outside the park might actually be a little better. Don't worry too much. This is one of those happy situations where both choices are very good.

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Victims can die if they aren't transported right away to a lower altitude, he says. Rob Wissinger, emergency medical services coordinator for Zion National Park, says altitude sickness at Zion is pretty rare.

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