How early should you arrive at Zion National Park?

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!



People Also Ask

All parking lots in Zion Canyon are usually full by 9:00AM. Get an early start or plan on parking in the Town of Springdale and using the town shuttle to reach the park. If parking is full, do not wait for spots to open; park in Springdale and use the town shuttle to reach the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

MORE DETAILS

Getting to the Park More precisely, there are two shuttle systems in operation — one to get visitors to the park and a second to move people around the park. Parking is available in the park, but it's limited and lots usually fill up by between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. After that, cars are prohibited.

MORE DETAILS

The park is open 24 hours a day, every day throughout the year.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

With only One Day in Zion, Make Sure to Book Your Accommodation Early so You can Stay Close to the Park. If you'll be spending 1 day in Zion, it is important to stay as close to the park as possible, so that you minimize your travel time, and can spend most of the day enjoying everything there is to see in Zion.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The least busy day at Zion National Park is the week before and after Thanksgiving in November. The holidays and cold weather reduce crowds and visitors can drive through the park instead of taking the shuttle.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.


MORE DETAILS

Zion is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. This means that if you want to hike a trail at sunrise, you will be able to get in, and if you want to stargaze at 2 a.m., you'll be able to get out. But it doesn't mean that all of the activities and points of interest will be open for you at all times.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Most people hike The Narrows in the summer and early fall when the water tends to be at its warmest and the water level drops. However, life-threatening flash floods are possible at any time and are common during the monsoon season.

MORE DETAILS

Zion Hikes From the Visitor Center While the Watchman Trail has you winding through the canyons to the final panoramic viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon and the town of Springdale. Since these trails are not along the Scenic Drive, you don't need to take the Zion shuttle to hike the Pa'rus Trail or Watchman Trail.

MORE DETAILS

The entire hike is 16 miles long. From the top-down, the hike begins at Chamberlain's Ranch and the Narrows ends 15 miles later at the top end of the Riverside Walk. One more mile of walking on the Riverside Walk gets you to the finish line of the hike, the Temple of Sinawava.

MORE DETAILS

Angel's Landing is the most iconic trail in Zion National Park. The trail begins at shuttle stop #6, The Grotto.

MORE DETAILS

A Utah roadtrip route If 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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

This scenic byway runs for 54 miles. Travel time is about 1.5 hours.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS