Is it better to stay inside or outside Zion National Park?

The best place to stay when visiting Zion is in the town of Springdale. This is primarily because of its great location. Springdale is located directly outside the entrance to Zion National Park, so it's the most convenient area to stay during a trip to the park.



People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

Cut right to the chase with our Zion lodging cheatsheet.
  • Best Lodging Inside the Park. Zion National Park Lodge.
  • Closest to the Park Entrance. Cable Mountain Lodge. ...
  • Best Luxury Lodging Options. Cliffrose Springdale by Hilton. ...
  • Best Budget and Mid-Range Options. Red Rock Inn Cottages. ...
  • Pet-friendly Zion Lodging Options.


MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

For the average national park explorer, late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion. From April to May and September to October, the weather is good, crowds are fewer, and hiking conditions are optimal.

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

Zion Canyon is the most visited part of Zion National Park and offers easy, moderate, and strenuous hikes. Most Zion Canyon hikes are accessible only by the park shuttle from March through November and require stopping at the appropriate shuttle stop.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Smaller Crowds 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. If you're looking for a really quiet escape, January is the best time to visit.

MORE DETAILS

We think 2 days in Zion National Park is a perfect baseline. With 2 days, you'll be able to plan a Zion National Park itinerary that fits in one of the longer hikes in Zion (like Angels Landing), the scenic drive between the East Entrance and Zion – Mt. Carmel tunnel, and some of the shorter hikes in the canyon.

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

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

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.

MORE DETAILS

What to Do in Zion National Park (When You Only Have One Day!)
  1. Start with sunrise at Canyon Overlook.
  2. Park at the Visitor Center and ride the shuttle into the Zion Canyon along the main road, for an early morning hike.
  3. Have a late lunch in the nearby town of Springdale.
  4. Drive up to the Kolob Canyons for an afternoon hike.


MORE DETAILS

Scenic Byway from Highway 9 to Mt. If you choose to visit Zion while the shuttle is in operation, don't worry. You'll still have a chance to take a cruise through the park in your own vehicle. There is a scenic byway that runs directly through Zion, taking travelers across the park and out the eastern side.

MORE DETAILS

Bryce and Arches are both stunning. But Arches offer more variety. You can see a good portion of Bryce just from overlooks. And while the view of the hoodoos is otherworldly, if you're not a huge hoodoo fan, the view can start to grow monotonous.

MORE DETAILS

Zion to Bryce Canyon 1 Day Itinerary & Map. Yes, it is possible to see both Zion and Bryce Canyon in one day, but it will be one VERY FULL day. A lot depends on where you start and end your trip, of course.

MORE DETAILS

The Direct Route is safe - that said, you'll face sharp turns in the form of switchbacks. Switchbacks are roads with sharp ascents and descents cutting back one on another, so it's good to be prepared for this before you set off on your trip. If you're scared of heights, there's no need to be concerned.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The distance from Las Vegas to Zion National Park is roughly 160 miles (257 kilometers). The drive typically takes between 2.5 to 3 hours. Bryce Canyon National Park is quite a bit further — 260 mi (418 km) from Las Vegas. You'd cover that distance in roughly 4 hours.

MORE DETAILS