The Zion Scenic Drive takes you through the most famous spots in Zion National Park with stops for Angels Landing, The Narrows, Emerald Pools, and more.
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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.
Kolob Canyons RoadKolob Canyons is an incredibly beautiful part of Zion National Park and features many trailheads and incredible red rock views along the 5-mile scenic drive. This section of the park can close due to snow and ice, but through most of the year this road is open and you can freely drive it.
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.
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!
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. Payment using a credit or debit card is preferred.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Zion Narrows has a number of waterfalls. The first you will reach, Mystery Falls, is accessible to almost everyone. Day hikers typically turn back once they reach this landmark. You can reach Mystery Falls less than a half mile from your starting spot at Temple of Sinawava.
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.
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.
That depends on the type of experience you are looking for. If you're interested in exploring the unique hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park is the better option, as it offers a variety of trails and viewpoints. On the other hand, Zion National Park has more adventurous hikes and back-country opportunities.
Shuttles take about 45 minutes to drive between the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the Temple of Sinawava. This means a round trip takes about an hour and a half.
The highlight of Zion National Park is an expansive canyon. Averaging 2,000 feet deep, Zion Canyon offers hiking opportunities along its floor in the 20 to 30 foot wide area known as The Narrows and the challenging area known as The Subway. Swimming is also permitted in this area of the Virgin River.