Is Zion crowded in the summer?

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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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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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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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. Despite the hot temperatures — and 100-degree days are common — summer draws the biggest crowds.

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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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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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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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The Best Time to Hike the Zion Narrows Water levels in July and August are good for hiking, but those months are hot and the risk of thunderstorms is high. Always check the weather forecast before attempting the Narrows.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Weekends can be busier than weekdays but not always and not by much. 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.

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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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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.

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