What can you do in Zion without a permit?

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 not need a permit to hike the Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava going upstream in the Virgin River.




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Canyon Overlook Trail This trail is just one-mile round trip, making it short enough for inexperienced or younger hikers, or if you're in a rush. The trail is located in Zion's Upper Canyon, which means that you won't need to hop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to get to it.

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There are two different ways to explore the Left Fork of North Creek (Subway) by canyoneering and/or hiking. A Wilderness permit is always required for this area. The Wilderness permit application process is the same for all canyoneers and/or hikers going into Left Fork.

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Hiking in The Narrows upstream as far as Big Spring does not require a permit. Doing the hike this way allows you to see some of the most spectacular and narrowest parts of the canyon.

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If you're up for a longer trek, you can hike up to Big Spring without a permit, making for a round trip of 9.4-miles, each mile revealing more of the unique and stunning beauty of The Narrows.

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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.

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Can I drive my private vehicle into Zion Canyon? 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.

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Angels Landing is a must-do in Zion National Park. Yet, permits are difficult to get, with only 43% of lottery applicants being successful in 2022.

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So how many people have died on Angels Landing? As of 2023, at least 17 confirmed deaths have happened on the Angels Landing hike, and some sources put that figure closer to 20 deaths. Most of these were falls from steep cliffs.

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You do not need a guide to hike the Narrows, but you do need to do your research and plan ahead.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Visitors can drive into Zion National Park, but parking is limited and fills up quickly. And from March to November, Zion's Scenic Drive is only accessible via shuttle. If you visit the park during off season, when the shuttle isn't running, you may enter in your private vehicle.

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Can a Beginner do the Zion Narrows Day Hike? Yes, beginner hikers can absolutely do the Zion Narrows day hike! Even if you don't have much hiking experience, you will be perfectly fine hiking the Narrows.

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The Narrows hike in Zion is just too much fun. In all seriousness it's one of the best hikes in the national park system but is suffering from some serious overcrowding. Every step is the destination. There's a humbling aspect to walking through the canyon carved out by the water beneath your feet.

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