What to do in Zion when its hot?

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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TIPS TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT IN ZION
  1. Drink plenty of water and bring extra. ...
  2. Dress for the weather: a hat to protect your head, neck and face from the sun, and lightweight, breathable clothing to wick moisture away. ...
  3. Hike early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.


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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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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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The hottest month of the year in Zion National Park is July, with an average high of 97°F and low of 69°F. The cold season lasts for 3.1 months, from November 20 to February 25, with an average daily high temperature below 58°F.

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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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One of the important differences between Bryce Canyon and Zion is that Bryce is at significantly higher elevation than Zion. In fact, Bryce has areas that are as much as 5,000 feet higher in elevation than Zion. This means that Bryce is significantly colder—and snowier—than Zion for a significant portion of the year.

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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.

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The Worst Times to Visit Zion National Park Some might like the solitude and isolated feel of the park during the quietest months, but traveling to Zion in the winter can be a challenge. Think temperatures below freezing at night, roads occasionally covered in snow, and limited park access.

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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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The weather from June through September is usually 45 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. With Bryce Canyon being at a higher elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet, the nights cool down quite a bit. July is the hottest month of the summer with temperatures sometimes reaching into the 90s.

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While June can be very hot during midday, the heat is better than the closed trails due to the ice and snow you would find earlier in the year. Even trails at very high elevations are open in June, including famous options like Angels Landing via Scout Lookout.

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Both of these Parks offer great outdoor activities for all ages. For canyoneering and rappelling, Zion beats Bryce. You'll find world-class hiking in either Park, but in Zion you can find yourself hiking through streams or on sandstone ledges, like Angels Landing – one of the scariest hikes in the world!

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Is Zion or Arches better for a whole day? This one is tougher but it may depend on if you want to just do a couple of longer hikes or do a lot of short hikes. If you want a couple of long hikes, Zion. If you want a lot of shorter hikes with a couple slightly longer, then Arches.

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Cons About Zion From experience, there's only one major con to Zion National Park: Zion's transportation system is the worst. To visit most trails, you must park at the Visitor Center and take a shuttle. If parking is full (which it usually is), then you will have to park outside of the park and pay upwards of $20!

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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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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.

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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.

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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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