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.
People Also Ask
The important thing to know is that you can't drive private vehicles into Zion National Park during “shuttle season” which is March 11 through November 26 (in 2023). On these dates, you must ride the free Zion Canyon Line Shuttle from the Visitor Center.
Any vehicle that is 11 feet 4 inches high or higher and 7 feet 10 inches wide or wider needs the one-way traffic control service. Any vehicle 13 feet 1 inch high or higher cannot pass through the tunnel. Length restrictions are 40 feet for a single vehicle and 50 feet for any vehicle combination.
Zion Canyon Self-Guided ToursThe Zion Shuttle is available to guests from March to late November. During the off-season, guests are allowed to drive through Zion Canyon to enjoy the majestic scenery from the comfort of their own cars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, you can drive into Bryce Canyon. Most people enter the park in their vehicles. But the parking spots can fill up around the amphitheater, so you may need to use the shuttle to access that section of the park.
One question that comes up often is, “Can you drive in Zion National Park?” With some exceptions, vehicles are not allowed in Zion Canyon during the busy season – you must use the shuttle, ride a bike, or walk. From November until early spring, Zion Canyon is usually open to vehicles.
Ideally, you need at least two to three days to visit Zion National Park. This gives you enough time to hike the longer, more popular trails, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows, and you can also add in a few of the shorter, easier trails, such as the Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook.
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!
The best way to see Zion is to spend a week in the park, starting with the visitor center displays and programs, then taking a Zion Canyon Scenic Drive trip on the shuttle bus, and gradually working from short hikes and walks to full-day and overnight treks into the backcountry.
Can you drive to Zion Observation Point? Observation Point can only be reached on foot. The two main trails to Observation Point are from the Weeping Rock Trailhead and the East Mesa Trailhead.
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.
While Zion is one of the most popular national parks in the country, the National Park Service has opted not to require a timed-entry ticket or advance reservation. Instead, the park has taken other measures to help alleviate crowding. One is the Zion Canyon Shuttle.