Zion National Park

How to get to Zion National Park

Zion is a unique park in that it can be reached in a number of different ways! If you are flying, you have a few options for airports, including Las Vegas (2 hours), Phoenix (7 hours), and Salt Lake City (3 1/2 hours). All offer a pretty short drive to the park, so it depends mostly on your timeline and the price you want to spend in order to get there.

Likewise, several major highways lead to Zion, and it’s not a difficult park to get to. However, unless you are road tripping, you’ll need to pick up a rental car in order to get there. Don’t worry! Whichever way you choose to go it will be a beautiful drive.

Top 5 things to do in Zion National Park

While you could explore Zion for an entire lifetime, here are some of the things I don’t think you should miss while you are there!

1. Canyon Overlook Trail

If you can’t manage to get your permit to hike Angels Landing, then the next best thing is the Canyon Overlook Trail. Not only is it a great hike for all ages, but if you don’t like heights and you still want some stunning views of Zion Canyon, this is the spot! In fact, I enjoy this hike in some ways more than Angels Landing.

2. The Narrows

It’s popular and hard not to take on when it’s packed, but the Narrows is one of the most unique hikes I have ever done. Wading through the canyon, you feel as though you have stepped into a fantasy land, and you can do as much or as little as you would like depending on whether you are backpacking it or doing it as a day hike.

3. Zion Scenic Drive

Not a hiker? The Zion Scenic Drive should be on your list whether or not you feel like wearing your hiking boots. Keep in mind that during the months of March and November, this is closed for the shuttle use. When you can take your private vehicle, you can start from Bryce Canyon and work your way to Springdale, or you can do the drive visa versa depending on where you are staying and where you plan to go next.

An alternative scenic drive you can do during the months when the canyon is closed for shuttle use is the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway with its famous tunnel. Make sure that your vehicle can fit!

4. Angels Landing

Zion’s most infamous attraction is by far one of its top reasons to visit. If you are a hiker, then it’s likely the Angels Landing hike is on your bucket list. Not for the feint of heart, you will need a permit in order to take it on, and I highly recommend you consider an alternative if you are afraid of heights. However, if you do manage to grab those permits and you’re up for the challenge, it’s well worth the effort.

5. The Subway

Often overlooked for hikes like Angels Landing and the Narrows, for those in the know, the Subway is a hidden gem. You’ll be hiking through the base of a tube-like canyon (which is where the hike got its name) through water and pools with gorgeous turquoise water. Like Angels Landing, you will need a permit for this hike and it can be difficult to snag.

When to visit Zion National Park

My recommended time to visit Zion is in the fall months after Labor Day. Summer is an absolute zoo, and even the traditional shoulder seasons of spring and fall have started to see a lot more traffic than they have in the past. October is a lovely time since families have gone back to school and the weather is much more manageable than in the summer months.

The times I would avoid would be the height of the summer months when it is super hot and busy, and the winter months when much of the park is closed down.

I recommend three days in Zion National Park

While there is always something to explore, three days in Zion gives you a chance to get an overview of what makes Zion so amazing. You’ll have time to hit up the major hiking trails, and if gives you a bit of wiggle room if you are looking to grab next-day permits or there are some issues with the weather.

You can rush through and do it within one day, but since you’ll likely be traveling a long distance to get there, I would spend a bit more time if you possibly can!

Closest airport to Zion National Park

The closest regional airport to Zion is the St. George Airport (SGU), so if you want to fly in right to Zion’s gates, you can. The St. George Airport is only 44 minutes away, so if you don’t want to do a ton of driving, this can be an option.

However, most visitors choose to fly into Las Vegas (LAS) since there are more flights and rental cars available. It’s also a considerably shorter drive than flying into Phoenix and Salt Lake. You’re also likely to spend a lot less since there are often plenty of flights in and out of that airport.

Where to stay when visiting Zion National Park

The most common place visitors tend to stay when visiting Zion is Springdale. It’s pretty much set up as a tourist town around the park, so you’ll find restaurants, plenty of hotels, and a shuttle that will take you around. Do keep in mind that it can be expensive, and if you want to take on the trails in the north of the park, it can be a longer trek to get there.

Small towns like Virgin and Cedar City are more affordable, but they won’t have the same amenities. Much of it will depend on your budget and how much you want to spend in order to be close to the main entrance.

Quick tip: Zion has limited camping opportunities, so I recommend booking your site at least five months in advance if you can. If not, you’ll have to look for some private options near the park.

Weather in Zion National Park

What you can expect from Zion’s weather depends on the time of year you are visiting. Summers can be brutally hot, and autumn tends to bring in thunderstorms and flash flooding. Sometimes, you can experience both in the same day, which can mean that you have to have your packing list down pat so you’re prepared beforehand.

This is also why I suggest that you spend an extra day or two here just in case you run into unfavorable weather conditions. It’s not uncommon that hikes close down due to sudden weather changes, so I would be prepared with some backup options in case you experience less-than-desirable weather.

How to get around Zion National Park

The Zion Canyon, which includes all of the major hikes and things to do, requires a shuttle during its most popular months. You cannot bring your own personal car into this area during this time. You will be immediately turned away.

If you choose to visit the Kolob Canyons section of the park or the eastern part of the park where Checkerboard Mesa is located, then you can take your own car to reach these areas. Overall, that means using a combination of car and shuttle depending on what you want to see.

Tips for visiting Zion National Park

Here are some tips I found helpful when visiting Zion and that helped me enjoy my trips there much more!

• Embrace the crowds: Zion is a busy park, and even if you choose to visit during the shoulder seasons, you’ll likely deal with a ton of people. You can avoid this by choosing times where it’s not as busy, but to some extent you’re going to have to just accept that there will be others there.
• Visit other areas of the park: The Narrows and Zion Canyon are the busiest areas of the park (and for good reason), but there are many other spots where you can find quieter trails like in the Kolob Canyons area. Not saying you shouldn’t visit the highlights, but you might get a better chance to connect with nature in other areas.
• Pack the right things: Having the right clothing and gear with you is going to make your Zion trip a lot more enjoyable. Since weather can vary wildly and you are taking on some hikes that are a bit unconventional (the Narrows or the Subway), you need the right items. Do your research beforehand and make sure you have what you need.
• Accept you might not be able to do everything: Not only is Zion huge and there’s a lot of ground to cover, but getting permits for some of the more popular hikes might mean that you just won’t be able to experience everything.