By car
The majority of the park is accessible by car, although Zion Canyon is accessible only by the free shuttle from April through the end of October. Large vehicles, (7'10" in width or 11'4" in height), (RV's, buses, trailers, 5th wheels, and some camper shells) that wish to travel the length of the park, require an escort to be stationed at both ends of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Large vehicles have trouble staying in their lane while traveling through the tunnel. Escort costs are $15 per vehicle, valid for two trips through the tunnel during a seven day period. Very large vehicles, including those taller than 13'1", may be prohibited from entering the tunnel.
During the winter Zion roads are plowed and sanded, except the Kolob Terrace road, which is closed. Be prepared for winter driving conditions, including potentially icy roads, from November through March.
By shuttle
From mid-March through the end of October, Zion uses a shuttle system to eliminate congestion in the canyon. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to all private vehicles during this time (except those with a red pass that are staying at the Zion Lodge). Shuttles are fully accessible, with extra room for bikes, backpacks, and climbing gear.
Zion operates two different shuttle routes. One goes through the town of Springdale (see the Get around section on Springdale), and terminates at the Park entrance, within walking distance of the visitor center.
The other route goes through Zion Canyon and has 9 stops: the Visitor Center, the Zion Human History Museum, Canyon Junction, Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge, Grotto, Weeping Rock, Big Bend, and the Temple of Sinawava.
Frequency of the Zion Canyon route depends on the time of day. In Spring and Fall the shuttle runs from 6:45AM-10PM every day, with 7-15 minute frequency. In the Summer (mid-May to early September) the shuttle runs from 5:45AM-11PM every day, with 6-15 minute frequency, and 30 minute frequency in the very early morning and late evening.
By foot
The beautiful scenery of the park makes a hike practically a mandatory event. Some of the best hikes in the National Park System are in Zion, including Angels Landing and the Zion Narrows. The park offers trails of varying difficulty and length, suitable for twenty minute strolls or multi-day backpacking trips.
By bike
Zion is one of the most bike friendly parks in the National Park System. Bicycles are an excellent option for traveling the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Shuttle buses are equipped with bike racks for those wishing to ride only part of the way. Bicycles are permitted only on established roads and the Pa’rus Trail which goes from the Watchman Campground to Canyon Junction. If you're riding from the south entrance into Zion Canyon, take the Pa'rus Trail since it's safer than the main road.
Cyclists must obey traffic laws. Bicycles are not allowed on hiking trails (except the Pa'rus Trail) or off-trail. Ride defensively; automobile traffic can be heavy and drivers may be distracted by the scenery. Park shuttles will not pass bicycles, so use turnouts to allow them to pass. Riding through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is prohibited; bicycles must be transported through the tunnel by motor vehicle. Usually the ranger (escort) at the tunnel will ask those driving a truck if bikers can hop in the back of their trucks. If you aren't bringing your own bike there are a few rental agencies in Springdale.
By guided tour
A number of companies provide guided tours of Zion National Park that include transportation from the surrounding areas. Some companies will provide bus travel from nearby towns while others begin in Zion National Park. Some will provide just a brief tour with small stops, while others may take you on a hike, and arrange all your meals.
- Hydros Adventures Tours, 928-310-8141. Offers one day and overnight hiking, rafting, backpacking, and adventure tours to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Northern Arizona, and Southern Utah. Pickups in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon area.
By car
The majority of the park is accessible by car, although Zion Canyon is accessible only by the free shuttle from April through the end of October. Large vehicles, (7'10" in width or 11'4" in height), (RV's, buses, trailers, 5th wheels, and some camper shells) that wish to travel the length of the park, require an escort to be stationed at both ends of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Large vehicles have trouble staying in their lane while traveling through the tunnel. Escort costs are $15 per vehicle, valid for two trips through the tunnel during a seven day period. Very large vehicles, including those taller than 13'1", may be prohibited from entering the tunnel.
During the winter Zion roads are plowed and sanded, except the Kolob Terrace road, which is closed. Be prepared for winter driving conditions, including potentially icy roads, from November through March.
By shuttle
From mid-March through the end of October, Zion uses a shuttle system to eliminate congestion in the canyon. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to all private vehicles during this time (except those with a red pass that are staying at the Zion Lodge). Shuttles are fully accessible, with extra room for bikes, backpacks, and climbing gear.
Zion operates two different shuttle routes. One goes through the town of Springdale (see the Get around section on Springdale), and terminates at the Park entrance, within walking distance of the visitor center.
The other route goes through Zion Canyon and has 9 stops: the Visitor Center, the Zion Human History Museum, Canyon Junction, Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge, Grotto, Weeping Rock, Big Bend, and the Temple of Sinawava.
Frequency of the Zion Canyon route depends on the time of day. In Spring and Fall the shuttle runs from 6:45AM-10PM every day, with 7-15 minute frequency. In the Summer (mid-May to early September) the shuttle runs from 5:45AM-11PM every day, with 6-15 minute frequency, and 30 minute frequency in the very early morning and late evening.
By foot
The beautiful scenery of the park makes a hike practically a mandatory event. Some of the best hikes in the National Park System are in Zion, including Angels Landing and the Zion Narrows. The park offers trails of varying difficulty and length, suitable for twenty minute strolls or multi-day backpacking trips.
By bike
Zion is one of the most bike friendly parks in the National Park System. Bicycles are an excellent option for traveling the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Shuttle buses are equipped with bike racks for those wishing to ride only part of the way. Bicycles are permitted only on established roads and the Pa’rus Trail which goes from the Watchman Campground to Canyon Junction. If you're riding from the south entrance into Zion Canyon, take the Pa'rus Trail since it's safer than the main road.
Cyclists must obey traffic laws. Bicycles are not allowed on hiking trails (except the Pa'rus Trail) or off-trail. Ride defensively; automobile traffic can be heavy and drivers may be distracted by the scenery. Park shuttles will not pass bicycles, so use turnouts to allow them to pass. Riding through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is prohibited; bicycles must be transported through the tunnel by motor vehicle. Usually the ranger (escort) at the tunnel will ask those driving a truck if bikers can hop in the back of their trucks. If you aren't bringing your own bike there are a few rental agencies in Springdale.
By guided tour
A number of companies provide guided tours of Zion National Park that include transportation from the surrounding areas. Some companies will provide bus travel from nearby towns while others begin in Zion National Park. Some will provide just a brief tour with small stops, while others may take you on a hike, and arrange all your meals.
- Hydros Adventures Tours, 928-310-8141. Offers one day and overnight hiking, rafting, backpacking, and adventure tours to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Northern Arizona, and Southern Utah. Pickups in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon area.
more transportation
Frommer's
Planning a Trip
There once was a time when planning a visit to a national park -- particularly those in the western United States -- involved little more than choosing the dates and packing the car. You could be assured there would be campsites available, and you usually had the luxury of waiting until you arrived to decide exactly what you wanted to do. Those days are mostly gone; today the wise traveler invests a bit of time before leaving home, not only by reading books such as this one, but also by contacting park offices for maps and information, checking out lodging and camping choices, making reservations, and even researching restaurant, shopping, and side-trip possibilities.
There are several reasons for this. First and foremost is that as more people discovered the parks, they have gotten crowded, making it harder to secure campsites, lodging, and even parking. To combat this, it's best to decide what you want to do at the park and then try to schedule your visit for the least-crowded time that is best for those activities. For instance, guided horseback rides are only offered during warmer months, but these are also the busiest times at both parks. Therefore, if horseback riding is something you want to do, schedule your trip for spring or fall, when the stables are open but the summer season crowds aren't clogging the park.
Another good reason for advance planning is that you don't want to waste precious vacation time searching for a motel or campsite vacancy. Luckily, there are far more lodging and dining choices in and near the national parks than there were 15 or 20 years ago. At that time, we were happy if we found a restaurant that was clean and served basic American food. Today, dining out has evolved into an important part of the national park vacation experience.
So don't dread the planning work -- like the preparation for any special event, planning a trip to a national park can be loads of fun.
Getting There
Zion National Park is located 46 miles northeast of St. George, 60 miles south of Cedar City, 83 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon National Park, and 120 miles northwest of the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. It's 309 miles south of Salt Lake City and 158 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.
By Car
From St. George, travel north on I-15 10 miles to exit 16, then east on Utah 9 for 30 miles to the Zion Canyon section of the park. From Salt Lake City take I-15 south to exit 27, then Utah 17 south about 10 miles, and Utah 9 east about 20 miles. Though less scenic than the eastern approach to the park, this is the easiest route; it's more direct, avoids possible delays at the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, and delivers you to Springdale, just outside the park's southern entrance, where most of the area's lodging and restaurants are located.
The Kolob Canyons section, in the park's northwest corner, is reached via the short Kolob Canyons Road off I-15, exit 40.
From the east, it's a spectacularly scenic 24-mile drive from Mt. Carmel Junction on Utah 9 (the Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy.), reached from either north or south via U.S. 89. However, be aware that this route into the park drops over 2,500 feet in elevation, passes through the mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, and winds down six steep switchbacks. Oversize vehicles are charged $15 for use of the tunnel. From this approach, you'll end up on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and then at the visitor center.
Bryce Canyon National Park is north and east of Mt. Carmel Junction via U.S. 89 north (44 miles) and Utah 12 east (13 miles). Kanab is 17 miles southeast of Mt. Carmel Junction along U.S. 89.
By Plane
There are small airports at St. George (tel. 435/634-5822; www.sgcity.org/airport) and Cedar City (tel. 435/867-9408; www.cedarcityairport.com), both located along I-15. The St. George airport offers service on Delta (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com) and United (tel. 800/864-8331; www.united.com), with bookings also available through Skywest Airlines (www.skywest.com). The Cedar City airport is served by US Airways/America West (tel. 800/428-4322; www.usairways.com). From either airport, it's easy to rent a car and drive to Zion. Several major car-rental agencies serve each airport.
The closest major airport to Zion is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada (tel. 702/261-5211; www.mccarran.com), which is about 120 miles southwest of St. George via I-15. Most major airlines fly into McCarran, and most major car-rental agencies have outlets at the airport. The St. George Shuttle (tel. 800/933-8320 or 435/628-8320; www.stgshuttle.com) provides daily service between St. George and the Las Vegas airport for $30 per person (2 hr. each way).
Planning a Trip
There once was a time when planning a visit to a national park -- particularly those in the western United States -- involved little more than choosing the dates and packing the car. You could be assured there would be campsites available, and you usually had the luxury of waiting until you arrived to decide exactly what you wanted to do. Those days are mostly gone; today the wise traveler invests a bit of time before leaving home, not only by reading books such as this one, but also by contacting park offices for maps and information, checking out lodging and camping choices, making reservations, and even researching restaurant, shopping, and side-trip possibilities.
There are several reasons for this. First and foremost is that as more people discovered the parks, they have gotten crowded, making it harder to secure campsites, lodging, and even parking. To combat this, it's best to decide what you want to do at the park and then try to schedule your visit for the least-crowded time that is best for those activities. For instance, guided horseback rides are only offered during warmer months, but these are also the busiest times at both parks. Therefore, if horseback riding is something you want to do, schedule your trip for spring or fall, when the stables are open but the summer season crowds aren't clogging the park.
Another good reason for advance planning is that you don't want to waste precious vacation time searching for a motel or campsite vacancy. Luckily, there are far more lodging and dining choices in and near the national parks than there were 15 or 20 years ago. At that time, we were happy if we found a restaurant that was clean and served basic American food. Today, dining out has evolved into an important part of the national park vacation experience.
So don't dread the planning work -- like the preparation for any special event, planning a trip to a national park can be loads of fun.
Getting There
Zion National Park is located 46 miles northeast of St. George, 60 miles south of Cedar City, 83 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon National Park, and 120 miles northwest of the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. It's 309 miles south of Salt Lake City and 158 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.
By Car
From St. George, travel north on I-15 10 miles to exit 16, then east on Utah 9 for 30 miles to the Zion Canyon section of the park. From Salt Lake City take I-15 south to exit 27, then Utah 17 south about 10 miles, and Utah 9 east about 20 miles. Though less scenic than the eastern approach to the park, this is the easiest route; it's more direct, avoids possible delays at the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, and delivers you to Springdale, just outside the park's southern entrance, where most of the area's lodging and restaurants are located.
The Kolob Canyons section, in the park's northwest corner, is reached via the short Kolob Canyons Road off I-15, exit 40.
From the east, it's a spectacularly scenic 24-mile drive from Mt. Carmel Junction on Utah 9 (the Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy.), reached from either north or south via U.S. 89. However, be aware that this route into the park drops over 2,500 feet in elevation, passes through the mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, and winds down six steep switchbacks. Oversize vehicles are charged $15 for use of the tunnel. From this approach, you'll end up on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and then at the visitor center.
Bryce Canyon National Park is north and east of Mt. Carmel Junction via U.S. 89 north (44 miles) and Utah 12 east (13 miles). Kanab is 17 miles southeast of Mt. Carmel Junction along U.S. 89.
By Plane
There are small airports at St. George (tel. 435/634-5822; www.sgcity.org/airport) and Cedar City (tel. 435/867-9408; www.cedarcityairport.com), both located along I-15. The St. George airport offers service on Delta (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com) and United (tel. 800/864-8331; www.united.com), with bookings also available through Skywest Airlines (www.skywest.com). The Cedar City airport is served by US Airways/America West (tel. 800/428-4322; www.usairways.com). From either airport, it's easy to rent a car and drive to Zion. Several major car-rental agencies serve each airport.
The closest major airport to Zion is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada (tel. 702/261-5211; www.mccarran.com), which is about 120 miles southwest of St. George via I-15. Most major airlines fly into McCarran, and most major car-rental agencies have outlets at the airport. The St. George Shuttle (tel. 800/933-8320 or 435/628-8320; www.stgshuttle.com) provides daily service between St. George and the Las Vegas airport for $30 per person (2 hr. each way).
