Zion National Park

Zion National Park protects a series of incredible rock formations and high sandstone cliffs in southern Utah between the Dixie and Canyon Country regions. Unlike many Southwest parks where visitors look down from canyon rims, visitors to Zion walk on the canyon floor and look up at magnificent monoliths. The park offers some of the most spectacular trails in the National Park System, including hiking, backpacking, canyoneering, and climbing opportunities.

Spring weather is very unpredictable with stormy, wet days common, though warm sunny weather may occur too, with precipitation peaking in March. Summer days are hot (95-110°F), but overnight lows are usually comfortable (65-70°F), with afternoon thunderstorms common from mid-July through mid-September making flash floods a danger in canyons. Autumn days are usually clear and mild with cool nights. Winter storms bring rain or light snow to Zion Canyon but heavier snow to higher elevations; clear days may reach 60°F while nights often drop to the 20s and 30s°F.

Zion National Park is accessible via Utah State Highway 9, which runs through the park including a tunnel just over a mile long. The nearest cities are St. George (45 miles west) with a small commercial airport, and Las Vegas (150 miles west) along Interstate 15. The park lies between the Dixie and Canyon Country regions of southern Utah.

Entrance fees are valid for seven days allowing unlimited re-entry for the week. Private vehicles visiting only Kolob Canyons still need to pay the entrance fee (good for the whole park). As of 2020: $20 for individuals on foot or bike, $30 for motorcycles, $35 for private vehicles, and $50 for the Zion Annual Pass. The Angels Landing permit system requires free permits from the NPS website for the section beyond Scout Lookout where chains begin.

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Utah Hwy 9) runs 11.5 miles end to end including the tunnel, gaining 1,850 feet going west to east. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is a 6-mile road through Zion Canyon with colorful sandstone cliffs rising 2,000 to 3,000 feet from the canyon floor. This road is closed to private vehicles from mid-March until November, with the Zion Canyon Shuttle providing access during that period.

Zion Lodge offers 40 cabins with two double beds, full bath, and fireplace, plus 80 motel rooms with queen or king beds and air conditioning, located 3 miles north in the canyon. Watchman Campground has 176 sites including 6 group sites and 95 with electrical hookups, charging $10-50 depending on site type (2020 rates), located 0.25 miles from the South Entrance. South Campground offers 117 campsites open March-October with reservations required, charging $20 per night for individual sites. Lava Point Campground has 6 primitive first-come, first-served sites at 7,890 feet elevation with no water or fee.

The only food sold within the park is at Zion Lodge, featuring the Red Rock Grill with sit-down meals and views ($11-20 per meal, hours 6:30-10AM, 11:30AM-3PM, 5:30-9PM, reservations required for dinner) and the Castle Dome Cafeteria with grab-and-go items like coffee, burgers, and ice cream ($3-8, open April-October 7AM-9PM). Springdale offers restaurants including pizza, oriental, American, and Mexican food. The east side near Mount Carmel Junction features buffalo and American cuisine with western flair. All water in the park should be treated before use due to Giardia parasite.

Popular day hikes include Angels Landing (5.4 miles round-trip, permits required beyond chains), The Narrows wading hike (9.4 miles round-trip, may close due to water levels), Riverside Walk (2.2 miles round-trip, shaded trail along the Virgin River), and Observation Point (8.0 miles round-trip). Ranger Programs run daily April-October with interpretive talks, hikes, shuttle tours, and evening programs. Canyon Trail Rides offers guided horseback riding from March through October at Zion Lodge. The Junior Ranger Program lets children earn badges by completing self-guided activity booklets.

Flash floods can occur without warning and have washed people off trails to their deaths; flood waters originate upstream so conditions may not look bad overhead. The Virgin River contains toxic cyanobacteria and must not be drunk. Steep cliffs have caused fatalities; some trails are hazardous for those with fear of heights. Loose sand and pebbles on stone are extremely slippery. Never throw or roll rocks as there may be hikers below. Stay on marked trails, observe posted warnings, and watch children carefully.

Bryce Canyon National Park is 72 miles from the east entrance with colorful orange and yellow eroded pillars. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is 11 miles from Mount Carmel Junction with wonderful views of Zion. Cedar Breaks National Monument is located off Highway 14 north of Zion. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument offers rustic wilderness with white cliffs visible from many Zion hiking routes. Arches National Park is 309 miles from the east entrance via US Hwy 89 and I-70.

Nearby towns offering amenities include Springdale (immediately outside the south entrance with lodging and services), Mount Carmel Junction (12 miles east of the east entrance), Hurricane (24 miles west with spectacular cliffs), Kanab (29 miles from east entrance near the Arizona border), and St. George (45 miles west, the nearest city with a small airport). Las Vegas is 150 miles west along I-15, useful as a meal stop or for those flying in. Moab is 305 miles northeast with similar landscape and amazing hiking and mountain biking trails.