Zion National Park
Follow the paths where people have walked for thousands of years. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls of a narrow slot canyon. Zion’s unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present-day adventures. — nps.gov
Zion National Park at a glance
- State
- Utah
- Established
- November 19, 1919
- Size
- 147,243 acres
- 2025 visits
- 4,984,525
- Busiest-park rank
- #2 of 63
- Entrance
- $35 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Zion quiet?
Zion is busiest in June and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, November is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 4,984,525 recreation visits, the #2 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: June
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Zion
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Zion National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Hiking Angels Landing? Everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs to have a permit. Permit lottery on nps.gov.
Things to do
Things to do in Zion
- Grotto Trail15-45 Minutes · All year
The trail connects the Zion Lodge to the Grotto and is near the road most of the way. This trail is a great place to view wildlife. Restrooms are available at both the Lodge and the Grotto. When the shuttle is not in…
- Weeping Rock15-45 Minutes · All year
Short but steep! From the parking area, you'll cross the bridge and head to the left onto a paved trail to Weeping Rock. Along the way, look for small trailside exhibits and watch for minor drop-offs. The trail ends at…
- Zion Ranger-led Activities20-120 Minutes · All year
Join a park ranger to learn about what makes Zion National Park such a special place! We have a variety of ranger-led activities throughout the year, and you can check the schedule on our Events Calendar. Topics range…
Pets OK - Pa'rus Trail30-120 Minutes · All year
Pa’rus is Paiute for “bubbling water.” The Pa’rus Trail follows the Virgin River and has some of the best views of the Watchman. The paved trail connects the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Canyon Junction. It is…
Pets OK - Timber Creek Overlook30-60 Minutes · All year
Follows a ridge to views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains.
- Angels Landing1-2 Hours · All year
On and after April 1, 2022 hikers continuing to Angels Landing from Scout Lookout are required to have a permit, obtained on recreation.gov.
Reservation/permitFee - Canyon Overlook1-2 Hours · All year
Long drop-offs, mostly fenced. Rocky and uneven trail ends at a viewpoint for Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon. To enter or exit the parking area just east of the tunnel, you must turn right. Parking is extremely…
- Lower Emerald Pool Trail1-2 Hours · All year
Lower Emerald Pool trail is a rough, paved trail that leads through pinyon-juniper woodland to the Lower Emerald Pool and ephemeral waterfalls.The pools are fragile and an essential water source for wildlife. Do not go…
Show all 20 things to doShow fewer
- Middle Emerald Pools Trail1-2 Hours · All year
- Riverside Walk1-2 Hours · All year
- Sand Bench1-4 Hours · All year
- The Narrows1-8 Hours · All year
- Upper Emerald Pools Trail1-2 Hours · All year
- Watchman Trail1-2 Hours · All year
- Kayenta Trail2-3 Hours · All year
- Taylor Creek Trail3-4 Hours · All year
- West Rim to Scout Lookout3-4 Hours · All year
- La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch7-9 Hours · All year
- Climbing in ZionWinter, Spring, Fall
- Pets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Arts and Culture26
- Astronomy44
- Backcountry Camping51
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Canyoneering5
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Climbing26
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)21
- Museum Exhibits36
- Road Biking25
- Rock Climbing15
- Stargazing39
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Zion
Zion is known for a wide range of weather conditions. Temperatures vary with changes in elevation and day/night temperatures may differ by over 30°F (16°C). In summer, temperatures in Zion National Park often exceed 100°F (38°C). Zion experiences monsoons from mid-July into September that result in an increased risk of flash floods.
Always be aware of the threat of storms and lightning and be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Winters are generally mild.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Zion
Zion National Park's South Entrance and administrative offices are located near Springdale, Utah. This area, called Zion Canyon, is where most campsites and popular hikes are located. Zion Canyon can also be accessed through the park's East Entrance, which is west of Mt.
Carmel Junction, Utah. Once inside the park, Zion Canyon can be explored via the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. For most of the year, the scenic drive is only open to shuttle busses. Board shuttles at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Zion National Park, Springdale, UT, 84767 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Zion
- Bryce Canyon National Park50 mi~1 h drive (est.)
- Grand Canyon National Park103 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Capitol Reef National Park119 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Great Basin National Park132 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Canyonlands National Park184 mi~4 h drive (est.)
- Arches National Park212 mi~5 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Las Vegas (144 mi) · Phoenix (263 mi)
Road trip
Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion & Great Basin
4 parks, about 292 miles between them (~7 h of driving, estimated).
Zion is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Zion National Park
FAQ
Zion, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in November, the quietest shoulder-season month. June is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Zion National Park?
- $35 / vehicle. Also: $100 nonresident fee (16+). An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park, and waives the nonresident fee.
- Do you need a reservation for Zion National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Zion National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Zion National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 20 things to do in Zion National Park, including Grotto Trail, Weeping Rock, Zion Ranger-led Activities, Pa'rus Trail, Timber Creek Overlook. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Zion National Park become a national park?
- Zion National Park was established as a national park on November 19, 1919.
- What is the closest national park to Zion?
- Bryce Canyon National Park, about 50 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Zion National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Zion National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/zion.
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