Zion National Park - General Park Information

The park and its main roads are open all year. Scenic drives include a 13-mile round trip through Zion Canyon from the southern entrance and a 22-mile round trip from the eastern entrance to Zion Canyon. A paved road from SR 9 at Virgin joins an unpaved road leading north to Lava Point and Kolob Reservoir; the unpaved road is closed in the winter. A 5-mile drive from the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center at I-15 exit 40 affords spectacular views. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive stretches from Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava. Note: Use caution and good judgment when driving along SR 9 to Bryce. The road is not lit at night and contains hairpin turns that are difficult to maneuver; there are no guardrails.

From Easter weekend through October, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible by park shuttle bus. Parking at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center fills up quickly during peak summer months; free parking is available throughout the town of Springdale, near the south entrance of the park. A free shuttle provides regular transportation to and from the park from several sites throughout the town daily 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., April through October.
The town shuttle drops off its passengers just outside the park entrance. There, visitors enter the park on foot and walk a short distance to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, where they may board another shuttle for Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Shuttles run on a continuous loop, making stops at the park's points of interest; visitors may disembark and board another shuttle as many times as they wish between 5:45 a.m. and 11 p.m. Shuttles run between 6 and 25 minutes apart and are equipped with storage areas for bicycles. Pets are not permitted on shuttles; a kennel service is available in Springdale.

When private transportation is used, vehicles wider than 7 feet 10 inches (including mirrors) and/or higher than 11 feet 4 inches must be escorted through Zion Tunnel, which is on the park road between the east entrance and Zion Canyon. The fee for this service is $10, which includes two trips for the same vehicle within 7 days from date of purchase. Escorts are stationed at tunnel entrances daily 8-8, March through October; during the rest of the year escorts may be arranged at the entrance stations. Phone (435) 772-3256 daily 8-7:30 to request an escort.
Vehicles exceeding 19 feet in length may not park in the Weeping Rock Parking Area or at the Temple of Sinawava.
About 65 miles of trails are open all year; some in the canyon may close due to potential danger of ice falling from above. Permits are required for all backcountry camping and day trips going down the Narrows and its tributaries, the Subway and all canyons that require mechanical aid; a fee is charged for the permits.
Ranger-naturalists offer talks and guided walks April through the summer each year and, most years, through October (weather permitting). The Junior Ranger Program, an outdoor learning experience for ages 6 through 12, is held at the park nature center Memorial Day through Labor Day. Guided half-day horseback trips follow the Sandbench Trail to the western side of Zion Canyon; phone (435) 772-3810 for reservations.