How Busy Is Zion National Park Today?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Overcrowding is now a permanent fact of life in Zion

, but there are still ways to escape.

What is the least busy day at Zion National Park?

The best time to visit Zion is

during the week right before and after Thanksgiving

! The holiday season and cool weather cuts down on the crowds. The hikes are nearly all to yourself and free from the sweltering summer heat. This time of year the shuttle bus at the park stops and you can drive anywhere in the park.

What are the busiest days at Zion National Park?

As with most national parks, Zion’s busiest season is when the kids are off school and most people take their vacations. That means weekends much of the year and the most crowded time between

Memorial Day and Labor Day

. Despite the hot temperatures — and 100-degree days are common — summer draws the biggest crowds.

Is Zion National Park too busy?

Zion National Park’s warm climate allows for reasonable access to the park all year long.

March through November is the busiest time of the year

. Within that, holidays and anytime kids are out of school are the busiest of all. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is also busy.

What is the best month to visit Zion National Park?

The best time to visit Zion National Park is between the months of

April and November

when the park’s free shuttles are running and the weather is comfortable.

What is the best month to visit Zion?

The best time of year to visit Zion and avoid the crowds is in the

late fall, winter and early spring

. While the weather may be chilly, and less facilities are open, the amount of visitors is exponentially less this time of year.

Should I go to Bryce or Zion?

Both of these Parks offer great outdoor activities for all ages.

For canyoneering and rappelling, Zion beats Bryce

. You’ll find world-class hiking in either Park, but in Zion you can find yourself hiking through streams or on sandstone ledges, like Angels Landing – one of the scariest hikes in the world!

How busy is Angels Landing?

Here are some facts from the Fourth of July 2019:

More than 94,000 people visited over the four-day holiday weekend

, the park said on Facebook. Wait times were up to 90 minutes to board a park shuttle. Hikers waited up to four hours at the trailhead for Angels Landing.

Can you hike at night in Zion?


At Zion Ponderosa you can even enjoy night hiking and exploring under the stars

! Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort is located far from light polluted areas, which make those shiny stars in the sky shimmer brighter than ever! On a clear sky night you can see the milky way as clearly as ever before.

How do you avoid crowds in Zion National Park?

At Zion National Park, the weather is very pleasant in the morning until 9-10 a.m. and late in the afternoon from around 4 or 5 p.m. This is the best time with the best light and least crowd to take photos and do hiking, particularly longer and more difficult ones. When it is hotter,

take shorter and shaded trails

.

What time does Zion parking lot fill up?

Parking is usually full by

8-9 am

. The best way to avoid delays entering Zion is to park in Springdale and ride the town shuttle to the park.

Is Zion or Bryce more crowded?

With 2.6 million visitors in 2019,

Bryce Canyon

is America’s 12th most popular park. Crowds are common at most scenic overlooks and a number of trails, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is quieter than at Zion.

How early can you get into Zion?


Zion is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day

. This means that if you want to hike a trail at sunrise, you will be able to get in, and if you want to stargaze at 2 a.m., you’ll be able to get out. But it doesn’t mean that all of the activities and points of interest will be open for you at all times.

Is the Narrows crowded?


The hike to the river is crowded

and so is the first half mile in the Narrows. We kept our buff masks up, but many people did not have masks on the first part of the trail. Crowds thinned out the further we walked and Wall Street area had only a few others.

Can you drive through Zion National Park at night?


You can drive hwy 9 thru the park at any hour

. Its a state highway. As far as I know, you need a Red Pass (which means you are staying at the lodge)to access the canyon road to the lodge at any time the shuttles are running, either day or night.

Why is Zion so popular?

” Zion’s popularity rests partly on

its stunning landscape

, including some of the tallest sandstone cliffs in the world, and its tapering wild canyon you can hike through.

Are there scorpions in Zion National Park?

Scorpions. Although they are not as many scorpions as spiders,

the park contains at least 4 species of scorpions

. The most frequent type that you are likely to see is the Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion. They spend most of their time under objects, where they hide from enemies – including humans.

Does Zion have snow?

Zion in Winter Overview

Winter in Zion National Park can be beautiful with temperatures cold enough for snowfall. It may be hard to conceive during the extreme temperatures of Summer but Zion National Park sees

occasional snow in Winter months

.

Can you hike Angels Landing in March?

Best Season:

March to October, but can be hiked year-round as long as the trail if free of ice and snow

. Restrooms: Scout Lookout (when working) at the Angels Landing junction and at the Grotto Picnic area.

Can you do Zion National Park in one day?


You can totally make it a perfect one day in Zion

!

One day will give you the chance to drive the roads of Zion National Park with the towering canyon all around you, and you will also have time to do some short hikes with more grand views of the canyon! There are affiliate links on this page.

Which is better Grand Canyon or Zion National Park?


Zion National Park is more accessible, less expensive and also less crowded than the Grand Canyon

. On the other hand, Grand Canyon National Park is more expensive and crowded during peak hours than the Zion National Park. The Zion National Park is less popular in comparison with Grand Canyon.

How long does it take to drive through Zion National Park?

Explore this 12.6-mile out-and-back trail near Springdale, Utah. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of

4 h 56 min

to complete. This is a popular trail for road biking and scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

Is Angels Landing Open 2020?

The park is

open every day of the year

.

Whats scarier Angels Landing or Half Dome?

I’ve hiked both trails, and must admit the final stretch to the summit of

Half Dome

is scarier and, indeed, very likely more dangerous than the trail up Angels Landing. Nowhere on Angels Landing does the trail head up a 600-foot stretch of slick granite that at points reaches a 45-degree angle.

Can beginners hike Angels Landing?

But

the trail to Angels Landing is far from a beginner-friendly hike

. In fact, even those with some hiking experience will want to consider their abilities before attempting it. At 5.5 miles roundtrip and climbing nearly 1,500 feet in elevation, the trail is physically demanding.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.