Which Entrance Is Best For Zion National Park?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The

South Entrance to Zion Canyon

is the most visited entrance to the park.

What is the best part of Zion National Park?

  • Weeping Rock. …
  • Riverside Walk. …
  • Lower Emerald Pools. …
  • Checkerboard Mesa and the East Side of Zion National Park. …
  • Human History Museum. …
  • Canyon Trail Rides. …
  • Canyoneering and Rock Climbing. Rock climbers in Zion Canyon. …
  • Camping. South Campground | Photo Copyright: Lana Law.

How early should I get to Zion National Park?

What time should I get to Zion National Park? Plan to arrive at Zion National Park

before 9:00 AM

. Parking lots fill and shuttle lines get long by mid morning. From Spring to Fall, all visitors are required to take the shuttles from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

Can I drive through Zion National Park?

Can I drive my private vehicle into Zion Canyon? A.

From March through late November, access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by shuttle bus only

. Private vehicles are allowed to access the Scenic Drive only when the Shuttle System is not in operation.

Do I need reservations to enter Zion National Park?


You do not need a permit or reservation to enter the park

. You do need to pay the park fee.

What should I pack for Zion National Park?

  1. Track pants, capris, zip-off pants, yoga pants, or hiking pants, shorts, flexible, comfortable, stretchy pants.
  2. Long underwear. (Under Armor®, Capilene® etc.)
  3. Light rain/wind jacket.
  4. Fleece jacket for the cool mornings and chilly belay stances.
  5. Warm/knit hat/beanie.
  6. Warm gloves.
  7. Puffy Jacket.

Is Angels Landing open now?

The park is

open every day of the year

.

Do I need a permit for Angels Landing?


You must have a permit to hike any portion of Angels Landing

. Permits are needed every day and at all times beginning April 1, 2022. Permits (issued in three time slots) are available by two lottery processes. The seasonal lottery application periods occur quarterly (see important dates below).

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

This scenic byway runs for 54 miles. Travel time is about

1.5 hours

. From the west, you get on the byway at the intersection of Hwy 9 and Interstate 15, about 9 miles east of St. George.

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!

Is Zion crowded?

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.

When should you not go to Zion National Park?

The Worst Time to Visit Zion National Park

If you want to avoid the crowds, skip a trip in

June or July

, which both see over 500,000 monthly visitors. On the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find solitude during the winter months, but might also experience below-freezing nights, snow, and limited park access.

How do I prepare for Zion National Park?


DO wear hiking boots, shorts, and bring layers

. While Zion’s temperatures climb into the 100s during summer, majority of the hike is shaded, so a light jacket helps for those starting in the morning. Be sure to pack plenty of water, lunch, and sunscreen, as well. DO bring a hiking stick or, ideally, a pair of poles.

Do you have to pay to drive through Zion?


$20.00 per person Non-commercial vehicles with a capacity of 16 or greater

. Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per person rate.

How long is Zion Scenic Drive?

If you’d rather experience Zion National Park’s grandeur from the safety and comfort of your car, then the

54-mile

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is for you. The route takes you past the Virgin River and famous park landmarks, including Angel’s Landing, the Court of the Patriarchs and Twin Brothers mountain, to name a few.

Can you get into Zion without a shuttle pass?

You don’t need to ride the shuttle to make the most out of your trip to Zion National Park. Even without the shuttle,

you can still get to those Zion must-see spots (like Angels Landing, The Narrows, and Emerald Pools) by biking the Scenic Drive into Zion Canyon

.

Do I need a permit to hike The Narrows in Zion?


You are not required to obtain permits for hiking the Narrows from the bottom up

. If you chose to hike from the top down, you will need to arrange transportation, as Chamberlain’s Ranch is a 1.5 hour drive from the Temple of Sinawava.

What time can I enter Zion National Park?

The park is open

24 hours a day

, every day throughout the year.

Do I need hiking shoes for Zion?

When preparing to hike the non-strenuous trails in Zion National Park,

it’s recommended to bring adequate footwear

. Something like trail runners is best but quality sneakers should be sufficient. Open-toed shoes of any kind should be left at home. However, hiking sandals are fine for the leisurely hikes in the park.

How long should I spend in Zion National Park?

Ideally, you need at least

two to three days

to visit Zion National Park. This gives you enough time to hike the longer, more popular trails, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows, and you can also add in a few of the shorter, easier trails, such as the Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook.

What to wear for hiking The Narrows?

Wear

Quick-Dry Clothes, Preferably Shorts

You will get wet on The Narrows hike, and it’s best if your clothing can dry quickly. During hot weather, I recommend wearing shorts made of a quick-drying fabric. In chilly weather, dry pants are recommended.

What time is the first shuttle in Zion?

The Springdale shuttle runs from

8:00 am

to 6:30 pm seven days a week. The first shuttle leaves the Majestic View Lodge at 8:00 am and the last shuttle leaves the Zion Canyon Theater at 6:00 pm. Shuttles run every 15-30 min depending on traffic and time of year.

Should I hike Angels Landing?


Just because Angels Landing is on every top ten list of places to go in Zion National Park doesn’t mean that you should hike it

. Be prepared for a very strenuous hike with potentially changing weather conditions. It’s important not to attempt this climb if you aren’t in good physical shape.

Can you hike Angels Landing in February?


You can hike Angel’s Landing pretty much any time of the year

. Obviously, Spring and Fall will have better weather. However, there is something special about hiking in the snowy winter.

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.

Is Angels Landing a lottery?

Anyone who hikes Angels Landing will be required to have a permit. By spreading out how many people visit the iconic site, visitors will feel less rushed, McPartland said.

This lottery will be for permission to hike the trail between June 1 and Aug. 31.

Is Angels Landing Open 2020?

Park officials announced Monday that effective immediately,

Angels Landing Trail from Scout Lookout to the end of the trail will temporarily close

. The West Rim Trail will remain open. Effective Wednesday March 25, 2020 at 12 p.m., Zion National Park will close park campgrounds.

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.