Zion National Park’s picturesque rocky outcroppings and adventurous hikes are spectacular, so as with many popular national parks you’ll want to plan your visit well in advance to secure your parking, accommodations, and plan necessary gear.

Here the the basics of what you’ll need to know when planning your trip to Zion National Park.

Please note that information can change year-to-year, even up to the day, so always consult the official park website for the latest information.

How to get to Zion National Park

The closest major airports are Las Vegas (2.5 hours away) and Salt Lake City, Utah (4 hours away). It’s easiest to rent a car from the airport, but there’s also a transport service for less than $200 round trip that saves you the hassle of driving.

Entering through the park’s south entrance at Springdale is ideal because it’s where the shuttle circuit starts. If you enter through the east entrance, you’ll have to drive to the Visitor Center to park and catch the shuttle. Because of this unless the shuttle is not in service, using the east entrance isn’t recommended.

Planning your park visit

The entrance fee is $35 per regular-sized vehicle or $20 for individuals, which you can pay at the park entrance. Parking passes are valid for up to 7 days after purchase, meaning you can use it to visit over multiple days.

You can visit Zion in a day, but two is ideal

Zion is known for two challenging hikes: traversing through the Narrows or ascending Angels’ Landing. If you’d like to do both, save one for each day and use the rest of your time to tackle some smaller hikes in the park.

Plan your journey on the Zion Shuttle

The Zion Park Shuttle makes nine stops on its circuit starting at the Zion Visitor Center. When in season, you can’t drive directly to the trailheads and will have to use the shuttle (or walk), so plan accordingly. Usually it runs from 6 am to 8 pm in the peak summer months, adjusting as days get shorter.

Arrive as early as possible to avoid crowds and get parking

If you’re starting in the morning, arrive as early as possible to avoid crowds. The only parking lot is by the Visitor Center, and lots are known to get full by 8 am. After that, you’ll have to try your luck finding somebody leaving.

An alternative is to find parking in town and take the complimentary Springdale shuttle to the entrance. The parking lot near Zion Outfitter is located just a few minutes walk to the entrance.

Reserve permits for Angels Landing

Due to the nature of the hike and crowd safety, as of 2022 you’ll need a permit to hike Angels Landing. Reservations open from 12 am to 3 pm MST each day.

You don’t need a permit for The Narrows if you’re doing the popular walk starting from the Temple of Sinawava (stop 9 on the shuttle). You do need a permit if you’re doing the 16-mile top-down walk or overnight camping.

Check the park website as you approach your travel dates

Before your trip, check the park website for the latest alerts, including warnings for trail closures and weather announcements. (It would be terrible to rent gear for the Narrows just to learn that it’s closed due to flash flood warnings.)

Cell reception isn’t always reliable in the park area, so it’s a good idea to download a copy of the park map before your visit to understand where you’ll need to go.

Where to stay

Many hotels are located near the park’s south entrance in Springdale, and a free shuttle takes guests from the town directly to the park. With restaurants, bakeries, and a few shops to rent gear, it’s a convenient area to stay.

The Curio Cliffrose Springdale is comfortable and within walking distance of the entrance, meaning you won’t have to worry about parking.

You’ll also find unique alternatives outside town. Nowadays there are many options for glamping (there’s even covered wagons at Zion Wildflower Resort) or you can sleep in a renovated Airstream at Zion AutoCamp.

If you want to be the first one on Angel’s Landing—or simply experience waking up inside a National Park—book a room at Zion National Park Lodge, located on Stop 5 of the shuttle circuit. You can’t beat the location and this allows you to drive into the park as you wish, avoiding the stress of the Visitor Center’s parking lot.

What to bring

You’ll be able to get by on other trails wearing sneakers with good traction.

If you’re hiking Angel’s Landing, proper hiking shoes are recommended.

If you’re hiking the Narrows, you’ll want close-toed shoes and a walking stick. Your shoes will get wet, so bring a change if you want to hike afterwards and a bag for the wet items. In colder months it’s also recommended to get special waterproof pants to keep you dry in the water. All gear can be rented in Springdale.

You should also plan to bring:

• Snacks – bring something hearty, otherwise the restaurant Zion Lodge is your only option
• Water – at least 1.5 liters since you won’t be able to refill your water in many places
• Sunscreen
• A plastic bag or two, in case you have garbage or wet clothes

What else is there do around Zion?

You can drive to Kolob Canyons just an hour away for more hikes surrounding by red Navajo sandstone. For a scenic drive, visit the viewpoint at the end of the Kolob Fingers Road.

Bryce Canyon is another National Park located just 1.5 hours away from Zion. Check it out if you have the time.