Zion National Park

Red rocks, epic hikes and nature's beauty

Zion National Park in Utah showcases deep red rock canyons carved by the Virgin River. The landscape features towering cliffs, narrow slot canyons and unique rock formations shaped over millions of years. Hiking trails lead through scenic valleys where wildlife such as mule deer and peregrine falcons live. Visitors experience panoramic views from high viewpoints or walk along riverbanks surrounded by ancient trees. The park’s varied terrain supports diverse plant life and offers opportunities for photography, rock climbing and exploring natural beauty in a protected environment.

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National Park in United States

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language, and all signs, information, and services are available in English, ensuring clear communication and convenience for tourists.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Zion National Park Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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World-class for canyon hiking and desert landscapes. Trek narrow slot canyons, climb scenic trails, photograph towering cliffs and explore river valleys.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Spotless

Natural sites

Hiking

Van travel

Mountains

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

♻️ 9

Sustainability

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Zion National Park, United States

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Apr

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High season:	April - June, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, July - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only from about March to November, private cars not allowed

The Narrows often closes during spring snowmelt and during monsoon flash flood risk, roughly July to September

Angels Landing requires a permit year-round, awarded by lottery

Don't miss

🧗‍♂️ Hike Angel’s Landing for breathtaking canyon views
🌊 Wade through the Virgin River Narrows slot canyon
🚌 Drive or shuttle along the scenic Zion Canyon Road
💧 Explore the Emerald Pools waterfall and lush trails
🌄 Visit Canyon Overlook Trail for stunning panoramic vistas

You've been here?

Why travel to Zion National Park?

Zion is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. With its incredible rock formations, slot canyons and vibrant flora and fauna, the park offers endless opportunities for hiking, photography and climbing. The Narrows and Angel’s Landing are two of the most thrilling trails in the world, providing unforgettable views and experiences. However, keep in mind that the park can get very crowded, especially during peak seasons. Also, some trails can be dangerous for inexperienced hikers, so always check conditions and prepare accordingly.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
2 Observation Point
3 Canyon Overlook Trail

🎡Places for activities

1 Kolob Arch
2 Zion shuttle bus - visitor center
3 Zion Lodge
4 Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Weeping Rock
2 The Narrows
3 Canyon Overlook
4 Middle Emerald Pools
5 Kolob Canyons Road
6 The Subway
7 Checkerboard Mesa
8 Zion Canyon
9 Pine Creek Canyon
10 The Great White Throne

🛍️Shopping

1 Zion Outfitter
2 Zion Canyon Village
3 Worthington Gallery

🎈Events

Zion Canyon Music Festival
Springdale 4th of July Parade
Butch Cassidy 10K Race
Springdale Earth Day Festival
Zion Half Marathon
Zion Canyon Arts and Crafts Fair
Zion Joy to the World Festival
Canyon Community Center Events
Trail Maintenance Volunteer Days
Photography Workshops

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Shuttle required in main canyon; private vehicles restricted seasonally.
Angels Landing needs permit; apply via lottery months ahead for chains section.
Hike Narrows bottom-up; rent gear for water, neoprene socks essential.
Start early at Canyon Overlook Trail from east entrance for sunrise views few crowds.

How to travel to Zion National Park

The closest major airport is Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), about a 2.5-hour drive away. St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is closer but offers limited flights. A rental car is recommended for flexibility.

Access summary

From St. George Regional Airport (SGU): Drive via I‑15, about 1–1.5 hours.
From Las Vegas: Drive I‑15 to Springdale, typically 2.5–3 hours.
Park is shuttle-only in peak months; allow transfer time from Springdale.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Zion National Park

Accommodation options include camping within the park, as well as hotels and lodges in nearby Springdale. Springdale offers a range of choices from budget motels to upscale hotels, all with easy access to the park entrance.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Pioneer Lodge Zion National Park-Springdale

8.2

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham La Verkin-Gateway to Zion

9.0

Hyatt Place Springdale/Zion National Park

9.2

Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites

9.6

Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park

9.1

Best Western Plus Zion West Hotel

8.9

Montclair at Zion

8.9

Ramada by Wyndham La Verkin Zion National Park

7.3

Cliffrose Springdale, a Curio Collection by Hilton

9.5

Hotel De Novo Springdale, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

9.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Zion National Park

The free Zion Shuttle operates from March to late November, connecting the Visitor Center with key trailheads. Private vehicles are restricted in most areas during peak season. Biking and walking are also great ways to explore the park.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+5 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 5% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Cedar, United States - 43 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£72	£147	£395
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£150
🍝 Food per day	£37	£79	£214
🚕 Transportation per day	£9	£9	£30

Notable additional fees: US$35 (£26.29) per vehicle (7 days) plus a US$100 (£75.11) non-resident fee per person 16+, new since Jan 2026. The canyon shuttle is mandatory Mar–Nov and included. US$250 (£187.78) pass waives both.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£18
🍟 Fast food combo	£11
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£13
☕ Cappuccino	£4.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£5.50
💇 Basic haircut	£12.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Zion is generally very safe. However, hiking can be hazardous, especially on steep trails like Angel’s Landing. Follow safety guidelines, check weather conditions and avoid flash flood zones.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are limited within the park. The nearest hospital is in St. George, Utah. Bring any necessary medications and a first aid kit and stay hydrated.

Accessibility

Zion offers some accessible trails, facilities and shuttle services. However, many natural areas and trails are rugged and not suitable for visitors with mobility challenges.

Tap water

Tap water is available at visitor centers and along the shuttle route. Water quality is good, but always bring enough water for hikes, as dehydration is a serious risk.