How to Prepare for Zion National Park: 7 Things to Know to Maximize Your Experience
- Elaine Sison
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
You landed here because you want to know how to prepare for Zion National Park. Thousands of visitors go to Zion National Park every day for the breathtaking sights and the unique hikes. A little research goes a long way when it comes to making the most of Zion National Park. Keep reading for all the travel tips and hiking advice you need to plan the perfect trip.
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1) Get familiar with the Zion Canyon shuttle system
The shuttle system at Zion National Park is enforced seasonally to maintain capacity and traffic on the road along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. During the months when the shuttle is running, drivers are not permitted to drive along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Permits and reservations are not needed to take the shuttle so it is on a first-come, first-served basis and the best way to know when the shuttle operates is to visit Zion National Park's official website for the latest schedule. The shuttle is almost unavoidable during peak seasons because the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed off to personal vehicles which leads to the most popular hikes.
Parking fills up quickly at Zion National Park, but you can also park in the town of Springdale (for a fee) and take the free shuttle to and from the park entrance. The shuttle that runs through Springdale is also part of the park service and stops at 9 locations.
Pro tip: Arriving earlier always has the perks with fewer people.
What are alternative ways of transit besides the shuttle?
Walking: Many visitors attempt to walk, but they soon find out they are miles from their desired destination.
Bike rentals: There is plenty of bike parking at each shuttle stop and bike rentals at Zion National Park. It is a beautiful ride if you don't mind the inclining hills.
If you're feeling adventurous, consider an E-Bike Tour to explore the stunning landscape.
2) Decide the activities you want to do to determine your length of stay
Zion National Park has so many activities, so it would be difficult to do everything in one day. It all comes down to what you want to do and see because it offers many activities for different experience levels whether you are a beginner or an advanced hiker. If you are short on time like I was, you can reference my 1-day itinerary in Zion National Park or 2-day itinerary to get an idea of how we leveraged our time.
The most popular activities to do:
Angel’s Landing
The Narrows
Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
Lower Emerald Pools
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (this is closed during peak season)
3) Game plan where to park and stay at Zion National Park
Parking at the Zion National Park Visitor Center can fill up quickly in the morning. Once parking fills up at the visitor center, street parking in Springdale is available with a fee and you can take the city shuttle to the park. Give yourself extra time to find parking and walk to the shuttle. Here is a list of alternative parking if the visitor center parking is full.
Where to Stay: Overnight Accommodations
Whether you're staying one night or several, where you sleep can make or break your Zion experience. Here are the best options ranging from inside the park to nearby towns like Springdale, Hurricane, or La Verkin.
Accommodations Inside the Park
Zion National Park Lodge is the only lodging option located inside Zion National Park, sitting right along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. You can park your car and walk directly to trailheads like Emerald Pools, and you'll naturally beat the crowds before outside visitors arrive. The on-site restaurant is a bonus after a long day on the trails.
Accommodations In Springdale (Just Outside the Park)
Springdale is the gateway town right at the park entrance and is the most convenient base for most visitors. The free park shuttle stops right in town, so you can skip the parking scramble.
Watchman Villas: Villa-style accommodations with hot tubs and stunning red rock views, all within walking distance of restaurants and coffee shops. A great option if you want a home-away-from-home feel.
The Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel: A Marriott-affiliated boutique hotel beneath the red rock cliffs. Rooms are modern and they have fire pits with a backdrop of dramatic canyon views.
Check availability and book Red Cliffs Lodge Zion
Hyatt Place: A renovated hotel with a breakfast buffet, pool, and the shuttle stop right at the front door. Bonus: evening jazz and a bonfire on-site.
Check availability and book Hyatt Place
Unique Stay: Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort (East Entrance)
For something totally different, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort on the east side of the park offers cowboy cabins, glamping tents, and even covered wagons. It's a full resort with a pool, spa, mini golf, and an on-site restaurant so this is perfect for families or anyone wanting an adventurous camp near Zion's east entrance.
Budget-Friendly Options (Nearby Towns)
If you're watching your budget or don't mind a short drive, the towns of La Verkin (~20 minutes) and Hurricane (~30 minutes) have solid chain hotel options at a lower price point than Springdale. Both offer free breakfast and comfortable rooms after a long day of hiking.
Pro Tip: No matter where you stay, booking early is essential, especially for summer and fall visits. Springdale accommodations fill up months in advance during peak season and it can get hefty on your wallet. Use the links above to lock in your dates.
4) Prepare for Zion National Park's Unpredictable Weather
Closely monitor the weather forecast because it can be a 30-degree difference between the morning and afternoon. Always pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks at a minimum. There are many trials that are unshaded so a hat or sunglasses can also be useful.
5) How to prepare for hiking The Narrows at Zion National Park
If you plan on hiking The Narrows in the Fall or Winter, I suggest getting proper gear to stay warm because the water can get cold. I went through Zion Outfitters, located next to Zion National Park, and rented a package that comes with hiking boots, neoprene socks, a hiking stick, and dry pants. It was so useful and kept me warm in October, so this is recommended in the Fall and Winter. We did so many people forego these rental gear and simply hiking in their own gear as well, but I prefer to keep my own hiking shoes dry and having a change of clothes if you decide to use your own gear. The Narrows close in the Spring if the water level is too high from snow melt so I recommend checking with the National Park Service on closure dates in the Spring.
Pro Tip: Bring a mini disposable bag to appropriately discard your garbage at the end of your trip.
6) Get a national park pass
America the Beautiful annual pass is worth every penny if you plan to see more than two national parks in a year. The Zion National Park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle with access for 7 consecutive days, but most park-goers combine their trip with other national parks like Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, or Capitol Reef National Park. You have the option to make an advance online purchase or at the entrance office at Zion NP. If you plan on purchasing it online, make sure you give yourself at least three weeks for the pass to be mailed to you. A receipt or purchase confirmation will not be accepted at the entrance.
Note: America the Beautiful pass gives you access to all U.S. national parks only. State parks have their own passes.
7) Angel's Landing requires a permit
Most notably the epic scenery that brings thousands of people to Zion National Park is Angel's Landing. I personally felt that this was a moderate hike with it being a roundtrip 5-mile hike, but others may think it is strenuous with the ascending switchbacks and the need to overcome any fear of heights if you want to complete the last half mile of the hike where it'll require visitors to hold onto chains. This is a hike that requires good hiking shoes or boots and not your regular tennis shoes.
Angel's Landing started requiring permits in 2022 due to its high popularity which can be reserved on recreation.gov. The permit allows you to hike Scout Lookout to Angels Landing (the peak) along the half-mile section of the trail with chains. To obtain the permit is through a lottery system that can be requested at least 3 months in advance or a day-before lottery request. If you don't plan on reaching the peak, then the permit is not needed because you'll still get some great views during the switchbacks up the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions to Prepare:
How far in advance should I plan my Zion National Park trip?
Ideally 3–6 months in advance, especially if you want to secure an Angel's Landing permit, book the Zion National Park Lodge, or visit during peak summer and fall seasons. Don't make the same mistake I did by only planning two months in advance which made it really tough to secure ideal accommodations closer to the park at an affordable rate.
What is the best time of year to visit Zion National Park?
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures, but each season has its charm. Summer is the busiest, and winter offers a quieter, snow experience on the trails. I went during October 2020 and had a great experience with weather.
How do I prepare for Zion National Park physically?
Build up your cardio and leg strength before your trip, especially if you plan to hike Angel's Landing or The Narrows. Some trails involve significant elevation gain.
What should I pack when preparing for Zion National Park?
At a minimum bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks, layers for changing temperatures, sturdy hiking shoes, a hat, and a small bag for your trash. For The Narrows, consider renting gear from Zion Outfitters.
One Last Thing Before You Go
Zion National Park is truly one of the most breathtaking destinations in the United States and by far one of my top favorite national parks. Respect the trails, pack out what you pack in, and take a moment to soak it all in.
Have questions about your upcoming trip? Drop them in the comments below. And if you found this guide helpful, share it with a fellow traveler who's been dreaming of Zion!
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