Zion National Park
Follow the paths where people have walked for thousands of years. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls of a narrow slot canyon. Zion’s unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present-day adventures.
Alerts
- ClosureWatchman Trail closed
The Watchman Trail is closed pending repairs.
- CautionNPS ↗Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
Vehicles that exceed length, width, height, or weight limits cannot travel between Canyon Junction and the park's East Entrance. See the current limits on the page linked below.
- CautionNPS ↗Toxic cyanobacteria in rivers, streams, and pools
Do not submerge your head in or drink instream water in Zion National Park.
- InformationNPS ↗Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program
All hikers need a permit to hike Angels Landing. Learn why you need a permit and how to get one using the link below.
- InformationNPS ↗Please park legally and responsibly
Zion has limited parking. Once parking spaces in Zion are full, visitors should park in Springdale. Please park only in designated spaces. Vehicles parked outside of designated spaces are subject to citation and towing.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Private VehicleAdmits private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all occupants to Zion National Park. Valid for 1-7 days. | $35 | |
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. | $30 | |
| SnowmobileAdmits one individual with no car to Zion National Park. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. Valid for 1-7 days. | $20 | |
| Per PersonAdmits one individual with no car to Zion National Park. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. Valid for 1-7 days. | $20 | |
| Non-commercial Groups$20 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. Pass and photo ID must be present upon entry. | $20 | |
| NonresidentEach non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Zion National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group. | $100 | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| VanA commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $70 | |
| Mini-busA commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $80 | |
| Motor CoachA commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $190 | |
| Per PersonA commercial tour is defined as one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $20 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkThe Zion Annual Pass is valid only at Zion and may be purchased in person. This pass is valid for 12 months from purchase month. This pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. You can buy this entrance pass at all entrance stations. | $70 | |
If you enter Zion, even if just to pass through the park, you will need to buy a recreational use pass (park pass). You can get a pass at any entrance station. Payment using a credit or debit card is preferred. Cash is also accepted. Standard passes are valid for 7 days. Passes are non-transferable. After you get your pass, keep it with you and do not lose it.
Hours
| Zion National Park | Daily · All Day |
When to go
June draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Watchman Campground | 190 sites | |
| $35 a night · Watchman Campground is typically open year-round. The D, E, and F Loops may experience seasonal closures due to weather or maintenance needs. | ||
| South Campground | 128 sites | |
| $35 a night · South Campground is open seasonally during spring, summer, and fall, typically from mid-March through October 31. The campground closes temporarily in winter. | ||
| Lava Point Campground | 6 sites | |
| $25 a night · Lava Point Campground is usually open from May through September, but the exact dates change depending on weather. · 6 reservable | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Zion Canyon Visitor CenterPassport stamp
Located near the South Entrance of the park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is an excellent place to begin your exploration of Zion Canyon. Park rangers and outdoor exhibits will help you plan your visit and make the most of your time.
- Zion Nature Center ↗
During the summer, come visit the Zion Nature Center! This is a perfect place to learn about geology, animals, and the history of Zion. Take a break from the sun to explore different habitats, enjoy bird songs, listen to canyon tree frog calls, and participate in Junior Ranger programs.
- Human History Museum ↗Passport stamp
Immerse yourself in the human history of Zion National Park! Rangers staff an information desk during operating hours. Indoor exhibits explore the people, places, and stories of Zion. Rotating exhibits feature regional artists, local discoveries, and more.
- Kolob Canyons Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
Closed daily from 12pm-1pm This is the entry point to the Kolob Canyons area of the park. It is located 45 miles north of Springdale and 17 miles south of Cedar City at Exit 40 on Interstate 15. Park rangers are available to answer questions.
Explore
Things to do
- La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch7-9 Hours
The La Verkin Creek Trail to the Kolob Arch allows hikers outstanding opportunities for solitude in a primitive area of Zion Wilderness.
Opens on the Park Service site - Upper Emerald Pools Trail1-2 Hours
Upper Emerald Pools Trail is a moderate, 1 mile (1.6 km) trail that can be accessed via the Kayenta Trail, Lower Emerald Pools Trail, or Middle Emerald Pools Trail.
Opens on the Park Service site - Sand Bench1-4 Hours
The Sand Bench Trail travels atop the remains of an ancient rockfall. This trail leads hikers along the Virgin River and then ascends a landslide that dammed the Virgin River 8,000 years ago and created a lake that extended to Angels Landing.
Opens on the Park Service site - Lower Emerald Pool Trail1-2 Hours
Lower Emerald Pool trail is a rough, paved trail that leads through pinyon-juniper woodland to the Lower Emerald Pool and ephemeral waterfalls.The pools are fragile and an essential water source for wildlife. Do not go into the water.
Opens on the Park Service site - Middle Emerald Pools Trail1-2 Hours
Middle Emerald Pools Trail is a moderate hike along an unpaved sandstone ledge above the Lower Emerald Pool Trail. The initial ascent is quite steep, bringing you to expansive views of main Zion Canyon below.
Opens on the Park Service site - Angels Landing1-2 Hours
On and after April 1, 2022 hikers continuing to Angels Landing from Scout Lookout are required to have a permit, obtained on recreation.gov.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 12Hide
- West Rim to Scout Lookout3-4 Hours
The strenuous West Rim Trail ascends ~1,000 ft (305 m) to Scout Lookout, high above the canyon floor. Hikers cross the Virgin River and then ascend a series of steep switchbacks along the canyon wall.
Opens on the Park Service site - Kayenta Trail2-3 Hours
The moderate, 2.0 mi (3.2 km) Kayenta Trail follows the Virgin River before ascending to the Lower and Upper Emerald Pool Trails. Provides panoramic views of Zion Canyon along the way. Long drop-offs are present along this trail.
Opens on the Park Service site - Weeping Rock15-45 Minutes
Short but steep! From the parking area, you'll cross the bridge and head to the left onto a paved trail to Weeping Rock. Along the way, look for small trailside exhibits and watch for minor drop-offs.
Opens on the Park Service site - Timber Creek Overlook30-60 Minutes
Follows a ridge to views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains.
Opens on the Park Service site - Taylor Creek Trail3-4 Hours
Kolob Canyons hike. Follows the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek past two homestead cabins to Double Arch Alcove. Group size limit on Wilderness trails is 12 people.
Opens on the Park Service site - Watchman Trail1-2 Hours
The Watchman trail is out-and-back. From the relatively flat beginning section of trail by the river, this unpaved trail climbs to a magnificent viewpoint of the Watchman, Temples and Towers, lower Zion Canyon, and the Town of Springdale.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
Events
- Museum Patio Program10/1402:00 PM · runs through Oct 17 · freeThis program takes place behind the Zion Human History Museum on the shaded outdoor patio.
- Watchman Evening Program10/1408:30 PM · runs through Oct 17 · freeThis program takes place in the outdoor Watchman Campground amphitheater.
- Watchman Trail Hike10/1408:30 AM · runs through Oct 17 · free · registration requiredRegister for this program at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center information desk.
- 10:00 AM · runs through Oct 17 · freeThis ranger talk takes place outdoors at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center amphitheater.
News
- Zion National Park Opens Visitor Access on the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway ↗2026-10-09
Zion National Park will reopen visitor access on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. A portion of the highway was closed Sept.
- Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel Nighttime Closures Announced ↗2026-09-15
The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel will experience temporary nighttime closures for a Utah Department of Transportation construction project. Closures will take place in late September of 2026.
- Visiting Zion National Park During Monsoon Season ↗2026-07-29
While visiting Zion National Park from July through September can bring adventure, it may also include rapidly changing weather.
- Independence Day Weekend 2026: Plan Ahead and Prepare for your visit to Zion National Park ↗2026-07-01
If your plans for this Independence Day Weekend include visiting Zion National Park, remember to plan for the heat and crowds as much as you’re planning to have fun.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Gateway to the Narrows TrailStructure · Springdale · 4.4 mi
- Grotto TrailStructure · Springdale · 5 mi
- Museum–Grotto ResidenceBuilding · Springdale · 5 mi
- Cable Creek BridgeStructure · Springdale · 5.2 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for Zion National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion: a Photographic Travel Guide to the National Parks of the SouthwestGrand Canyon Map Team, 2018Find at Bookshop.org
Local history books for Zion National Park
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthBighorn Sheep 13× · California Condor 5× · Spotted Owl 3× · American Badger 2× · Dusky Grouse 1× · Greater Roadrunner 1× · Golden Eagle 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 262 birds, 72 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · California Condor · Common Black Hawk · Cooper's Hawk · Ferruginous Hawk · Flammulated Owl · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Long-eared Owl · Merlin · Mexican Spotted Owl · Northern Harrier · Northern Pygmy Owl · Northern Saw-whet Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Prairie Falcon · Red-shouldered Hawk · Red-tailed Hawk · Rough-legged Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Short-eared Owl · Swainson's Hawk · Turkey Vulture · Western Screech-Owl
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Coot · American White Pelican · American Wigeon · Black-crowned Night Heron · Blue-Winged Teal · Bufflehead · Canada Goose · Cattle Egret · Cinnamon Teal · Common Goldeneye · Common Loon · Common Merganser · Double-crested Cormorant · Eared Grebe · Great Blue Heron · Great Egret · Green Heron · Green-winged Teal · Hooded Merganser · Horned Grebe · Lesser Scaup · Long-tailed Duck · Northern Pintail · Pacific Loon · Pied-billed Grebe · Red-breasted Merganser · Ring-necked Duck · Ruddy Duck · Snow Goose · Snowy Egret · Virginia Rail · Western Grebe · White-faced Ibis · Wood Duck
Shorebirds & seabirdsAmerican Avocet · Baird's Sandpiper · Bonaparte's Gull · California Gull · Forster's Tern · Franklin's Gull · Greater Yellowlegs · Killdeer · Least Sandpiper · Lesser Yellowlegs · Long-billed Dowitcher · Marbled Godwit · Mountain Plover · Pectoral Sandpiper · Red-necked Phalarope · Ring-billed Gull · Sanderling · Semipalmated Plover · Snowy Plover · Solitary Sandpiper · Spotted Sandpiper · Western Sandpiper · Willet · Wilson's Phalarope · Wilson's Snipe
Gamebirds & dovesBand-tailed Pigeon · Blue Grouse · Gambel's Quail · Mourning Dove · Ring-necked Pheasant · Rock Pigeon · White-winged Dove · Wild Turkey
WoodpeckersAcorn Woodpecker · American Three-toed Woodpecker · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Ladder-backed Woodpecker · Lewis's Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Red-naped Sapsucker · Williamson's Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsAnna's Hummingbird · Black Swift · Black-chinned Hummingbird · Broad-billed Hummingbird · Broad-tailed Hummingbird · Calliope Hummingbird · Costa's Hummingbird · Magnificent Hummingbird · Rufous Hummingbird · White-throated Swift
Also on the checklistAbert's Towhee · American Crow · American Dipper · American Goldfinch · American Pipit · American Redstart · American Robin · American Tree Sparrow · Ash-throated Flycatcher · Bank Swallow · Barn Swallow · Bell's Vireo · Belted Kingfisher · Bewick's Wren · Black Phoebe · Black-billed Magpie · Black-capped Chickadee · Black-chinned Sparrow · Black-headed Grosbeak · Black-necked Stilt · Black-throated Gray Warbler · Black-throated Sparrow · Blue Grosbeak · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Bohemian Waxwing · Brewer's Blackbird · Brewer's Sparrow · Brown Creeper · Brown-crested Flycatcher · Brown-headed Cowbird · Bullock's Oriole · Bushtit · Canvasback · Canyon Wren · Cassin's Finch · Cassin's Kingbird · Cedar Waxwing · Chipping Sparrow · Chukar · Clark's Nutcracker · Cliff Swallow · Common Nighthawk · Common Poorwill · Common Raven · Common Yellowthroat · Cordilleran Flycatcher · Dusky Flycatcher · Eastern Phoebe · Eastern Whip-poor-will · European Starling · Evening Grosbeak · Fox Sparrow · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-crowned Sparrow · Grace's Warbler · Gray Flycatcher · Gray Vireo · Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch · Gray-headed Junco · Great-tailed Grackle · Greater Roadrunner · Green-tailed Towhee · Hammond's Flycatcher · Hermit Thrush · Hooded Oriole · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Indigo Bunting · Juniper Titmouse · Lark Bunting · Lark Sparrow · Lazuli Bunting · Lesser Goldfinch · Lesser Nighthawk · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · Lucy's Warbler · MacGillivray's Warbler · Mallard · Marsh Wren · Mountain Bluebird · Mountain Chickadee · Nashville Warbler · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shoveler · Northern Shrike · Northern Waterthrush · Olive-sided Flycatcher · Orange-crowned Warbler · Oregon Junco · Ovenbird · Painted Redstart · Phainopepla · Pine Siskin · Pink-sided Junco · Pinyon Jay · Plumbeous Vireo · Pygmy Nuthatch · Red Crossbill · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-winged Blackbird · Redhead · Rock Wren · Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Rufous-crowned Sparrow · Sage Thrasher · Sagebrush Sparrow · Savannah Sparrow · Say's Phoebe · Scott's Oriole · Slate-colored Junco · Song Sparrow · Sora · Southwestern Willow Flycatcher · Spotted Towhee · Steller's Jay · Summer Tanager · Surf Scoter · Swainson's Thrush · Townsend's Solitaire · Tree Swallow · Vesper Sparrow · Violet-green Swallow · Virginia's Warbler · Wandering Tattler · Warbling Vireo · Western Bluebird · Western Kingbird · Western Meadowlark · Western Tanager · Western Wood-Pewee · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · White-throated Sparrow · White-winged Scoter · Wilson's Warbler · Winter Wren · Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay · Yellow Warbler · Yellow-billed Cuckoo · Yellow-breasted Chat · Yellow-headed Blackbird · Yellow-rumped Warbler
Small mammalsAmerican Beaver · American Pika · American Water Shrew · Black-tailed Jackrabbit · Botta's Pocket Gopher · Brush Mouse · Bushy-tailed Woodrat · Cactus Mouse · Canyon Mouse · Cliff Chipmunk · Common Muskrat · Crawford's Desert Shrew · Deer Mouse · Desert Cottontail · Desert Woodrat · Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel · Great Basin Pocket Mouse · House Mouse · Least Chipmunk · Long-tailed Pocket Mouse · Long-tailed Vole · Merriam's Kangaroo Rat · Montane Shrew · Montane Vole · Mountain Cottontail · North American Porcupine · Northern Flying Squirrel · Northern Grasshopper Mouse · Northern Pocket Gopher · Ord's Kangaroo Rat · Pinon Mouse · Red Squirrel · Rock Squirrel · Southern Grasshopper Mouse · Uinta Chipmunk · Western Harvest Mouse · White-tailed Antelope Squirrel · Yellow-bellied Marmot
PredatorsAmerican Badger · American Black Bear · Bobcat · Coyote · Ermine · Gray Fox · Long-tailed Weasel · Mountain Lion · Northern Raccoon · Red Fox · Ringtail · Striped Skunk · Western Spotted Skunk
Hoofed mammalsBighorn Sheep · Elk · Mule Deer
BatsAllen's Big-eared Bat · Big Brown Bat · Big Free-tailed Bat · Brazilian Free-tailed Bat · California Myotis · Fringed Myotis · Hoary Bat · Long-eared Myotis · Long-legged Myotis · Pallid Bat · Silver-haired Bat · Spotted Bat · Townsend's Big-eared Bat · Western Pipistrelle · Western Red Bat · Western Small-footed Myotis · Yuma Myotis
Also on the checklistGerbil
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Rock climbing in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
Zion is known for a wide range of weather conditions. Temperatures vary with changes in elevation and day/night temperatures may differ by over 30°F (16°C). In summer, temperatures in Zion National Park often exceed 100°F (38°C). Zion experiences monsoons from mid-July into September that result in an increased risk of flash floods. Always be aware of the threat of storms and lightning and be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Winters are generally mild.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Zion?
Entrance is $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per person on foot or bike. Admits private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all occupants to Zion National Park.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Zion?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Zion-only annual pass is $70.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Zion takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
Do international visitors pay more at Zion?
Yes. Visitors who are not US residents, age 16 and up, pay a $100 surcharge on top of the entrance fee, or carry the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass.
Source: The nonresident fee, explained
When is entrance to Zion free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Zion?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Zion. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
Is Zion open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Zion?
Yes. The Park Service lists 3 campgrounds in Zion: Watchman, South, and Lava Point. 3 take reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which Zion campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Dump station: Watchman and South. Electric hookups: Watchman.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Zion include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Watchman is $35 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Zion right now?
5 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Watchman Trail closed; Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Zion?
4,984,525 recreation visits in 2025, number 11 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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