Zion National Park Guide and Commonly Asked Questions

I went to Zion National Park for the first time in 2019 on a week-long road trip from Northern California. Many people choose to fly into Las Vegas – which is one of the closest major airports to Zion –  and then rent a car or RV from Vegas for the trip to Zion.  

Although long road trips in a car are not usually my favorite way to travel, I found this road- trip a lot of fun because there were so many points of interest to stop and see along the way. 

I always remember it’s about the journey, not the destination.

But of course, it helps make the journey even better when one of your destinations is a place of marvelous grandeur such as Zion National Park!

What’s In This Zion National Park Guide?

The answers in this guide are all things that I had questions about before my first trip. After experiencing a trip to Zion first hand, this guide puts together what I learned during the trip and things that I would have considered helpful as a first-time trip planner and visitor.

Towards the end of the guide, I’ll also share the top 3 hikes I recommend for the leisurely hiker which are all easy to moderate in difficulty. All three hikes can also be completed in 1 day at Zion National Park and each gives a different perspective of Zion’s beauty.

When is the best time to visit Zion?

Spring and Fall would be the best time to visit because the temperatures are more pleasant. The summer days can be over 100 degrees F. I happened to go in July and I braved the heat of over 100 degrees! I still had a great time, but if I could do it again, I would visit when it’s slightly cooler if possible.

Where to stay when visiting Zion?

If you are coming from the West (such as from Nevada, California, etc), the town of Springdale has many hotels nearby and will bring you closest to the park entrance. Prices during high season can start at 200-300 a night so this is not exactly ideal for the budget traveler.

Hotels in the Utah Zion National Park region are well kept for and you will see many hotels with highly rated reviews. That is good news for travelers!

The next closest town where I recommend to stay overnight is La Verkin, Utah which is only about 30 minutes away from Zion. The drive is pleasant and scenic on the way to the park entrance.

• My personal hotel recommendation: I stayed at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham. The rooms were exceptionally clean, great staff and I recommend this hotel 100%! (not sponsored)

The rates of La Quinta will vary depending on when you go. I booked my stay on a whim during the same day of my check-in for about $80 on Hotels.com.

This was also a few days before the July 4th holiday so I thought that was a good deal!

I did notice a big price jump once the holiday weekend started so if you plan to go near holidays, plan to go before or after holiday weekends if you are looking for a deal. (Plus, you will avoid the crowds!)

Where to Park when visiting Zion National Park

While you are allowed to park in Zion, it’s not necessary because of the great shuttle system the park has in place. Instead, I recommend parking right outside of the entrance in the town of Springdale. (This applies if you’re coming from the west side).

Springdale is the town right beside Zion National Park. Springdale has one main street and street parking is allowed on the main road.

Parking is $15-$20 which is to be paid at an automated parking machine on the sidewalks. The receipt is to be placed on the car dashboard for proof of payment. 

Then, you can take the FREE shuttle that runs through Springdale to the entrance of Zion National Park. The ride is just a few minutes to the entrance.

The Springdale Shuttle stops are along the main road and there are many stops. So, wherever you park along the main road, you won’t be far from a shuttle stop.

If you’re in doubt about where to park in Springdale, just stop by the Springdale Visitor Center and get your questions answered. You will see it along the main road and it’s very visible, so don’t worry about passing it.

I explain the shuttle system and all about parking in the video below.

Can you park in Zion National Park?

Yes you can, but again, the shuttle system is really the best way to go.

A few reasons not to park at Zion National Park:

Parking at Zion tends to fill up by 9am so if you are not an early-bird, don’t bother! Spaces are limited.

Parking is $35 inside the park compared to $15-$20 outside of the park in Springdale.

You can’t drive your car along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during high season (March to November). In high season, the route is closed to cars, but the good news is that the free shuttle system runs along this route from March to late November (as of 2019). This route has all the entry points to Zion’s most popular hikes. 

The shuttle will take visitors to all the main hiking trails and has many shuttle stops, so a car is not needed. And really, the shuttle system is great and reduces stress! Shuttles run every 5- 7 minutes.

Can you drive your car in Zion?

Trick question! As mentioned, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed during high season. However, you can drive through the park on Highway 9 to the other side. It is a beautiful drive if you want to drive through and continue a road trip through Utah. In fact, I took this drive while heading to Bryce Canyon and the views along the highway were stunning!

Pictured below is a shot from Highway 9.

Just know that there are limited places to pull over to take photos or get out the car for the views. There are places along the route where you can’t stop at all such as the Mt Carmel Tunnel. 

This is also not a drive that will lead you to any of the main hiking trails. This drive serves a different purpose.

What essentials do you need to pack for a  Zion day trip?

Here are some essentials that you can’t do without.

Waterbottle – There are water refilling stations all throughout the park to help you stay hydrated. It’s vital to drink plenty of water during your hikes.  

Sunglasses and A Hat – The sun and heat can be intense. You can’t do with these.

A scarf or bandana for your head – I didn’t bring this and I wish I had! I saw many people wet their headbands in the river and put it on their head to stay cool. What a great idea! Too bad I didn’t bring one. And of course, it also helps catch all the sweat.

Good shoes for hiking – Stay safe of the trails and bring good shoes. It should be obvious that flip flops are not for Zion National Park! 

If you are planning on hiking the Narrows and need hiking shoes that are good for the water, there is gear available for rent at the entrance of the park.

Snacks to refuel. Think trailmix, nuts, dried fruit and even beef jerky.

Sunscreen – Don’t let your skin turn the same color as the Zion red cliff tops! Protect your skin and avoid sunburn.

Hydrating Chap Stick – Wow were my lips dry during the day at Zion! Bringing a good chap stick may save you. Lol

Dry Gear for your camera – If you bring a camera or phone for pictures, consider bringing something to keep it dry. Why? Under some of the trails like Emerald Pools, you may have water drops falling from above you. I had to put my camera away because I did not have any waterproof camera gear.

Top 3 Easy/Moderate Hikes – 3 miles or less roundtrip

The 3 hikes below can all be completed within the same day at a leisurely pace. I started my day at Zion at 1pm (yes I am a late starter) and by 7:30pm, I was done with all three hikes. And this was all done while stopping to take plenty of photos on each hike. Each hike offered different perspectives of Zion and I would choose these three hikes all over again.

The Riverwalk Trail 

On this 2-mile roundtrip trail, you will be walking beside the river on a paved path. It’s a beautiful and easy walk. This trail leads to the iconic Narrows of Zion National Park. The above picture was taken along this trail.

If you plan on continuing your hike up the narrows through the river, you will want to rent proper walking shoes and get a hiking stick.

To get to this hike, take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava. This is the last stop on the shuttle route. From that point on, the start of the trail is easy to find.

The below picture is where the Riverwalk Trail ends and The Narrows begins.

Emerald Pools Hike (lower)

Get off the shuttle at the Zion Lodge and walk across the street for the start of this hike. You will first see a bridge leading you across the river.

Feel free to stop get your feet wet in the refreshing water, especially on a hot day! You will see lots of people by the riverside enjoying the scenery as they bask in the water.

The hike to the lower Emerald Pools is .5 miles according to the park sign. However, it feels a lot more like 1 mile one-way.  You will be walking uphill during a portion of the walk, but it’s still a pretty easy-moderate hike.

At the end of the trail, you are rewarded with the sight of falling water from the cliffs tops into the “emerald pools.”

During the spring time, the trickling of water may look more like cascading waterfalls! I went in the summer and there is a steady trickling of water and still nice to see. (Find a preview of the trail in this video here: Zion Video Guide.)

Pictured below is taken from the end of the Emerald Pools trail.

Weeping Rock Trail

Take this short .5 mile(one-way) uphill hike to a weeping rock. Why do they call it weeping?

You will see droplets falling from the cliffs as you stare into the red towering cliffs of Zion National Park.

This hike doesn’t take long and you will have plenty of time in your day to do a few other hikes.

In the video below, you will find previews of the Weeping Rock Trail and the Riverwalk Trail to The Narrows.

Moderate to Hard Hikes at Zion National Park

I must admit, I am not much of a long strenuous hike type of gal. So, I didn’t do any long hikes like Angels’ Landing or the hike through The Narrows. They both look amazing from what I have researched, but I do recommend checking out other sources if you are planning for these hikes or want to learn more about them. You can check out more of the hikes here: https://www.zionnationalpark.com/explore/things-to-do/hike/

How much does it cost to enter Zion National Park?

It is currently $20 per person or $35 per vehicle. Passes last for 7 days.

Get up to date rates here: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm

If you are going to be visiting other national parks, I would recommend getting an annual pass. The Annual Pass in 2019 cost me $80. This can be used at any of the National Parks including Yosemite or Yellow Stone. You can save a lot of money if you plan on visiting any other national parks this year.

If you are planning to head back West from Zion towards Vegas, I found a fun hiking trail to dinosaur tracks not too far from Zion National Park in a town called St George. You may want to consider checking it out. Learn more about the hike here: Hike To Dinosaur Tracks In Utah.

Have more questions about Zion? I welcome you to leave a comment below!

Related Post:

• Hike To Dinosaur Tracks In Utah