Zion National Park
Visitors come to Zion for sandstone canyon walls cut by the Virgin River and for hikes that range from a 30-minute round trip to a 4-hour round trip to Angels Landing.
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Zion National Park lies in southwestern Utah, near the town of Springdale, and covers about 229 square miles (590 km²). The North Fork of the Virgin River has carved Zion Canyon, about 15 miles (24 km) long, through reddish and tan Navajo Sandstone. The park sits where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert meet, so its canyons, mesas, arches and slot canyons share ground with unusually varied plants and animals. The park had 4,984,525 visitors in 2025.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive runs about 6 miles (9.7 km) to the Temple of Sinawava, where the trail into The Narrows starts. Where the canyon narrows, the walls close to about 20 feet (6 m) apart and rise up to 2,000 feet (610 m). From early April to late October, a free shuttle bus serves the canyon, and private vehicles are not allowed on the canyon road in those months. Spring brings unpredictable weather and wildflowers from April to June, and fall days are usually clear and mild. Summer days reach 95 to 110 °F (35 to 43 °C).
Zion National Park in five
- Enter the Angels Landing lottery earlyThe seasonal lottery opens months before your dates, and a day-before lottery covers the rest. Without a permit you stop at Scout Lookout.Permits and the shuttle
- Ride the shuttle, not your carIn shuttle season the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private cars. Park in Springdale and ride in; the bus is free.Permits and the shuttle
- Check the Narrows flow before you rent gearThe river hike closes when the Virgin River runs above 150 cubic feet per second, which is common in spring snowmelt. Check the flow the evening before.Zion in 2 days
- Non-US visitors pay $100 moreSince January 1, 2026, non-US residents 16 and over pay a $100 fee on top of the entrance fee, unless they hold an annual pass.NPS fees and passes
- Sleep in SpringdaleThe town sits at the south entrance and has its own free shuttle to the gate. You skip the parking hunt and can start on the first bus.Zion in 2 days
Things to do in Zion National Park
See all attractions in Zion National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- $35 per vehicle, 7 days. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each Read more
- Shuttle season
- Daily from about March to November, plus late-December holiday service. Free, no ticket Read more
- Permits
- Angels Landing (lottery), The Subway, canyoneering and overnight trips Read more
- Nearest town
- Springdale, at the south entrance
- Elevation
- Canyon floor about 4,000 ft (1,200 m); high point 8,726 ft (2,660 m)
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low-1°Cold, icy trailsJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, icy trails
- FebruaryClear5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low0°Quiet, snow possibleFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, snow possible
- MarchClear9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh16°Low4°Shuttle startsMarchClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Shuttle starts
- AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh22°Low8°Mild, river highAprilClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, river high
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low13°Warm, busyMayClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh34°Low19°Hot, Narrows opensJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Narrows opens
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh37°Low23°Very hot, floodsJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, floods
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh35°Low21°Monsoon stormsAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon storms
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Hot, fewer crowdsSeptemberClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, fewer crowds
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low9°Cool, fall colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, fall color
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh16°Low3°Quiet, shuttle endsNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, shuttle ends
- DecemberClear5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low0°Cold, shuttle runsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, shuttle runs
Average daily high and low in Zion Canyon, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Zion National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 48%
Zion National Park
01:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°5°48%Monday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Tue16°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed15°7°1%Wednesday: Clear. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu16°8°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri17°9°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat18°10°0%Saturday: Clear. High 18°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:01 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Zion National Park
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Rules for Zion National Park, checked
- Angels Landing: permit required beyond Scout Lookout, by seasonal or day-before lottery on Recreation.gov ($6 to apply, $3 per person if you win)Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- Nonresident fee: $100 per person aged 16 and over, on top of the entrance fee, since January 1, 2026Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Zion National Park
Entry rules, money and the park reservation picture
Read the guideUtah national parksBryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and the loop
Read the guideBryce CanyonThe nearest big neighbor, about 2 hours east
Read the guideLas VegasThe usual flight base, 2.5–3 hours away
Read the guideNational park fee for visitorsThe extra nonresident charge and the annual pass
Read the guideZion National Park FAQ
Do I need a permit for Angels Landing?
Yes, for the chained section beyond Scout Lookout. Apply in the seasonal lottery on Recreation.gov, or in the day-before lottery. The hike to Scout Lookout needs no permit.
Can I drive into Zion Canyon?
Not in shuttle season, roughly March to November, when the Scenic Drive is closed to private cars. You can still drive Route 9 through the east side of the park, including to Canyon Overlook.
When is the best time to hike The Narrows?
Usually late June to September, once snowmelt drops the river below 150 cubic feet per second. Check the flash flood forecast on the morning you go; summer storms can close it.
How many days do I need in Zion?
Two days covers Angels Landing or The Narrows on one day and the shorter walks on the other. Add a third day for the east side or Kolob Canyons.
Where should I stay for Zion?
Springdale, at the south entrance, so you can walk to the town shuttle and catch the first bus. Rooms sell out in spring and fall; St George and the east-side towns are cheaper but add a drive.