In a nutshell
- This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Zion National Park: admission, hours, getting there, and a map to help you get oriented.
- We walk you through our top 10 highlights — from easy strolls like the Riverside Walk to serious adventures like Angel’s Landing and The Narrows.
- Plus: honest hotel recommendations for Springdale and Hurricane, and the best guided day trips from Las Vegas if you’re short on time.
Zion National Park Highlights on the Map
Zion National Park is located in the western United States in the state of Utah. The nearest major city is Las Vegas, about a two-hour drive away.
The most important part of the park is the canyon — a gorge through which the Virgin River winds its way.
What makes Zion special is that you’re not just standing at the rim like you are at the Grand Canyon. Most of the attractions are right in the middle of the gorge, and you can hike or ride up to higher vantage points.
Admission to Zion National Park
Admission to Zion National Park costs $35 per vehicle, including all passengers. If you’re on foot, you only pay $20. Your ticket is valid for seven days.
Our tip: If you’re planning to visit at least two more national parks in the US, the America the Beautiful Pass is absolutely worth it. It costs $80 and gives you free admission to almost all national parks for 12 months.
Entrances and Shuttle Buses in Zion National Park
Zion has three entrances, which also reflect the different sections of the park. For your first visit to Zion, we strongly recommend the South Entrance.
- South Entrance: This is the main entrance. The Visitor Center is here, and the shuttle buses depart from here too. The entrance sits right at Zion Canyon — the part of the park that virtually every visitor comes to see. From Las Vegas, you reach this entrance via Interstate 15.
- East Entrance: A great option if you’re coming from Bryce Canyon (via US-89). It’s much less touristy, but there are still some real highlights, like the Canyon Overlook Trail. The East and South Entrances are connected via the Mount Carmel Highway.
- Kolob Canyons Entrance: This is the most remote part of the park. It doesn’t provide access to Zion Canyon — for that, you’ll need to drive around the western side of the park to the South Entrance. We’d suggest this section of Zion only as an extra side trip if you have a bit more time.
The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Important: If you’re driving from the East Entrance to the South Entrance, you’ll pass through the Zion Tunnel. Special regulations apply for large vehicles such as RVs, so be sure to check online in advance.
How Do the Shuttle Buses Work in Zion National Park?
Between May and December, private vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This is the road starting from the Visitor Center at the South Entrance, where almost all the viewpoints and trailheads are located.
If you arrive early, you can park in the parking lot at the Visitor Center inside the park. It fills up really quickly, though. After that, there are paid parking lots in Springdale, the nearest town just outside the park. From Springdale, a dedicated shuttle line runs to the Visitor Center.
From the Visitor Center, you transfer to the Zion Canyon Shuttle. This bus travels up and down the Scenic Drive, making nine stops — more on that below.
The shuttle buses are completely free. Depending on the time of year, they run roughly between 7 AM and 8 PM every ten minutes. You can find more details on the Zion National Park website.
Our Top Attractions in Zion National Park
Now for the most exciting part: what are the must-sees in Zion National Park? Here are our personal top ten highlights!
Canyon Overlook Trail
The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Zion National Park — and seriously underrated.
It begins right at the eastern end of the Zion Tunnel. If you enter the park through the East Entrance, this will likely be your first stop. No shuttles run here from the South Entrance, so you’ll need your own wheels.
The trail is only 1 mile long (round trip), but it does involve some elevation gain. Plan on about an hour and a half for the hike.
At the end, you’re rewarded with an absolutely stunning panorama of the Lower Zion Canyon.
Riverside Walk
The Riverside Walk is one of the easiest hikes in Zion National Park. You stroll along a paved path beside the Virgin River — about 2.5 miles with virtually no elevation gain.
You can even do it with a stroller or wheelchair.
Don’t let the easy terrain fool you, though: you’ll enjoy great views of the surrounding canyon walls of Zion Canyon, the Virgin River, and plenty of lush greenery along the riverbank.
The trail starts at the last shuttle stop, number 9 at the Temple of Sinawava.
The Narrows
The hike into the Narrows is for experienced hikers only. It’s the continuation of the Riverside Walk, but from here things get genuinely tricky — you’re literally walking through the riverbed of the Virgin River.
The water level changes almost daily: sometimes you stay completely dry, and other days you’re standing waist-deep in water.
But it’s so worth it! You hike through an incredibly narrow slot canyon with the deep turquoise Virgin River rushing through it. The scenery honestly looks like it’s from another world.
Set aside a full day for this one — it’s up to 9 miles and around eight hours of walking. You return the same way you came in, so you can turn around at any point if you don’t want to do the full hike.
Important: Wear ankle-high hiking shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting wet, and bring a layer of warm clothing. Check with the Visitor Center ahead of time for current conditions in the Narrows.
Checkerboard Mesa
Checkerboard Mesa is a beautiful viewpoint just past the East Entrance of the national park. Mesas are massive, white sandstone formations with completely flat tops.
This one has a striking checkerboard pattern that looks as though it’s been carved into the rock face — it’s genuinely fascinating up close.
A quick photo stop is all you need here. There’s a small pull-out right at the viewpoint. If that’s full, there’s a larger parking lot back toward the East Entrance — you can’t miss it.
Emerald Pools
The hike to the Emerald Pools is very moderate — great for families and casual hikers. These are natural pools with crystal-clear water, though swimming in them isn’t allowed.
It’s only about 0.6 miles to the Lower Emerald Pools, and another half mile or so to the Upper Emerald Pools — that section gets a bit more strenuous. The upper stretch is really worth the extra effort, since that’s where you’ll see the waterfalls cascading from the Upper to the Lower Emerald Pools.
Plan on about two to three hours for the full hike. The trailhead is at shuttle stop 5 at Zion Lodge.
Weeping Rock Trail
The Weeping Rock Trail isn’t really a hike so much as a short walk of about a third of a mile. It leads to a rock face where water drips down as if it’s crying — hence the name.
Depending on the time of year, a mini waterfall can form here as well.
It’s not an absolute must-see, but it’s a nice and — most importantly — quick detour. The trail starts right at shuttle stop number 7.
The Subway
The hike to The Subway takes you to a completely different side of the park — you’re no longer in Zion Canyon. The highlight is a rock tunnel that looks just like a subway shaft, which is exactly how it got its name.
To reach the trailhead, take Highway 9 to the town of Virgin and turn onto Kolob Terrace Road.
The trail is called the Left Fork Trail and covers a full 8.7 miles round trip. Plan on about seven hours and make sure you’re in good physical shape.
Important: A permit is required for this hike. You can get one either in person at the Visitor Center or through the online lottery. Find more details about the permit for The Subway on the NPS website.
Angel's Landing
Angel’s Landing is hands down the most famous trail in Zion National Park. It leads to a viewpoint on top of a rocky summit with the best views of Zion Canyon and the Virgin River you’ll find anywhere.
The hike is divided into two sections: the first leads to Scout’s Lookout via a regular trail, and average fitness is enough to get you there.
The second section pushes even experienced hikers to their limits — it’s more of a via ferrata than a hiking trail, following a very narrow, exposed rock ledge.
Warning: The only thing between you and the drop is a chain bolted into the rock — and in some spots, not even that. There are no safety harnesses. This is genuinely dangerous, especially when other hikers are coming the other way. If you don’t have any climbing experience, we strongly advise against attempting the second section!
The trailhead for Angel’s Landing is at shuttle stop The Grotto (number 6). The total distance is 5 miles, and you should plan for about four hours of hiking time.
Important: Since 2022, a permit is required for Angel’s Landing. Without one, you may only hike as far as Scout’s Lookout. More information is available on the Angel’s Landing website.
Kolob Canyons
The Kolob Canyons are a completely different and wonderfully secluded section in the northwestern part of the national park. If you want to escape the crowds, this is the place to go.
You can reach the Kolob Canyons via Highway 9 and Interstate 15, but it’s still about an hour’s drive from the South Entrance. The trip is really only worthwhile if you have a full day to spare.
In return, you get stunning new vistas and great hiking trails — and above all, plenty of peace and quiet.
One hike we’d particularly recommend in the Kolob Canyons is the Taylor Creek Trail.
Pa'rus Trail
The Pa’rus Trail is one of the easiest walks in Zion National Park. It has virtually no elevation gain and is paved the whole way. If you’re out with a stroller or wheelchair, this is your best bet.
The path runs alongside the Virgin River and offers great views of the surrounding mountains. With a bit of luck, you might even spot deer along the way.
You can start the trail at shuttle stops one, two, or three.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park: Our Hotel Recommendations
The closest hotels to Zion National Park are in Springdale. This is super convenient, since the shuttle bus to the Visitor Center also runs from Springdale — you can leave your car right at the hotel. That said, accommodation here can be quite pricey, especially in summer.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Springdale
Our Hotel Recommendations for Hurricane
Visiting Zion National Park as a Day Trip
Since private cars aren’t allowed through most of Zion for much of the year anyway, the park also works really well as a day trip on a guided tour.
Most tours depart from Las Vegas, since the city is only about an hour’s drive from Zion. This fits perfectly into a road trip along the West Coast of the USA.
Day trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
There are even multi-day tours available that take in additional national parks. These are incredibly convenient — you have an experienced guide with you the whole time and your accommodation is already included.
2-Day Tour: Zion + Antelope Canyon + Grand Canyon + Horseshoe Bend
3-Day Tour: Zion + Bryce Canyon + Antelope Canyon + Grand Canyon
Lies auch:
Frequently Asked Questions about Zion National Park
When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?
The best time to visit Zion National Park is spring, from April through June. Temperatures are really pleasant and the scenery is especially beautiful. Keep in mind that snowmelt is still happening, so some trails — like the Narrows — may not be accessible yet.
If you want to do a lot of hiking, September and October are your best bet. All trails are open and the summer crowds have thinned out.
We’d steer clear of July and August. It gets seriously scorching hot in the park, thunderstorms are frequent, and the trails are packed.
How many days do you need for Zion National Park?
You can see the essentials of Zion in one day — enough time to ride the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and squeeze in a shorter hike.
That said, we really recommend at least two full days. The park has so many beautiful trails, and some of them take a good chunk of the day to complete properly.
Are there wild animals in Zion National Park?
Yes — though you’ll most likely spot smaller animals like rabbits or chipmunks. Bears are almost never seen in Zion.
Even though the chipmunks are super cute and surprisingly bold, please don’t feed them. They can transmit diseases, and feeding them makes them dependent on humans for food.
