Zion National Park

Zion National Park will be undergoing repair work to bridges and the tunnels which will require some traffic safety measures including lane restrictions and closures:

1. Work on the Virgin River Bridge at Canyon Junction will require some single lane traffic during some periods of the summer, alternating directions to accommodate traffic flow when needed April – August
2. East Tunnel Portal Bridge will require some single lane traffic, alternating directions to accommodate traffic flow when needed April – mid September.  Some work will be accomplished during night-time hours per Mt. Carmel Tunnel schedule
3. Mt. Carmel Tunnel work will be accomplished overnight from April to mid-June:  One lane closures will be implemented between 7pm and 10pm with traffic alternating between east and west travel.  The tunnel will be completely closed from 10pm to 5am
4. Short Tunnel on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway: work will be accomplished overnight early to mid-June. One lane closures will be implemented between 7pm and 10pm with traffic alternating between east and west travel.  The tunnel will be completely closed from 10pm to 5am

We appreciate folk’s tolerance as we make these needed safety and long-deferred repairs!

Voted one of the best places to hike in America, enchanting Zion National Park shows off the best of nature’s power and delicate beauty.  The red and white walls of Navajo sandstone from the Jurassic Era rise 2,000 feet to the sky.  Discovering Zion means discovering secret waterfalls draped with hanging gardens, world-famous slot canyons, natural arches and other marvels. 

Entering Zion from Mount Carmel Scenic Byway (East Gate), you will immediately find yourself overwhelmed by fantastic rock formations.  Curious big-horn sheep may stare at you as you drive past.  Just before entering the historical Zion Tunnel, pull over for your first rewarding hike at Canyon Overlook—a short, steep hike with dramatic views.  Enjoy your drive through the historic 1.1-mile tunnel, take in teasing views from the giant slot ‘windows’ looking down into the canyon below. Continue zip-zagging along the switchbacks and pause at pull-outs with awesome views. 

Convenient and free shuttle buses will be waiting at the Visitor’s Center to take you to the park past the Virgin River, narrowing canyons and soaring plateaus of Zion.  Each bus stop is the beginning of a great hiking adventure. 

Bucket List 

“The Narrows: Top to Bottom”.  Hike knee-deep in the Virgin River surrounded by 2,000-foot-high walls during this exhilarating 16-mile overnight hike.  Considered The Grandfather of all slot canyons, few hikes on earth inspire you with such grandeur.  If preferred, you can take a much shorter “bottom-up” version from the Temple of Sinawava. 

History
Zion National Park was discovered in 1908 during a Federal Land Survey. It was previously only known to Native Americans and some early Mormon pioneer settlers. After the survey, President William Howard Taft was made aware of the magnificent area and in 1909 he turned about 15,000 acres of the main canyon into a National Monument. It was called Mukuntuweap. In 1919 the park’s status was changed to a National Park and the name was changed to Zion. Visitors were few in numbers for many years because getting to Zion National Park was extremely difficult. Eventually roads were paved and railroads were built near the park. The number of visitors to the park started growing and now Zion National Park hosts more than 1 million visitors on an annual basis. 

Geology
The rock formations in the park are sedimentary. These formations are part of a large sequence of rock layers or levels that comprise what is called the Grand Staircase. The Grand Staircase extends from The Grand Canyon through Zion National Park and into Bryce Canyon National Park. The sediment was deposited over a span of 150 million years and can be seen in 9 different layers. The lowest, and oldest, layers were caused by a warm shallow sea; some were caused by lakes, streams, and ponds, while other layers were formed during a time when the area was an arid desert. Still others were formed in a shore-line atmosphere. 

Over time, these formations were steadily raised more than 10,000 feet from where they were originally deposited. The Virgin River became much more powerful and cutting due to the added gravity, and this resulted in deep gorges being sliced through the plateau. Flash flooding during rainy seasons in Zion National Park causes high water volume to cut even deeper into the main canyons. 

Zion National Park Biology and Wildlife: 

Flora
Plants in Zion National Park consist of cacti, grasses, ferns, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs. Because water leaks from some of the cliffs in the park there are beautiful hanging gardens in a few areas. There are more than 800 species of plants that are native to the area. Trees grow along the Virgin River and its forks and tributaries. Some trees can also grow from cracks in the canyon walls in Zion National Park. During the hot summer months many types of flowers bloom in the evening or in the middle of the night. From the wildflowers blooming in the spring and summer, to the trees changing colors in fall, the plant life in the park is beautiful against its rocky backdrop. 

Fauna
There are over 400 species of animals in the vast wilderness of Zion National Park including mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. There are over 250 species of birds ranging from small hummingbirds to large eagles. Lizards are a common sight in the summer. The only species of venomous snake found in the park is the Western Rattlesnake. 

Trails
The Narrows is probably the most popular hike in Zion National Park. The hike’s length depends on your abilities but can be as long as 16 miles. It is very busy during the summer months but also most enjoyable then. The canyon is so narrow at points of the hike that the Virgin River covers the entire bottom and you must wade or swim to continue. Permits are required to hike here. There are a few designated camping areas along the trail, but you must have a permit to stay there and you may only spend one night in the canyon. You must get your permit the day before you start your overnight hike in Zion National Park. Flash floods are common in this area and have been deadly. Permits are given out at 3pm if the forecast is clear but get in line a few hours before that to make sure you get one. 

Angels Landing is another popular hike, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. This steep but rewarding trail is five miles round trip and offers spectacular views of some of Zion’s most interesting geology at the top. The trail branches off from the West Rim Trail, and a permit is required for Angels Landing-specific part of the trail only.  The permit can be acquired in a seasonal lottery months prior, with a limited number also available through a day-before lottery. 

The Subway is a slot-canyon hike within Zion National Park. It is strenuous and semi-technical and you must have a permit to enter the canyon. Most people hike it top to bottom and it is best to hike it with an experienced canyoneering guide. The hike is 9.5 miles long and takes 7 to 9 hours to complete. There is no serious rappelling involved but a 50-foot rope is helpful to lower packs and aid in getting down some cliff faces. The hike involves scrambling over boulders and climbing down waterfalls. 

Another popular hike in Zion National Park is Weeping Rock. This is an easier hike that is less than half a mile long. The trail is too narrow and steep for wheelchair access and strollers are not recommended. The hike takes you to Weeping Rock, an overhang that drips water and is covered in moss and ferns. Viewable from the hike are the Great White Throne rock formation and Cable Mountain. 

Know Before You Go 

Weather at Zion can be dangerous at times, from high temperatures to flash flooding to icy roads. Make sure you are adequately prepared for the weather, including plenty of water and sunscreen in the summer. 

A fee is required to enter Zion National Park. As of 2024, visitors can pay a one-time fee of $35 per vehicle or use various annual passes accepted at the park, including the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. Most areas of the park do not require a permit, but few individual hikes do require you to obtain a permit in advance that must be carried with you to show park rangers upon request.  

The park offers a robust system of free shuttles. During shuttle season, visitors cannot take personal vehicles on Zion Canyon Scenic drive. RVs and other oversized vehicles must obtain a $15 permit to pass through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. 

Three campgrounds are located within Zion National Park: Watchman Campground, South Campground, and Lava Point Campground. Each requires reservations in advance. Springdale, Utah is the nearest city to the park and offers a variety of hotels and other overnight accommodations.  

Check for updates on road construction, weather conditions, fee changes, and other news from the National Park Service related to Zion National Park here: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm