Zion National Park
Updated
Overview
Zion packs jaw-dropping canyon scenery into a relatively small area, which is both its magic and its curse. Angels Landing and The Narrows are bucket-list hikes, but with nearly 5 million visitors squeezed into 230 square miles, this is one of the most congested parks in the system. The mandatory shuttle system helps, but expect waits. Come in February or November for dramatically better conditions.
Skip the main canyon shuttle madness entirely — drive the Kolob Terrace Road for stunning views and trailheads with almost no one around. It's Zion's best-kept secret.
When to Go
The sweet spot is April — good weather meets manageable crowds. Peak season hits in June.
Peak conditions: 73F, blooming desert, and full trail access. Expect crowds at Angels Landing but perfect weather justifies the company.
Monthly crowd levels — click a month for details
Seasonal Closures
Kolob Terrace Road: Typically closes mid-November through March due to snow
How Busy Is It?
How Zion compares to all 62 national parks
Busier than 95% of national parks
Very BusyMore crowded trails than 93% of parks
Very BusyHigher campsite pressure than 74% of parks
Above AverageNotable Trails
Zion has more trail mileage than 58% of national parks, with 90 miles across 65 maintained trails.
The difficulty split leans moderate to strenuous — only 23% of trails are rated easy.
Timber Creek Overlook
Upper Emerald Pools Trail
The Narrows
La Verkin Creek Trail to Kolob Arch
Start early — Zion's most popular trailheads fill up by mid-morning in peak season.
Camping
3 campgrounds with 299 total sites. All sites require reservations.
Top Activities
Zion excels at 7 of 17 activity types — here are the standouts rated 7/10 or higher.
Hiking
10/10World-class hiking including slot canyons, river wading, and exposed ridge trails
Canyoneering
10/10Premier canyoneering destination with technical slot canyons; permits required
Rock Climbing
9/10World-renowned big wall climbing on Navajo sandstone; permits required
Stargazing
8/10Certified International Dark Sky Park with excellent conditions
Ranger Programs
8/10Daily programs, evening talks, and junior ranger activities
Biking
7/10Pa'rus Trail and limited road biking; no mountain biking on trails
Bird Watching
7/10Over 200 bird species including California condors and peregrine falcons
Who It's For
Planning Your Trip
Getting There
Nearest city: Las Vegas, NV (160 mi). Fly into LAS.
In-Park Services
No gas in park · Lodging available · Cell: limited
Gateway Town
Springdale, UT — full amenities
Location
Featured In ?Rankings based on data-driven scoring across all 62 national parks.
Stories
Gateway Cities
Road Trips
Zion is a stop on these road trips:
Compare Zion
See how Zion stacks up against other national parks — crowds, trails, and more.
Compare ZionFrequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?
The best month to visit Zion is April, based on a balance of weather, crowds, and accessibility. Peak visitation is in June. The park has 6 comfortable months for visiting.
How crowded is Zion National Park?
Zion is very crowded, with a congestion index of 8.9/10. The park receives 4.9M visitors annually across 229.9 square miles.
How many trails does Zion National Park have?
Zion has 90 miles of trails across 15 easy, 30 moderate, and 20 strenuous routes. Popular trails include Angels Landing, The Narrows (Bottom-Up), Observation Point via East Mesa.
Can you camp at Zion National Park?
Yes, Zion has 3 campgrounds with 299 total sites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served.
Is Zion National Park open year-round?
Yes, Zion is open year-round, though some roads and facilities may close seasonally. The park's climate is classified as arid_desert.