Zion National Park: planning guide
A red-rock canyon in southern Utah with a river and steep walls. The main canyon shuttle is the usual way in when it’s running.
Zion National Park is in UT, United States. The nearest town is Hurricane — roughly 15.8 mi (25.4 km) out, about 39 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: March through May, then October through November. Shoulder season: February and early December.
Summer highs regularly clear 100 °F / 38 °C. Winter is pleasant by day but nights drop below freezing at elevation.
Summer heat is the real hazard, not the crowds. Hike at dawn, skip exposed trails after mid-morning, and never rely on finding water.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 15.8 mi (25.4 km) | 39 min |
| Hildale | 21 mi (33.8 km) | 48 min |
| Cedar City | 26.1 mi (42 km) | 57 min |
| Saint George | 32.4 mi (52.1 km) | 1 hr 8 min |
| Kanab | 33.7 mi (54.2 km) | 1 hr 10 min |
| Parowan | 39.4 mi (63.4 km) | 1 hr 20 min |
| Enterprise | 41.3 mi (66.5 km) | 1 hr 23 min |
| Panguitch | 49.4 mi (79.4 km) | 1 hr 37 min |
Before you go
Zion National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing: Fall (Hikes on September 1 – November 30) | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Angels Landing: Spring (Hikes on March 1 - May 31) | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Angels Landing: Summer (Hikes on June 1 – August 31) | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Angels Landing: Winter (Hikes on December 1 - February 28) | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Zion Left Fork North Creek (Subway) Seasonal Lottery | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Zion Mystery Canyon Seasonal Lottery | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Zion National Park Canyoneering Advanced Reservations | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Zion National Park Canyoneering Daily Lottery | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lava Point | Reservable | — |
| South Campground | Reservable | — |
| Watchman | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angels Landing: Fall (Hikes on September 1 – November 30) | Permit / lottery | — |
| Angels Landing: Spring (Hikes on March 1 - May 31) | Permit / lottery | — |
| Angels Landing: Summer (Hikes on June 1 – August 31) | Permit / lottery | — |
| Angels Landing: Winter (Hikes on December 1 - February 28) | Permit / lottery | — |
| Zion Left Fork North Creek (Subway) Seasonal Lottery | Permit / lottery | — |
| Zion Mystery Canyon Seasonal Lottery | Permit / lottery | — |
| Zion National Park Canyoneering Advanced Reservations | Permit / lottery | — |
| Zion National Park Canyoneering Daily Lottery | Permit / lottery | — |
| Zion National Park Overnight Climbing Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
| Zion National Park Overnight Narrows Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
| Zion National Park Overnight Wilderness Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Zion National Park sits
Official Zion National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Zion National Park
Zion National Park sits close enough to Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Great Basin National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Canyon National Park | 51.2 mi (82.5 km) | 1 hr 40 min |
| Grand Canyon National Park | 100 mi (161 km) | 2 hr 49 min |
| Capitol Reef National Park | 120 mi (193 km) | 3 hr 18 min |
| Great Basin National Park | 134 mi (216 km) | 3 hr 38 min |
Parks close by
- Bryce Canyon National Park
Pink and orange hoodoos in a high Utah amphitheater. Short rim walks give you most of the classic views.
- Grand Canyon National Park
A deep canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona. South Rim is the busy, easy-access side.
- Capitol Reef National Park
A long wrinkle of colorful rock (the Waterpocket Fold) in Utah. Orchards, cliffs, and quieter than the famous Utah parks.
- Great Basin National Park
A desert mountain park in Nevada with bristlecone pines and a cave. Quiet, high, and far from big cities.
Common questions
Where is Zion National Park?
Zion National Park sits in UT, United States. Hurricane, about 15.8 mi (25.4 km) away — roughly 39 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Zion National Park?
Generally March through May, then October through November, with February and early December quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Zion National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 3 campgrounds at Zion National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.