National park

Zion National Park

By Insider’s Utah · Last updated: 12 October 2026

We based ourselves in Springdale for our first nights in Utah, and Zion set the bar for the rest of the trip. This is our planning hub for the park: the hikes worth your time, how the shuttle shapes your day, and where to stay.

The Pa'rus Trail at dusk, Zion National Park
Entrance fee$35 per private vehicle for 7 days. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person.
Canyon shuttleRuns 7 March to 28 November in 2026. Private cars can’t use the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive while it operates.
Angels LandingPermit needed beyond Scout Lookout, through lotteries on Recreation.gov: $6 to apply, then $3 per person if you win.
Base townSpringdale, at the South Entrance.

Top sights

Watchman Trail
Hike

Watchman Trail

Our favourite Zion hike. It starts by the visitor centre, and the loop past the first plateau has the best views.

Closed for repairs since August 2026
Angels Landing
Hike

Angels Landing

Zion’s famous ridge walk above the canyon, and how the permit lottery works.

The Narrows
River hike

The Narrows

Wading up the Virgin River between the canyon walls. It closes when the river runs above 150 cfs.

Lower Emerald Pool
Hike

Lower Emerald Pool

A short, easy walk from Zion Lodge. Pretty rather than jaw-dropping, and busy because it’s so close to the lodge.

Pa'rus Trail
Walk

Pa’rus Trail

Flat and paved beside the Virgin River. It’s the trail we stuck to for stargazing after dark.

The Red Caves
Near the park

The Red Caves

A slot canyon outside the park boundary, and how to reach it.

Hikes

All Zion hikes
Watchman Trail3.3 mi · 368 ft · about 2 hours · ModerateClosed for repairs since August 2026
Pa’rus Trail3.5 mi · 50 ft · about 2 hours · Easy
Lower Emerald Pool1.2 mi · 150 ft · about 1 hour · Easy
Canyon Overlook1 mi · 163 ft · about 1 hour · Moderate
Angels Landing, from the Grotto5.4 mi · 1,488 ft · about 4 hours · Permit required
The Narrows, bottom up to Big Spring9.4 mi · 334 ft · up to 8 hours · Strenuous

Round-trip distance, elevation gain and times from the National Park Service. Most people walk only part of the Narrows and turn back.

Where to stay

Full guide to staying near Zion
Where we stayed · Springdale

Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale

Keenly priced, with very spacious rooms and, from some, a view of the Watchman. It isn’t luxurious and the breakfast is forgettable, but it’s good value this close to the park.

Check prices on Booking.com
More places to stay

Hotels, Airbnbs and campsites

Eat and explore

Springdale

Springdale sits right outside the South Entrance, and there’s a pedestrian and bike entrance into the park at the edge of town. We really liked the food at the Spotted Dog, the restaurant at Flanigan’s.

Itineraries

Zion

2 days in Zion

How we’d split the canyon, the shuttle and the hikes over two full days.

Road trip

Utah national parks road trip

An eight-day loop through Utah’s national parks, with a route map and ideas for extra stops.

Map

Open in Google Maps · Our Zion map guide

Before you go

  • Entrance fees: $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person on foot or by bike, all valid for 7 days. Under-16s are free. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person; an America the Beautiful pass ($80 for US residents, $250 for non-residents) covers this for the holder and their car.
  • Shuttle: from mid-May to mid-September the first bus leaves the visitor centre at 7am and the last at 7pm, with shorter hours either side. There’s no service from 29 November to 25 December 2026.
  • Angels Landing permits: the lottery for 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027 is open until 20 October 2026. You can also enter the day-before lottery on Recreation.gov between 12:01am and 3pm Mountain Time.
  • The Narrows: no permit is needed to hike from the bottom up as far as Big Spring. The route closes when the river flows above 150 cfs or a flash flood warning is issued.
  • River water: toxic cyanobacteria grow in Zion’s rivers and pools. Don’t drink the water or put your head under.
  • Current closures: the Watchman Trail is closed pending repairs, Kolob Canyons Road is closed beyond South Fork Trailhead after rockfall, and Hidden Canyon is closed. Check the latest alerts before you go.

We check these details against the National Park Service whenever we update this page.

All our Zion guides

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