Zion National Park is Utah’s oldest national park, encompassing over 200 square miles of sandstone canyons, soaring cliffs, and coniferous woodlands. Its elevation sharply rises and falls, but the otherworldly terrain attracts all manner of outdoors enthusiasts, from photographers to rock climbers.
Zion sees about five million visitors a year, making it one of the most-visited national parks in the country. Naturally, this means hiking trails and shuttles can become unbearably crowded during the high season. To choose the best time to visit Zion National Park, you’ll need to evaluate the cost, crowds, and weather against the goals of your trip. The basic tourist seasons can be broken down as follows.
- High Season: Late May through mid-September
- Shoulder Seasons: March to mid-May and late September to November
- Low Season: December to February
Whether you’re seeking solitude or ideal canyoneering conditions, read on to find the perfect time for your Zion National Park getaway.
Best Times to Visit Zion National Park Overall
While summer is the most popular & best time to visit Zion National Park, this also equates to crowded trails and difficult parking. Plus, the weather can be uncomfortably hot in high summer. If you have the flexibility, making the trip during the park’s shoulder seasons, in spring or fall, can give you more breathing space, lodging options, and comfortable temperatures. Late October also offers the chance to see the park in all its glory as the leaves change to hues of oranges and yellows, covering the area in a blanket of color.
Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds
January is the best time to visit Zion for peace and quiet. It may be the middle of winter, but daytime temperatures remain comfortable. With average highs in the mid-50s, you can get away with wearing just a light jacket on one of the most beautiful winter hikes in the U.S., the Watchman Trail, though temperatures can dip below freezing at night. On the flip side, visiting at this time of year does present some challenges: Winter is the park’s wettest season and there can be snow, especially in higher elevations. Some trails may close due to icy conditions.
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Best Times to Visit for Good Weather
Summer in Zion is when you’ll get the most time to explore because of long summer days and extended park hours. However, July often ushers in debilitating midday heat with daily highs averaging 100 degrees, so you’ll want to tailor your visit to the cooler morning hours if you’re visiting in the summer.
If you’re looking for good weather and smaller crowds, consider September or October. Fall temperatures fluctuate, but the autumnal colors are stunning. Spring is also a great time of year in Zion, with average highs in March and April reaching into the 60s and 70s.
Due to its unique climate and range of elevation, Zion National Park experiences many weather conditions that can affect access to certain trails, sites, and attractions. Thunderstorms are most common in July and August. A good rule of thumb is to check Zion’s current conditions, no matter the season. Be sure to bring appropriate clothing and plenty of water to protect yourself in all scenarios.
Best Times to Visit for Lower Prices
To save on accommodations, food, and tours outside of the park, consider visiting Zion in the quieter months, particularly in January and February. This is when you’ll also have fewer crowds to deal with and more lodging availability.
No matter when you visit Zion, you’ll have to purchase an entrance pass, unless you enter the park via the free seasonal shuttle service from Springdale. The shuttle runs from March through October, with nine stops before dropping guests at the park’s pedestrian/bike entrance at Zion Canyon Village. From there, you can hop aboard the interior park shuttle to various trailheads, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows.
Best Times to Visit for Hiking
The Narrows are a major highlight of the park. This truly narrow section of Zion Canyon has walls that tower more than 1,000 feet high above a coursing river. You can get a sense of the area by walking along the paved and wheelchair-accessible Riverside Walk, but for a true Narrows experience, you’ll want to throw on a pair of waterproof shoes (or shoes you don’t mind getting wet) and walk up the Virgin River, which takes you further into the canyon. People tend to hike The Narrows in the summer and early fall, when the water is warmer and at its lowest level. However, you should always be mindful of flash flooding regardless of the season.
Hiking Angels Landing is a popular once-in-a-lifetime experience for those brave enough to tackle it. Not for novices, the last part of the path is cut into solid rock and leads hikers up the trail’s namesake 1,488-foot-tall formation. The nearly 5.5-mile round-trip hike can be done year-round, but should only be attempted in fair weather because it is quite dangerous. Most people hike it in the summer months.
Note that both of these hikes require visitors to reserve a permit before heading off. For other more casual hikes and open trails, it’s still important to keep the weather in mind. Snow can affect trail conditions and lead to closures, so be prepared for limited park access if you choose to visit in the winter.
Best Times to Visit for Canyoneering
Because of its narrow canyons and numerous waterways, this national park has become one of the country’s premier canyoneering destinations. Canyoneering is an activity that requires scrambling, climbing, and swimming up, down, and through canyons, often with the aid of ropes. Beginners can book a tour of the lower end of The Narrows, while more experienced visitors can head to the Left Fork (Subway) or Orderville Canyon.
You can go canyoneering in Zion year-round, but certain routes are sometimes limited due to snow and ice. The most comfortable time for the sport is during the summer when the water is warm and shallow.
Canyoneering permits can be obtained through an annual lottery system for Left Fork (Subway) and Mystery Canyon trips, calendar reservations up to three months in advance for all other canyons, or a last-minute drawing two days in advance for all routes.
Best Times to Visit for Camping
There’s nothing like waking up in the beauty of Zion National Park, which is why camping is one of the park’s most popular activities. That said, you’ll want to make reservations early, as Zion’s three campgrounds—South, Watchman, and Lava Point—fill up quickly.
Zion Canyon’s Watchman Campground is open year-round, while South and the more primitive Lava Point are typically closed over the winter (South Campground is currently closed for a long-term rehabilitation program). The most enjoyable time to camp is in the fall when the heat of summer loosens its grip and the peak-season crowds subside.
If you’re looking for more remote camping options, hike to backcountry sites. There are 13 to choose from along the seven-mile La Verkin Creek Trail, popular in spring, summer, and fall. Some sites can be booked in advance, while others are available on a walk-in basis with a required permit. Be mindful that these wilderness areas are affected by wildfires, rockfalls, flash floods, and other natural forces. So be sure to check the conditions before heading into the backcountry.
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Best Times for the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Seeing the sights along the renowned Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is a park highlight. From March through late November and during the December holiday season, you can only access the drive via the Zion Canyon Line park shuttle service. Private cars are only allowed on the drive during a small window when the park shuttles are not in operation.
The seven-mile drive is packed with hiking trails, picnic spots, and stunning views that require minimal physical effort to visit. You can stop and stretch your legs to get a good view of the Court of the Patriarchs or take in a sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge. The shuttle takes approximately 45 minutes to get from the Visitor Center to the last stop at the Temple of Sinawava before returning to the Visitor Center.
Worst Times to Visit
Since Zion offers breathtaking sights year-round, the least desirable season to visit depends on your priorities. Summer can be quite crowded, making it more challenging to access the park and visit the top sights. It’s also very hot in July and August, with daytime temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer and on holiday weekends like Easter, it can be hard to find affordable accommodations nearby. That said, this is also the best time for canyoneering in the park, as the water level is lower and the water temperatures are warmer.
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