We are excited that you are planning a trip to Zion

These unprecedented times are placing new challenges on all of us. We understand the desire to get away from it all and enjoy the beauty and simplicity of nature, and we are here to make that experience as rewarding as possible. To that end, we ask that you also understand that these events have placed a host of challenges on our small community. All of the businesses in Springdale are working hard to respond. Additionally, the National Park Service is doing all that it can to modify its operations to continue to allow visitation in meaningful ways. But, we are all in a novel situation. Please modify your plans with the expectation that everything from eating at a restaurant, to getting to a trailhead is going to take a bit longer than it otherwise would. Please know that despite these deviations from normal, we are all doing our best to make sure that you can have the best experience possible while you are here. 

#LeadWithUnderstanding

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PARK OPERATIONS AND Closures

• The Zion Scenic Drive Shuttle is running. Historically, the National Park free shuttle could seat 63 occupants, plus standing room. Retrofitted shuttles will seat only 32; no standing passengers allowed. Zion Adventure Co. will continue to run shuttles in the canyon even when the Park shuttles resume.
• Zion is collecting entrance fees. No personal vehicles will be permitted up canyon unless you have reservations to stay at the Zion Lodge.  Zion Lodge guests may drive to the Lodge, but also need to purchase a National Park shuttle ticket to ride the park shuttles to the various trailheads.
• Camping in both the Watchman and South Campgrounds is now open. Note: Due to administrative reasons, Zion National Park is closing the Watchman campground for the month of October.
• The Kolob Canyons district (Exit 42 off of Interstate 15) of the park is OPEN.
• ​Hiking on Zion's east side is open. All backcountry trails that do not require permits are open.
• No backcountry permits are being issued at this time, so all overnight hiking and backpacking trips are currently prohibited.
• All technical canyons are closed, but day-use climbing has resumed! Permits are not required for day-use rock climbing! Yay!!! 
• There is no walk-in camping  outside the main campgrounds allowed

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Zion Entrance and shuttle system updates

Zion National Park Shuttle System

• Starting July 1, you'll need to purchase your entrance fee AND a $1 ticket to ride the park shuttle on the ZIon Canyon Scenic Drive. Note: You will still be able to ride a bicycle or book our commercial shuttle for access.
• NPS shuttles will have a seating capacity of 32.
• You will need a shuttle ticket for each day you wish to use the shuttle. Shuttles will board at the ZIon Canyon Visitor Center. Each ticket will have a boarding timeframe and date. 
• If you bike, walk or use a commercial service's shuttle service, you'll still need a ticket to use the National Park Shuttle.
• Even if you have a reservation at the Zion Lodge or in Watchman Campground, you'll still need to purchase park shuttle tickets to get up canyon.
• Park shuttle departures from the Visitor Center will begin at 6am and end at 4pm. Your boarding time will be for a time period: ie, 7am - 8am, or 8am - 9am. Follow the signs to your time period's boarding area. You'll be asked to present your tickets upon boarding the shuttle. 
• Please be at the boarding area a little early, but not too early, for your boarding time.  If you are late and miss your boarding time, the rangers will do their best to get you on a later shuttle, but priority will be given to those on time for their shuttle departure and your access at that point is not guaranteed.
• Parking at the Visitor's Center is limited and shuttle tickets do not guarantee parking. Since the Springdale Town Free Shuttles are not yet in operation, please leave time to park in Springdale and walk to the Visitor Center.

How To Obtain a Park Shuttle Ticket

• No shuttle tickets will be sold in person. You can purchase them at home, use the Recreation.gov mobile app, or call 877-444-6777. Cell service isn't too great in Springdale. Use your wifi access at your hotel or campground. Alternatively, Washington County Library, Springdale - located on Lion Blvd - has limited computer access and printers for a small fee. Hours are Mon - Thurs: 10am - 7pm, Fri: 10am - 5pm, Sat: 12pm - 5pm
• Set up an account on www.recreation.com
• Select the day and preferred time of your visit. Add it to your cart. Check out.
• You will receive an email confirmation with attached copies of your ticket(s). Print this and bring it with you on the day of your visit.
• Tickets are limited each day. On June 30 at 9am, tickets will go on sale for the month of July. A percentage of tickets will be available to purchase in advance (about 40%). The rest will be available at 9am the day before. Ex: Tickets for July 2 will be available starting at 9am on July 1.
• Each recreation.gov user can purchase 8 tickets per day. Each individual member of a group - including children - needs a ticket.
• Tickets are non-transferable.

Once You Are in the Canyon

• Once in the canyon, you can get off and on the shuttle anywhere, and as many times as you wish.
• You'll still need your shuttle ticket to board the circulating shuttles within the canyon.
• If you lose your ticket, some rangers at some shuttle stops will have a master list of ticket holders for the day. They'll be able to verify your access, but this won't be a quick solution, so do your best to keep those tickets in a safe spot.​
• The last shuttle you can pickup at the Temple of Sinawava to leave Zion Canyon will be at 8:15pm

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WAYS TO ACCESS THE "ZION CANYON SCENIC DRIVE"

From most convenient to least convenient:

Book a Commercial Shuttle

• For those looking to minimize modifications to your plans, booking a shuttle is the only option that guarantees reaching the trailhead at a specific time.
• Once inside the national park you can NOT be picked up by a shuttle that you have not reserved in advance. 
• Shuttles take around 30 minutes to get from Springdale to the Temple of Sinawava.

Bike from Springdale into the Park

• Bikes are currently allowed to enter the park through the main fee entrance station or the pedestrian entrance located east of the main entrance by the river. If you enter through the main entrance, you must wait in line with the cars. You can not skip/cut the line even though you are conveniently sized.
• All bikes must remain on pavement. You can avoid riding your bike on State Route 9 by riding on the Pa’Rus trail. Due to increased road traffic, we recommend bikers avoid riding on SR-9 whenever possible.
• Be aware that there is an increase in traffic on the Scenic Drive and Pa’Rus trail and many blind corners. Please keep to the right side of the road and endeavor to ride single file to keep the lanes open. With the river running below you, it can be hard to hear vehicles coming up from behind you.
  
• If you are biking after 7:00pm, please make sure that your bike is equipped with proper lighting/reflection as visibility in the canyon decreases long before sunset.
• Additionally, it is easy to become distracted by the beauty of the canyon. This affects drivers, bikers, and hikers alike. Let’s stay safe out there.

Park at the Visitor Center & Walk

• The Scenic Drive is almost 7 miles long. This means that your day can have up to an additional 14 miles of hiking. It takes about 3-4 hours to hike the Scenic Drive ONE WAY. We are entering our hottest months, and this is not advised. However, if you plan to walk please bring extra water, sun protection and food. 
• This plan only makes sense for a very small portion of visitors: those with experience walking these kinds of distances in the heat. 
• Please park only in designated parking areas within the National Park. We understand that there is limited parking, but making new parking spaces/expanding current parking spaces erodes our fragile landscape.
• Be aware that there is an increase in traffic on the Scenic Drive and many blind corners. Please keep to the right side of the road and endeavor to walk single file to keep the lanes open. With the river running nearby, it can be hard to hear vehicles coming up from behind you.
• Additionally, it is easy to become distracted by the beauty of the canyon. This affects drivers, bikers, and hikers alike. Let’s stay safe out there.
• If you walk up the Scenic Drive, please plan to walk back. You will only be permitted to hop onto the park shuttle if you pre-purchased a shuttle ticket.