Insider Tips For Visiting Zion National Park

Insider Tips For Visiting Zion National Park



Zion National Park

There are two shuttle systems in the Zion area

One shuttle system is for the town of Springdale.  The other shuttle system is for Zion Canyon.

Zion Canyon Shuttles

The Zion Canyon Shuttles ONLY service stops inside Zion Canyon. This is a free shuttle service that gets you into Zion, so you can hike into the Narrows, Angels Landing, Emerald Pools, and more. This shuttle picks up at the Zion Visitor Center.

Springdale Shuttles

The Springdale Town Shuttle ONLY service stops in Springdale. This is a free shuttle service that does NOT go into Zion Canyon. There are multiple stops around town, but all Springdale Shuttles end at Zion Village, which is a short walk from the Visitor Center.



I work in Zion and these are some of my tips for visiting the park!

Arrive early and there are higher chances you will find parking at the Visitor Center.  Arrive late and you will probably have to park in the town of Springdale and then take the shuttle to Zion Village.

Parking inside Zion can fill up early in the morning.  Park near one of the eight shuttle stops in the town of Springdale and get the free shuttle to Zion Village.  Then it’s a short walk from Zion Village up to the Zion Visitor Center where you can take the Zion Canyon Shuttles into the park.  Springdale parking has fees.

At Zion Village there is a pedestrian/bike entrance into Zion National Park where you can present your passes or buy passes. Then it’s a 1000 ft easy walk to the Zion Visitor Center where you can take the free Zion Canyon Shuttles into the park.

Tips for the Shuttles:

  • The actual shuttle buses for the Springdale line and the Zion Canyon line are the same.  The main difference is that the Springdale Shuttles are just a single bus and the Zion Canyon Shuttles are typically a double bus.
  • Both the Springdale Shuttles and the Zion Canyon shuttles are free, but if you feel like your drive did a good job, show them some gratitude.  Many drivers have some great narration and provide lots of insight to the Zion area.
  • You can load your bikes on the both the Springdale and  Zion Canyon shuttles.  There are racks on the front of every bus that can fit three bikes. (ebikes are not allowed on the shuttle racks though)
  • Every shuttle bus has a lift to allow access for visitors who are in wheelchairs or have limited mobility.
  • Before getting on a shuttle, make sure you have your park passes or the annual pass if you already have one.
  • It can be confusing since both the Springdale Shuttle stops and the Zion Canyon Shuttle stops are numbers 1 through 9. 
  • I can’t emphasize this enough: the Springdale Shuttles DO NOT go inside the Zion Canyon.
  • Be respectful to the driver and other passengers.

What Is There To Do At Each Shuttle Stop in Zion Canyon?



Here are the shuttle stops and the hikes or points of interest at them:

Shuttle Stop 1 = Zion Visitor Center

This is where you get on the Zion Canyon shuttles to go up into Zion Canyon. From the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava (stop 9), it’s about a 7.7 mile journey, which takes about 1 hr and 20 minutes roundtrip on the shuttle.
Visitor Center and gift shop
Information Desk
Restrooms
Water filling stations
Southern end of Pa'rus Trail

Shuttle Stop 2 = Zion Museum

Check for hours of operation as it may change throughout the year and season. This is a great stop to view displays about Zion. You can also drive your car to the museum if you want to skip the shuttles to visit the museum. There is ample parking for a few dozen vehicles.
(down canyon stop only)
Zion Museum
Restrooms
Water filling stations



Stop 3 – Canyon Junction

The shuttles stop going down canyon only, so don’t expect to hike up to this stop and get on a shuttle to go up canyon. There isn’t much to do at this stop unless you are hiking down the Pa’rus Trail to the Visitor center. This is the northern end of the Pa’rus Trail and it takes just about 1.75 mile to get to the Visitor Center.
(down canyon stop only)
No restrooms or water filling stations
Northern end of Pa'rus Trail

Stop 4 – Court of the Patriarchs

There are two trailheads here: the left trail goes down to the river and across the bridge and meets up with the Sand Bench Trail and the right trail goes up to an overlook of the three patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
No restrooms or water filling stations
Views of the Three Patriarchs

Stop 5 – Zion Lodge

Zion Lodge has two restaurants, a gift shop, and an outdoor beer ‘garden’. This is a great stop to relax after hiking all day. There are tons of cottonwood trees and a large grassy area to sit on and enjoy lunch. This is the stop to get to the Emerald Pools and it’s the southern end of the Grotto Trail. Many people love to hike to the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools from this stop.
Zion Lodge
Two restaurants and a gift shop
Large grassy area
Restrooms
Water filling stations

Stop 6 – The Grotto

This is a good picnic area with plenty of shade. The Grotto is the stop if you plan to hike to Angels Landing and the West Rim Trail. You can also hike to the Middle and Upper Emerald Pools from this stop via the Kayenta Trail (and then hike down to the Lower Pools too if you want). This is also the stop for the northern end of the Grotto Trail.
Picnic area
Restrooms
Water filling stations

Stop 7 – Weeping Rock

This stop is only open for the Weeping Rock Trail.
Outhouse

Stop 8 – Big Bend

This is a great place to view condors (they sometimes nest at this location) and the hikers on the Angels Landing Trail. There is usually a ranger or volunteer or someone available at this stop to talk to you about the incredible condors! There aren’t really any trails here, but instead, it’s a great place to view the big bend in the Virgin River.
(down canyon stop only)
No restrooms or water filling stations
Views of California condors, hikers on Angels Landing, and the Virgin River



Stop 9 – Temple of Sinawava

This is a very popular stop for people on their way to the Narrows. The Narrows can be accessed by hiking on the paved and easy Riverside Walk Trail for 1 mile. Then you will be at the beginning of the Narrows and from there you are allowed to hike up to Big Spring without a permit. From where the shuttle drops you off to Big Spring it’s about 9.5 miles roundtrip. Many people just hike up the Narrows a little ways and turn around, so it’s up to you how far you want to go.
Restrooms
Water filling stations
Water stations to clean your feet

The Zion Canyon Shuttles don't stop going up canyon at stops 2, 3, or 8

Stop 2 is where the Zion Museum is located.  The Zion Canyon shuttles don’t make left turns into the Museum, so instead the shuttles only enter the Museum when they are coming down canyon.  If you want to take the Zion Canyon shuttles directly to the museum from the Visitor Center, you must take the shuttle to Stop 4 (Court of the Patriarchs) and then cross over the road to the down canyon shuttle stop to get on a down canyon shuttle to Stop 2.

Some people like to park along Highway 9 and then walk up to the shuttle Stop 3  (Canyon Junction) thinking they can then hop on a shuttle going up canyon.  They are then severely disappointed to learn that shuttles don’t stop there going up canyon.  So, they must then hike up to stop number 4, OR they can get on a shuttle at the down canyon stop at number 3, and then go to the Visitor Center and get on an up canyon shuttle from there.  It’s a hassle, but I’ve seen people do it both ways.

(side note – the national park doesn’t want shuttle buses stopping at stop 3 Canyon Junction going up canyon because they want to have less people park on the side of Highway 9.)

Stop 8 is Big Bend.  It’s also a stop where the Zion Canyon shuttles don’t turn left into.  This means you will have to take the shuttles all the way up to stop 9 (the Temple of Sinawava) and then the shuttles will take you to Stop 8



Go the speed limit in the towns of Springdale, Rockville, and Virgin

The speed limit through Springdale is 35 MPH and 30 MPH.  I’ve witnessed people literally driving 15 MPH or less going through town.  People aren’t really aware that there may be 20+ cars behind them and they are the sole cause of the traffic holdups.   If you are trying to find your hotel or a restaurant, just pull over and let everyone pass, then look up your hotel/restaurant on Google maps and continue on.

On the roads from Virgin to Rockville the speed limit goes up to 65 MPH.  People often drive 45 MPH on this part and they will have several dozen cars behind them.  This is a common problem and can cause frustration.  Especially among the locals and the employees who work there.

Get a Zion Accessibility Permit If Needed

This is from the national park service in Zion:

“Use of personal vehicles is restricted to those individuals requiring additional vehicle supported medical devices, those unable to ride the shuttle for medical reasons, or when the shuttle bus cannot accommodate the individual due to weight or size restrictions.  The shuttle lift has a combined weight limit of 600 lbs and cannot accommodate chairs larger than 45″ long or 25″ wide.  A special permit for personal vehicle use up-canyon must be obtained from the visitor center or museum information desks.”

Once you have your special permit, you will be able to drive your own personal vehicle into Zion Canyon!  This means, you can bypass the shuttle systems and go straight into the park.  You are allowed to drive all the way up to the end of the road too!



Ebikes are a great way to visit the park!

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is very bike friendly!  That being said, there aren’t dedicated bike lines along the Scenic Drive.  You will be sharing the road with the Zion Canyon Shuttles, park staff, Zion Lodge guests, and visitors who have Special Use permits.

You can rent Ebikes from one of the many vendors in the town of Springdale.  This enables you to visit and explore Zion at your own pace.  It’s a little bit slower, but you are able to pull over and see some things that you normally wouldn’t see while on the shuttle system.

Once you have rented your bike and in order to get up Zion Canyon from the visitor center, take the Pa’rus Trail to bypass riding on the dangerous Highway 9.  The Pa’rus trail gets you directly to Canyon Junction where you can then ride your bikes on the side of the Zion Scenic Drive.  The Pa’rus trail is scenic and crosses over the Virgin River several times.

  • You still must pay an entrance fee into Zion even though you are on an Ebike
  • Shuttle buses have the right of way
  • Pullover out of the way for shuttle buses when they are approaching
  • Don’t wear headphones or earphones while riding Ebikes, so you can hear buses and other vehicles
  • Don’t drive on the opposite side of the road
  • You can’t put your Ebikes on the shuttle bus bike racks
  • Bring a bike lock.  There are plenty of places to lock your bikes at each shuttle stop
  • Speak with the company you rented bikes from about emergency situations and procedures.  Sometimes an accident can happen and it’s important to know what the tour operator’s plans are
  • Many of the Ebikes you rent from town have holders for hiking poles and gear.  Many Ebikes can hold two people on them too.  Check with your tour operator for options



Hiking and Visiting Tips

You need a permit to hike Angels Landing. You need a permit to hike up the Narrows BEYOND Big Spring or if you plan to hike the Narrows from the top-down. You need permits for any canyoneering adventures including The Subway.
Hike Angels Landing early in the day to avoid the hotter temperatures. Hike the Narrows earlier in the day too. Although, as a photographer, the evening is a great time to get pictures in the Narrows as well. Just keep in mind the shuttle schedules so you don’t have to walk the 7+ miles out of the park.
Zion receives millions of visitors every year. When I hiked the Narrows and Angels Landing, almost all of my pictures had someone inside of them. You may not find a completely peaceful and serene experience in the park hiking on the major trails.
Visit in the fall and winter seasons for less crowds and more enjoyable and favorable hiking conditions. The weather is better in the fall and the crowds die down quite a bit.
Tell someone your hiking plans and when they can expect you to be back within cell service. Zion Lodge does not have wifi (currently). However, the Zion Museum does have wifi, so stop there if you need to connect to the internet.
Do not feed or touch the animals. Even the adorable Zion squirrels might try and bite you if you feed them.
Do not carve your name on the rocks or take flowers/rocks or archeological artifacts from the park.
If you are hiking a longer hike and you have to go #2, make sure you carry a disposal bag with you. You are required to carry out human waste with you.
Be kind and respectful to park staff. They are short handed and are stretched thin.
If you booked a room at Zion Lodge and took the shuttle to Springdale to enjoy your day, you can still take the Zion Canyon Shuttles back to the Zion Lodge even though the up-canyon shuttle service may have stopped for the evening. Depending on the season, the up-canyon shuttle service may stop at 5pm or 6pm. If you’re staying at Zion Lodge, you can still catch buses going up-canyon (even though they are closed for regular guests who are not staying at the lodge). Just head over to the Visitor Center bus shuttle stop and speak to a driver. You may need to present your reservation or show room keys or something to gain access to the shuttle buses. As always, if you drove your personal car to Springdale, you can always drive your vehicle back to Zion Lodge.
Check with the Zion Canyon Shuttle drivers for when the last shuttle will be going down canyon. There are no more shuttles after this time, which means you will need to walk out if you miss it.
There is NO uber or taxi service in the town of Springdale or Zion. Even though the town is not very large, it still could be a long walk back to your hotel if you miss the last Springdale town shuttle.



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