ST. GEORGE — A new season has sprung in Zion National Park.
Zion National Park is beginning shuttle service on Sunday, March 3. Every year, the National Park Service adjusts shuttle schedules, visitor center hours and campground availability to reflect the seasons. Here is what you need to know to plan your visit.
2024 Zion shuttle schedule:
| March 3 to May 18 | May 19 to Sept. 15 | Sept. 16 to Nov. 2 | Nov. 3 to Dec. 1 | |
| Zion Canyon Line | ||||
| First bus departs Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Temple of Sinawava | 7 a.m. | 6 a.m. | 7 a.m. | 7 a.m. |
| Last shuttle from Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Temple of Sinawava | 5 p.m. | 7 p.m. | 5 p.m. | 4 p.m. |
| Last bus departs the Temple of Sinawava to Zion Canyon Visitor Center | 7:15 p.m. | 8: 15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:15 p.m. |
| Springdale Line – The shuttle will only stop in Springdale if there is someone at a stop or a passenger requests a stop. This is referred to as flag service. | ||||
| First bus into town from Springdale Stop #9 | 8 a.m. | 7 a.m. | 8 a.m. | 8 a.m. |
| Last bus into town from Springdale Stop #1 (Zion Canyon Village) | 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. | 7 p.m. | 6 p.m. |
This schedule is subject to change, and the park will post up-to-date information on this website.
Zion will share an update later this year about service between Christmas and the new year.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to personal vehicles while the park shuttle is operating. Plan for limited parking in Zion National Park. When parking inside Zion is full, the park service may temporarily close parking lots and roads. You can park in Springdale and ride the free Springdale Line shuttle to get to the park.
You do not need a permit, ticket or reservation to enter the park or ride the park shuttle, but you do need to pay the park fee.
Watchman Campground
- Open year-round.
- Make reservations up to 6 months before your visit on recreation.gov.
South Campground
- Closed.
Lava Point Campground
- Closed until snow melts. Anticipated in late May.
- Make reservations up to two weeks before your visit on recreation.gov.
Drivers of large vehicles like recreational vehicles and trucks with trailers need rangers to stop traffic so they can drive on the tunnel center line.
- Until Oct. 1, large vehicles can travel through the tunnel from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Do not drive large vehicles through the tunnel except when rangers are present to manage traffic.
Plan ahead and prepare
If all Zion campsites are full, research nearby communities and public lands to learn about other recreational activities and lodging. Always recreate responsibly and respect private owners’ property and facilities.
Learn more and make reservations online at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and make arrangements before they arrive at the park.
Visitor Center and Wilderness Permit Desk hours
Zion Canyon Visitor Center
Information Desk
- Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
- Check out the free ranger program schedule to attend a ranger talk.
Wilderness Permit Desk
- Open from 8-10 a.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. every day.
- Learn about applying for permits online. Applicants still need to visit a permit desk to pick up their permits.
Park Store – Managed by Zion Forever
- Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day up to and including March 11.
- Open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day starting on March 12.
Zion Human History Museum
Information Desk
- Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day starting on March 17.
Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
Information Desk
- Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Wilderness Permit Desk
- Closed until later in the year.
- Get Wilderness Permits at Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
- Learn about applying for permits online. Applicants still need to visit a permit desk to pick up their permits.
Peregrine Falcon Nesting Season
Climbing routes on cliffs used by nesting raptors are temporarily closed beginning Friday, March 1. These birds are especially sensitive to disturbance while they nest. If disturbed, a nesting pair may abandon their nest site and not return until the following year. The closure date is based on the National Park Service’s monitoring of nesting sites since 2001. Climbers should check the park’s Seasonal Climbing Closures webpage for details.
Learn more in this video about peregrine falcon monitoring.
Need to know
No matter when you visit Zion, plan ahead by checking for updates on this website. As you plan your visit, remember:
- Pack your pass. Bring your annual park pass or receipt in your pocket, and don’t forget it at a hotel or in your car. Rangers at park entrances will request to see it.
- Parking fills early year-round.
- Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists if you are driving.
- Stay on trails and avoid walking in the road.
- Ride your bike on the road or the Pa’rus Trail. Bicycling is not allowed on any other trails in the park. If you are riding in the road, you must stop and place a foot on the ground to let buses pass you.
- The park service may temporarily close roads if traffic is congested or there is nowhere for drivers to leave vehicles.
- In general, fewer people visit Zion on weekdays than weekends. Consider arriving early or after 3 p.m. to avoid the busiest times of day.
Follow Leave No Trace practices everywhere in the park, and be sure to pack out all of your trash.
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