Last Updated: May 24, 2026
From Bryce Canyon we headed to Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. We stayed at Bauers Canyon RV Park in Glendale, about a 30-minute drive from the Zion entrance along the Mount Carmel Highway. Nights still dropped to freezing, so we were glad to have our heated water hose.
Zion National Park
We drove through the 1.1-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which opens onto spectacular views. Hoping to beat the crowds, we visited in the late afternoon — Zion is one of the busiest national parks in the country, with the Park Service noting extremely high visitation from February through late November. The park’s defining feature is Zion Canyon, carved by the Virgin River through deep Navajo Sandstone. Zion is part of the Colorado Plateau, and its highest peak, Horse Ranch Mountain, reaches 8,726 feet.
We visited in late April, when the cottonwood trees were leafing out, a few wildflowers had appeared, and the apple trees were in bloom.
Mormon pioneers settled this area in 1858. Zion was first protected in 1909 as Mukuntuweap National Monument; the name was later changed to Zion, the name the Mormon settlers had given the canyon. We entered through the Zion-Mount Carmel entrance, and the stretch of road between the entrance and the tunnel passes one stunning rock formation after another.
On the way back we enjoyed a delicious duck and trout dinner at Cordwood. The decor was rustic and comfortable, and the windows looked out on a large buffalo herd grazing in a rolling green meadow.
Kolob Canyons
Kolob Canyons is a beautiful and far quieter section of Zion National Park. We visited on the last day before the Kolob Canyons Road closed for a major reconstruction project — work that has since been completed and the road reopened. We nearly had the place to ourselves.
Kolob Canyons lies in the northwestern corner of Zion National Park. It has its own entrance off Interstate 15 and cannot be reached from Zion Canyon, which keeps it far less visited. This was our second trip to Zion but our first time seeing Kolob — and it is stunning.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Unfortunately, the scenic road into the monument was still closed for the season because of snow. Cedar Breaks is often compared to Bryce Canyon for its red, orange, and white hoodoos, though it sits even higher — its rim rises above 10,000 feet.
Cedar Breaks was on our way to Kolob Canyons, so we enjoyed the drive regardless.
We first visited Zion in the summer of 2012. Back then the Virgin River was warm and low, so we rented canyoneering boots, put on swimsuits, and waded a good way up The Narrows — hiking until the crowds disappeared and the canyon walls closed in tight. In late April the water was cold and waist-deep in places, calling for a dry suit, and with the crowds we decided to skip The Narrows this time. Either way, Zion is gorgeous.
Practical Tips for Visiting Zion National Park
When to visit. Spring and fall are the best times to visit Zion — April, May, September, and October bring comfortable temperatures, though spring nights can still be cold and the high country may hold snow into May, as we found at Cedar Breaks. Summer is hot in the canyon and extremely busy. Winter is quiet and can be beautiful, with far smaller crowds.
Fees. Zion charges a $35 per-vehicle entrance fee, valid for seven days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. As of 2026, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 fee unless they hold the non-resident annual pass. There is no general timed-entry reservation required to enter the park.
The Zion Canyon shuttle. From early spring through late November, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, and the free park shuttle is the only way to reach the canyon’s trailheads and viewpoints. No ticket or reservation is needed — simply board at the visitor center. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway through the tunnel, and the separate Kolob Canyons section, remain open to private cars year-round.
Permits and famous hikes. Hiking the chain section of Angels Landing requires a permit, awarded by lottery year-round for a small fee; the hike to Scout Lookout just below it does not. The Narrows, a wade up the Virgin River, needs no permit for a day hike from the bottom, but check the water temperature and flow — cold-season hikes require a rented dry suit, and the route closes when the river runs high.
Don’t skip Kolob Canyons. The Kolob Canyons section in the park’s northwest corner has its own entrance off Interstate 15 and cannot be reached from Zion Canyon. It sees a fraction of the crowds and offers a short, spectacular scenic drive and excellent hiking — well worth the detour.
Where to stay. Springdale, at the park’s south entrance, has the most lodging and dining and connects directly to the shuttle. Smaller towns along the Mount Carmel Highway, such as Glendale and Orderville, offer quieter options — we stayed at an RV park in Glendale. Zion sits on the classic southern Utah loop alongside Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Zion National Park?
Zion is in southwestern Utah, near the town of Springdale. State Route 9, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, runs through the main section of the park, while the separate Kolob Canyons section sits in the northwest corner off Interstate 15.
How much does it cost to enter Zion National Park?
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for seven days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. As of 2026, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 fee unless they hold the non-resident annual pass.
Do you have to take the shuttle in Zion?
For most of the year — roughly March through late November — yes. During the shuttle season the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, and the free shuttle is the only way to reach the canyon trailheads. The Mount Carmel Highway and Kolob Canyons stay open to private cars year-round.
Do you need a permit for Angels Landing?
Yes, to hike the final chain section from Scout Lookout to the summit. Permits are awarded by lottery year-round for a small fee. The hike up to Scout Lookout, which has excellent views of its own, does not require a permit.
Can you hike the Narrows?
Yes. A day hike up the Narrows from the bottom requires no permit, but it is a wade through the Virgin River, so water temperature and flow matter. Cold-season hikes call for a rented dry suit, and the route closes when the river runs too high.
What is Kolob Canyons?
Kolob Canyons is a quieter, separate section of Zion National Park in its northwestern corner, with its own entrance off Interstate 15. It cannot be reached from Zion Canyon and is known for its dramatic red finger canyons and a short, scenic drive.
When is the best time to visit Zion?
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather and slightly thinner crowds. Summer is hot and very busy, and winter is cold but peaceful. Whatever the season, the canyon floor is milder than the high country, which can hold snow well into spring.
