VISITING ZION NATIONAL PARK, SPRINGDALE UTAH

Zion National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States, is located in Springdale down in the southwest corner of Utah just along State Route 9. Located roughly 75 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon National Park and 200 miles northwest of the Grand Canyon National park in northern Arizona.

The highest elevation point in Zion is at Horse Ranch Mountain at 8726 feet and is located north of Kolob Finger Canyons. The lowest point is at the South Campground which roughly 3900 feet above sea level.

Entrance Fees

There are a few passes that are available for purchase at the park entrances.

The entrance fees for Zion National Park are $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per person for bicyclists and pedestrians. Zion Annual Pass is $50 with admission to Zion for a full year from date of purchase.

Annual Pass is $80 with admission to all the National Parks for a full year from date of purchase. Seniors can purchase the annual pass for $20 as well as a Lifetime Senior Pass which is $80.

The annual pass if free for military and for anyone with a life or permanent disability. Passes are available at park entrance stations.

Getting inside Zion National Park

Before arriving in Springdale you must enter through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel which is roughly a mile long. The tunnel was built in the 1920s and therefore not high enough for tall vehicles to pass through. If are driving a recreational vehicle taller than 11’4 or wider than 7’10 be prepared to stop before entering to alert the park ranger on duty to block traffic entering the tunnel to allow a single pass enterance so you can drive along the middle of the road. There is a $15 fee to enter through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. If you have questions about accessing through or obtaining a tunnel permit click here.

Do not stop in the tunnel or try to turn around at either tunnel entrances.

Pedestrians and bicycles are not allowed in the tunnel.

One of the best ways to get around is to park your vehicle in the town of Springdale and catch the Springdale Shuttle and take it across town to the Zion Canyon Shuttle to get to your hiking trail. There is maps everywhere as well of downloadable maps such like these.

When I went to Zion it happened to be in January and there was a fair amount of vehicles inside the park which made parking a tad bit difficult.

Quick Tip: If you enter the park via vehicle there are parking lots along some of the main trailheads. Although, if you find yourself parking near an observation view point and decide to park along the side of the road to get some awesome shots be mindful to park behind the white shoulder line or you’ll come back to an orange parking ticket.

The Zion Canyon Shuttle starts from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and connects to nine locations along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The Springdale Shuttle also has nine stops in the town of Springdale. While using the shuttles you may get on and off as often as you’d like, both shuttles are free.

Hiking in Zion

Before hitting the trails make sure to have a clear plan of where you would like to go and give yourself plenty of time to safely hike. It’s also important to bring enough water along with you, try investing in an insulated water backpack for easy access.

Make sure to check ahead of time to see what trails may be closed or if there is any weather/river condition that may prevent you from hiking a specific route.

Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Highway

Driving through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Highway is a must! Prepare yourself for some stunning views of beautiful rocks surrounding you and towering high, good thing for observation point stops huh? There are a few scenic pull-offs to park along the way to stop and take photos, or if traffic is getting a bit out of hand just pull over and enjoy the views.

Hiking to Emerald Pools

This is one of many hiking routes to take, it’s also one of the shorter hiking trails on the map I’ve listed above. It’s not as crowded and just as scenic as other hikes, if you are short on time or if you are exploring with a family, I highly recommend taking an hour or two to go on this hike. If you happen to visit in the winter, there is a light waterfall at the end of the hike where you can see frozen icicles fall into the Virgin River. I plan to visit in the summer time to see if the views are just as beautiful as in the winter, plus I would love to see the water trickling down the mountain!

Exploring Springdale, Utah

Although there is mainly lodging, Springdale has a variety of cute little shops where you can purchase antiques and souvenirs. There even is a laundromat with an ice cream shop right next door. One place I can recommend to purchase some souvenirs is at Switchback Liquor Store, it’s filled with all sorts of knickknacks and local art!

When it comes to grabbing a bite to eat I would recommend checking out Whiptail Grill, they serve Mexican style food with vegetarian options. The food and service was great, the restaurant has a friendly atmosphere which made my visit even more enjoyable. The food itself is delicious, I ordered the Southwest Taco Salad with steak which comes with mixed greens, black beans and rice, fresh salsa served in a toasted flour tortilla. The portions are huge and you will definitely have left overs!

Where to stay in Zion National Park

Desert Pearl Inn - beautiful spacious rooms with gorgeous views of the river! Some rooms have a kitchenette where you can prepare your meals, which will come in handy if you are in for a long day of hiking. It’s in a prime location there is a variety of restaurants nearby.

Holiday Inn Express Springdale - Located right on Main Street and conveniently located to a few restaurants nearby. If you happen to stay here make sure to take advantage of the firepit located in the back of the hotel! They also happen to be pet friendly!

Cliffrose Springdale - Great views of the mountain and the banks of the Virgin River. Very convenient located, just a 5 minute walk to the Zion Visitor Center to catch the park shuttle. If you happen to stay here make sure to spend some time in the jacuzzi, especially at night so you can see the sky filled with stars!

Have you been to Zion National Park? Comment below your favorite things to do!

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