Zion National Park Alerts and Current Conditions

Cover of Brian Russ's guide to Zion National Park

Last checked: October 25, 2026. This page tracks what's closed, what's changed, and what's coming up at Zion National Park, Utah, from the park's alerts, conditions, and hours pages. I check it daily and rewrite it when the park posts something new, so bookmark it rather than an old news story. Conditions in a canyon park can change in an hour, though, so check the park's own alerts the morning you go.

Current alerts

  • Nightly closures of the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel. The tunnel on the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway (Utah 9) closes overnight starting Monday, October 26, for fiber-optic installation. The Utah Department of Transportation posts the schedule. (UDOT; NPS)
  • Watchman Trail is closed pending repairs. (NPS)
  • Hidden Canyon is closed, and Observation Point can't be reached from Zion Canyon. A large rockfall closed part of the East Rim Trail. Observation Point is reachable only by hiking in from the east side. (NPS)
  • Angels Landing still requires a permit for every hiker, through the park's lottery. (NPS)
  • Toxic cyanobacteria in the rivers and pools. The park says not to drink stream water or put your head under in the Virgin River, its forks, or other pools. Treat spring water only as a last resort. (NPS)
  • Large-vehicle limits on the tunnel road. Vehicles over the posted size or weight limits can't drive between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance and have to go around through Springdale. (NPS)
  • Parking. When the park's lots fill, the park asks you to park in Springdale. Cars outside marked spaces can be ticketed and towed. (NPS)

Open and closed right now

  • The park is open 24 hours a day, every day. Entrance is $35 per private vehicle, good for seven days. (NPS)
  • Zion Canyon Visitor Center: open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on its fall-through-spring schedule. The Zion Forever park store there stays open until 7 p.m. (NPS)
  • Zion Human History Museum: open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Kolob Canyons Visitor Center: open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Everyone driving Kolob Canyons Road has to stop there to show a pass or pay. The Kolob Canyons wilderness desk is closed until further notice.
  • Zion Nature Center: closed for the season. Junior Ranger books are at the main visitor center.
  • Camping: Watchman Campground is open year-round, reservations only, though its D, E, and F loops can close for weather or maintenance. South Campground closed for the winter on October 23, and Lava Point Campground is closed for the winter too. (NPS)
  • Lodging: Zion Lodge is open year-round, with reduced services in winter.
  • Zion Canyon Scenic Drive: shuttle-only while the shuttle runs. When the shuttle isn't running, you can drive it, but the park may close it temporarily if parking fills. Check the shuttle schedule for your dates. (NPS)

Coming up in the next few weeks

  • From October 26: the overnight tunnel closures begin. Check UDOT's page for the nightly hours before you plan an evening drive between the East Entrance and Zion Canyon.
  • Winter roads: the park says Kolob Terrace Road usually closes for several months from fall to spring at Maloney Hill, Lava Point Road usually closes for snow from fall into spring, and Kolob Canyons Road closes often in winter. The Zion–Mount Carmel Highway is kept open year-round but can close for snow, ice, or rockfall. (NPS)
  • Later reopenings: the park lists South Campground as closed until March 14, 2027, Lava Point Campground until May 31, 2027, and the Nature Center until late May 2027.

What this means for your trip

The tunnel closures are the one to plan around this week. If you're coming from Bryce Canyon or Kanab through the East Entrance, aim to come through in daylight. Missing the window at night means a long drive around to Springdale on the other side. If you're staying in Springdale and doing the canyon by day, they won't touch you.

Losing the Watchman Trail removes the easy, short climb most people do from the visitor center. The Pa'rus Trail, which leaves from the same area and isn't on the closure list, is the gentle substitute along the river. With Hidden Canyon and the canyon-side route to Observation Point both out, the big viewpoint hikes from Zion Canyon come down to Angels Landing (permit only) and Scout Lookout. In late fall, cooler days make the longer hikes much more comfortable, but you'll have less daylight to fit them in.

For camping, Watchman is the only campground in Zion Canyon now that South has closed, and it takes reservations only. Book before you drive in rather than counting on a site.

Before you go

  • Check the park's current conditions and alerts the morning of your visit.
  • For Utah road conditions outside the park, call 866-511-8824 or check UDOT Traffic.
  • Planning a hike in the Narrows? It closes when the Virgin River runs above 150 cubic feet per second or during a flash flood warning, so check the USGS gauge first. (NPS)

If a closure knocks out part of your plan, my guide to Zion National Park has nine one- to three-day itineraries at easy, moderate, and strenuous effort, each with a backup plan for weather or closures. You can also check alerts and conditions for every national park.

This page is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Always check the park's current alerts before you go.