Plan Your Zion Trip
By Brian D. Russ · How I Research These Guides
Open, with seasonal closures
Narrows and All Slot Canyons Leading into them are Closed.; Watchman Trail closed (and 4 more)
Checked November 5, 2026. See alerts and current conditions
Zion is one of those parks where a little planning changes the whole trip. The main canyon runs on a shuttle for much of the year, Angels Landing takes a permit, the Narrows depends on the river, and summer heat sets the hours you'd want to be on a trail.
Start with when you're going, since that settles most of the rest. Then work out where you'll sleep. What I've written about Zion so far is collected below, and the conditions box above tells you what the park is reporting.
When to Go
Month by month, with what's open and whether the trip is worth it.
- Visiting Zion National Park in November 2026: The Shuttle Ends, the Narrows Is Closed
- Zion National Park in December 2026: No Shuttle, Icy Trails, and What's Open
Camping
How to get a site, and what to do if you can't.
Wildlife and Plants
Where and when to look. Nothing here is guaranteed, so treat a sighting as a bonus.
With Kids
What works with children, where to stay, and what to skip.
Day Trips
Drive times and routes from nearby cities.
Road Trips Through Zion
Longer routes that include this park.
- Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip: Route, Miles, and How Many Days You Need
- Grand Circle Road Trip: Seven Parks in One Loop From Las Vegas
The Guide
When you're ready to plan the days themselves, my Zion guide has nine ready-made itineraries for one to three days at easy, moderate, and strenuous effort. You can read a sample from it first.
This page is independent. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service.