Zion National Park guide: permits, shuttles, top trails

TL;DR:

• No ticket is needed to enter Zion or ride shuttles.
  
• Angels Landing needs a lottery permit on Recreation.gov.
  
• Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is a shuttle only in main seasons.
  
• The Narrows can close during flash flood warnings.
  
• Use our 2-day plan, packing list, and safety table.

Zion National Park blends red cliffs, cottonwoods, and the Virgin River. The park is open every day, all year. Building hours change with the seasons, but you can enter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, according to the National Park Service in 2025. The shuttle controls traffic in the main canyon for much of the year, so plan around its schedule (NPS).

When to go

Spring, March to May. Green canyon floors and cool air. Snow can linger at higher points. Trails dry out by late April most years.

Summer, June to August. Long days and peak crowds. From July to September, brief monsoon storms can hit in the afternoon. These can trigger flash floods in slot canyons, the NPS warns.

Fall, September to November. Golden cottonwoods and clear skies. This is the most comfortable season for long hikes.

Winter, December to February. Quiet roads and cool days. Some trails may have ice. Shuttles run only on select dates. The Scenic Drive may open to private cars when shuttles pause.

Shuttles and getting around

The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles when the shuttle runs. You can ride the park shuttle and the Springdale town shuttle without a reservation or special ticket, per the NPS “Plan Your Visit.” For 2025, the NPS published a season that began March 2, 2025, with extended service through fall. Exact first and last bus times change by date, so check the live schedule before you go on September 18, 2025.

How to use the system

• Park in Springdale or at the Visitor Center. Lots fill early on busy days.
  
• Take the Springdale Line to the pedestrian entrance, then the Zion Canyon Line.
  
• The last outbound bus from Temple of Sinawava leaves later than the last inbound bus from the Visitor Center. Know both times.
  

Pro tips

• Be at the Visitor Center before the first bus if you want space on Angels Landing or the Narrows Riverside Walk.
  
• Expect lines on holiday weekends and during school breaks.
  

Fees and passes

You do not need a reservation to enter Zion. You do need to pay the standard park fee or show an Interagency Pass, per the NPS fees page. You can buy a site pass on Recreation.gov or at the gate.

Permits you may need

Most day hikes need no permit. Three common exceptions matter for visitors:

1) Angels Landing.
You must win a permit in a Recreation.gov lottery to hike the chain section at Angels Landing. The system includes a seasonal lottery and a day-before lottery. Permits are not sold in the park and are valid for a single day. Hiking without a permit can lead to fines, Recreation.gov states.

2) The Narrows, top-down.
The top-down route from Chamberlain’s Ranch is a long through-hike and needs a Wilderness permit. The common bottom-up walk from the Temple of Sinawava does not need a permit.

3) Canyoneering routes.
Many technical canyons require Wilderness permits. Check quotas and use the NPS site to plan.

Safety in the Narrows and slot canyons

The Narrows can close when the National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Warning. Water can rise within seconds in narrow canyons, the NPS explains. Summer also brings cyanobacteria advisories at times. Do not drink river water. Carry your own and use proper treatment for backcountry trips.

Quick flood sense check

• Look for rising, muddy water or floating debris.
  
• Watch the weather. Storms upstream can affect you even with blue skies.
  
• Turn around early. You cannot outrun a flood in a slot.
  

Top trails and how they work

Riverside Walk to the Narrows start.
Easy, paved, about 2 miles round trip. Strollers and wheelchairs do well on most of it. No permit.

The Narrows, bottom-up.
Plan 2 to 6 hours in the river. Use canyoneering shoes and a sturdy pole. Stop before deep sections if flows are high. No permit for bottom-up.

Angels Landing.
5.4 miles round trip from the Grotto. The chain section is narrow and exposed. Permit required for the chain section only. You can hike to Scout Lookout without a permit.

Emerald Pools.
Lower, Middle, and Upper options. Family friendly, with waterfalls after rain or snowmelt.

Canyon Overlook.
Short, scenic, and great at sunrise. Parking is tight. Arrive early.

Observation Point, East Mesa route.
Longer but less crowded. The old Weeping Rock route is closed due to rockfall.

Quick trail and permit table

Times assume fair weather and average fitness.

A simple 2-day itinerary

Day 1, classic canyon

• Sunrise at Canyon Junction Bridge or Pa’rus Trail.
  
• Morning shuttle to Temple of Sinawava. Walk Riverside Walk. If flow is safe, wade the Narrows for a few hours.
  
• Late lunch back in Springdale. Refill water.
  
• Sunset at Canyon Overlook. Arrive early for parking.
  

Day 2, permit or viewpoints

• If you have an Angels Landing permit, take the first shuttle. Hike in cool air and lighter crowds.
  
• No permit. Hike Emerald Pools, then continue to Kayenta for views.
  
• Afternoon coffee and galleries in Springdale. Exit the park on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway for scenic stops.
  

What to pack

• Footwear. Grippy hiking shoes. For the Narrows, rent canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, and a drysuit in cold months.
  
• Water and sun. Carry 2 to 3 liters per person, hat, sunscreen, lip balm.
  
• Layers. Even in summer, mornings can be cool. In winter, add microspikes for icy trails.
  
• Food. Snacks that do not melt. Carry a small trash bag.
  
• Navigation. NPS app and a paper map. Service can be limited.
  

Accessibility notes

• The Pa’rus Trail is paved and open to bikes and leashed pets.
  
• The shuttle has accessible buses and priority seating.
  
• Many viewpoints have paved access near parking areas. Check the current conditions page for any temporary changes.
  

Rules that protect your trip

• Stay on marked trails. Cryptobiotic soil and fragile plants sit near edges.
  
• Do not feed wildlife. Chipmunks and ravens can bite and spread illness.
  
• Keep drones at home. They are not allowed in national parks.
  
• Park only in legal spaces. Towing is common on busy days.
  
• Check current alerts and the shuttle page on the morning you hike. Schedules and closures can change.
  

Why it matters

Zion rewards simple planning. Knowing shuttle hours, the Angels Landing lottery, and flash flood risk turns a crowded day into a safe and calm visit. The park is busy, yet you can still find quiet views with an early start and smart choices.

Sources:

• National Park Service, Zion National Park home, https://www.nps.gov/zion, accessed 2025-09-18
  
• NPS, Zion Canyon Shuttle System and 2025 news release, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm and https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/zion-national-park-shuttle-bus-service-starts-march-2.htm, accessed 2025-09-18
  
• NPS, Plan Your Visit and Current Conditions, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/index.htm and https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, accessed 2025-09-18
  
• NPS, Angels Landing permits, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm, accessed 2025-09-18
  
• Recreation.gov, Angels Landing lottery pages, https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675310 and https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675324, accessed 2025-09-18
  
• NPS, The Narrows safety and flash flood guidance, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/narrowssafety.htm and https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/flash-flood.htm, accessed 2025-09-18
  
• NPS, Fees and Passes, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm, accessed 2025-09-18
  
• NPS, Maps, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/maps.htm, accessed 2025-09-18