Navigating Zion NP
Highway 9 through Zion NP
Parking
Due to high traffic volume, parking is in great demand during peak season. Free parking is available at both the Visitor Center and Human History Museum; however, if you plan to park in either of these locations you will need to arrive before 7:00 am as these lots fill up quite early in the day. There is also very limited free parking along the road within Zion NP - if you choose to park along the road, make sure that your vehicle is COMPLETELY off the highway, as encroaching on traffic is a safety hazard and you will likely be ticketed. Roadside parking also fills up very early in the day.
In addition, there are multiple pay parking lots just outside the park in Springdale (these average $20/day), as well as parking meters along Zion Park Boulevard, the main street through town. Springdale offers a free shuttle bus with multiple stops that runs through town and which stops at the park pedestrian entrance.
Driving
As you drive through the park, please be alert for wildlife on and alongside the road. Our bighorn sheep love to play in traffic! This provides many opportunities for entertainment and photo ops, but it is important to exercise caution and awareness that you may be sharing the road with animals as well as other vehicles and pedestrians.
The drive through Zion NP is breathtaking, and is, in itself, a wonderful way to experience the park. However, please remember that rules of the road do still apply - if you wish to take photos or enjoy watching the wildlife, please take advantage of the numerous pull-outs to pull OFF the road. Stopping on the highway or driving with excessive slowness is not only frustrating and inconsiderate to your fellow drivers, it is also a safety hazard.
Zion Park Shuttle Bus System
Private vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during peak season. Free shuttle busses depart regularly from the Visitor Center, stopping at multiple locations and trailheads along the “main” canyon, enabling you to get on and off at your convenience. Be aware that during the busiest times of the year, shuttle bus wait times at the Visitor Center can be up to 2 hours long, so in order to avoid lengthy lines we recommend planning to arrive early to catch one of the very first shuttles of the day.
Shuttle bus schedules change according to season; the current schedule is posted at each stop, as well as at the Visitor Center. It is also available on the Zion NP website. Visit www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, the official park website, for current conditions, schedules, and additional planning information.
Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel
The Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel is a 1.1 mile engineering marvel which connects the east and west sides of Zion NP, providing direct access for travel between Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks. Because of its narrow width, large vehicles are unable to negotiate the tunnel’s curves without crossing the center line - for this reason, Park Rangers are posted at either end of the tunnel to convert two-way traffic to one-way when larger vehicles need to pass through the tunnel, ensuring road safety. In order to avoid causing accidents, oversized vehicles such as RVs are permitted to travel through the tunnel ONLY during hours when the tunnel is staffed. If needed, check the park website or at the park entrance for current tunnel hours.
As you approach the tunnel entrance, please exercise caution - be aware that traffic ahead of you may be stopped. Obey all instructions given by the rangers directing traffic. Bicycles and pedestrians are strictly prohibited inside the tunnel, and stopping in the tunnel is NOT ALLOWED.