Zion National Park lies in southern Utah near the city of Springdale. It is about 229 square miles with the Virgin River, high plateaus, and a maze of narrow, deep, sandstone canyons. Zion comes along with 2,000-foot Navajo Sandstone cliffs, pine- and juniper-clad slopes, and seeps, waterfalls, springs, and gardens. The perfect time to visit Zion National Park is during fall and spring. It is one of the world’s top places for canyoneering. In the southwest of the state, close to Kanab and Springdale, Utah, is where Zion National Park is situated. It includes slivers of Kane, Iron, and Washington counties. In addition, this lovely park is close to Las Vegas, Nevada, and provides a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Beautiful scenery in Zion Park offers opportunities for hiking, camping, biking, and other outdoor activities. There are also waterfalls all over the place, which offer fantastic photo opportunities.
Entrances and how to reach the Zion National Park?
Zion National Park has numerous entrances, making it simple for visitors to locate the best entrance for them. For instance, it takes only 2.5 hours to reach Zion National Park from Las Vegas, 4 hours to reach Salt Lake City, and 6 to 7 hours to reach Los Angeles. Although you can drive into the park, the main canyon is only accessible by shuttle from April to November when it is busiest.
Closest Airport to Zion National Park
No matter what time of year you visit, the park is always open and has a variety of activities. As one of the most well-liked parks in the country, Zion National Park offers something for everyone. If you’re thinking about taking a flight to Zion National Park, the closest airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, which is 170 miles away. The next closest airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, is 311 miles away from the park.
You can take a connecting flight from Salt Lake City to Saint George or Cedar City, Utah. Only 49 miles separate Saint George from the park, and 60 miles separate Cedar City from Zion National Park.
By Plane
The nearest international airport from Zion National Park is Mccarran International Airport located in Las Vegas, Nevada. This airport is connected to top cities in the world like London, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Seoul. It is also connected to domestic cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Washington. The airport is about 3 hours distance and you will have to drive from the park.
International Airports:
- Las Vegas, Nevada is about 170 miles
- Salt Lake City, Utah is about 300 miles
Regional Airports:
- Saint George, Utah is 49 miles and has flights from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Denver, Colorado.
- Cedar City, Utah is 60 miles and has flights from Salt Lake City, Utah.
By Car
Zion National Park lies on State Route 9 in Springdale, Utah. Most areas of the parks are easily accessible by car. But from late March to October, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed for cars. During winters, you will have to make sure that your car can safely go over icy roads. The milages given below show the distance from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
From Las Vegas, Nevada is 163 miles, Mesquite, Nevada is 80 miles, and Saint George, Utah is 40 miles:
- Interstate 15 North
- Exit 16 – Right on State Route 9 East which is about 33 miles
- Right to stay on State Route 9 East in La Verkin, Utah which is about 20 miles
- Stay on State Route 9 East into Zion National Park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is ahead on the right.
From Salt Lake City, Utah is 307 miles, and Cedar City, Utah is 57 miles:
- Interstate 15 South
- Exit 27 – Left on State Route 17 South which is about 26 miles
- Left on State Route 9 East in La Verkin, Utah which is about 20 miles
- Stay on State Route 9 East into Zion National Park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is ahead on the right.
From Page, Arizona is 118 miles, and Kanab, Utah is 45 miles:
- US Route 89 North
- Left on State Route 9 West in Mount Carmel Junction, Utah which is about 24 miles
- Stay on State Route 9 West into Zion National Park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is 12 miles ahead on the left.
From Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah is about to 86 miles:
- State Route 63 North
- Left on State Route 12 West which is about 81 miles
- Left on US Route 89 South which is about 67 miles
- Right on State Route 9 West in Mount Carmel Junction, Utah which is about 24 miles
- Stay on State Route 9 West into Zion National Park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is about 12 miles on the left.
From Grand Canyon National Park: North Rim, Arizona is about 126 miles:
- State Route 67 North
- Left on US Route 89A North which is about 78 miles
- Left on State Route 9 West in Mount Carmel Junction, Utah which is about 24 miles
- Stay on State Route 9 West into Zion National Park where the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is about 12 miles on the left.
From Grand Canyon National Park: South Rim, Arizona is about 253 miles:
- State Route 64 East
- Left on US Route 89 North in Cameron, Arizona which is about 192 miles
- Left on State Route 9 West in Mount Carmel Junction, Utah which is about 24 miles
- Stay on State Route 9 West into Zion National Park where the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is about 12 miles on the left.
Large Vehicles
Vehicles size is about 11’4″ in height or 7’10” in width, or larger, are always required to have traffic control or an escort, via the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Kolob Canyons Visitor Center:
- One dual-port Level 2 J1772 charging station
- Available 24 hours/day with purchase of code
Zion Canyon Visitor Center:
- One dual-port Level 2 J1772 charging station
- Available 24 hours/day with purchase of code
Get a charging code at $5 in the Zion National Park Forever Project bookstore which is inside the Visitor Center.
- The code will be active for three days and provides charging at Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Kolob Canyon Visitor Center.
Utah National Park Visitor Centers
You can stop at one of the two visitor centres once you get to Utah Zion National Park to get all the permits you need, find out about the park’s activities, get restaurant recommendations, and see the transportation schedules.
- The Zion Canyon Visitor Center is situated close to Springdale at the park’s southern entrance.
- At the park’s western entrance, just off Interstate 15, is the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center.
The hours of operation for both Visitor Centers are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the spring and summer and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fall and winter. The 25th of December is a holiday.