ENTRANCE FEES, SEASONS, etc.

National Park Entrance Fees:

Visitors to Zion National Park are required to pay for a standard "recreational use pass" when entering the park. Entrance booths are located at the south entrance near Springdale, the east entrance along Route 9, and at the separate Kolob Canyons entrance.

The most popular entrance is the south entrance from the tourist gateway town of Springdale. Aside from the vehicle entrance, there is a separate pedestrian/bicycle entrance to the right of the bus stop for the free Springdale shuttle line. When entering the park as pedestrians, you pay by group as if you were all in the same car together.

While the entrance booths are operated only during normal business hours, Zion National Park is officially open 24 hours a day, so it is perfectly legal and ethical for you to enter the park during the off-hours. You do not need to display your pass in your vehicle, but you will need to show it if you leave the park and reenter later.

As of 2026, the various passes and fees are:

• $35 for a non-commercial vehicle (good for 7 days, includes everybody in vehicle)
  *Non-US residents must pay an additional $100 per person fee.
• $30 for a motorcycle (good for 7 days)
• $20 for a single person entering by foot or bicycle (good for 7 days; a group or family can enter for $30, similar to the vehicle fee)
• $70 Zion Annual Park Pass (good for one year from the month of purchase) This would be a good choice if you intend to visit Zion more than twice a year or for more than two weeks total.
• $80 Interagency Annual Pass (allows entrance at any Federal recreation site that charges a standard entrance fee for one year from purchase date) A good choice if you are planning on visiting several other national parks throughout the year.
• $80 Interagency Senior Pass (allows U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over lifetime access to any Federal recreation site that charges an entrance fee) Up from $10 as of August 2017, this lifetime pass is still an incredible deal for anybody over 62 who wants to visit national parks over the next several years.

Complete fee information can be found on the NPS's Fees and Reservations webpage. Note that there is no charge for riding on the Zion Shuttle bus system and no fees or permits are required for any single-day hike along any of Zion's trails.

Wilderness permits are required, however, for any overnight trip (multi-day hike, backpacking, or climbing bivouac), any top-down hike through the Zion Narrows, any hike through the Left Fork of North Creek (the Subway), or any canyoneering route (a canyon hike that requires the use of descending gear or ropes). Permit fees are $15 for 1-2 people, $20 for 3-7 people, or $25 for 8-12 people (not including any advanced lottery fees, if applicable). More information can be found on the NPS's Zion Backpacking page.

Seasons and Temperatures:

Zion National Park is open year-round with summer and early autumn being the height of the tourist season. Every time of year is a good time to visit Zion, provided you have a good idea of what to expect.

SPRING:

March through May mark the start of the spring thaw in Zion with seasonal waterfalls bursting through dozens of cracks throughout the main canyon. The Virgin River typically starts its grand spring runoff in April, rendering the Zion Narrows flooded and unhikeable until May or even June or July. The cottonwoods start blooming in mid-April so the dreary gray tree skeletons of winter suddenly come back to life with color.

Most of Zion Canyon and the Upper East Canyon are hikeable, but the Kolob Terrace and Lava Point may remain buried in snow until late April or May. Throughout the park, snow will still be found on the ground in shaded areas and at higher elevations.

SUMMER:

Mid-June signals the start of summer and daytime highs commonly reach 90-105 degrees Fahrenheit. The Zion Narrows are typically open for business by mid-June, but this varies every year due to the amount of snow on the high plateau. All sections of the park should be accessible and all trails should be open, but hikes in the desert section or any hike under the open midday sun could be excruciatingly hot. Bring plenty of water and try to save your most vigorous activities for morning and evening.

Late July through early September is known as monsoon season when hot mornings can build into sudden powerful afternoon thunderstorms driven by moisture surges. Watching the weather is especially important in narrow slot canyons where hikers are at risk of getting caught in flash floods.

AUTUMN:

Fall is a wonderful time in Zion and due to the various elevations within the park, you can enjoy a rolling color change for several months. In the higher sections of the park like the Kolob Section and the Kolob Terrace, leaves start to turn in September, but in Zion Canyon, the cottonwoods turn a golden yellow in mid to late October.

All trails should be open, but any river hikes like the Zion Narrows may require better protection from the cold. All sections of the park will be open until that first snow (usually in November) signals the closing of the Kolob Terrace section.

WINTER:

December through February are the coldest months to visit Zion. Zion Canyon and Route 9 will be open, but many businesses in Springdale will be closed or have limited hours for the season. The shuttle system will not be running (except on certain holidays), so you will have a rare opportunity to drive your car up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Daily high temperatures in the canyon can reach roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit while nights typically dip just below freezing.

The Kolob Canyons section is also kept open, but temperatures will be much colder. Sections of the park at higher elevations, like the Kolob Terrace and Lava Point, will be buried in snow and will not be accessible by car. Hiking is still possible, but patches of ice, snow, and/or mud may make some sections of trail difficult for the unprepared.

Average Monthly Temperatures in Zion Canyon:

*Temperatures can be much colder in the higher elevation sections of the park like the Kolob Canyons and the Kolob Terrace.

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