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How to Secure Zion Shuttle Tickets and What To Do When You Can’t

Post Topic: Tips to Navigate the Zion Shuttle System or Skip it and Things to do Instead!

Zion National Park is a wonderful place – it’s one of my favorite national parks to visit. Maybe you’re reading this post because you’re planning a trip to Zion in the near future, if that’s the case, you must know that the “main” section of the park is only available in the peak season via shuttle system. In order to protect the fragile environment and ecosystem, the park implemented a policy that in order to access the main Zion Canyon, visitors must park at the Visitor Center and take a shuttle into the park.

2022 Update: In 2020, the park started requiring visitors to obtain Zion shuttle tickets ahead of time. Tickets were very difficult to secure, and fortunately, this is no longer the policy. However, visitors to Zion may experience increased crowds and lines for a seat on the shuttle. Keep reading for things to do in Zion that can be accessed via personal vehicle.

Unfortunately, the Zion shuttle is very overcrowded and the line for a seat on the shuttle could take hours. So if this doesn’t sound like the trip to Zion that you were hoping for, don’t worry, there is still so much of the park to see that does not require shuttle access! And some of these areas are my favorite parts of the park. I share all of these spots & trails below, so keep reading!

Zion Canyon Shuttle Required to Access Zion Canyon During Peak Season

For years, due to the heavy traffic in Zion National Park, park authorities haven’t allowed private vehicles to drive the Zion Canyon Road. I would imagine it’s mostly due to very little parking available at the trailheads along the road and a desire to protect the fragile ecosystems.

All of this information was gathered from Zion’s NPS website, check here for most up-to date information.

Tips for Navigating the Zion Canyon Shuttle System

Get to the Park Early in the Day

Shuttle lines (&parking) can fill up very early in the day. To make the most of your time in the park, get to the park before the first shuttle leaves at 7 AM and beat the majority of the crowds.

Go Later in the Day

Another tried-and-true method to skipping the majority of the lines in the park is to visit later in the day. The last shuttle leaves the visitor center at 5 PM. If you’re looking to escape the crowds this way, I’d highly recommend that you consider renting a bicycle, taking a later shuttle ride, and biking back down Zion Canyon, taking your time along the way. You can read more about this adventurous activity, here.

Familiarize Yourself with the Shuttle Stop Map

Know which stops you want to visit most in Zion Canyon, take a look at the Zion Canyon Shuttle map ahead of time to assist with itinerary planning.

Take a Pack Lunch

Food options are extremely limited in Zion Canyon. There is one restaurant, Red Rock Grill, located at Zion Lodge that is available with reservations recommended Spring – Fall. Other than that, all food options are located in the town of Springdale. In order to avoid your adventures being cut short, pack some snacks and a picnic lunch to maximize your time in the park.

You Also Don’t NEED the Zion Shuttle to Enjoy the Park

There is plenty to do in Zion National Park without a shuttle ticket! Most people don’t realize this but the park is so much bigger than just the scenic canyon road. So if you’ve tried all of the above tips and still can’t get a spot, please don’t give up!

Keep reading for a few epic and fun things to do in the park when you don’t want to deal with the hassle of the Zion shuttle system.

Biking through Zion Canyon

Rent a Bike and Enjoy the Scenic Drive on Two-Wheels

If you want to skip the Zion shuttle, the best way to still see the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by bicycle. And it’s actually my favorite way to see Zion Canyon! I wrote a whole blog post dedicated to Biking Through Zion. Make sure you check it out for more details on biking through the canyon.

The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only 7.5 miles one-way and climbs only 300 feet in elevation. If you choose to bike the whole route, you’ll be biking 15 miles. The views from the road are truly spectacular and biking also gives you a way to access the trailheads in Zion Canyon.

You can find many bike rental locations right outside of the park in Springdale, UT. We rented through Zion Outfitter and had a good experience. Also, they’re located as close to the park as you can get, right on the other side of the entrance station.

READ NEXT:

Biking Through Zion – The Best Way to See Zion National Park


Explore Kolob Canyon

Have you heard of the Kolob Canyon section of the park? I bet you haven’t as most visitors who visit Zion have no idea about this beautiful spot! But it’s gorgeous & it’s part of the national park!

The Kolob Canyon Visitor Center is located right off of I-15 (exit 40) about 45 minutes northwest of Springdale, Utah (the town right outside the main entrance of Zion). From the visitor center, you can take the 5-mile scenic drive and stop off at a couple different trailheads for a hike!

Kolob Canyon is remarkably cooler in temperature than the Springdale area, as it sits a couple of thousand feet higher in elevation. This will make for a nice respite from the heat in the summer months but in the winter & spring, bring extra layers to stay warm.

Middle Fork Taylor Creek Trail

This 5.0 mile hike follows the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek to Double Arch Alcove. This trail is probably the most popular trail in Kolob Canyon but it still doesn’t get near as crowded as hikes elsewhere in the park. Unfortunately, the last portion of the trail has been closed recently due to a rockslide. Hopefully, it’ll be fully open again soon.

South Fork Taylor Creek Trail

I’m not sure why the NPS doesn’t list this trail on their website, but we found it on AllTrails. It’s very much an established trail and is amazingly beautiful with no crowds. We saw one other person on our hike down here. The trail follows the South Fork of the Taylor Creek. It is 2.6 miles round trip with a variation in ups and downs. Make sure you check Alltrails to find the trailhead, as it’s not clearly marked and can be difficult to find.

Timber Creek Overlook Trail

At the top of the scenic drive in Kolob Canyon, you can continue on foot on the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. The 1 mile round trip hike provides views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains. The views up here are pretty incredible!


Observation Point Zion National Park

Choose a Hiking Trail on the East Side of the Park

Although Zion is known for it’s two iconic hikes: Angels Landing & the Narrows, there are still so many epic trails to check out that do not require shuttle access. Some of them I like even more than the iconic spots because they are way less crowded and I’d argue even more beautiful!

The drive out to the east side of the park is also arguably more interesting and beautiful than Zion Canyon itself. So if you’re looking for a scenic drive, you’ll find it heading east from Springdale towards Mount Carmel Junction.

Observation Point Zion National Park

Observation Point via East Mesa Trail

Observation Point used to be accessed more frequently from the Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop. But Weeping Rock has since been closed due to a major rock slide. The viewpoint, is however, still accessible via the East Mesa Trail. This is good news for those who don’t have a shuttle ticket because the East Mesa Trailhead is located on the east side of the park and is accessible by car (so no need for a shuttle ticket).

And I have to say, this is my favorite hike in all of Zion. The views from Observation Point are simply incredible. And I would argue way better than Angels Landing. You’re even looking DOWN on Angels Landing! And the best part? Absolutely no crowds and no dangerous rock scrambles & steep drop-offs, until you reach the viewpoint.

The trail is about 6.7 miles round trip and is very easy with only 500 feet of elevation change, most of which is at the end of the hike as you descend onto Observation Point. It’s a rocky but level hike most of the way. Most of the hike is also spent in and around tree cover – so lots of shade on those hot & sunny Utah days.

I really cannot rave about this trail enough – I even cancelled my shuttle ticket one day to hike this trail and I’m so glad that I did!


Zion National Park Canyon Overlook Trail

Canyon Overlook Trail

Now this trail used to be a lot less busy, but I guess the word has gotten out. But don’t worry, the views here are still so worth it. The Canyon Overlook Trail is only a 1-mile round trip hike and provides incredible views of the canyon. This trail is also located much closer to the visitor center – probably contributing to the crowds.

Make sure that you arrive early as parking becomes difficult as you approach mid-morning. I tried to hike this trail a few weeks ago but was unable to find a parking spot, we tried again a couple weeks later and got super lucky and snagged a spot right by the trailhead.

We visited this trail in early 2019 and I remember it being simply beautiful! We hiked it again last weekend and it was exactly as I remembered. This trail is also a super popular option for sunrise/sunset views.

Stop By the Visitor Center and Check Out Nearby Trails

My last suggestion for things to do in Zion that don’t require riding the shuttle is to check out the visitor center and nearby trails. The visitor center has lots of informational signs and interactive exhibits to learn more about the history and geology of Zion National Park. The gift shop is also worth a look.

Although this part of the park can become very crowded most days. If you’re looking to get away from the hoards of people that visit Zion, maybe avoid this area and check out the east side and Kolob Canyon instead.

These two trails are both accessible from the visitor center:

Pa’Rus Trail – This 3.5 mile trail is paved and an easy option for getting views of lower Zion Canyon. It’s a family-friendly trail but is also heavily trafficked by cyclists – so please keep your eyes and ears open so you don’t have a collision with a cyclist.

Watchman Trail – The Watchman Trail is a bit more of a moderate hike that ends with viewpoints of the Towers of the Virgin, lower Zion Canyon, and Springdale.

Pack These for a Trip to Zion National Park

1. Good Hiking Shoes

Utah is the land of beautiful red rocks. But it also makes for some pretty rocky trails.

When hiking around Utah, it’s super important to wear sturdy hiking shoes or sandals on the trails. I wear brands like Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator, Teva Universal Trail (trail sandal), and Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof. My husband, who is very prone to ankle injuries, wears Salomon X Ultra Low GTX and swears by them.

I love being able to switch between a solid hiking boot and a trail sandal with excellent traction on the easier hike. I’m very prone to blisters and having different shoes to change into makes a world of difference.

2. Water Bottle & Hydration pack

Most of Utah is a desert, so it’s important to stay hydrated on hiking trails. Especially if you’re traveling during the hot summer season!

To keep your drink extra cold, go with a Hydroflask, which is vacuum-sealed and keeps your liquids cold for up to 24 hours. If you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight, go with the traditional Nalgene.

On longer hikes, fill up your Ospry Hydraulics Reservoir to keep your water easily accessible & hands free. My favorite day pack that accommodates a hydration bladder is the Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack.

3. Trail Snacks

A lot of the popular National Park trails in Utah are day-long hikes, so make sure you bring enough energy-boosting food to get you through the day.

Some of our favorite trail snacks are the traditional PB&J, grapes, trail mixes, Go Macro Bars, and RX Bars.

4. Sunscreen & Sun Protection

The sun in Utah is INTENSE. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. This Sun Bum sunscreen is so light and easy to fit in your pack. Also, it’s super protective against the sun. It’s also reef friendly, so save it for your next trip to the beach!

In addition to sunscreen, make sure you protect your face with a sun hat. I really enjoy wearing this Vintage Style Cap from Amazon. It has tons of colors to choose from, I’ve been loving the yellow.

Sunglasses are never a bad idea, either.

5. Lightweight & Moisture-Wicking Clothes

Make sure to choose moisture-wicking clothing (aka NOT cotton), to pull the sweat away from your body and stay cool and dry while hiking.

These Icebreaker T-Shirts have been a favorite of mine recently, they’re excellent at keeping you dry. And the best part is that they don’t stink even after a long sweaty day on the trail!

6. Lots of Layers

Depending on when you visit Utah, you may encounter cooler than expected temperatures. Especially during an early morning or late evening hike. Don’t forget to pack a jacket for your trip to Utah.

More Utah National Park Adventures

Utah’s Mighty 5 Ranked Best to Worst

8 Incredible Things to do in Capitol Reef National Park

How to Spend 36 Hours in Arches National Park

Everything You Need to Know about Bryce Canyon’s Fairyland Loop

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3 Comments

  • Kaila

    Thank you for the info about the east side of the park! This will be my second visit and I plan on exploring the east side this time. Any suggestions for getting in as early as possible? Do cars line up and enter when it opens? Or can you pay online and enter as early as you want? Thanks! 🙂

  • Janet Trippett

    Caroline,
    Thank you dearly for all the information you have provided on Zion. As1st time visitors (4 of us in our 60s but pretty fit) of course we want to see it all and are staying in Page for this portion of our vacation. Can you give any tips on going to Zion for the 1st time? Don’t have a clue where to begin or how to prioritize the sights in the park. We are coming late September. Do we have to enter the park via the shuttle? Where does this drop you off? Should we sign up for some of the sight seeing tours? Seeing the natural beauty is most important. I thank you very much. We are from the south and seeing all the beauty this park offers is so important.
    Thanks

    • admin

      Hi Janet – thank you so much for reading! Zion National Park is absolutaly amazing – you’ll love it!

      The shuttle is required to enter the main canyon of the park. And I do believe that the park has now opened up shuttle access to first-come, first-serve. Which now means that you don’t need a reservation but may be waiting quite awhile for a spot on the shuttle. I’d recommend spending at least one full day in the main canyon. Get to the visitor center very early for a spot on the shuttle. Here is a link to the shuttle map: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/upload/FY22-Winter-Infosheet-12-6-21.pdf

      I really think that getting off the roads and onto the trails is one of the best ways to see the park. So while you’re seeing Zion Canyon via the shuttle, make sure you check out the Riverside Walk (at the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop) and the Emerald Pool Trails (at the Zion Londge shuttle stop). Both of these hikes are fairly easy and give awesome views of the park. If you’re wanting a longer, more adventurous hike, check out the Narrows hike that continues past the Riverside Walk through the North Fork Virgin River. This one is great for cooling off on hot September days but make sure you bring only stuff that can get wet, good footwear, and hiking poles for balance.

      For the rest of your time in Zion, check out the east side of the park (that is accessible via personal vehicles). I love the Canyon Overlook Trail which can become crowded but the views are some of the best in the park! Observation Point is another great hike that is a bit of a drive but ends right above the main Zion Canyon and the views are breathtaking.

      You can definitely see most of what the park has to offer without needing to book a sightseeing tour. However, one benefit of the tours is that you can skip the hassle of the shuttle system.

      I hope this helped! Please let me know if you have more questions about planning a trip to Zion.

      Caroline

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