Before You GoZion National Park
Best Time to Visit Zion National Park
The best time to visit Zion National Park is April, May, September or October. From Las Vegas it is about 160 miles by I-15. Month table, Narrows floods, fees.
Zion National Park
A national park you can visit without a car. A bus reaches Springdale, and free shuttles run up the canyon for most of the year.
The Zion Canyon shuttle is free and needs no reservation. During the shuttle season, private cars cannot drive Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. In 2026 the buses run until 28 November, stop from 29 November to 25 December, and come back from 26 December to 2 January. From 25 October the last bus out of the canyon leaves the Temple of Sinawava at 6:15 p.m. If you miss it, you may have to walk nine miles back.
To reach Springdale without a car, take the SunTran Zion Route from St. George. It costs $5 a ride and runs Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and holidays a Zion White Bison shuttle covers only Virgin to Springdale. A free Park and Ride opened in Virgin on 1 March 2026, about 13 miles from the South Entrance. Walking into the park costs $20 a person, valid 7 days.
April, May, September and October are the comfortable months. Average highs are 75 F in April and 79 F in October, while July averages 100 F. The Narrows closes when the river is above 150 cubic feet per second, and flash floods are more frequent from July to September. NPS lists the Las Vegas airport as 170 miles from the park.
Before You Go
