And everyone seems to know it. Overcrowding at this park is common. But if you know where to go, you can find an escape on even the busiest of summer weekends. Who knows a national park best? Yep, the rangers who live and breathe its fresh, clean air every day.
Roadtrippers has partnered with the Association of National Park Rangers and convinced its rangers to spill their secrets for your benefit. From Las Vegas, the drive is about three hours.
While the airport is conveniently located just an hour from the park gates, flights tend to be more expensive. Because of astronomical visitation numbers, the park has increased service on the free Zion Canyon Shuttle through the park. It now runs daily from March to November with some additional weekends in February.
During these periods, shuttles arrive as often as every seven minutes. However, simply getting into the park and finding a parking spot can still be extremely challenging. Consider paying for parking in the gateway town of Springdale and hopping on the free Springdale Shuttle to the visitor center. Escort hours vary; make sure to check online in advance. Some vehicles are prohibited, so read the rules prior to your visit.
Unlike many national parks, Zion is a year-round destination. Peak visitation spans nearly the entire year with large crowds possible from February through November. Utah schools have a fall break in mid-October that may not be on your radar when planning a visit. After all, October is typically an ideal time to visit most national parks because of decent weather and thinner crowds.
