Know Before You Go: Shaka Guide's Zion National Park Tour
You’re about to visit one of the most stunning national parks in the country — Zion National Park. And boy, does Shaka Guide have quite the adventure planned for you!
First, know that this Know-Before-You-Go has been distilled to the must-see trails, stops, and need-to-know tips for your route.
Sure, there are even more trails and detours out there—and we'll give you those options—but we’ve got a full day of epic stops lined up for you. That means you can expect to spend anywhere from 10 to 12 hours exploring with us through Zion National Park.
Sound like too much for one day? Feel free to pick and choose the trails and stops which pique your interest, or spread out your tour over two days, three days, even a full week!
So how about it? Ready to pull yourself up a narrow precipice for thrilling sky-high views? We’ve got you covered.
Rather relax in a good story, soaking in the history as you drive to scenic overlooks? Yup, we can do that, too!
Zion has all of this and much more. But, before you set off for adventure, here are a few things to know that will help to make your trip as smooth as slickrock.
Start Planning!
In this article we'll cover all the general need-to-knows, including:
- Sections of Zion
- Park Passes
- Tour Routes
- Food and Drink
- Phone and GPS
- What to Expect
- Shuttles and Parking
- What to Pack
- Gear Rental
- Safety Tips
- and How to Leave No Trace
Let's start with the overview of the park.
Sections of the Park
There are four sections of Zion National Park:
- Zion Canyon
- East Zion
- Kolob Terrace
- Kolob Canyons
Each of these sections has unique hikes, stories, and sights. If you have time, try to visit all four! You’ll have the option to visit all four sections of the park during your Shaka Guide tour. However, if your time is limited, your first priority should be Zion Canyon--the most famous section of the park.
Park Passes and Fees
Entrance to Zion National Park costs $35 per car for a one-week pass. You can purchase your park pass in advance here or on-site in the Kolob Canyons, Zion Canyon, and East Zion sections of the park. Alternatively, as with all National Parks, you can enter with your annual National Parks Forever pass.
There is no visitor center at Kolob Terrace - park passes must be purchased in advance. Additionally, please note that Kolob Terrace only has pit toilets and no water stations.
Tour Directions
The tour has two optional directions, depending on where you choose to begin:
- The east-to-west tour begins just north or south of Mt. Carmel Junction, in the cities of Kanab and Gendale.
- The west-to-east tour begins at either Hurricane or Kanarraville, depending on whether you’re entering from the north or south.
Special Permits
Angel’s Landing and The Subway both now require a permit to visit. You must enter a lottery and be selected to win a permit. You can apply for those lotteries here. Permits can be acquired two different ways: seasonal lotteries, if you'd like to book in advance, or a day-before lottery, if you're unable to get a permit during the seasonal lottery.
Food and Drink
Zion Lodge is the only place to eat in the park, but the nearby city of Springdale, just 10 minutes south of the park, has dozens of dining options.
Zion Park Shuttle
During weekends in February, from March through November, and again from December 23rd through January 1st, Zion Canyon can only be accessed by the free park shuttle. Visitors are not permitted to drive their personal vehicles through the canyon while the shuttle is in service. The tour will continue to play whether you are riding the shuttle or in your own personal vehicle. Learn more below.
Phone and GPS
Cell reception is spotty in the park. Don’t worry, the tour works completely offline - no wifi or data necessary! Just be sure to download your tour before you head out!
Free public Wi-fi is available during business hours at the Zion Human History Museum and the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
What to Expect
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1. To Get an Early Start
We recommend that you arrive in Zion before 7 a.m. – "7 a.m.?!" you exclaim. I know, I know, but to get to the Zion Visitor Center before the parking lot fills up, we need to arrive before 8 a.m.
The early bird gets the worm, or er, parking space in this case. If you don't mind paying for parking in Springdale, you can start your tour a little later.
Remember, it's a long day of adventuring ahead, so do try to arrive by 8 a.m.
2. To Spend 10-12 Hours Exploring
There is plenty to see and do in Zion, and trying to do everything is probably just too much for one day. We’ll tell you our top picks, and you can choose which hikes and activities are best for you. The Zion highlights—which your tour will point out for you— can all be seen in one 10-12 hour day. But with so many optional hikes, stops, and side trips in Zion, if you hope to see it all, you’ll need at least two full days.
3. To Be Active
This tour visits all four sections of the park - that means, there are loads of overlooks, scenic drives, and hikes for you to choose from.
No matter which sections of the park you choose to visit, you’ll be exploring all day.
4. To Learn
For those of us who love to learn, get ready to be amazed—Zion is full of stories, and we’re here to share them.
We won’t just point out the park’s stunning features—we’ll explain how they formed over millions of years. Into history? You’re in luck. We’ll dive into the rich past of Zion and the people who shaped it, from ancient cultures to early conservationists.
But Shaka Guide isn’t just about listening. Along the way, we’ll stop at visitor centers, historic sites, plaques, and scenic pullouts—because sometimes the landscape speaks for itself.
With Shaka Guide, you won’t just see Zion. You’ll understand it.
Budgeting
There aren't too many expenses to be aware of in Zion—all of the sites along the tour are free, with the exception of a few optional side-trips in the nearby town of Kanab. Here's what you can expect to budgest per day.
- $10 per person: Snacks
- $20.00 per person: Lunch
- $35.00 per vehicle: Zion Weekly Park Pass
- $30.00 per person: Zion Adventure Rentals Footwear Package
- $10.00-30.00 per vehicle: Parking
Helpful Planning Tips
Shuttle Service
NPS Daren Reehl
From March through November and again during Christmastime, Zion Canyon implements a mandatory shuttle system.
Visitors to Zion Canyon must embark on the Zion Shuttle in order to traverse Zion Scenic Drive. No personal vehicles are permitted during shuttle season. These shuttles are free to all visitors. More information can be found on our Shuttle Guide.
Visitor Center Shuttle
There are two shuttle systems in Zion National Park. The first shuttle system runs from the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava—the final stop on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
The shuttle service typically runs from about 7 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. daily. The shuttle schedule changes slightly from season to season and year to year.
The NPS website will have the most up-to-date shuttle schedule. Visitors should check the current shuttle schedule posted at the Zion Visitor Center before heading out.
Important Note!
Visitors are strongly discouraged from waiting for the final shuttle. If you miss the final shuttle, it’s a grueling 8 miles back to the Visitor Center from the final stop at the Temple of Sinawava. Additionally, the final shuttle may be full. Don’t take the chance and end up stuck with a long, unexpected hike in the dark.
Springdale Shuttle
The Springdale shuttle runs from the Majestic View Lodge to the Zion Canyon Village, right at the entrance to Zion Canyon. This shuttle provides a quick route from Springdale to the park for those visitors who are unable to secure parking at the Visitor Center.
Conveniently, the only free parking in Zion Canyon is also the best parking in Zion Canyon. The only caveat? Visitors need to arrive early to take advantage of this money and time-saving trick. After 8 A.M., the free lots at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center will likely be full. If it’s during the busy season, the Visitor Center parking may fill up even earlier.
If the free parking at the Zion Visitor Center is full, visitors will have to pay for parking in the town of Springdale. Depending on location, the cost of all-day parking may range from $10-30.00. Closer parking spots pay a higher premium.
The good news is that even if visitors couldn’t quite get in early enough to snag a prime spot, there’s no need to worry. Simply hop on one of the many Springdale shuttle stops and ride it up to the park entrance.
Gear Rental
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Hikers on some of Zion’s most popular trails—particularly The Narrows—may wish to rent some specialized equipment. In the nearby town of Springdale, there are several places to rent hiking gear.
If visitors are considering hiking The Narrows, they are strongly encouraged to consider either bringing or renting some type of water shoes and walking sticks. Here's a list of equipment that hikers may wish to consider:
- neoprene socks
- canyon shoes
- waterproof pants
- walking sticks
In The Narrows, hikers travel a rocky riverbed upstream with water sometimes reaching the thighs. Walking sticks and shoes that provide protection from stubbed toes and soggy feet will go a long way toward making the experience faster, safer, and more enjoyable.
Start Packing!
- Car charger
- Headphones - You can use these on the shuttle! The tour will still play.
- H20
- Hiking shoes
- Walking sticks - must-have for The Narrows
- Water shoes - must-have for The Narrows
- Sunscreen
- Snacks - there's only one place to eat in the park, Zion Lodge, but there are multiple picnic spots.
Safety Information
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- Bring plenty of water. The dry heat of the desert can be misleading for those who aren’t used to it. Dehydration in Zion is common and deadly. People die every year from heatstroke and heat-related illnesses, so be sure to bring as much water as you think you’ll need, and then double it.
- On the same note: don’t drink the water in the park. The water contains cyanotoxins which can make people and pets ill. Do not submerge your head underwater, as these toxins may be absorbed through the nose or mouth. While side effects in humans are generally mild, pet-related fatalities can occur in as little as 15 minutes after exposure.
- Flash floods are common in Zion and extremely dangerous. Do not go hiking, especially in canyons, if there is a chance of inclement weather.
- And finally, stick to the trail. Be sure there’s no need for an embarrassing rescue by sticking to the park trails. Wandering not only places you in danger of getting lost but also damages the natural environment.
Prepare for the Weather
Be aware that depending on the season and weather, certain activities and sections of the park may be off-limits. Be prepared with backup plans in order to make the most of your time in Zion.
For example, Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace may close in the event of snow. Likewise, The Narrows will close if the water level rises too high.Always be prepared to switch up your plans, after all, in the desert, Mother Nature has the final say!
Leave No Trace
Zion is a breathtaking example of natural, rugged beauty. To preserve this beauty for future visitors, we must follow certain guidelines.
These guidelines include packing it all out, picking up our trash, taking nothing but pictures, respecting wildlife, and sticking to the path. This last point of following the path is particularly important in Zion so as not to damage the fragile cryptobiotic crust. It’s up to us to preserve and respect this amazing environment, so let’s do our best to travel responsibly—the Shaka Guide way.
About the Writer: Rachel Ennis is a storyteller, nature nerd, and park enthusiast who believes every trail has a tale. Zion was her first love—the very first tour she wrote for Shaka Guide—and the moment she saw those towering red walls, something clicked. That spark of awe has followed her to every park since. Now, she’s on a mission to share the stories that live in the land and the spaces that make us feel small in the best way.
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We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more information and to check out the tour, be sure to check out the accompanying Zion National Park itinerary.
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