Exploring the Area

Utah's first and most popular national park, Zion is a spectacularly beautiful spot that offers a wide variety of sights and experiences. The park is home to creatures of practically all shapes and sizes, from the minute Zion snail -- almost too small to see at all -- on up. Massive rock formations, such as the Great White Throne, give one the feeling that this land is something permanent, but the beautiful Narrows, where time and water have carved huge chunks of stone into a delicate work of art, prove otherwise.

Access/Entry Points -- Zion National Park has two main sections: Zion Canyon, the main part of the park, and the less-visited Kolob Canyons. The main east-west road through Zion Canyon is the park-owned extension of Utah 9; from this road, the park's 12-mile round-trip Zion Canyon Scenic Drive heads north, providing access to most of the scenic overlooks and trail heads.

Utah 9 connects to both sides of Zion National Park, giving the main section of the park two entry gates -- south and east. The south entrance, at Springdale, is by far the more popular, with two-thirds of park visitors arriving there. Most area lodgings and restaurants are found in Springdale. In addition, the park's two campgrounds and the Zion Canyon Visitor Center are located just inside the south entrance.

There is no town at the east entrance, but that route is more scenic -- it drops over 2,500 feet in elevation, passes through the 1-mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, and winds down six steep switchbacks. The tunnel is off limits to bicycles. It can accommodate two-way traffic when standard passenger cars and pickup trucks are being used, but it is too small for two-way traffic that includes larger vehicles, so opposite-direction traffic must be stopped when motor homes, campers, and other larger vehicles are passing through. Those also visiting Bryce Canyon National Park will probably enter or leave Zion through the east entrance.

The Kolob Canyons section, in the park's northwest corner, is easily reached on the short Kolob Canyons Road off I-15, at exit 40.

About 15 miles west of Zion Canyon, Kolob Terrace Road heads north from the village of Virgin off Utah 9, providing access to several backcountry trails and the Lava Point Campground. This road is closed in the winter.

To get to Bryce Canyon National Park, head north and east on Utah 9, U.S. 89, and Utah 12.

Visitor Centers & Information -- The park has two visitor centers. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center, near the south entrance to the park, has a wide variety of outdoor exhibits. Rangers answer questions and provide backcountry permits; free brochures are available; and books, maps, videos, postcards, and posters are sold. In summer, it is open daily from 8am to 8pm, with shorter hours the rest of the year. The Kolob Canyons Visitor Center, in the northwest corner of the park, right off I-15, provides information, permits, books, and maps. It is open from 8am to 6pm in summer, with shorter hours the rest of the year.

The Zion Human History Museum, located about 1 mile inside the south entrance, offers museum exhibits, park information, and an orientation program, plus a bookstore. It's open daily in summer from 9am to 7pm, with shorter hours at other times.

Both visitor centers and the museum are closed on Christmas Day.

Fees -- Entry into the park (for up to 7 days), which includes unlimited use of the shuttle bus, costs $25 per private vehicle car, pickup truck, van, or RV; $12 per individual ages 16 or older on motorcycle, bicycle, or foot (maximum charge of $25 per family). Oversize vehicles are charged $15 for use of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel on the east side of the park.

Backcountry permits, available at either visitor center, are required for all overnight hikes in the park as well as for any slot canyon hikes. Permits cost $10 for 1 or 2 people, $15 for 3 to 7, and $20 for 8 to 12 people. Camping costs $16 per night for basic campsites and $18 to $20 per night for sites with electric hookups (located in Watchman Campground).

Regulations -- The 1-mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is too small for two-way traffic that includes vehicles larger than standard passenger cars and pickup trucks. All vehicles over 7'10" wide (including mirrors) or 11'4" tall (including luggage racks and so forth) must be driven down the center of the tunnel, and therefore all traffic from the opposite direction must be stopped. These oversize vehicles must pay a $15 fee, which is good for two trips through the tunnel during a 7-day period. Drivers pay the fee at the entrance stations. All vehicles over 13'1" tall and other particularly large vehicles are prohibited from driving anywhere on the park road between the east entrance and Zion Canyon. Call the park headquarters if you have questions about accessibility for your vehicle.

Bicycles are prohibited in the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, the backcountry, and on trails, except the Pa'rus Trail. Feeding or disturbing wildlife is forbidden, as is vandalism and disturbing any natural feature of the park. Pets, which must be leashed at all times, are prohibited on all trails (except the Pa'rus Trail, where leashed pets are permitted), in the backcountry, in public buildings, and on the shuttles.

Backcountry hikers should practice minimum impact techniques and are prohibited from building fires. A limit on the number of people allowed in various parts of the backcountry may be in force during your visit; prospective backcountry hikers should check with rangers before setting out. You can purchase a backcountry permit at the visitor center the day before or the day of your trip, and reservations for permits can be made in advance through the park's website, www.nps.gov/zion, although they must still be picked up in person at the visitor center.

Where to Find Restrooms in Zion -- The all-important restrooms at Zion are generally well maintained, but vary considerably in the facilities that they offer. As at most national parks, the best restrooms are at the visitor centers, where you'll find heated rooms with sinks and flush toilets. There are also public restrooms at the Zion Lodge shuttle stop. South and Watchman campgrounds, the Grotto Picnic Area, the Human History Museum, and the Temple of Sinawava Trail Head have sinks and flush toilets. Lava Point Campground, Kolob Canyons Viewpoint, Scout Lookout, and Weeping Rock and Canyon Overlook trail heads have vault toilets. Although essentially outhouses, this type of facility has come a long way in the past 25 or 30 years -- they're clean, sanitary, and, best of all, they don't smell. However, they lack lights, water for hand washing, and heat. There are no toilets along the trails or in the backcountry.

During busy times, some facilities may run out of toilet paper, so it's best to carry a backup supply.