A must-see destination for nature lovers, Zion National park is one of Utah’s beauty. Last summer I went to Zion national park but this is not really the best time to visit Zion National Park! From spring-blooming wildflowers to yellow aspen, you get year-round beauty.
The best time to visit Zion National Park is from May to November when free shuttle rides are available in the park and you can enjoy the weather attractions. Summer is Zion’s busiest time of year, helping to make it the 4th most visited park in the United States.
There are many things to consider when planning a trip to Zion National Park. First, you need to do a self-analysis of the best time to visit Zion National park. Second, you need to think about the activities you need to do in the park to decide which month you should visit.
The best time to visit Zion National Park depends on the weather, the crowds, and your tastes! This guide takes you to Zion for mountaineering, camping, hiking the best weather, crowds, and much more! Continue reading to get a feel for the best time to visit Zion National Park.
The Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Good Weather
The best time for good weather in Zion National Park is during September, which includes September and October and April to May.
When you are planning a trip to Zion, you should first consider the weather. Zion National Park has a wide range of weather conditions throughout the year. From the park without summer crowds, the fall months (October and early November) may be your best time to visit. Temperatures can fluctuate as the weather shifts toward winter, but fall colors can be appealing.
The hottest time to visit in July. January is the coldest month. Thunderstorms are common in July and August.
The winter months are the wettest, with snowfall. Winter temperatures are warm enough to enjoy the park, and due to the weather, high altitudes such as Angels Landing and Observatory are inaccessible.
Are you looking to avoid the crowd? This is the best time for you
For those looking for less crowded, spring and fall are the best times to explore Zion National Park.
The weather can be cool in the fall, and the crowds are smaller, allowing you to enjoy the park’s most popular attractions without having to search for parking or traveling with dozens of other climbers. If you love solitude, this is the time to go.
As I mentioned, summer is Zion’s busiest time, with nearly half of the annual visitors coming between Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in September. On a typical summer day, more than 17,000 people visit Zion National Park.
Next, I will take you to the best time to visit Zion for mountaineering, camping, hiking, canyoneering, and much more! Are you coming with me to get a good idea of the best time for your favorite activities? Here we go:
The Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Activities
You need to think about what activities you need to do in the park to decide which month to visit. I have divided the most common “when to go” questions into the following activities. With this, you will be able to decide what is the best time to visit Zion National Park.
Best time to camp
October is the best time to camp in Zion National Park.
Do you like camping in Zion? This is for you. There is nothing like waking up to the beauty of Zion National Park, so camping is one of the park’s most popular activities.
That being said, you will need to make a reservation in advance, as Zion has only three campgrounds, South, Watchman, Lava Point. Like many national parks in the country, campgrounds will fill up quickly in the summer, limiting access to those who do not book well in advance.
The South and Watchman Camps in Zion Canyon are open from March to October, and the Lava Point Campground, the most basic camping option off the Kolob Terrace Road, is open from May to September.
By October, Zion’s population had dwindled and the camp was accessible. From June to September the temperature usually reaches the 90s and makes outdoor sleep difficult.
With daily highs up to the 70s and night lows rising to 50 degrees, October provides a more comfortable month for camping.
The best time to visit Zion National Park for hiking
September and October are the best months to hike Zion National Park.
Hike Angels Landing and Hike Narrows are the most popular in Zion National park. For the best conditions, hike the Angels landing from March to June or from September to October.
The best time to hike the narrows is from late May to October but be on the lookout for summer thunderstorms that can cause deadly flash floods.
Most people deal with this increase during the summer months, but you will need to be mindful of the weather – thunderstorms and extreme heat are common, especially during the months of July and August.
With summer highs reaching 90s during the day and many of the park’s best ups and downs exposed to high sunlight, there is a better chance of climbing in the fall months.
At this point the climb is more comfortable and requires less water to carry for hydration.
Due to the small number of visitors to the park, large crowds can be avoided on the park’s most popular trails. You can also safely visit the park’s slot canyons, which can be prone to dangerous flash floods in the spring months.
Best time to visit Zion National Park for Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
The best time to drive along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is from December to March.
If you want to check out the famous Zion Canyon Sync Drive and get in and out of the car at your leisure, you will want to visit the park before the holidays in December or January and February.
The shuttle allows you to see and experience the driver at peak times, and you can have a more secluded experience in your vehicle by visiting the park next season.
Best time for canyoneering
The best time for canyoneering at Zion National Park is September through early November.
Canyoning is most beneficial in early fall when the weather is still warm. Zion National Park has become one of the leading canyoneering destinations in the country.
Early spring and late summer are dangerous times to explore the canyons in the park. Flash flooding can occur with spring rains and snowmelt, and garden slots can be dangerous.
You can go canyoneering in Zion all year round, but some routes will be limited. The most comfortable time to experiment with activities is in the summer when river levels can be managed and the water warms up.
Best season to visit Zion National Park
More than 4 million annual visitors to Zion National Park choose to plan their trip to the park during the summer months. But is June, July, and August the best time to visit? Each season offers its benefits and conventions. Hi, guys! Continue reading as we look at the Four Zion’s Seasons.
Summer
Summer is the most popular time of year to visit Zion. The summer in the park is also extremely hot, with daytime temperatures reaching well into the 90s. For this reason, mountaineering can be a challenge in the summer.
By June, the Virgin River had calmed, making Narrows the most popular summer attraction. This trail crosses the river bed and provides a cool refresh from the heat.
Warm weather makes for more comfortable outdoor fun. Plan an early summer trip even if you are not used to it or are not a big fan of the heat!
Fall
Fall temperature is perfect for mountaineering, the narrow is still open, and less crowded than in summer. These are the main reasons you choose to fall.
The Zion Canyon shuttle is still operational and may be more accessible to the park. It is also easy to find vacancies in one of the camps in the park.
Fall is a dry season for the park, the water level drops, and gardening saves many canyons. The fall colors of the park for spectacular views are also fully displayed at this time.
Winter
Best time to visit if you are interested: Winter sports such as snowboarding, loneliness, and wildlife hunting.
The crowds that fill the park in the summer disappear by the winter. Midwinter weather is cold, with peaks in the daytime reaching the 50s and lows below freezing at night.
By December, the snow had begun to fall in Zion National Park, covering the highlands of Kenya. But there is not as much snow as the national parks around Zion – the perfect price for winter exploration!
The shuttle system is closed throughout the winter, so you are free to drive across the canyon and watch the sights!
Spring
Spring is a good time to experience the lower elevations of the park when the colorful wildflowers in the garden make a beautiful difference with the red, orange, and cream rocks. Every year from late March or early April, the winter snow begins to melt slowly, raising temperatures and bringing new life to Zion.
With the arrival of spring, the temperature begins to warm. The minimum time at night is still cold.
Spring in the park is a time of fresh bloom and comfortable climbing. The hustle and bustle of the summer groups have not yet begun, but the shuttle system remains open for years and can be easily navigated.
How many days do you need at Yosemite?
5 -7 days
If you plan to drive just to see a few scenes, 5 -7 days is enough to see a lot. If you prefer to hike, take the time to watch popular day climbs such as Angels Landing, Zion Narrow Day Rise, and Observation Point Trail.
What is the best way to visit Zion National Park?
The best way to see Zion is to spend a week in the park, starting with visitor center shows and events, then taking a Zion Canyon Sync Drive on the shuttle bus and then gradually walking back and forth overnight until the full day.
What is the most dangerous junction in Zion National Park?
Angels Landing
Angels landing has been reported as one of the most dangerous public hikes in the United States. The plateau rises to a height of more than 1,000 feet. But the most dangerous part of the elevation is a narrow land bridge with a metal chain to guide it.