Best Time to Visit Zion National Park

When it comes to the best time to visit Zion National Park, the shoulder seasons — April through May or September through October — stand out. Along with more comfortable temperatures for hiking and sightseeing than the hottest summer months, these months also offer full access to park services and roads.

The spring and fall months in Zion are also appealing for RV travelers, but campgrounds and park shuttles can get busy this time of year. Below, we’ll dive into everything you need to know to make your Zion National Park RV trip a success.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Zion National Park?

The best overall time to visit Zion National Park, as mentioned above, is spring and fall, specifically April–May and September–October. These months are also when you’ll find the best hiking, thanks to the more comfortable daytime temperatures. (Temperatures in the dead of summer can get downright dangerous.)

However, if you’re specifically looking to experience the park when crowds are at their lowest, you’ll want to visit in winter (though the holiday period around Thanksgiving can also get fairly crowded at Zion). Keep in mind that not all park roads or services will be accessible at this time, but it’s made up for with beautiful, snow-draped desert scenery.

Finally, the best time for families to visit Zion is also the spring and fall, though some families may be able to enjoy a visit in the summer — as long as they plan with the heat in mind (i.e., no major or strenuous hikes).

Zion National Park Weather by Season

Let’s take a look at the weather and conditions in Zion National Park season by season.

Spring (March–May): Mild Weather and Rising Water Levels

Spring in Zion is a really special time, which is why it keeps figuring as one of our suggestions for the best times to visit the park. Expect daytime highs in the 50s and 60s in March and ranging all the way up into the 80s by May, wildflower blooms, wildlife activity, and quickly flowing waterfalls. 

However, bear in mind that the Virgin River may be rushing by strongly and will still be ice cold for many parts of the spring. The Narrows, which is a popular experience many travel to the park for, may or may not be open, and you may need to rent special drysuit equipment to properly experience it. 

Summer (June–August): Hot Weather and Monsoon Storms

If summer in Zion could be summed up in one word, that word would be intensity. This time of year brings three-digit daytime temperatures and, in July and August especially, monsoon season: quickly brewing afternoon thunderstorms that significantly raise the already serious flash flooding risk in the canyon.

Despite these detractors, summer remains the most popular time for visitors to Zion, which means on top of all of these detractors, it’s also extremely crowded. While we don’t recommend summer as a first choice, for families who are beholden to school schedules, a summer visit can still work, especially if you plan to stay during the week rather than the weekend and if you take any outings or small hikes in the early morning or evening around sunset.

Fall (September–November): Comfortable Hiking and Fall Color

Fall is another stellar time of year to visit Zion National Park. Daytime temperatures begin to fall again, and speckles of fall foliage color dot the landscape. While, as always in the desert, nighttime temperatures can fall preciptiously, the days make for comfortable hiking conditions and offer an excellent opportunity to explore. Crowds drop off, and the high rushing waters of spring lower a bit, making river navigation a bit less challenging (though it still always carries inherent dangers!).

Winter (December–February): Quiet Trails and Cold Conditions

For a truly otherworldly experience of the Utah landscape, consider visiting Zion in the heart of winter, its quietest and least-crowded season. Snow coats the red rock cliffs and skeletons of trees, and there’s a silence you can’t emulate in the city. Daytime temperatures can still reach into the 50s and 60s, giving you an opportunity to comfortably explore the trails that are open.

Bear in mind, however, that snowstorms can roll through, and the weather may be unpredictable. Additionally, not all park services and facilities will be open and available during the winter months, and seasonal road closures may also apply. For those who can handle these caveats, winter represents a special time to see Zion.

Zion National Park Weather By Season: At a Glance

What Is the Best Time to Visit Zion for Popular Activities?

Often, the best way to plan a trip to a national park is to think about the activities and features that are most important to you, and choose the time of year that makes them easiest to accomplish. Here are the best times to visit Zion National Park based on some of its most popular attractions.

Best Time to Hike Angels Landing

The fall is by far the best time for hiking in most of Zion National Park, and Angels Landing in particular. Cooler temperatures and thinner crowds give you the best vantage and most comfortable days — but the spring shoulder season is a close second.

Best Time to Hike the Narrows

If hiking The Narrows is on your must-do list, we recommend visiting in September or October, after monsoon season has ended but before the coldest temperatures have set in. Unlike springtime, when snowmelt can bring the river up to unmanageable flow levels, fall offers a calmer time to explore this extraordinary part of the park. (You will still need to secure your permit to do the top-down route, however.)

Best Time for Scenic Drives and Photography

Good news for photographers and those looking to experience Zion from the comfort of their vehicle — there really is no wrong time to enjoy scenic drives and photography in this national park. It all depends on what kind of scenery calls to you and when you’re available, but winter through summer can offer incredible shots and views in this part of the world.

Best Time to Avoid Crowds

The best time to avoid crowds in Zion overall is in the heart of winter. However, if you want to combine low crowds with the highest possible amount of park access and the ability to hike, we recommend fall (late September through early November) as the best time to visit.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Zion National Park in an RV?

All of the guidelines listed above hold for RVers as well as those visiting in any other kind of transport. However, there are some specific conditions and considerations to keep in mind if you’re traveling by motorhome or travel trailer.

Zion Road Conditions and RV Size Restrictions

Like most other national parks (and any area of the country with snowy seasons), Zion does have seasonal road closures (and closures related to repairs), and it’s important to check ahead before traveling. 

In addition, Zion also enforces vehicle restrictions around size and weight on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. You can read the full details here, but essentially, single vehicles can be no longer than 35 feet and combined vehicles can be no longer than 50 feet long, with the trailer itself not exceeding 26 feet from hitch to rear axel. The maximum width is 7 feet and 10 inches, and the maximum height is 11 feet and 4 inches. It is critical to obey these restrictions, as vehicles that fall outside of them may not fit through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

Zion Shuttle System and RV Parking

Zion runs a free shuttle service that can help visitors get around the park without traveling in their own vehicles — which can be important especially for RVers. Trailhead and attraction parking lots can get very full very fast, and there’s often not room for large rigs.

The various shuttle lines have slightly different schedules, which are also given to change. You can view the latest Zion shuttle schedule at the NPS site. Many visitors actually use nearby Springdale as a home base and travel in to the park using the shuttle system, especially if there’s no on-site camping available when they visit.

Best RV Campgrounds Near Zion

Zion stands out in that it offers an onsite campground that does have electric hookups, which is not typical in the NPS system. That’s Watchman Campground, which is open year-round. There are also two other campgrounds that do not offer hookups and are open only seasonally, South Campground and Lava Point Campground. Both of those offer reservable sites that you can book up to two weeks in advance.

However, given that Zion is an extremely popular park and that camping is very limited, it’s possible you simply won’t find camping available inside the park. Fortunately, there are other campgrounds in the greater Zion area, including communities like Springdale, Virgin and Hurricane, that usually offer hookups and other conveniences. It’s still a good idea to book as far in advance as possible!

Tips for RV Camping in Zion’s Desert Climate

No matter when you visit, the desert climate can be intense. If you go in the summer, you’ll want to be sure you know how to manage the heat, especially if you’re dry camping without air conditioning.

At all times of year, the daily temperature swings can be more than 30 degrees between night and daytime, so you’ll want to bring layers and plan ahead for chilly evenings even on what feels like a hot day. Bringing a full tank of potable water into the park if you’re camping on-site is essential, as is bringing appropriate water, sunscreen and salty snacks on all hikes.

How Many Days Do You Need at Zion National Park?

You could easily spend weeks at Zion National Park and still have more to see, given its gorgeous and expansive landscape. That said, many first-time visitors find a long weekend, two to four days, to be enough time to get acquainted with the park depending on their hiking interests.

Plan Your Zion RV Trip With RVshare

Zion is an incredible place to experience, whether you’re a solo traveler or making lifelong family memories. Find your Zion RV rental and start planning a trip that fits your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Zion