Location: Springdale is situated directly at the main entrance to Zion National Park and access is to the lower section of the park.
What You'll Find: The South Entrance is the main gateway to Zion. It provides access to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, shuttle bus system (operational seasonally), and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Benefits: Ideal for visitors planning to explore the main canyon, hike popular trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows, and access park amenities and services.
Location: The East Entrance is accessed via UT-9 West, coming from Mount Carmel Junction, and access is to the main canyon in the lower section of the park.
What You'll Find: This entrance provides a scenic drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, featuring the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, Checkerboard Mesa, and other stunning rock formations.
Benefits: Offers a less crowded entrance, providing a picturesque introduction to the park. Ideal for visitors coming from Bryce Canyon or Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Location: Virgin is located to the southwest of Zion National Park.
Access is to the Kolob Terrace Road north. This road leads directly into the less-visited Kolob Terrace section of Zion National Park.
Description: As you ascend, you'll pass by several points of interest, including Lava Point, one of the highest elevations in the park, and the starting point for the West Rim Trail. The road offers access to many trailheads and scenic overlooks, providing a more remote and serene experience compared to the main Zion Canyon. The upper section of this road (approx. last third) is closed in winter, but the lower two-thirds are still scenically beautiful in winter months. Check road conditions before driving.
What You'll Find: This area includes Lava Point, the West Rim Trail, and the backcountry permits office. It’s a more remote and less developed section of the park.
Benefits: Perfect for those seeking solitude and backcountry adventures. Offers access to less-traveled trails and stunning vistas.
From Interstate 15:
Location: The Kolob Canyons entrance is located off I-15, approximately 40 miles north of St. George, Utah, and offers connection to just this section of Zion National Park.
Access: Take I-15 to Exit 40 (Kolob Canyons Road).
Exit the interstate and follow the signs to the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center, where you can obtain park information and permits.
From the Visitor Center, Kolob Canyons Road extends into the park, providing access to several trailheads and viewpoints, including the Timber Creek Overlook Trail and the La Verkin Creek Trail, which leads to the Kolob Arch. This is a five-mile route which you will return on this same road to Interstate Fifteen (I-15).
What You'll Find: This entrance provides access to the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center, Taylor Creek Trail, and Kolob Arch, one of the world’s largest freestanding arches.
Benefits: Great for visitors traveling on I-15 who want a quick detour to see the park’s stunning red rock canyons. Offers shorter, scenic hikes and less-crowded experiences.
Zion National Park spans approximately 229 square miles, with its dimensions stretching about 15 miles from east to west and roughly 30 miles from north to south. The park's elevations range dramatically from around 3,666 feet at Coalpits Wash to 8,726 feet at Horse Ranch Mountain. This variation in elevation contributes to the park's diverse ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes.
Zion is carved from the Colorado Plateau, a geological region known for its high elevation and remarkable rock formations. The plateau's sedimentary layers, primarily composed of sandstone, have been sculpted over millions of years by the Virgin River, resulting in the park's iconic canyons, cliffs, and mesas. The combination of these geological features creates the stunning landscape we all enjoy today.