Zion National Park is home to more than 78 species of mammals, 291 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 8 species of fish. The animals you’re most likely to actually see are mule deer, rock squirrels, and wild turkeys in the canyon bottom; the ones worth deliberately looking for are desert…
Zion National Park is about 300 to 310 miles from Salt Lake City — roughly a 4.5-hour drive almost entirely straight south on Interstate 15. You stay on I-15 for nearly 250 miles through Provo, Cedar City and St. George, then cut east on SR-9 for the final 40 minutes into Springdale and the park’s…
Yes, but not on a single trail. Dogs are allowed in Arches National Park only on paved roads, in parking lots, in established picnic areas, and inside Devils Garden Campground — and they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Every hiking trail, every overlook, and every visitor center…
Yes — but only on one trail. Dogs are allowed in Zion National Park solely on the Pa’rus Trail, a paved 3.5-mile path connecting the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Canyon Junction, and they must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Every other trail in the park — Angels Landing, The Narrows,…
The best time to visit Zion National Park is late September through October — mild 60–80°F days, far smaller crowds than summer, and the fall light on the canyon walls. Spring (mid-April through May) is the close runner-up for pleasant hiking weather, with one catch: high snowmelt often closes The Narrows into early May. Avoid…
Plan on two full days for Zion National Park — that’s enough to hike the canyon’s signature trails and either wade The Narrows or drive the east side, without rushing. One day works if Zion is just a stop on a bigger trip, but you’ll only have time for the shuttle highlights. Three days is…
The closest airport to Zion is St. George Regional (SGU), about 40 miles and a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from the park entrance in Springdale — but most visitors fly into Las Vegas (LAS), 160 miles and roughly 2.5 hours away, because it has far more flights, lower fares, and more rental cars. Cedar City…
Bryce Canyon National Park is about 270 miles from Las Vegas — roughly a 4 to 4.5 hour drive northeast, mostly up Interstate 15. That’s a notably longer haul than Zion (about 160 miles), and the last hour climbs from desert floor to a rim sitting above 8,000 feet, so plan for a half-day behind…
Bryce Canyon is about 84 miles from Zion National Park — roughly a 1-hour-45-minute to 2-hour drive between the two entrances. The route runs east out of Zion on SR-9 through the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, north on US-89, then east on Scenic Byway 12 to the Bryce turnoff. It’s one of the shortest and most…
Yes — you can drive through Zion on the Mount Carmel Highway (SR-9) year-round, but the canyon road is shuttle-only March–November. Here’s how it works.
