Are you looking to visit Zion National Park? Do you want to know when the best time is to visit? Of course you do. You want to maximize your visit. So, let’s dive into when the best time is to visit Zion National Park.
Zion National Park is 1 of Utah’s mighty 5 national parks. One could argue that it’s the second most popular park in the state. It’s an amazing sight. Of course you want to go see it. Many other people agree with you as Zion National Park has an average of 5 million visitors per year. This means it could easily be over-crowded when you visit. So, when is the best time to visit Zion? The answer is that it depends on what you want to do and see. However, there’s still more optimal windows to visit than other windows.
The Best Time to Visit Zion
Overall, there is a best and worst time to visit Zion National Park. Your optimal window does depend upon what you want out of the trip, but there are better and worse options that way.
In my opinion and experience, spring and autumn/fall are the best times to visit Zion. Yep, the shoulder seasons are the best windows. The big exceptions to this are 3-day weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. Here are several reasons for this optimal window conclusion.
- More moderate temperatures
- Smaller crowds
- Better parking availability
- Lower hotel prices
- Shorter shuttle lines
- Shorter restaurant wait times
- Most or all amenities are now/still available
I do realize that this isn’t so viable for families with children in school. Sadly, that’s a significant part of the calculus for the best time for visiting Zion. If you are unattached, childless, or an empty-nester, then these windows work out well for you. You will want to visit during the spring or the autumn/fall when the park is less crowded overall.
The Best Time to Visit Zion for Families with Children in School
When it comes to families with children in school, the calculus variables change. Your windows for vacation travel narrow significantly. There’s a good reason why summer is a popular time for families with school-age children to travel. Summer offers the largest flexible window without the worries of school schedules. However, it’s not your only option to visit Zion National Park.
If you can pull it off, there are other windows which you might investigate to visit Zion during. These windows include fall/Thanksgiving break, winter/Christmas break, and spring break. IF you can arrange for the vacation time, then these windows will offer many of the same benefits which the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn/fall offer. In fact, 2 of these school breaks land in the middle of the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.
The Best Time to Visit Zion for Certain Attractions
Zion National Park certainly contains several high-adventure type attractions which draw in visitors. Places such as Angel’s Landing, the Narrows, the Subway, and more are popular for a reason. They offer amazing views and experiences. However, there are optimal times for visiting those attractions too. Please keep in mind that these listed attractions are not the kinds of hikes for families with young children, nor are they appropriate for the aged and infirm.
Angel’s Landing is popular all year, but it becomes dangerous when snow and ice are present. Also, it’s dangerous during high wind and thunderstorms. When the conditions are right, Angel’s Landing is full during the summer, even with the permit system in place.
The Narrows and the Subway involve hikes directly in flowing water. They become treacherous during spring runoff. The water is cold no matter what time of year, but it’s especially cold and dangerous during winter. There’s a reason why those hikes are popular during autumn/fall. The water temperature is still warm enough, but the flow is tapered off for the year. The Subway hike does require a permit.
I recommend visiting Angel’s Landing during late spring and early autumn/fall during the most stable weather windows of the shoulder seasons. As for the Narrows and the Subway, I recommend visiting those during the temperate window of autumn/fall (with the appropriate permit, of course). Always check official Zion National Park channels for the most up-to-date information about open and closed attractions.
Conclusion
Zion National Park may be open 24/7/365 but there are still better windows to visit during than others. The most optimal windows are during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn/fall. For families with school-age children, school breaks are your best windows. If you wish to experience certain high-adventure attractions, then your best window is during autumn/fall.
Hope that this information helps you plan your next trip to Zion National Park. I hope to see you there on a hike or riding the shuttle soon.
