Visiting Zion National Park in August
Zion National Park is an outdoor oasis situated in the stunning red rocks of southern Utah. When you visit Zion National Park in August it will be HOT! And it’s monsoon season so expect afternoon thunderstorms to occur often.
Below you’ll find our Zion National Park travel guide with all the information you need to know about visiting the park in August: weather, what to pack, where to stay and all the things to see, do and photograph.
The shuttle will be running in August so you’ll need to plan your daily itineraries with that in mind.
Visiting Zion in August means you’ll need to be prepared for heat, rain, potential flash floods and crowds.
You’ll want to limit the outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and canyoneering to the morning and evening when it’s a bit cooler.
Use our Zion National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in August! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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Visiting Zion National Park in August
There are important things to know when planning you August vacation to Zion. Zion National Park in the summer is considered peak season and it’s the most-visited Utah National Park so expect crowds.
Does the Shuttle Run in August?
Yes. The Zion National Park shuttle runs every day in August – check the shuttle schedule for the most updated information.
There will be limited parking at Zion National Park and the town of Springdale so plan to start your day early to get a parking spot in town and a spot on the shuttle.
Can You Drive Through Zion National Park in August?
Zion Canyon is closed to all personal vehicles in August. You’ll need to use the Zion National Park shuttle that runs a full schedule every day.
The other three Zion National Park scenic drives are open for you to drive your own car: Highway 9, Kolob Terrace Road and Kolob Canyon.
Weather at Zion in August
The Zion National Park weather in August: highs near 100 and lows near 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the heat of summer you need to stay hydrated! There are places to refill marked on the park map. Take measures to avoid heat illness!
If you’re not used to the dry heat in Utah, you’ll want lip balm and lotion!!
- Hydration pack
- Refillable water bottle
- UV wicking clothing
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Lotion
- Salty travel snacks
Is August A Good Time to Visit Zion?
We don’t think July is the best time to visit Zion National Park due to the excessive heat and crowds! Be sure to hit the shuttle, trails and Highway 9 scenic drive first thing in the morning!
August is monsoon season and it rains an average of 15 days during the month so be prepared. Zion is known for flash floods at Zion: sudden increase in the depth and speed of water in rivers, streams, or washes due to heavy rain from thunderstorms. These flood waters carry large debris like tree trunks and boulders.
- Flash floods are unpredictable.
- Flash floods can be deadly and death most often occurs from blunt force trauma.
- Slot canyons are particularly dangerous.
- You can’t outrun a flash flood.
- Flash floods can happen with sunny skies overhead.
What Services Are Available in August?
Zion National Park is open all year long, every day of the year. Check the website for the most current facilities hours at Zion:
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center
- Park Store
- Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk
- Zion Human History Museum
- Zion Nature Center
- Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
Reservations are required for camping in Zion National Park in August so plan ahead!
Things To Do at Zion National Park in August
Take a look at this list of Zion National Park summer activities. We’ve provided tips for enjoying these outdoor activities in August!
Scenic Drives at Zion National Park
Zion Canyon is only accessible by using the Zion National Park shuttle in August.
The other three Zion National Park scenic drives are open to vehicles, and we highly recommend them all!
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway from Zion Canyon to the East Entrance runs through the park so you’ll need to pay the fee for this one. Use the pullouts to stop and take photos, take a hike, and look for big horn sheep! This road will get very busy and it has limited parking so it’s best to do this one in the morning!
Kolob Terrace Road is a great way to avoid the crowds and explore this lesser-known road west of Springdale near the town of Virgin.
Kolob Canyons is about 40 miles north of Zion Canyon. It’s a bit out of the way, but provides a whole different view of Zion.
We recommend the Zion GuideAlong App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Zion National Park Hikes in August
August is summer monsoon season which may affect some some Zion National Park summer hikes, especially The Narrows and The Subway since they are considered slot canyons. We recommend you check with the Visitor Center for updated flash flood warnings.
And get current trail conditions before setting out on any hike because the Zion landscape is always changing which means trails may close due to falling rocks, rockslides and other unsafe conditions.
You’ll find all types of hiking trails from easy Zion National Park hikes to strenuous canyoneering route.
Check out the Zion hikes without the shuttle if you don’t want to hassle with navigating the shuttle system.
Angels Landing permit: hikers going to Angels Landing will need a permit any time of year!. The National Park Service (NPS) will issue permits using online lotteries at Recreation.gov.
Zion Canyoneering in August
The Subway and The Narrows are two famous canyoneering trails at Zion National Park. These hikes involve route finding, rappelling, hiking, and swimming!
Some of these technical hikes require a permit, and all overnight trips in these areas also require a permit. If you want to give it a try, book a Zion canyoneering tour!
Photographing Zion in August
If you’re a landscape photographer, check out our guide all about Zion National Park photography. Keep in mind that sunrise and sunset at Zion you’re looking for the reflected light on the rock structures, and not the sun rising or setting.
Our favorite Zion National Park photo spots for sunrise are behind the Zion Museum and at the end of the Canyon Overlook Trail. For sunset, we walk along the Pa’rus Trail to capture the reflected glow of light on the Watchman in the Virgin River.
Highway 9 has many places to photograph the Zion landscape. Stop at pullouts as you drive along. The views along the Kolob Terrace Road are also amazing, especially at sunset!
Check out our Zion National Park Photography Guide with a list of best photo spots and tips for taking pictures at this stunning park!
Stargazing in August at Zion
If you’re looking for a WOW experience, then take one night for stargazing at Zion National Park. The sky is full of stars!
If you’re lucky to be there when there’s no moon in the sky, you might even see the Milky Way! The Milky Way is visible in August from 9:30 pm to 1:30 am!
Carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp with a red light to navigate. If you’ll be out in the park at night, don’t stop or stand in the roadway. Always use pullouts and parking lots. This is a good safety tip in daylight or at night!
Biking in August at Zion
A great alternative to riding the shuttle through Zion Canyon is riding a bike at Zion! You can rent bicycles in Springdale.
Be aware of the rules for riding your bike at Zion:
- Bicycling is permitted on the park roadways and the Pa’rus Trail. The areas closed to bikes: all other park trails, off-trail routes, and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
- Bikes must be ridden single file on the right side of the park roads and Pa’rus Trail. Due to the narrow park roads, there is a limit of 6 bicycles or less for every cycling group.
- Wear your helmet.
There are bike racks located at major shuttle stops and trailheads. You may also take your bicycle on the shuttle bus as long as you can get the bikes on and off the front racks by yourself.
Zion Guided Tours in August
Whether you’re looking for a half-day or full-day excursion, there are plenty of Zion National Park tours available to fit your needs: guided hikes, canyoneering, photography, and off-road experiences!
- Zion National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic
- East Zion Half-Day Canyoneering Tour
- VIP Guided Small-Group Tour with Photography in Zion National Park
- Sunset Horseback Ride at East Zion
- Zion Jeep (Morning) Premium Tour
- UTV Morning Tour at Zion National Park
Zion Camping in August
Camping in Zion National Park offers amazing landscape views you can’t find anywhere else! There are three campgrounds at Zion National Park: the Watchman Campground, the South Campground, and the Lava Point Campground.
In August there are two campsites open in Zion Canyon (Watchman and South):
- Drive-up sites and allow a maximum of two vehicles.
- Only one RV or trailer is allowed.
- Any RV including motorhomes, cabover campers and camper vans, or any trailer including 5th wheels, pop-up campers, and cargo or boat trailers are vehicles and count toward the limit.
- Each campsite allows a maximum of six people and two tents; plan accordingly.
- Hammocks are allowed but are limited to the footprint of the campsite.
The Lava Point Campground is the right location if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy the Zion Wilderness area in the Kolob Terrace area. It’s usually open May through September, depending on weather. Its high elevation is 7890 feet above sea level!
If you can’t find a camp site in the park, there are a variety of RV parks near Zion National Park.
You might also enjoy the fun options for glamping Near Zion National Park in luxury tents, covered wagons, and tipis!
BUY ZION GUIDES & MAPS AT AMAZON
Things To Do Near Zion in August
You’ll find a ton of other places to visit in Utah that are near Zion National Park to add to your August vacation:
- Things to Do Near Zion National Park
- Grafton Ghost Town
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Kanab Photography
- Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon
- Bryce Canyon in August
Zion National Park Itinerary
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