Visiting Zion National Park in July
Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is one of the most unique and beautiful places on earth. With its stunning red rock cliffs, it’s no wonder why so many people come to explore this incredible park each year.
There’s one word to describe Zion National Park in July – HOT! You’ll want to limit the outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and canyoneering to the morning and evening when it’s a bit cooler.
Below you’ll find our Zion National Park travel guide with all the information you need to know about visiting the park in July: weather, what to pack, where to stay and all the things to see, do and photograph.
At Zion National Park there are plenty of activities available, such as hiking on the many trails, exploring canyons and rivers, biking or horseback riding along scenic routes, camping under starry skies and taking part in educational programs.
Whether you’re looking for an adventure-filled day trip or a weekend getaway with friends and family, Zion National Park has something to offer everyone.
Use our Zion National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in July! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Zion National Park
Take a visual tour through Zion National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
Visiting Zion National Park in July
Zion National Park is open all year long, and it’s open every day in July. Zion is the most-visited Utah National Park to explore and photograph the colorful cliffs and canyons there. July is a very busy time of year so expect crowds.
Does the Shuttle Run in July?
Yes, the only way to access Zion Canyon is by using the Zion National Park shuttle. It runs every day in July, 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 Canyon in July?
Zion Canyon is closed to all personal vehicles in July. Be sure to understand how the Zion National Park shuttle works. It 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.
Is July 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!
The monsoon season begins in July so be familiar with 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.
Weather at Zion in July
The Zion National Park weather in July is hot and dry. The average temperature is a high of 100 and a low of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It rains an average of 14 days during the month of July.
It’s important to stay hydrated and use sun protection. There are water refill stations 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
Things To Do at Zion National Park in July
Take a look at this list of Zion National Park summer activities. We’ve provided tips for enjoying these outdoor activities in July!
Zion Scenic Drives in July
In July you can’t drive your own vehicle into Zion Canyon. It’s only accessible by using the Zion National Park shuttle.
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 Hiking Trails in July
Hot temperatures in July means you should limit your outdoor activities to the cooler mornings and evenings!
July starts the summer monsoon season which may affect some Zion National Park summer hikes, especially The Narrows and The Subway. It’s always a good idea to check with the Visitor Center for updated flash flood warnings.
The Zion landscape is always changing which means trails may close due to falling rocks, rockslides and other unsafe conditions so check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions before setting out on any hike.
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 July
The Subway and The Narrows are two famous trails at Zion that require technical canyoneering skill are from the top-down.
Canyoneering at Zion National Park involves route finding, rappelling, hiking, and swimming so it’s much more than just hiking!
Both hikes require a permit, and all overnight trips in these areas also require a permit. If you’re new to this outdoor activity, try a Zion canyoneering tour!
Zion Photography in July
Here are a few tips for Zion National Park photography. When taking pictures at sunrise and sunset, you’re looking for the reflected light on the rock structures, and not the sun rising or setting.
If you’re looking for the best photo spots for sunrise at Zion National Park we recommend behind the Zion Museum and at the end of the Canyon Overlook Trail. For sunset, we hike along the Pa’rus Trail to capture the reflected glow of light on the Watchman in the Virgin River.
Here are some more Zion National Park photo spots:
- Three Patriarchs (shuttle stop): early morning
- Riverside Walk (shuttle stop): early morning
- Highway 9 landscape and bighorn sheep: early morning and evening
- Checkerboard Mesa: early morning and evening
- Kolob Terrace: 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!
Zion Stargazing in July
The night sky at Zion National Park is full of stars, and it’s something you MUST SEE! If you’re lucky to be there when there’s no moon in the sky, you might even see the Milky Way!
When stargazing at Zion, be sure to carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp with a red light. You don’t want to shine a white light into someone’s eyes!
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!
Zion Bike Riding in July
Bicycling at Zion is a great alternative to riding the shuttle to access Zion Canyon. 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 June
Whether you’re looking for a half-day or full-day excursion, there are plenty of Zion National Park tours available in July 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 July
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 July 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 July
You’ll find a ton of other places to visit in Utah that are near Zion National Park to add to your July 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 National Park in July
Zion National Park Itinerary
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