Fun Things To Do At Zion National Park in July
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.
The shuttle will be running in July so you’ll need to plan your daily itineraries with that in mind.
Keep reading to know what it’s like at Zion in July: weather, what to pack, where to stay and all the things to see, do and photograph.
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WHAT TO PACK FOR ZION NATIONAL PARK
DOWNLOAD: Zion National Park packing list for summer and winter!
- Merrell Moab hiking shoes or Oboz hiking shoes
- Darn Tough hiking socks
- Water – carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack
- Healthy food that’s portable and filling!
- Columbia fleece jacket
- Wicking, quick-drying clothing
- Lip balm with UV protection
- Sun protection – sunscreen (even in the winter) and a sunhat
- UV sunglasses are good for summer and winter
- Travel hand sanitizer
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Canyonlands guide books and maps
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Camera gear – DOWNLOAD the free checklist!
Outdoor Gear we recommend! Travel Gear & Hiking Gear
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
When visiting Zion National Park in the summer, be prepared for HOT temperatures and lots of visitors. Summer is considered a peak season for this most-visited Utah National Park.
We recommend you use the shuttle, trails and Highway 9 scenic drive first thing in the morning!
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?
No. 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.
What Services Are Available in July?
Zion National Park is open all year long, every day of the year. Check the website for the most current facilities hours:
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center
- Park Store
- Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk
- Zion Human History Museum
- Zion Nature Center
- Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
In July you’ll need reservations for camping in Zion National Park so you’ll need to plan ahead!
Is July A Good Time to Visit Zion?
We don’t think July is a best time to visit Zion National Park due to the excessive heat and crowds. Check out these other times of year to visit:
We really like the winter months at Zion!
Weather at Zion in July
July is very hot and dry at Zion National Park. 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.
IMPORTANT: Carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack. There are places to refill marked on the park map. Take measures to avoid heat illness!
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.
THINGS TO DO AT ZION NATIONAL PARK IN JULY
Take a look at this list of things to do at Zion National Park. We’ve provided tips for enjoying these outdoor activities in July!
Zion Scenic Drives in July at Zion
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!
The 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!
To avoid the crowds, explore the lesser-known Kolob Terrace road west of Springdale near the town of Virgin. And about 40 miles north of Zion Canyon is the Kolob Canyons area of the park. It’s a bit out of the way, but provides a whole different view of Zion.
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 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 want to get away from the crowds!
Angels Landing pilot program begins April 1, 2022. On and after April 1, 2022, hikers going to Angels Landing will need a permit. The National Park Service (NPS) will issue permits using online lotteries at Recreation.gov.
While hiking in Zion in July, it’s important to carry hydration packs and wear sunscreen and sun hats!
- What to Bring on a Day Hike
- Hiking Gear and Tips for Kids
- Photography Gear for Hiking
- Best Camera for Hiking
Canyoneering in July at Zion
Canyoneering at Zion National Park involves route finding, rappelling, hiking, and swimming so it’s much more than just hiking! The Subway and The Narrows are two famous trails at Zion that require technical canyoneering skill are from the top-down.
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.
For sunrise 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.
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!
Stargazing at Zion 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!
Riding Bikes at Zion 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 Horseback Riding in July
Horseback riding tours at Zion is one of those activities that many people don’t know about! This fun adventure will give you a view of Zion many don’t see as you ride through the iconic red canyons and cliffs of this park.
More Activities To Do in Zion National Park:
- Backpacking at Zion
- Birding at Zion
- Camping in Zion National Park
- Climbing at Zion
- Ranger-Led Activities at Zion
- River Trips at Zion
BUY AT AMAZON: Zion National Park Guides and Maps
Plan Your Vacation to Zion National Park
- Zion National Park Travel Guide
- Zion National Park Shuttle
- Parking at Zion National Park
- Best Time to Visit Zion National Park
- Things to Do at Zion National Park
- Zion National Park Activities
- Zion National Park Photography
- Zion National Park Packing List
- Places to Stay at Zion National Park
- Zion National Park Tours
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
You definitely want to stay in Springdale which borders the entrance to Zion.
- Holiday Inn Express – our favorite place to stay with an outdoor pool and amenities you’d find in a high end hotel
- Zion Lodge – we haven’t had a chance to stay here yet, but you can’t go wrong staying right IN the park!
- Under Canvas Zion – if you want to experience a less crowded part of Zion, this is the place! It’s in the Kolob section of the park.
- Vacation Rentals in Springdale – you’ll want to stay in Springdale so you’re close to the park entrance and can walk to shopping and restaurants.
Resources for camping near Zion:
