Visiting Zion National Park in November
Visiting Zion National Park in November is amazing because the temperatures are “just right” to enjoy all the outdoor activities! Use this Zion National Park travel guide to plan your November vacation: what to pack, where to stay, and things to do at Zion in November.
November is still a busy time of year which means the shuttle will be running so keep that in mind as you plan your daily itineraries. We’ve got tips to help you navigate the park to avoid the crowds and shuttle!
Living only a few hours away, we’ve had the opportunity to visit Zion National Park many times. The tips we share for planning a November vacation to Zion are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years!
Check out all the information below about visiting Zion in November: weather, services, and all the things to see, do and photograph.
Use our Zion National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in November! 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 November
The weather is the best reason to visit Zion National Park in November. The mornings and evenings will get cold, but the daytime temperatures are perfect for enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, biking, canyoneering, and landscape photography.
It’s a stark contrast to the heat of Zion National Park in the summer! If you want to take advantage of spending all day outdoors, then November is a great time to visit Zion!
But be prepared for crowds. Zion is the most-visited Utah National Park and it’s pretty much crowded all year long!
Does the Zion Shuttle Run in November?
Yes. The Zion National Park shuttle is running every day in November so check the shuttle schedule for the most updated information. In the fall the shuttles start running a little less frequently and for less hours each day.
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.
We recommend you take the first shuttle into Zion Canyon to access the hiking trails there early before the crowds start.
Another tip is to plan late afternoon hikes, but be sure you time it right so you don’t miss the last shuttle leaving the canyon, or it’s a LONG walk back to your car!
Weather at Zion in November
The days are moderate and the mornings and evenings are cold this time of year at Zion. The Zion National Park weather and temperatures in November are highs are usually around 64 degrees and the lows around 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Be prepared with an insulted jacket, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves so you can get out early to enjoy the outdoor activities at the park to beat the crowds.
Check the forecast for rain or snow before you go. We’ve experienced major rainstorms in November, and weren’t prepared with rain gear so we were confined to driving in our car while it rained. But it was fun to see the pop-up waterfalls!
It’s important to stay hydrated and if you’re not used to a dry environment you’ll find in Utah, keep lip balm and lotion with you!!
What Services Are Available in November?
Zion National Park is open all year long. It is open every day of the year. The Zion shuttle system runs during the month of November, check the website for the hours of operation.
Check the website for the most current facilities hours for Zion:
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center
- Park Store
- Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk
- Zion Human History Museum
- Zion Nature Center
- Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
Zion campgrounds are usually full every night during November. Plan ahead to find the best places to stay in Zion National Park.
Can you drive through Zion National Park in November?
Vehicles are not allowed in Zion Canyon during the month of November. You’ll need to use the shuttle system.
You can drive the other three Zion National Park scenic drives in the park: Mt. Carmel Scenic Byway, Kolob Terrace and Kolob Canyons.
What is the Best Time to Visit Zion?
We like to avoid the crowds at national parks, so winter is one of our favorite times to travel. Check out our list of best times to visit Zion National Park to see which time of year or month works best for you!
From our experience, Zion in November is amazing because the weather can’t be beat to enjoy all the outdoor activities at the park. BUT we recommend you avoid the holiday weekends in November!
Things to Do at Zion in November
Check out all the fun Zion National Park fall activities, hikes, scenic drives, and tours you can do in the month of November!
Zion Scenic Drives in November
While visiting Zion National Park in the fall you are able to drive three of the four Zion National Park scenic drives:
Zion Canyon: This road is only accessible via the shuttle. It’s an amazing 6.5 miles of the most incredible rock formations and hiking trails.
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and Tunnel: From Zion Canyon you’ll head up switchbacks, drive through a cool tunnel that’s 1.1 miles long and make your way through stunning landscape to the east entrance. Stop at any of the pullouts to take photos, or even take a hike.
Kolob Terrace: A great way to avoid the crowds is to explore the Kolob Terrace road that’s accessed west of Springdale in the town of Virgin. You’ll see a different side of Zion there.
Kolob Canyons: If you don’t mind driving 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, you can drive the Kolob Canyons section of the park.
We REALLY like 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. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you!
Zion Hikes in November
November is the perfect time for Zion National Park fall hikes because you’re NOT sweating and worrying about heat exhaustion like you do during the summer. The temperatures are “just right” during the day, especially when you’re exerting energy. We recommend layers for those cold mornings and evenings.
Remember there are Zion hikes without the shuttle if you don’t want to battle the crowds! We like exploring the “slot canyon” type hikes found along Highway 9. We find a pullout to park, then head down to the riverbed and start walking!
We recommend you check with the Visitor Center for updated 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.
Also be sure to check whether Zion hiking permits are required for any of the trails you want to explore. Angels Landing permits are required year-round to hike the chains section. You can hike to Scouts Landing and back without a permit.
Canyoneering in November at Zion
The Subway and The Narrows are two famous trails for canyoneering at Zion. Canyoneering trails 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, check out these canyoneering tours!
Photography in November at Zion
If you’re a landscape photographer, check out our guide all about Zion National Park photography. The best times to photograph the park are sunrise and sunset when the light isn’t as bright as midday. You won’t actually see the sun rising or setting due to the high stone walls in the park. You’ll be photographing the reflected glow onto the red rocks.
Our favorite Zion National Park photo spots are:
- History Museum back patio: sunrise
- Canyon Overlook: sunrise
- 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
- Pa’rus Trail: sunset
- Kolob Terrace: sunset
Use our Zion National Park Photography Guide with a list of photo spots and tips for taking pictures at the best time of day at this breathtaking park!
Wildlife at Zion in November
November is a great time to see wildlife in the park like deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. Deer can be found in Zion Canyon and along the Pa’rus trail in the morning and evening.
The bighorn sheep can be found along Highway 9, so keep your eyes open as you take that scenic drive or explore the area on foot!
Bicycling in November at Zion
Did you know you can access Zion Canyon by bike? Bicycling at Zion is a fun way to get around the park. 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.
Zion Guided Tours in November
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 November
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 November 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 in the Kolob Terrace area is usually closed in October due to high elevation and the possibility of snow!
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 November
You’ll find a ton of other places to visit in Utah that are near Zion National Park to add to your November 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 November
Zion National Park Itinerary
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