Zion National Park Tours

Zion National Park is located in Utah and offers some amazing sights, with its deep canyons, huge gorges and gorgeous cliffs made out of red rock.

There are a variety of Zion National Park tours to enjoy the beauty of this unique location while learning about its history and culture.

Use this Zion National Park travel guide to help you plan the tours and activities you want to do while visiting!

Tours at Zion National Park

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!

Check out these Zion itineraries to help you plan your vacation for the number of days you’ll be in the park:

Zion Travel Bundle optin
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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!

Tips for Visiting Zion National Park

Zion National Park is open to visitors twenty-four hours day, every day of the year. Check the website because some services and facilities do close or reduce hours during the winter.

The Zion National Park shuttle begins operations during the weekends starting mid-February. Around the first part of March, the shuttle runs daily between Zion Canyon and the town of Springdale. While the shuttle is in operation, no vehicles are permitted on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The shuttle also runs during the Christmas holiday so check the website if you’ll be visiting Zion during that time.

It’s important to know all the rules and regulations for parking at Zion National Park! Visitors can park only in designated parking spaces and should avoid parking along roadways, on vegetation, and in a way that blocks traffic.

Best Time of Year for Zion Tours

It’s important to know what to expect during the various seasons of the year so you can decide the best time to visit Zion National Park  for what you want to see, do and photograph.

The Zion National Park weather varies drastically from spring, summer, fall and winter. 

Spring Weather at Zion: temperatures vary quite a bit from month to month in the spring: March Highs 66 | Lows 39 – April Highs 75 | Lows 45 – May Highs 86 | Lows 50 degrees F.

It is not unusual to get rain or even snowfall in March. We recommend you watch the weather and pack a winter coatwinter hat, and winter gloves when going to Zion in early spring. A fleece jacket, hat, and gloves should be fine later in the spring.

Summer Weather at Zion: temperatures will be HOT so plan your outdoor activities for the cooler mornings and evenings: June Highs 95 | Lows 63 – July Highs 100 | Lows 68 – August Highs 100 | Lows 68 degrees F.

With the hot summer temperatures, you’ll want to protect yourself from the sun by wearing a sunhatsunscreen and sunglasses. It’s important to stay hydrated and carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack.

Monsoon season at Zion is late summer through early fall. Be aware of potential 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.

Fall Weather at Zion: temperatures start to cool down: September Highs 70 | Lows 48 – October Highs 62 | Lows 40 – November Highs 55 | Lows 30 degrees F .

Winter Weather at Zion: temperatures really drop so it’s the least busy season: December Highs 48 | Lows 24 – January Highs 50 | Lows 25 – February Highs 50 | Lows 25 degrees F.

During the winter it is especially important to dress in layers. We recommend an insulted winter jacketfleece jacketwarm hat and gloves if you’ll be doing any outside activities. Here’s the full list of the outdoor winter clothing we use!

Zion National Park Tours

There are so many fun Zion National Park activities: hiking trails, scenic drive, rock climbing, off road driving and photography to name a few.

Booking a tour to explore Zion is a great way to learn more about the area and its history.

Zion National Park scenic drive
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

Zion Scenic Drive GyPSy Guide App

Download the GyPSy Guide app to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.

There are four Zion National Park scenic drives in the park:

Zion Canyon: Most of year this road can only be accessed via the shuttle. Most of the hiking trails are found in this area.

Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway: This scenic drive and the Zion Tunnel is a must-drive! The tunnel is 1.1 miles long and the elevation gain is 800 feet. Driving along Highway 9 from Zion Canyon to the east entrance is breathtaking! Take advantage of the pullouts to stop and take photos, or even take a hike, and look for big horn sheep!

Kolob Terrace: This scenic road is accessed west of Springdale in the town of Virgin. You’ll see a different side of Zion there, AND you can escape the crowds!

Kolob Canyons: About 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, you can drive the Kolob Canyons section of the park. It’s a nice half-day drive to a different section of Zion.

Slot Canyons at Zion
Slot Canyon at Zion

Zion National Park Hiking Tours + Canyoneering Tours

The beautiful and unique landscape in Zion provides a great opportunity for hikers to explore. Book an unforgettable hiking tour of Zion to experience its beauty up close! Zion canyoneering tours involve route finding, rappelling, and hiking!

The Narrows: Zion National Park Private Guided Hike

One of the most famous hikes at Zion is The Narrows! Enjoy a private full-day tour with a guide to learn about the geology, formation, plants, and animals at the park. A yummy charcuterie board picnic awaits you at the conclusion of the hike!

Zion National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic

Walk the park with a guide who knows the must-see landmarks and sights. This private tour can be personalized for just you and your group. The itinerary will be based on the hiking difficulty that best meets your level: easy or moderate. End the hike with a charcuterie board picnic!

Hiking & UTV Adventure at East Zion Crimson Canyon

This small-group tour takes you to Slot Canyon without the crowds. As you ride a UTV through Zion National Park’s rugged backcountry, you will reach a private access area that is only accessible to a select few visitors. You will then hike into the canyon to see ancient Native American writings and learn about its history.

East Zion Half-Day Canyoneering Tour

Canyoneering in Zion National Park is a fascinating way to explore the park’s slot canyons. On this 5-hour canyoneering tour, you are assured of your safety with a professional guide. A guide will assist you in navigating red rock canyons, rappelling down cliffs as high as 100 feet, and learning about the region’s geology.

sunrise at Zion National Park
Sunrise at Zion National Park

Zion National Park Photography Tours

From capturing the perfect sunset to finding a unique angle for your shots, guided photography tours at Zion National Park will help you take your photography skills to the next level.

Zion National Park Photography Guide

You CAN explore and photograph the area on your own with our 3-Day Zion National Parks Itinerary and Photography Guide! It includes 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries that detail exactly when to visit the must-see attractions in the park to avoid the crowds! Plus a detailed list of the ideal photo locations and best times of day for each spot so you can capture images in the most ideal light!

VIP Guided Small-Group Tour with Photography in Zion National Park

The shuttle bus will pick you up from your Las Vegas location for this full-day, small-group excursion to Zion National Park. Visit Zion’s famous attractions – from the Zion Scenic Route to Zion Mt. Carmel Highway and more. While driving between the Old West towns of Springdale, you can stop for lunch at your own expense.

Zion horseback riding tour
Zion horseback riding

Zion Horseback Riding Tours

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, Zion National Park’s horseback riding tour is the perfect way to explore the breathtaking landscapes of this iconic park. With experienced guides leading the way, you’ll be able to take in the stunning views while enjoying a peaceful and leisurely ride through Zion’s rugged terrain.

Sunset Horseback Ride at East Zion

Horseback riding in Zion offers fantastic views of Zion National Park and its surrounding areas. You wait away from the crowds for the sunset during this small-group hiking excursion. Over the Cliffs of Zion, a guide will take you to a viewpoint where you can see the sky changing colors.

East Zion Pine Knoll Horseback Ride

On this small-group Zion horseback riding tour, follow a horse trail to the summit of Pine Knoll. The trail winds up the side of Pine Knoll in Zion National Park through desert forests with intense elevation gains. This is the perfect trail to tackle on horseback! Enjoy the scenic views of Zion before making the return journey down the mountain.

Jeep trail sign
Jeep trail sign

Zion National Park Jeep Tours + ATV Tours

If you’re looking for an exciting and adventurous way to explore the beautiful area around Zion National Park, then jeep tours (and ATV tours) are the perfect option. With a knowledgeable guide at the wheel, you’ll get to experience the rugged beauty of this area in a unique and thrilling way.

Zion Jeep (Morning) Premium Tour

Due to a special permit from the Bureau of Land Management, this 4-hour round-trip tour is the only one to visit the area. During this tour, you will get to enjoy an adventure that transcends beyond sightseeing. Experience an unforgettable off-road Jeep tour with exploration and interactive activities! Along the way, there will be several stops where you can learn more about Zion’s culture, history, and geology.

Cliff Sunset & Backcountry Off-Road Jeep Tour at East Zion

From atop a cliff in Eastern Zion, this guided off-road Jeep tour offers sweeping views of the sky and sunset. On this tour, you will stop at exceptional viewpoints where crowds and traffic are less congested. Jeeps depart the park before sunset, driving along rugged trails and ending at a western-facing view for spectacular sunsets.

1-Hour Checkerboard Zion Jeep Tour

This 1-hour Jeep tour is a fast-paced, exhilarating ride through the forest of Zion National Park into a breathtaking viewpoint of Checkerboard Mesa. You will appreciate the backcountry view from the elevated plateau. The Jeep then descends from the perch on a steep trail leading to Jolly Gulch, a massive tributary slot canyon of Zion National Park. You will learn about the area’s geography and history throughout this Zion Jeep Tour.

UTV Morning Tour at Zion National Park

This half-day, small-group tour allows you to explore rugged and untouched landscapes outside Zion National Park. With a four- or six-seater off-road vehicle, you will enjoy special access to over 48 kilometers of backcountry trails. As the UTV ascends, it will reach 1,500 feet above the mesa. Since it accommodates guests of all ages, this tour is ideal for families.

Places to Stay Near Zion National Park

BUY ZION GUIDES & MAPS AT AMAZON

Zion national park guides and maps

Packing List for Zion National Park

Be sure to use a Zion National Park packing list so you have the right clothing and gear to enjoy all the outdoor activities any time of year! Grab your free printable packing list by clicking the image below!

get the free Zion National Park packing lists

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