Zion National Park Weather

It’s all about the weather when deciding the best time to visit Zion National Park. This article details the Zion National Park weather you can expect each season and month of the year.

Do your research to know what it’s like visiting Zion National Park at various times of year so you can decide which season and month is best for you to plan your vacation to this stunning park!

weather at Zion National Park

Zion sees a variety of weather conditions year-round, each offering its own unique way to experience the park’s natural beauty. Use this Zion National Park travel guide to know the expected temperatures and weather, services available, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay during the year.

We live close enough to the park to visit various times throughout year. This article about Zion National Park weather is based on our experiences over the years!

One tip for visiting Zion is to plan for the temperatures and weather for the time you’ll be at the park. Use our Zion National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting any time of year. Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!

get the free Zion National Park packing lists
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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!

What to Pack for Zion National Park

Visiting Zion National Park

Most of the year you’ll enjoy fun outdoor things to do at Zion National Park like scenic drives, hiking, biking, and photography. During the winter, the activities may be a bit more limited due to cold or snowy conditions!

When planning a Utah National Park vacation it’s important to be up-to-date with current weather and road conditions!

We highly recommend you check the Zion NPS website for the most updated information regarding the US National Parks Reservations required for the time you’ll be visiting. You will need permits to hike one of three trails in the park: Angels Landing, the Subway, and from the Narrows top-down. We’ll detail this more later in the article about hiking at Zion.

Shuttle-at-Zion-National-Park
Zion National Park shuttle

Zion National Park Weather

If you’re wondering the best Time to Visit Zion National Park, below you’ll find specific information about what it’s like at different seasons and months of the year to help you decide.

You’ll also find links to different articles we’ve written about each season or month specifically: weather, services, and things to do that time of year.

Spring Weather at Zion National Park

Springtime at Zion varies quite a bit from month to month. When visiting Zion National Park in the spring, it’s important to pack for all types of weather because you never know when the weather will change.

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

Spring is a busy time so you’ll need to use the Zion National Park Shuttle!

sunrise-near-Mount-Carmel-Tunnel-at-Zion-Photo-Jeepers
Sunrise at Zion National Park

Summer Weather at Zion National Park

At Zion National Park in the summer the temperatures will be HOT HOT HOT! Since the temperatures are brutal this time of year, plan your outdoor activities for the cooler mornings and evenings!

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

Summer is a great time to enjoy the AC as you explore the three Zion National Park scenic drives where you can drive your own vehicle and avoid the shuttle.

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.

When it rains at Zion, you’re in for a treat to see the pop-up waterfalls around the park!

Zion Pa'rus Trail in the fall
Fall foliage at Zion National Park

Fall Weather at Zion National Park

The weather at Zion National Park in the fall starts to cool down making it a great time to explore the park because it will be cooler in the mornings and evenings, and the daytime temperatures aren’t too hot compared to the summer.

With the cooler temperatures at night, you will definitely want to bring a fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves for the nights and early mornings. 

Fall is a nice time to be in the park on a sunny day when the air isn’t stifling! It’s a perfect time to explore the Zion National Park fall hikes! The fall months are still busy so the shuttle will be in operation. Here’s a list of Zion hikes without the shuttle we recommend!

Zion-National-Park-in-the-winter-Highway-9-by-Photo-Jeepers
Zion National Park with snow

Winter Weather at Zion National Park

The temperatures really drop at Zion National Park in the winter so it’s the least busy season. We don’t mind the colder weather for enjoying outdoor activities, which makes the winter the best time for us to visit to escape the crowds!

BUT the cold winter weather may not be for everyone.

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

We enjoy Zion National Park photography in the winter – check out these awesome photographer gloves and rechargeable hand warmers we use!

BUY ZION GUIDES & MAPS AT AMAZON

Zion national park guides and maps

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

You definitely want to stay in Springdale which borders the entrance to Zion.

Zion National Park Itineraries

If you’re wondering how many days to spend at Zion, check out these itinerary ideas for 1, 2, or 3 days in the park! 

Click the graphic below to get your FREE Travel Bundle that includes 3-day printable itineraries. This Zion National Park planner includes everything you should see, do and photograph at this stunning park based on the time you have to spend at the park! 

Zion Travel Bundle optin
Zion National Park weather

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