Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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traffic that includes larger-than-standard passenger cars and pickup trucks. Buses, trucks,
and most recreational vehicles must drive down the center of the tunnel, stopping all
oncoming traffic. This applies to all vehicles over 7 feet 10 inches wide (including mir-
rors) or 11 feet 4 inches tall. These vehicles pay a $15 fee, good for two trips through the
tunnel in a 7-day period. Contact park offices for details.
Kolob Terrace Road, with viewpoints and trail heads, is north off Utah 9 from the
village of Virgin, about 15 miles west of the park's southern entrance. This road is closed
in the winter. To reach the Kolob Canyons section, in the park's northwest corner, take
the short Kolob Canyons Road, off I-15, exit 40.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Contact
Zion National Park,
Springdale, UT 84767
(
&
435/772-3256;
435-772-0170 for the Backcountry Office; www.nps.gov/zion). You
can order books, maps, and videos from the nonprofit
Zion Natural History Associa-
tion,
Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767 (
&
800/635-3959
or 435/772-3264;
www.zionpark.org).
The
Zion Canyon Visitor Center,
near the south entrance, has outdoor exhibits, sells
books and maps, and provides information. The smaller
Kolob Canyons Visitor Center,
in the northwest corner of the park off I-15, provides information, permits, books, and
maps. The
Zion Human History Museum,
about 1 mile inside the south entrance,
has museum exhibits, park information, and an orientation program, plus a bookstore.
Both visitor centers and the museum are open daily (hours vary by season) except
December 25.
FEES
Entry to the park (for up to 7 days), including unlimited use of the shuttle bus
(Apr-Oct), costs $25 per private vehicle, $12 per individual on foot, bicycle, or motor-
cycle.
Oversize vehicles pay an additional $15 for use of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel on
the east side of the park (see “Getting There,” above).
Backcountry permits, available at either visitor center, are required for all overnight
hikes in the park as well as all slot canyon hikes. Permits cost $10 for 1 or 2 people, $15
for 3 to 7, and $20 for 8 to 12.
RANGER PROGRAMS
A variety of free programs and activities are presented, mostly
during the summer. Evening programs, which sometimes include a slide show, take place
at campground amphitheaters and Zion Lodge. Topics vary but may include the animals
or plants of the park, geology of the park, or perhaps some unique feature such as Zion's
slot canyons. Rangers give short talks on similar subjects several times daily at the Zion
Canyon Visitor Center and at other locations, and lead guided hikes and walks. Sched-
ules are posted throughout the park. Children 6 to 12 can join the Junior Rangers to earn
badges and patches.
SEEING THE HIGHLIGHTS
To get the most from your visit, your first stop should be the
Zion Canyon Visitor
Center
(see “Visitor Information,” above) for the orientation video and exhibits.
Then hop on the free
shuttle bus,
which takes you to the major roadside viewpoints.
You'll be able to get off, look at the rock formations, take a short walk, then catch the
next shuttle for a ride to the next stop. During the off season (Nov-Mar), you'll use your
own vehicle.
We especially recommend stopping at the
Temple of Sinawava
and taking the easy
2-mile round-trip
Riverside Walk,
which follows the Virgin River through a narrow
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