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Zion National Park is one of my favorite places to visit in Utah. I’ve explored the canyons by camper van many times.
It’s full of beautiful landscapes there, pink layers of sediment swirled amongst red rock formations. Going by van is a great way to go, but there are things to know.
So I’ll share what to know when going, ways to explore, what to see, and tips.
Getting to Zion National Park
From California, I travel through three states on the I-15 to reach Utah. Travelers pack the highways on the weekend, so keep that in mind.
Once, I stayed overnight at the Valley Wells rest stop in the Mojave Desert. This was during the summer, and it got very hot in the morning!
Anyway, there were a few camper vans, and plenty of semi-trucks and RVs staying too.
There are places of interest along the I-15, and I wrote a blog post about it.
Camping Near Zion
When van camping nearby, I like to stay at Zion River Resort. It’s only 10 miles from the national Park.
There are many options in Hurricane Valley. But they can get booked out quickly, so you’ll want to make a reservation well ahead of time.
Visiting Zion National Park
Zion National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It never closes.
However, staff working at the entrance booths leave around 5 p.m. I’ve entered the park after this time, and there was no line.
I have a National Park Pass, and it’s beneficial if you road trip often. Be sure to get a map and information guide at the booth.
What to Know About Parking at Zion
I’ve been here many times when it was crowded, so I know about parking. You can park inside Zion if you find a spot.
If you come in a big rig, it might be tricky. If your camper van is smaller, you’ll probably have an easier time.
Some people park on the side of the road haphazardly. I discuss the crowds, traffic, and parking in my other blog post.
Ways to Explore Zion
There are a couple of ways to see the sights. Exploring by vehicle is a great way to see a lot.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive will take you to popular trails. You can’t drive your vehicle on the scenic drive during shuttle bus season. So, you’ll need to catch the bus at the visitor center.
If you want to drive through in your vehicle, you can take the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway toward Bryce Canyon. It’s fun going through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel!
You can also drive on the I-15 to the northwest side of the park. Kolob Canyons Road will take you to a viewpoint.
Zion Canyon Visitor Center
If you stop at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, it’s a hub. When coming from Springdale, it’s located at the south entrance.
This is where you’ll also find a parking lot and the bus stop for the scenic drive. I saw many people with their trekking poles and waterproof hiking boots.
The visitor center is a great place to get information on exploring the park. You can learn more about the trails and ask questions.
Plus, it has decent bathrooms, so you can make a pit stop before going on your adventure.
I learned more about Zion’s nature and the trail conditions. This is where you can catch the bus to travel up the scenic drive.
Human History Museum
The Human History Museum is a drive down the road from the visitor center. Parking here was a challenge as they only have a few spots.
And if you come in a big rig, you might not fit in any of the spots. So taking the shuttle bus there on the way down might be an option.
They have displays about the park’s history and Native Americans who lived in Zion. There was a short film, but they had technical difficulties when I went.
It took me about 10 minutes to look around without seeing the film. They also have a store where you can buy souvenirs.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
You’ll most likely access Zion Canyon Scenic Drive by shuttle bus. You can also ride bicycles through the scenic drive, but you must yield to buses.
Buses come throughout the day, and they make 9 stops at points of interest.
Pay attention to the bus schedule and don’t miss the last bus back. Or you’ll have to walk in the dark!
I wouldn’t call the bus ride up to the hiking trails very scenic. When you get off the bus to explore, that’s when it gets scenic.
Points of Interest
There are many points of interest you can access off the scenic drive. You can take the shuttle bus to find a place to picnic, visit the museum, check into the lodge, or go for a ride.
The staff at the visitor center can help you plan your adventure. If you want to hike, you’ll want to talk to them about finding trails you can physically handle.
For Angels Landing, you’ll need a permit. This is a strenuous hike.
Also, the bus driver announced that a few trails were closed when I visited. So, if you plan to do a particular hike, keep that in mind.
I cover what to know about the Riverside Walk to the Narrows in another blog post. It’s an easy and popular hike in the park.
Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
This is the way to see the national park if you want to stay in your own vehicle. I love going down the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
There are many pull-offs to view the beautiful landscape.
When I come after 5 p.m., there is usually plenty of parking. Otherwise, it’s difficult to come by.
Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel
It’s fun driving through this tunnel, and you’ll see how massive the mountains are. Yes, the height of a Sprinter van fits through the tunnel, even with the boxes and gear on top.
Note that if you walk or bike in, you will not be allowed to enter the tunnel.
Animal Spotting
While driving near the tunnel, there were Bighorn sheep grazing on shrubs on the rocks. This was on the side of a mountain.
A few people watched from a distance as the sheep moved gracefully. Then, some guy crept up closer and closer to the sheep.
I would advise staying a safe distance from animals in national parks unless you want to end up in the hospital. Just saying…
Checkerboard Mesa
With its majestic height, Checkerboard Mesa really does have a checkerboard design. It’s made of Navajo Sandstone with unique cracks.
This is one of the many places to take pictures and enjoy the views. There’s also a hiking trail in the area.
You can find a small parking lot at this point of interest. It’s a scenic place to rest, and it’s never busy over there.
Beautiful Canyon Views
The scenic drive isn’t the only place where you’ll see amazing views. I’ve witnessed many beautiful canyon views where you can pull over and take pictures.
Golden rays glowed over the red rocks and peeked through the beautiful mountains.
I walked on the rocks, looking at the layers of orange and red shades swirled with white. Green trees and shrubs dotted the mountains haphazardly.
Nature painted a beautiful scene that anyone could enjoy for hours.
Catching a sunset in Zion is a special treat. People will lounge on top of their vehicles and wait for the sun to dip behind the mountains.
What a spectacular sight!
Travel Notes
Always make sure you have water in your vehicle, especially in the summer.
But also keep in mind it’s cooler in Zion. I’ve been there when it was 100° outside of Zion, but 75° in the park. So you might want to bring a jacket!
You can see beautiful views at Zion all year round. I’ve been there in the spring, and there was snow. So bring a coat when it’s cooler!
Overall
I enjoy going to Zion National Park, so you know I’m going to say yes! Even if you go for a day, there’s a lot to see.
If you have extra time, maybe you can do one of the hikes. But doing a drive-through is well worth it too!
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