Like a well-irrigated oasis in a dusty sandstone desert, Zion Canyon holds the treasures that make Zion park so famous. Carved by the waters of the Virgin River, this canyon plunges over 2,000 feet from rim to valley floor, where the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive forms a conduit for awestruck travelers. Here in the stunning Zion Canyon, famous sights such as The Great White Throne literally spring up towards the sky. The drive up the canyon is so wildly popular that shuttles are used in summer, but private vehicles are allowed in the canyon during the slower months of winter. For most visitors, the canyon “begins” at the northern end by the Temple of Sinawava, and runs south to the town of Springdale nearly 10 miles away. North of the Temple of Sinawava, the canyon narrows to only 20 feet and is filled by the Virgin River. This part of the canyon forms “The Narrows” trail that’s popular with hikers and visitors, although regardless of where in the canyon you visit, the vertical spires, painted cliffs, and green of the valley floor create a mesmerizing amphitheater in the Utah desert that’s as magical as it is famous.
Practical Info
Zion Canyon runs for approximately 10 miles from the Zion National Park Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava. The canyon is closed to private vehicles from March 15 until the middle of October, during which time it’s accessible by park shuttles that run every six minutes. For the best photos inside of the canyon, early mornings offer the most light and the best angle of the sun.
Though the sprawling Zion National Park covers 229 square miles, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is the most popular section of the park. In fact, this winding drive up Zion Canyon is so popular that from March 15 until mid-October, the nine-mile drive is only accessible by riding the Zion Park Shuttle. Along the way, there are stopping points for major sights—from Zion Lodge and the Court of the Patriarchs to the trailhead for Emerald Pools—and the scenic drive reaches its terminus at the Temple of Sinawava. While visitors must ride the shuttle in summer, the road is open to private vehicles during the late-fall and winter. There is a decent amount of parking at most of the stops, although during the holiday visiting season the road can be congested and parking can be a bit tough. Nevertheless, this is the main vein that leads through canyon and offers accessible day hiking and views, and takes an entire day to explore properly from the south end of the canyon to the top.
Practical Info
The cost of the shuttle system is included in the park entrance fee, and shuttles run every six minutes during the busiest times of the year. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive has eight different shuttle stops, and winter visitors will find numerous pullouts for pulling over to take photos.
