Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of Zion National Park’s busy summer season, and visitors should be ready for larger crowds, full parking lots, shuttle bus lines, and hot weather, according to the National Park Service.
Memorial Day Weekend
In 2025, Zion recorded over 95,000 visits during Memorial Day weekend. That is more than the annual total visitation for 165 National Park Service sites that year.
For 2026, the NPS anticipates:
- Long lines at entrance stations, trailheads, visitor centers, and restrooms
- Lengthy waits to board park shuttles in Springdale and Zion Canyon
- Intermittent, temporary closures at the park’s east and south vehicle entrance stations
- Heavy traffic in Springdale and throughout Zion Canyon
The Zion Nature Center opens Friday, May 22, just in time for the holiday weekend. Located near the South Campground construction site and accessible via the Pa’rus Trail, the Center features interactive exhibits and ranger-led activities ideal for kids and families. It will remain open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily through September 7.
The Zion Canyon Visitor Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Zion Human History Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you are passing through the area but not recreating in the park, use alternate driving routes. In this case, the best option is to bypass Zion entirely. Alternate routes include:
- Utah State Route 20
- Utah State Route 14
- US-89 – Arizona 389 – Utah 59
Parking and Shuttle Services
Parking fills early each day in Zion. For real-time updates and alternative parking options, visit the Zion Area Roads to Recreation website, hosted by the Utah Department of Transportation.
The following shuttle schedules are effective as of Sunday, May 17:
Zion Canyon Line Shuttle
- 7 a.m. - First shuttle leaves the Zion Canyon Visitor Center (Stop 1)
- 7 p.m. - Last shuttle leaves the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9)
- 8:15 p.m. - Last shuttle out of the canyon from the Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9)
Springdale Line Schedule
- 8 a.m. - First shuttle leaves the Hotel De Novo (Stop 9)
- 8 p.m. - Last shuttle leaves Zion Canyon Village (Stop 1)
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