Plan Ahead – Prepare For Labor Day Weekend At Zion National Park
Expect a busy weekend with traffic and lines in and near the park
Be prepared to pack your patience! Zion National Park expects a busy Labor Day weekend, Friday, August 30, through Monday, September 2, 2024. Expect long lines and traffic congestion in and near the park.
Weather Safety
This time of year, expect high temperatures and potential flash floods.
- Check the forecast before you get to Zion. Pay special attention to temperatures and the likelihood of flash floods.
- Even small amounts of rain in canyon country will result in flooding. Avoid canyons when there is rain forecasted.
- Drink a gallon of water daily, and pack salty snacks to avoid heat-related illness.
- Bring appropriate gear like sunscreen, a hat, hiking shoes, and walking sticks.
Vehicle Parking
- Plan ahead to find a parking spot in Zion or Springdale. Parking is limited and often fills early.
- Park in Springdale to take the free Springdale Shuttle to the park’s pedestrian entrance.
- Avoid a ticket and wildfire by only parking in designated lots, never unpaved areas, especially over vegetation.
- Check current conditions for the latest updates.
When parking in Zion is full, we may limit vehicle entry so that National Park Service shuttles and emergency vehicles are not stopped by congestion. Visitors can still take the free Springdale Shuttle to the park entrance.
Shuttle Service
The Zion Canyon Shuttle System provides free rides in the park and Springdale to get you where you need to go.
Springdale Line:
- The first shuttle leaves Majestic View Lodge at 7 AM, and the last shuttle leaves Zion Canyon Village at 8 PM.
Zion Canyon Line:
- The first shuttle leaves Zion Canyon Visitor Center at 6 AM. The last shuttle leaves Zion Canyon Visitor Center into Zion Canyon at 7 PM, and the last shuttle out of the canyon from the Temple of Sinawava leaves at 8:15 PM.
Plan Like A Park Ranger
Plan ahead and prepare for your park visit, and remember to pack your patience.
- Bring your park pass with you as you enter and exit the park.
- Check the distance and difficulty of trails to make sure you’re prepared for hikes.
Fire Safety
Fire restrictions are in place in Zion. Restrictions include:
- Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fires that produce ash, of any kind in the park in general, and specifically campfires and charcoal fires within campgrounds or picnic areas in Zion Canyon.
- Stoves fueled by petroleum or liquid Propane Gas (LPG) fuels for meal preparation only, are allowed.
- Smoking in vegetated areas, except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed recreation site or stopped in an area devoid of vegetation at least 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter.
Getting Around
For non-recreational drivers, the best way through the park is to go around the park. There will likely be heavy traffic all weekend, and there may be times through-travel is not possible.
If you need to travel through the park during the holiday weekend and you do not plan to stop for recreation, consider alternate routes such as:
- Utah 20.
- Utah 14.
- US 89 – Arizona 389 – Utah 59.
