The last full week of shuttle service through Zion National Park will end on Sunday, Oct. 25. After a record year of visitors through the park, the fall/winter schedule for the shuttle will only include weekends, with the exception of the Thanksgiving weekend.
Zion National Park spokesperson Aly Baltrus said it has been a record-setting year in Zion.
“Zion National Park has been host to 3 million visitors since January 2015,” Baltrus said. “We still have three months to go. Last year was a record with 3 million visitors the entire year of 2014. We will exceed that number this year.”
This fall, the weekend shuttle operations begin with a shuttle departing from the Majestic View Shuttle Stop in Springdale at 9:15 a.m. The shuttle will operate from 9:15 a.m. until 7:15 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The shuttle will run every 30 minutes. The last departure from the Majestic View Lodge that connects to a bus going into Zion Canyon from the visitors center will be at 5:15 p.m.
For those wishing to depart from the Zion Canyon Theater going into the town of Springdale, the first bus leaves from the theater at 9 a.m. and runs every 30 minutes until 7 p.m.
The first bus to depart the visitor center for the Canyon Loop Route is 7 a.m. and will run as follows: every 30 minutes from 7-8:30 a.m., every 9 to 10 minutes from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and every 15 minutes from 5-6 p.m., with 6 p.m. being the last bus into the Canyon.
The last departure from the Temple of Sinawava in Zion National Park that connects to a bus going into Springdale is at 6:44 p.m., with the last departure from the Zion Lodge that connects to a bus going into Springdale at 7 p.m.
Zion National Park Thanksgiving holiday weekend shuttle schedule
There will be a few changes in the shuttle schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Shuttles will run Thursday, Nov. 26, through Saturday, Nov. 28. No shuttle service will be available on Sunday, Nov. 29.
The shuttle departing from the Majestic View Shuttle Stop in Springdale will still operate starting at 9:15 a.m. and departing every 30 minutes. However, the last departure from the Majestic View Lodge that connects to a bus going into Zion Canyon from the visitors center will be extended to 5:30 p.m.
For those wishing to depart from the Zion Canyon Theater going into the town of Springdale, shuttle service will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes.
The shuttles departing the visitor center for the Canyon Loop Route during the Thanksgiving weekend will be every 15 minutes from 7-8 a.m., every 10 minutes from 8-8:30 a.m., every 5 minutes from 8:30-9:00 a.m., and every 4-5 minutes from 9 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Visitors during the fall season are still encouraged to park in designated parking areas in the Springdale area and then take the free shuttle to the park’s pedestrian entrance.
For more Zion National Park information, you can visit the ZionGuide.com, and click here for the most current Zion National Park Shuttle Schedule.
Can we still drive our cars through Zion after the shuttle stops?
Yes, On the days the shuttle buses are not running, private vehicles will be allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive until parking is full. There are approximately 400 parking spaces in Zion Canyon. Visitors should be prepared for the road to be closed once all designated parking spaces are occupied. Visitors with overnight reservations for Zion Lodge will not be affected. Thanks for your comment. Craig