Zion National Park expects record visitation Memorial Day weekend
By John Marciano
Memorial Day weekend is a time to honor those who have fallen serving our country and the unofficial start of summer. It is Zion National Park’s busiest weekend. Last year, over 75,000 people visited the park with Sunday being the busiest day with 31,000 visitors. While the park is extending facility hours and increasing staffing, visitors should expect crowded conditions, especially between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. when wait times to enter the park and board shuttles will most likely exceed 45 minutes. At one point last year, the shuttle lines were close to two hours long.
Zion National Park has limited parking space and is projected to fill by 9 a.m. Please park only in designated stalls. Vehicles parked outside of designated stalls are subject to citation and may be towed. Once all designated parking stalls in Zion are full, visitors should park in the town of Springdale and ride the free shuttle to access the park. There is a charge for parking in Springdale. The pay stub for parking in town is not a park entrance pass. Similarly, a park entrance pass is not a town parking validation. Thank you for parking responsibly during your visit.
The Zion Canyon Visitor Center information desk and backcountry permits desk will extend hours until 7 p.m. beginning May 26. The Zion Nature Center, which houses hands-on exhibits and activities geared for children and their families, will open from 2 to 6 p.m. May 26 through Labor Day. The Zion Human History Museum will also extend hours beginning May 26, opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m.
“Visitors should come prepared,” said superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. “Not only for crowded conditions, but for the hikes and other activities they are planning. With so many people visiting, we ask that visitors show additional patience with others and respectful trail etiquette. And remember that safety is your responsibility, so please avoid unsafe behaviors and risk taking. Multiple emergencies are common during busy periods, stretching the availability of search-and-rescue, emergency medical, and fire-fighting capabilities.”
Go to nps.gov for important information on shuttles buses, trails, and other facilities. For those staying in local hotels, visitors should leave their vehicles there and take the free shuttle to the park walk-in gate. Plan ahead. Arrive early to the park to avoid the largest crowds. Check weather conditions and prepare accordingly. Have patience, and drink plenty of water. If traveling with children, bring snacks or a toy to entertain them while in shuttle lines.
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