Of all the national parks in the West, Zion is the most intimate and one of the most scenic destinations in Southern Utah.  Zion National Park is located 43 miles northeast of St. George (about a 50-minute drive).    While most people think of Zion as towering sandstone walls and monoliths, it is also rivers, swamps, riparian areas, pine forests, sandstone deserts, natural bridges, ancient dwelling places and habitat for an amazing variety of plants and animals.

Hiking trails are abundant where you can discover the beauty.  On your trip to Zion National Park, you'll discover beauty and many scenic wonders  prompting many "oohs and aahs" every mile of your adventure.

Excellent accommodations, campgrounds, restaurants, and shopping facilities are available near to  Utah's Zion National Park in the nearby town of Springdale.   The park is open all year and each season has it's own special scenery.  See Park officials for entry fee options. 

Shuttle service is available from early April through October both in the park and in Springdale. Private vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the shuttle is in operation. Zion-Mount Carmel Highway 9 through the park is open to private vehicles all year, connecting Springdale to Bryce Canyon, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Kanab. The Visitor Center has information on shuttle operation, weather conditions, back country permits, reservations for the lodge, maps and other publications.

To get there, take I-15 north to the Hurricane exit (Exit 16) go east to Hurricane on State Route 9 and continue through Hurricane and LaVerkin and follow the signs through Virgin, Rockville and Springdale to the park.  For reservations, call 888-297-2757 or log on to www.zionlodge.com.

How to Use the Shuttles

The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is accessible by shuttle bus only.  It's easy - just follow these three steps.  Park - Parking at the visitor center is full between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm daily.  To avoid parking hassles, you can leave your car in the town of Springdale and ride the free town shuttle to the park. Ride - Free buses run from 5:45 am to 11:00 pm, as often as every six minutes.  Pets are not allowed.

Kolob Canyon
435-586-9548
(Drive time from St George approximately 30 minutes or 35 miles)

Kolob Canyon is located along the western edge of Zion National Park. From St. George, travel north about 35 miles on I-15 to Exit 40 (about a 30-minute drive) and drive to the visitor center. From the visitor center, drive the 5 miles on a paved road to view the massive red rock formations of the Kolob Fingers from pullouts along the road. You can hike trails, view wildlife and photograph along the scenic drive.  Lava Point, in Kolob’s high country, has exceptional views of the Cedar Breaks area, the Pink Cliffs, the Zion Canyon Narrows and the towering monoliths of Zion Canyon.  There is a $20 park entry fee for single vehicle entry.

Bryce Canyon National Park
800-444-6689 - 435-834-5322
www.nps.gov/brca - www.brycecanyoncountry.com

(Drive time from St George approximately 2 hours or 125 miles)


The Paiute Indians called it "red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon."   Unlike Zion where you look up at the cliffs, at Bryce Canyon National Park you look down upon miles of exquisitely carved pinnacles and spires.  Set on a high plateau, the pine-covered rim of Bryce Canyon catches the clean cool breezes of a mountain setting.  The red, pink and orange colors of the intricately eroded limestone "hoodoos" constantly change with the sun, making the magical landscape come alive. Best to view in the early morning or about sunset to see the light and shadow play.   Open all year, there is a $20 private vehicle entry fee.

From St. George, drive north on I-15 to Cedar City and head east on state Route 14 to U.S. Highway 89, drive north to the junction of state Route 12 and head east 17 miles to state Route 63. Travel south four miles to the park entrance.

  For reservations, call 888-297-2757 or log on to www.brycecanyonlodge.com

Cedar Breaks National Monument
 435-586-9451.
www.nps.gov/cebr
(Drive time from St George approximately 1 hour or 73 miles)

Awesome views of color greet you at Cedar Breaks National Monument. The great natural rock amphitheater of Cedar Breaks National Monument is a spectacle of gigantic proportions.  Enjoy the trails leading around the rim and through the forest.  The region's bristlecone pines date back 1,600 years/ 

 The park can be reached from St. George via I-15, 50 miles to Cedar City. From Cedar City, travel east 20 miles on state Route 14, then 4 miles north on state Highway 148. Driving time is about one and one-half hours. Enjoy the trails leading around the rim late May/early June until mid-October. There is a $4 per person entry fee. Children age 15 and under are free. There is no charge if you are just driving through.   

North Rim of the Grand Canyon
800-869-6635
928-638-7888
http://www.nps.gov.grca

(Drive time from St George to the North Rim is approximately 3 hours or 180 miles)


The North Rim features the pine and aspen forest of the 540,000 acre Kaibab Plateau.  You will find viewpoints of the Grand Canyon higher than that on the South Rim. Viewpoints of the North Rim are higher than on the South Rim. Highway 67 is closed in winter south of Jacob Lake.

To reach the park from St. George, travel northeast on I-15 to the Hurricane exit (Exit 16) and head east on state Route 9 to Hurricane. Then take state Route 59 (which turns into state Route 389 once you reach the Arizona State line) east to Fredonia, Ariz. In Fredonia, turn right onto U.S. Highway 89A and head south to Jacob Lake, Ariz. At Jacob Lake, travel south 45 miles on state Route 67 to the North Rim. Driving time from St. George is about 3 hours or 180 miles.

Open mid-May to mid-October, the National Park service operates a visitor center, bookstore, back country permit reservations, campground and ranger programs.   Call 800-365-2267 to make advance reservations for the North Rim Campground. 

Xanterra Parks & Resorts
888-297-2757 (303-297-2757)
http://www.grandcanyonnorthrim.com
Xanterra Operations, 888-297-2757 (303-297-2757), a private concessionaire, offers lodging, camper services, groceries and a service station.
 

St George Area Chamber of Commerce
97 E St George Blvd, St George, UT 84770
Phone: 435-628-1658