Thanks for this great information! We did the Mighty Five this October, and Zion was the most difficult to plan by far. We ended up staying in Springdale and renting e-bikes. E-bikes were awesome! We didn't have to bother at all with the shuttles, and loved exploring the park at our own pace without having to navigate massive crowds. Zion is definitely a victim of its own success. Even on a weekday in mid-October, the crowd levels at some of the hikes (River Walk/Narrows especially) were absolutely insane. I hope the National Park Service considers a timed reservation system for Zion like they now have at Arches. It is an absolutely gorgeous place, but too many humans can make visiting a miserable experience.
I agree...the crowding in Zion is crazy. There are very few times of year to visit that park without all the crowds anymore :( But I'm glad you figured it out and had fun!
Wow, where do I begin? I just discovered your channel and was overwhelmed with all the information that you provide! Your work is Amazing and So Helpful! Your Trip Planner with the Itineraries are Priceless! Thank you so much and I wish you Great Success with your Channel. Your voice and articulate delivery are so enjoyable to listen to. What a joy to listen to and watch your videos!
So very helpful. Definitely plan ongoing in fall now. I didn’t know you were a native to Utah. I thought Wyoming. So knowledgeable about all these parks. Thanks so much.
A lot of other UA-cam videos made Zion seem overwhelming and I was getting discouraged, but your video really helped me understand the park better so I could make the best/informed decisions. Got my reservation at Watchman Campground and will be visiting this fall. Thanks so much for the helpful content!
I have always wanted to go to Utah especially those parks in the southern part but I think Zion is the one that I want to go the most it just looks stunning the red cliffs look amazing
Thank you for all your great content. We will be traveling to Bryce and Zion in late September. We will have three full days in Zion. We are both in our early 60"s and trying to decide if we want to spend a whole day doing the Narrows; is the view really worth it? Thanks
Wife and I are in our 80s so lots of walking is out of the question for us but we certainly want to get out and walk a little bit with binocs and cameras. We want to drive up from Texas to Kalispell and visit relatives so we'll have to plan ahead very closely. I want to drive the Virgin River Gorge down to Vegas so we'll see how we can go to see all we want to see.
You can see a lot without hiking! You'll find an article at dirtinmyshoes.com about the best things to do in Zion, and I have section there about the best things to do in you can't/don't want to hike :)
This is so helpful! If I'm staying in Springdale for four nights this summer, could one of those be a day trip to Bryce Canyon? Or would you recommend spending the entire time in Zion given the location? Thanks Ash!
Thank you for this video. Quick question: I'm flying to Utah this October to visit Zion, how early I have to wake up to catch the shuttle once I'm Zion? Or how's crowded is the park in October compared to the summer? 👀
It's still very busy in October, especially mid-October during Utah's Fall Break. My Zion Itinerary contains my suggestions for timing/hour-by-hour schedule if you're worried about the crowds: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/zion-itinerary/
Hello! Great video! One question, if I stay in the park lodge and I enter at 7am when I have the check in at 3pm, can I still leave the car inside? Thank you!
You can park at the visitor center and go explore until your parking permit at the lodge becomes valid. You can call the lodge and see if they'll let you park there all day, but if not, just park at the visitor center and take the shuttle!
Thank you so much for all the great information. I am planning on staying at Zion Lodge in October. We won't be checking in until after midnight. Do you know if someone will be available to check us in? 🤔
I'm actually planning on doing a day trip to Zion from Vegas this month in the middle of the work week. Are crowds much of a concern in the middle of January?
No, it's not too bad at that time. But you will want to get to the park early enough in the day...they close down the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when there isn't enough space for all of the cars!
They are separate because I only have 3 of the 5 available right now. I'm going to start working on the other 2 this fall, and when they are done I will have a bundle offer for all 5, but that won't be until next summer!
I mean, all parks have something :) But no, in general, it's not an issue in Zion. Coyotes and Mountain Lions are the main predators here, but both are pretty elusive.
Hi, could you give me some advices or recommendations on how to visit Zion in a short 1 day!!? I was planning driving from horseshoe bend to Zion park and the narrow, I'm wanting to spend a night at the the park for stargazing and leave the next day. Do I have to purchase camping or admission in advanced or at the entrance is okay too? Also if there's anything I should know before going? It will be my first time at Zion, thank you!!
Thanks for this great information! We did the Mighty Five this October, and Zion was the most difficult to plan by far. We ended up staying in Springdale and renting e-bikes. E-bikes were awesome! We didn't have to bother at all with the shuttles, and loved exploring the park at our own pace without having to navigate massive crowds.
Zion is definitely a victim of its own success. Even on a weekday in mid-October, the crowd levels at some of the hikes (River Walk/Narrows especially) were absolutely insane. I hope the National Park Service considers a timed reservation system for Zion like they now have at Arches. It is an absolutely gorgeous place, but too many humans can make visiting a miserable experience.
I agree...the crowding in Zion is crazy. There are very few times of year to visit that park without all the crowds anymore :( But I'm glad you figured it out and had fun!
Wow your gold! This is what we need, driving from Vegas with a rental on June so this is great thanks! We are from Canada 🇨🇦
Exciting! Enjoy your trip!
Wow, where do I begin? I just discovered your channel and was overwhelmed with all the information that you provide! Your work is Amazing and So Helpful!
Your Trip Planner with the Itineraries are Priceless!
Thank you so much and I wish you Great Success with your Channel.
Your voice and articulate delivery are so enjoyable to listen to. What a joy to listen to and watch your videos!
Thank you so much! I hope you have an amazing trip!
So very helpful. Definitely plan ongoing in fall now. I didn’t know you were a native to Utah. I thought Wyoming. So knowledgeable about all these parks. Thanks so much.
I spend a lot of time in Wyoming haha, but yes, I'm a Utahn living really close to the Wyoming border :)
Excellent video Ash with great info. All your videos are hugely informative. Many thanks for sharing.
Of course!
Thanks for the great info. I will checkout your website. Take care.😀👍
A lot of other UA-cam videos made Zion seem overwhelming and I was getting discouraged, but your video really helped me understand the park better so I could make the best/informed decisions. Got my reservation at Watchman Campground and will be visiting this fall. Thanks so much for the helpful content!
That's so exciting! You're gonna love it!
I have always wanted to go to Utah especially those parks in the southern part but I think Zion is the one that I want to go the most it just looks stunning the red cliffs look amazing
It’s my favorite place… still haven’t done everything, and I can’t go enough!
Thank you for the informative video. We're going the first week in March.
Have fun!
Thanks for your detailed info! I’ll be a new subscriber! 😊
You're welcome!
Thank you so much for the amazing guide!
You're welcome!
Great informative video! Thank you!
Stay near south entrance, In Springdale, near Zion canyon visitors center. Or stay in Zion Lodge if available.
Yes, those are my recommendations as well :)
Thank you for all your great content. We will be traveling to Bryce and Zion in late September. We will have three full days in Zion. We are both in our early 60"s and trying to decide if we want to spend a whole day doing the Narrows; is the view really worth it? Thanks
It's one of the coolest hikes in any national park. And September is my favorite time to hike the Narrows :)
Wow I wish I had found this earlier (I leave tomorrow). I'll definitely check out your channel.
Thanks! Have fun!
On my bucket list.
Wife and I are in our 80s so lots of walking is out of the question for us but we certainly want to get out and walk a little bit with binocs and cameras. We want to drive up from Texas to Kalispell and visit relatives so we'll have to plan ahead very closely. I want to drive the Virgin River Gorge down to Vegas so we'll see how we can go to see all we want to see.
You can see a lot without hiking! You'll find an article at dirtinmyshoes.com about the best things to do in Zion, and I have section there about the best things to do in you can't/don't want to hike :)
I love the Mt Carmel Highway drive in Zion. So beautiful and lots of turn outs.
This is so helpful! If I'm staying in Springdale for four nights this summer, could one of those be a day trip to Bryce Canyon? Or would you recommend spending the entire time in Zion given the location? Thanks Ash!
I think 3 days is sufficient for Zion, so if you have more time than that, then yeah, I'd check out Bryce Canyon too!
Thank you for this video.
Quick question: I'm flying to Utah this October to visit Zion, how early I have to wake up to catch the shuttle once I'm Zion? Or how's crowded is the park in October compared to the summer? 👀
It's still very busy in October, especially mid-October during Utah's Fall Break. My Zion Itinerary contains my suggestions for timing/hour-by-hour schedule if you're worried about the crowds: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/zion-itinerary/
Hello! Great video!
One question, if I stay in the park lodge and I enter at 7am when I have the check in at 3pm, can I still leave the car inside?
Thank you!
You can park at the visitor center and go explore until your parking permit at the lodge becomes valid. You can call the lodge and see if they'll let you park there all day, but if not, just park at the visitor center and take the shuttle!
@@DirtInMyShoes Thank you for your answer! Have a nice day!
Great video👍. Visting during end of December /begining of January is recommendable?
You'll find a full article about the best time to visit zion broken down by month on dirtinmyshoes.com!
Thank you so much for all the great information. I am planning on staying at Zion Lodge in October. We won't be checking in until after midnight. Do you know if someone will be available to check us in? 🤔
They should be, but I would call the lodge directly to let them know that you'll be getting in late!
I'm actually planning on doing a day trip to Zion from Vegas this month in the middle of the work week. Are crowds much of a concern in the middle of January?
No, it's not too bad at that time. But you will want to get to the park early enough in the day...they close down the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when there isn't enough space for all of the cars!
Do you have an itinerary for the Mighty 5 parks in Utah? Or do I need to purchase them separately?
They are separate because I only have 3 of the 5 available right now. I'm going to start working on the other 2 this fall, and when they are done I will have a bundle offer for all 5, but that won't be until next summer!
Great
Thanks!
You do not have to ride the shuttle this time of year. There were FOUR people in front of me getting into the park last Saturday.
Planning to go in march hopefully there wont be crowded
That's what's nice about the off-season, though they do still have to shut down Zion Canyon when all the parking spaces fill!
March is a really nice time to be there. You will need to use the shuttles at that time :)
@@DirtInMyShoes do i have to ride shuttles to get to observation trail?
Having just researched I found Cedar city has limited rental cars, no weekends and then even weekdays limited hours way to risky
Yeah, St. George is a better bet for getting a rental near Zion!
Bears and other types of animals that kill you. Should i worry about that in Zion?
I mean, all parks have something :) But no, in general, it's not an issue in Zion. Coyotes and Mountain Lions are the main predators here, but both are pretty elusive.
Hi, could you give me some advices or recommendations on how to visit Zion in a short 1 day!!? I was planning driving from horseshoe bend to Zion park and the narrow, I'm wanting to spend a night at the the park for stargazing and leave the next day. Do I have to purchase camping or admission in advanced or at the entrance is okay too? Also if there's anything I should know before going? It will be my first time at Zion, thank you!!
You'll find a ton of help with planning your trip to Zion at dirtinmyshoes.com
If you had to guess…how much less busy is early October than the summer crowds?
It's definitely less busy than the summer, but if you can wait til the end of October, it will be even quieter!