Zion warns visitors about Memorial Day crowds

Zion National Park told Memorial Day weekend visitors to expect larger crowds, full parking lots, shuttle lines and heavy traffic as the Utah park enters its summer season. The National Park Service said in a May 21 release that advance planning would be one of the best ways to make the trip safer and smoother. The park said Zion drew nearly 5 million visits in 2025 and logged more than 95,000 visits over Memorial Day weekend alone. Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, is also one of the National Park Service’s fee-free days. ### How crowded is Zion expecting the holiday weekend to be? The National Park Service said Zion recorded more than 95,000 visits during Memorial Day weekend in 2025. The agency said that total was higher than the annual visitation at 165 National Park Service sites last year. For 2026, the park said visitors should expect long lines at entrance stations, trailheads, visitor centers and restrooms, along with lengthy waits to board shuttles in Springdale and Zion Canyon. (nps.gov) Springdale, Utah, and Zion Canyon are expected to see heavy traffic, the park said. The agency also warned of intermittent temporary closures at the park’s south and east vehicle entrance stations during periods of congestion. ### What is the park telling drivers to do before they arrive? Zion said parking fills early each day and urged visitors to check conditions before leaving for the park. (nps.gov) The park directed travelers to its current conditions page for alerts and to the Utah Department of Transportation’s Zion Area Roads to Recreation site for real-time parking updates and alternative parking options. The park said travelers passing through the area without plans to recreate in Zion should use alternate driving routes. The agency listed Utah State Route 20, Utah State Route 14 and the US-89-Arizona 389-Utah 59 route as bypass options during periods of congestion. ### Is the shuttle the default plan this weekend? Zion said the free shuttle system in Springdale and Zion Canyon is running and does not require a ticket or reservation. (nps.gov) The park said the Zion Canyon Line’s first shuttle leaves the visitor center at 7 a.m., the last shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava leaves at 7 p.m., and the last shuttle out of the canyon departs at 8:15 p.m. The park’s planning page says no permit or reservation is needed to enter Zion National Park or ride the shuttle in most areas of Zion Canyon. Angels Landing remains an exception: hikers there still need a permit under the park’s pilot permit program. ### What else could affect a visit besides traffic? Zion said hot weather is part of the holiday-weekend planning picture. The park’s current conditions page says summer daytime temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and it warns visitors to check the weather forecast and real-time conditions near Springdale before heading out. (nps.gov) As of May 22, Zion also had Stage 2 fire restrictions in effect. (nps.gov) The park said no open fires of any kind are allowed, including campfires and charcoal fires in Watchman Campground, South Campground and picnic areas in Zion Canyon, though petroleum- or propane-fueled stoves are still allowed. ### Where should visitors look for day-of updates? The National Park Service said visitors should use Zion’s current conditions and planning pages for weather, facility, road and shuttle updates before and during the trip. (nps.gov) The park also said the Zion Canyon Visitor Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the Zion Human History Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the holiday period. The Zion Nature Center opened Friday, May 22, and is scheduled to remain open daily through Sept. 7 from noon to 5 p.m., the park said. (nps.gov)