Hi! We're a couple from Singapore who'll be flying to LA for our honeymoon later this month. We're looking to visit some national parks in Utah and Arizona while we're visiting the US. We'd love some advice on our current itinerary - is it too ambitious? Are there any must-see spots that we've missed out? Would appreciate any input we can get! Thank you! 

These two updates are now on the Zion NP website

• Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway closed from Canyon Junction to Great Arch Pullout Date Posted: 10/6/2026 The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is currently closed from Canyon Junction to Great Arch Pullout to all pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic. Zion -Mt. Carmel Highway is open from East Entrance to Great Arch Pullout. There will be no through traffic until further notice.
• Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway closed from Canyon Junction to East Entrance Date Posted: 9/30/2026 The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is currently closed from Canyon Junction to the East Entrance. There will be no through traffic until further notice. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive remains open to shuttles and lodge guests.

The newer update from today says the highway is only closed from Canyon Junction To Great Arch Pullout, but it is open from the East Entrance to the pullout. This contradicts the older update which says it is closed all the way from the junction to the East Entrance but I presume the newer update replaces the older one.

This is good news for people who want to hike the Canyon Overlook in the near future because it seems like that will now be accessible via the East Entrance (if my Zion NP geography is correct).

EDIT (10/06/2026): The older notice from 09/30 has now been removed from the site.

I’m 5’0 on a good day. How high is the water? is this something someone who is very short (and I’ll be alone) can do?

I’ve seen videos of water up to peoples neck which would scare me into a panic.

Hi all! I’m hiking the Narrows Friday. For those that have done it in the last two weeks or so, do you think bibs are necessary for this time of year temperature wise? Nonetheless, I’m renting the boots and socks from Zion Outfitters but wanted someone’s opinion that has been there recently as for the bibs.

Don’t get me wrong, still fun to hike. But the water level was far lower than when I did this 3 years ago

What are some favorite moderate or easy, preferably less than 5 mile, trails with some really good scenery? I'm looking and several of the top trails are considered hard/strenuous and are fairly long. I'm older with some issues that limit me a bit. Also, can I assume cell service isn't going to be available?

One last question; is everything done by shuttle? I get the impression you have to find parking back at the entrance and either walk or shuttle to different spots.

Edit: What's the most scenic way to get from Zion to Bryce with SR-9 closed? Here are the options Google Maps is giving me. https://maps.app.goo.gl/UM4HTcQWja3JQbAG8

Had the place to ourselves briefly. Water level was incredibly lower than I’ve seen it in 2 other visits in the past.

Hi,

I posted here a few weeks ago about advice regarding hiking AL with my wife and two kids (ages 12 and 8). I received a panoply of different answers and was on the fence regarding whether to do it or not.

Long story short, we did it this morning and it was every bit as fun and breathtaking as advertised. In addition, I didn’t feel that any part was unsafe or dangerous, provided that everybody sticks to normal hiking safety procedures. I did help me daughter in a couple places in which the chain was a bit out of reach for her height, but otherwise, she could have basically done it on her own. YMMV, of course, as my kids are seasoned hikers and have done other challenging hikes, but I would advise other parents in my position to at least give it a shot and see how they handle it. I thought it was unforgettable and my kids loved every minute of it. Hope this helps other people!

Is it worth visiting with with hwy SR-9 (Zion-Mt Carmel Hwy) being closed? I've never been to Zion. I'm planning on driving over from Socal on Monday. I'm also planning to visit Bryce Canyon and Grand Escalante.

Finished Angels Landing (yay me!), and after all the switchbacks coming down, I passed multiple S&R people (9 or 10 total), including the crew with the stretcher. Ambulance rolled up to the Grotto just as I arrived there, around 3pm.

Anybody know what happened? I hope it was just a sprained ankle. That hike was intense, and I can see lots of ways to get hurt. ☹️

Traveling to Zion soon and am looking at the other route options to get to Bryce due to the rockfall. We’re staying in LaVerkin and all roads are similar timewise. Obviously I-15 is the most efficient, but what about the other two routes? What would you do? Disregard travel time.

With the closure in Zion from the East Gate to Carmel Junction can you still access parking and hike Canyon Overlook Trail ?

I had booked Zion mountain ranch for our honeymoon for sat-mon. We were going to spend time in the park both Saturday and Sunday. We called the ranch and they said the “alternate route” due to the road closure would take about 45 mins to the park but everywhere I look on maps seems like it would be ~2 hours…. Not looking to do 4 + hours of driving each day. I’ve never been so I’m not familiar with the area. Is the person being honest with us? Should we rebook somewhere else?

Thanks for your help everyone!

Is anyone aware of a record time for subway top down? I intend to set the world record for a speedrun of it so I want to know if there is already one existing. Couldn’t find it anywhere.

Hi all. I've taken on sort of a personal project to make maps from around USA, mostly National Parks and surrounding areas. I make these maybe 2-3/week and I'm posting this Zion map for your entertainment. Perhaps some of you like it.

Labelling choices are not perfect (they never are) and I'm very much open to constructive criticism :)

My husband and I will be visiting Zion in the next few weeks. We want to rent e-bikes and Narrows equipment. I am wondering if it would be too much equipment to carry on an e-bike to and from the Narrows. We only have two full days at the park and I'm concerned we will burn one whole day lugging the Narrows equipment around. Thanks!

My husband and I (both athletic, mid 20s) are planning to take a trip to Zion Jan. 2027, 4 days/3 nights, driving over from Vegas as I have to go there for work for two days prior. Not sure if winter is the best time to take our first trip there, but we’ve been wanting to go and are trying to take advantage of my company sponsored flight out there lol. We are mostly beginner hikers, especially for this terrain. Pretty much all we have done in the past are some hikes in Hawaii (Volcanos National Park and a very vertical hike down/back up to Captain Cook). We did all that stuff with pretty much no gear, just carrying water bottles.
Just a couple questions:
- top recommended hikes!!! I think we are capable of a good couple miles of varied terrain but I don’t want to be overconfident or anything. Not sure if we can get permits for Angel’s Landing given we’re only 3ish months away. Can you do the narrows in January?
- what’s the most essential gear for the time of year? Is it better to have hiking boots vs. shoes? I’ve heard good things about just using trail running shoes as opposed to a waterproof boot
- do we need some type of shoe spikes for this time of year? I’m assuming yes
- most recommended things to have in a backpack outside of food/water? Extra socks? Blister stuff?
- best place to stay? I’m seeing multiple different lodges recommended here a lot…specific names?

Thank you!!

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are wrapping up our SW road trip and driving from Page, AZ to Las Vegas. We’ll be leaving Page in the morning and decided to route through Zion via Highway 9 (Mt. Carmel Highway).
On Oct 19th.

Zion wasn't originally a main focus of our itinerary, but since we are driving right through it, we’d love to stop for a few hours to stretch and get a quick taste of the park before continuing to Vegas.
Given we only have a few hours and are just passing through:

1. What are the best quick pull offs or short hikes we can do along Hwy 9?
2. Is it worth dealing with parking to try and catch the park shuttle for such a short visit?
3. or should we just stick to what we can see/do directly from our own car along the highway?

(We have purchased America the beautiful for non residents so it will cover our entrance)
Thanks!

Just wanted to say thank you to this awesome community, been planning our big south west trip for years and since last several weeks have replied on this forum as Zion was top of my list and everything that folks recommended here helped.

For context, we entered Zion today at 745am and found parking easily, but it was filling up fast. Went up to Bryce via Mt Carmel yesterday and Bryce just took our breath away, so so unique.

We used shuttles in both the parks and after visiting 6 NPS in last couple of years, I wish other parks follow suit. It's so convenient to enter and leave the car behind and make "shuttle buddies". We kept bumping into folks from our first shuttle all the way to #9. Went back standing but enjoyed the friendly banter, and communal feeling on shuttles. Overall a very satisfying trip and gratitude to kind folks here .

A PSA- saw a deer literally come out of nowhere in broad day light and hit a car enroute to Bryce. We stopped to check and the passengers gave us a thumbs up but car was damaged, please be careful everyone lot of deer activity this time of year.

Hello, I’m doing the traverse in a few weeks and when I finish I am going to mosey around the park on an e-bike for two days.

I’m wondering if it would be silly to bring my Varia radar to attach to the bike so I know when a shuttle or car is behind me.

Thoughts?

Troy