USA Zion Narrows

The hike in the Zion Narrows is frequently ranked among the top 10 hikes in the U.S. Most of the time you're hiking in the Virgin River on wet and slippery bowling ball-sized rocks but when conditions are good, it is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Narrows is PACKED with tourists during the spring, summer, and early fall. I’m talking Disneyland-type crowds. I’ve been there many times in every season. One certain alternative to avoid the crowds is to go in January or February. During cold wet winters, you’ll see numerous frozen waterfalls and few people. If you don’t have the appropriate gear numerous outfitters in Springdale, Utah (just outside the park entrance) rent dry suits, water shoes/boots, neoprene socks, and trekking poles. Don’t attempt to enter the Narrows without appropriate winter gear. The river water is very cold in the summer and bitter cold (snow melt) in the winter.

If you want to beat the crowds, check the Zion National Park website to see when the shuttles start running the day you plan to go. Whenever the first shuttle is scheduled to depart from the Visitor Center (around 6 AM), try to be on it. It takes about 45 minutes to get from the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop where your hike begins. Another 20-minute hike along the Riverside Walk will get you to the beginning of the Narrows. For photography, the light in the Narrows is best from around 10:30 AM until late afternoon depending on the time of the year, so you must decide if you want fewer people or better light.

Bis vor kurzem war der Zion Shuttle kostenlos. Aufgrund von COVID-Beschränkungen müssen Sie jetzt ein Shuttle-Ticket im Voraus kaufen (1 $ US).
When the park shuttles are running you must board the shuttle at the Zion National Park Visitor Center to ride into Zion Canyon. You may get off and back on at any shuttle stop in the canyon as often as you want. Personal vehicles are only permitted to drive in the canyon when the shuttles stop running during late Fall and winter. The shuttle resumes briefly during Thanksgiving week (3rd week in November) and the week around Christmas. Check the Zion National Park website for shuttle schedules. When the shuttles are running, visitors staying at the Zion National Park Lodge are permitted to drive into the canyon only as far as the lodge.

I’m not sure but I believe the previous sentence is referencing a shuttle charge that was effective during a brief period when Covid was a major concern. There is currently no additional charge to ride the shuttle. Your entrance fee to the park includes the shuttle.