Tips to avoid crowds at Zion National Park. Off-season, least crowded times, trails in the area, Kolob Canyon, and many other ways to get the Zion outdoor experience you crave while also getting the solitude you need
About Zion National Park
Zion National Park is situated in Southwestern Utah, just a 2.5 hours drive from Las Vegas. Known for its slot canyons, towering sandstone cliffs, and the thrilling Angel’s Landing hike, it is no wonder Zion gets more than 5 million visitors per year! Many visitors do not prepare for these crazy crowded conditions, especially when visiting during the busy season. Click here to read about my 2-day solo adventure to Zion National Park.
Keep reading for my top tips to get the most out of your Zion experience by avoiding crowds, going at the right time, and hidden treasures surrounding the park!
Tips to Avoid Crowds at Zion National Park
No. 1 Visit During Zion’s Off-Season
The best time to visit Zion National Parks to avoid crowds is from late October to March (December-February is ideal).
Even during this time, you will by no means have the park to yourself. However, you will be able to avoid long shuttle lines, crowded trails, and extreme heat conditions.
The Shuttle system at Zion is super convenient, however, it’s also pretty awesome to be able to drive your car into Zion Canyon, which you are not able to do during the busy season.
I visited Zion the last weekend in October (read about my first solo adventure at Zion here), and the park’s campgrounds were full, and I didn’t go a few minutes on a trail without seeing anyone.
Avoiding the crowds at Zion National Park can be tricky, but even with all the people, it is such a beautiful and majestic place to be. There will be a lot of like-minded people and chances to make connections.
Extra Tips to Avoid Zion’s Crowds- During the Busy Season
- Do popular hikes on weekdays
- Start early or late.
- Be on the first shuttle to your hike, especially hikes like Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. Traffic decreases at about 4:00 pm, just make sure you don’t miss the shuttle (No cell service in Zion Canyon)!
- On weekends, do less popular or lesser-known hikes
- Get to the visitor’s center as early as possible (6:00 am) for a parking spot when the shuttle runs. Sleep in your car, get ready, etc while waiting for the first shuttle.
The ice formations are the best part of going to Zion in the Winter! On the Riverside Walk, the water running down the cliff was like a frozen waterfall, making a beautiful dripping sound effect in the movie of my life.
So you are there during the off-season or busy season, and still want some solitude? Below are the best ways to avoid crowds at Zion National Park. Activities, hikes, locations, and campsites!
No. 2 Candy Cliffs / Yant Flats Hike
I cannot recommend this hike enough. It will take you to another planet! The trailhead is about an hour’s drive from the Zion National Park entrance. The final 8-ish miles will be slow and bumpy (be careful about rainfall and muddy roads), and there is a small parking area.
You will walk about 1.5 (3-miles round trip) miles through a desert forest, with mountain views, beautiful foliage, and many bird sightings.
This hike beats any of the Zion Hikes and Views, plus you will avoid Zion’s Crowds. There were only two other cars there when we visited in early January.
You will be questioning if this trail will lead you to where you think you’re going. Then all of the sudden, there it is. The weirdest, most beautiful rocky rolling hills. There is PLENTY of space to find some privacy. Take your shoes off, frolick around, and enjoy the spectacular views. Sadly we arrived at the Candy Cliffs with one phone at 5%, so I didn’t get a lot of good photos and was hesitant to walk around.
Bonus:
There are dispersed camping sites on this road that you will pass on your way to the trail (if heading there from Zion/ Springdale direction). Shoot for a nighttime hike and stay right on site!
No. 3 Sand Hollow State Park
Just a 45-minute drive from Zion, Sand Hollow State Park allows you to enjoy beautiful Utah outdoors while escaping the crowds at Zion. Here you can bike, hike, swim, camp, boat, and cliff jump! They even have ATV, paddleboards, Kayak, and more rentals on sight!
Day Pass
$15- Resident Vehicle
$20- Non-Resident Vehicle
No. 4 Camp off the Grid to Avoid Crowds at Zion
The campgrounds at Zion National Park are usually full, and you may have to book a spot MONTHS in advance. I stayed at Watchman Campground at the end of October 2021, and I was only able to get a spot for two of my three nights there. In addition, it got a little rowdy on a Saturday night. If this isn’t your scene, or you are just wanting to experience a less busy version of Zion, I highly recommend dispersed camping!
Dispersed Camping is camping on National Forest, BLM, or state/national land. It is usually FREE! However, it is first come first serve, and there are little to no services. The Dyrt is a great resource for finding dispersed campsites, including reviews.
Dispersed Camping Locations to Avoid the Crowd at Zion National Park
1. Hurricane Cliffs Recreation Area- 24 Minutes from Zion National Park
Staying here was a highlight of our trip to Zion National Park. Visiting in January, we basically had the area to ourselves. The road was a little bumpy, but manageable. We were able to have a fire, beautiful views of Zion-esque rocks, and had a fire!
2. Leeds Canyon Dispersed Camping – 45m from Zion National Park
3. Sheep Bridge BLM Area– 25m from Zion National Park
Camping Rentals Near Zion National Park
- Las Vegas- Base Camp Outdoor Gear Rental
- St. George- Dixie State University
- Springdale/ Virgin- Zion Camping Rental
- Showers- Zion Outfitters (near Zion Springdale Entrance) $4 per 5-minute shower (accepts credit cards). Clean and hot!
- Rent a Camper Van!
No. 5 Kolob Canyon – The Less Crowded but Just as Beautiful Area of Zion
Another great way to avoid the crowds at Zion National Park is to visit this less popular area of it. Kolob Canyon is the Northwest portion of Zion National Park. It is a 45-minute drive from Zion’s main entrance (in Springdale).
There is a small visitors center, and much less parking than in Zion. Kolob Canyon hosts a 5-mile scenic drive, as well as some badass hikes!
I still recommend getting there early (before 10:00 am, and on a weekday) for optimum solitude. I hiked the Taylor Creek trail to a natural Alcove, and it was an energizing, fairly easy hike, just taking a few hours!
Kolob Canyon provides beautiful peaks, panoramic views, and the same lovely orange rock glow of Zion National Park, plus a much smaller crowd.
Note: Kolob Canyon is subject to closures in the winter. Check ahead of time to make sure it’s open!
No. 6 Go Somewhere Else
Nearby Bryce Canyon National Park has views that compete with, if not match Zions! Take a 1.5 hour drive to Hoodoo Heaven!
Otherwise, do a complete 360 and head to the epic Badlands National Park in South Dakota!
The advice above will help you to avoid the crowds at Zion National Park. In addition to these tips, I recommend searching AllTrails (All Trails will plant a tree for every person who signs up with this link!) and doing some research for other great things to do in the area.
Even stopping at the less-popular shuttle stops in Zion, such as Big Bend, will help you find some solitude.
In summary, avoid the crowds at Zion National Park by choosing the best time to go, arriving early or late, taking advantage of dispersed camping, choosing less popular hikes, visiting surrounding state parks and hikes, and checking out Kolob Canyon!
Don’t let the crowds scare you away!
Have you been to Zion? What was your favorite part? Did the crowds impact your journey?
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5 responses to “How to Avoid Crowds at Zion National Park: 5 Pro Tips to Get all the Views and No Bullshit”
Great tips here – Zion is so crowded these days. I was last there in May 2021 with my MIL who doesn’t hike, so were just passing through along the Mt Carmel Highway and could hardly find a spot to pull over to snap a picture!
Both National Parks are amazing and must-see! I would love to do some more hiking there.
these are great ideas! now that travel is starting to open up they’re definitely gonna come in handy in avoiding the crowd situation.
I have never been there but can only imagine how busy this park gets in peak months, given how beautiful it is. I love your side-by-side photos of the same canyon in October and then in winter. The “frozen waterfalls’ also look so cool.
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