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Introduction To Visiting Zion National Park

Zion National Park has 299 square miles of red sandstone cliffs, stunning canyons, dense green forests, and the rushing Virgin River. The park is located in the state of Utah, about an hour and thirty minutes from Bryce Canyon and two hours from Antelope Canyon.

Among all the amazing things to do in greater Zion, there are many accessible activities. There are two Zion hiking trails, narrated tram rides, farm-to-table dining, accessible campsites, and more!

Zion National Park’s public restrooms, museums, visitor center, and shuttle buses are built with accessibility in mind. Their website also mentions that service dogs are, of course, welcomed on leashes in the park.

You can find more details on Zion’s accessibility and a video about wheelchair accessibility on the Zion National Park webpage.

Zion Park Shuttle Bus

Between mid-February and late November, private vehicles aren’t allowed in the canyon. Visitors can explore Zion Canyon by the complimentary Zion Canyon shuttle bus. This was put in place to reduce traffic in the park for conservation reasons. You can find the shuttle schedule here.

The shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible, however, if you need additional equipment or have other reasons to use your own vehicle, you can apply for a special permit. The permits can be acquired from the Visitor Information Center in person.

Zion National Park Entrance Fee

Zion National Park is included in the annual “America the Beautiful” national park pass, more on that below. Otherwise, you can pay for a vehicle pass at the park entrances. The single pass is valid for up to seven days after purchase. You’ll have to show the pass each time you enter, and losing it requires you to purchase a new one.

You can find updated prices and information here.

Disabled travelers can gain free entrance through the National Park Service Access Pass. The National Parks Access Pass allows permanently disabled visitors to gain free admission to all national parks.

Vision Impairment

Zion has a large print brochure and an audio-described brochure for vision impairment. You can find the audio description at the bottom of their accessibility page.

15 Amazing Accessible Activities in Zion National Park, USA

Below are 15 unique things to do in Zion National Park, complete with accessibility information.

1. Camp Overnight at Watchman Campground

Camping in Zion National Park means waking up in the beautiful forest with red cliffs towering around you. The Watchman Campground is near Zion’s south entrance with great views of the famous “Watchman” cliffs. Aside from its scenery, Watchman Campground also puts on special activities and events that are posted daily on its bulletin board.

There are 176 Zion campsites in total. 95 have electrical hookups for RVs or campers. There are seven standard accessible sites and two accessible group sites. The washrooms nearby are also built with accessibility in mind.

Campsite B56 has a beach access route next to it, where mobility devices can get through to the Virgin River. However, due to flooding, the concrete pathway now has a step at the end of it, so keep that in mind.

The campsite is open year-round and is really popular. I recommend booking your campsite as soon as registration opens six months in advance. You can book your campsite online here.

2. Hike Pa’rus Trail

Hiking is one of the top Zion activities. The Pa’rus trail is a 1.5-mile paved pathway with incredible views of the Watchman cliffs in Zion Canyon. The trail leaves from the visitor center and connects with Canyon Junction. The trail is wide with very minimal elevation along the way and it is wheelchair-accessible. There are information signs along the edges of the trail and lots of spaces to stop and enjoy the view and get some amazing photos for your social media.

3. The Zion Visitor Center

Zion's visitor center is more than a logistical stop. They have exhibits that detail the geology and wildlife of the park. It is a great way to learn about everything you are seeing or are about to see in the park. Park Rangers are available if you have questions or want details on the national park’s history.

The visitor center also has a souvenir shop and picnic tables outside. They play an introduction video about the park throughout their opening hours, so I always recommend visiting here as your first stop in Zion.

The Zion Visitor Center is open:

8 am - 5 pm during winter and spring
8 am - 6 pm during fall
8 am - 8 pm during summer

4. Ride the Narrated Tram

Another activity to add to your Zion to do list is riding the narrated tram. Zion’s narrated tram perfectly combines incredible scenery and expert knowledge from local park rangers on a Zion Canyon scenic drive. The trams run from Zion Lodge, north to the Temple of Sinawa. They are available from spring to fall, and you can find the daily schedule here.

5. Lower Emerald Pools

The Emerald Pools are amongst the greatest gems in Zion. They are one of the top Zion attractions and with good reason. They’re stunningly beautiful. There are three pools and the lower one is semi-accessible to those with limited mobility. The trail to the lowest pool is 1.2 miles roundtrip. It is paved and relatively flat. It can be a great activity for those with assistance and some mobility.

While the Lower Emerald Pool may work for some, it is not recommended for those in wheelchairs. The path is narrow and sandy. There are grades that reach up to 24% with 19% cross slope without guard rails.

6. Go Stargazing

Zion National Park is a designated dark sky reserve. That means it is one of the best places in the world for viewing the stars because of its lack of light pollution. When combined with the red cliffs in Zion Canyon, the stargazing is particularly special.

There are stargazing tours available, or if you are staying inside the park at the Zion Lodge or Watchman Campground, just step outside!

Click Here For Tickets To Zion Stargazing Tours

7. Visit the Spotted Dog for Farm-to-Table Dining

The Spotted Dog is one of the best restaurants near Zion National Park because of its fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The restaurant is in Springdale, the nearest town to Zion. Their outdoor patio has extraordinary views of Zion’s canyon walls and jagged cliffs. The food is plated beautifully and tastes delicious.

You can make reservations at the Spotted Dog here.

8. Visit Zion’s Human History Museum

Zion’s Human History Museum is the best place to learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, and early settlements. The early inhabitants were closely connected to the local environment, and the museum highlights how they survived.

There are daily talks given by Park Rangers at the museum that are both engaging and informative. They are free with entrance to Zion National Park, and the schedule is posted in the visitor center and museum daily.

9. Go Shopping in Springdale

If you’re looking for things to do near Zion, check out Springdale. Springdale is the closest town to Zion, only 8 minutes from the park entrance. The town is bustling with Zion tourists, dozens of shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Some of the best things to do in Springdale include:

10. Experience the Bed and Breakfast at Zion Lodge

Zion Lodge is the only hotel located inside the park limits. There are extraordinary views of the canyon walls just outside the hotel windows. Four of the hotel rooms are considered completely ADA-accessible.

The lodge has scheduled activities available, like stargazing, the narrated tram, and park ranger programs. This is the most popular place to stay in Zion National Park, so I recommend booking as far in advance as possible (at least six months in advance)

You can learn more about Zion Lodge and book your stay here.

11. Drive Through the Zion Tunnel

Zion’s Mount Carmel Tunnel is 1.1 miles long and carved right through a mountain. The tunnel is by the east entrance to the park, where many people drive in from Bryce Canyon. It is an incredible engineering feat and makes for great photos.

There is a small parking lot on the eastern side where you can stop and take pictures of the impressive tunnel and its surrounding scenery.

12. Have a Picnic in the Park

Zion National Park has three beautiful picnic areas. In fact, they’re some of the best places in Zion National Park:

Visitor Center Picnic Area - The picnic area has great views of the canyon walls, compact gravel surfaces, and extended tables. There is an accessible bathroom nearby.
Grotto Picnic Area - The Grotto is deeper into the park at stop #6 of the shuttle. It is a lovely shaded area with great views.
Kolob Canyons Picnic Area - This picnic area is in a separate part of the park by the Kolob visitor center. Kolob Canyons is an hour's drive from the main canyon and is known for its tall rock spires.

13. Experience Kolob Canyons’ Scenic Drive

The Kolob Canyons scenic drive is a 5-mile stretch of road with several pull-offs to admire the landscape. It is known for its views over the Colorado Plateau, rocky spires, and distant arches.

Kolob Canyons has a separate park entrance about one hour away from Zion’s main canyon. It is included in the same park entry pass as the rest of the park. Make sure to stop at the Kolob visitor center, where you’ll be surrounded by tall canyon walls.

14. Take the 55-mile Helicopter Tour

One of the best ways to see Zion’s unique landscape is from above. Helicopter tours are one of the best things to do in Zion, and the 55-mile tour offers wheelchair accessibility.

The helicopter tour covers 55 miles of the park, flying over the Kolob Canyons, the Smith Mesa, and the Canaan Mountains. Tours depart from Zion Helicopter’s office and last 30 minutes. This is also a great activity if you want to avoid the crowds inside Zion Canyon.

Click Here To Book The Zion Helicopter Tour

15. Take Part in a Ranger Program

Zion National Park offers free Ranger Programs for all ages. The programs are an interactive way to learn more about the park’s geology, wildlife, and history. Daily patio talks take place at the visitor center plaza and last about 20 to 30 minutes. There are also special ranger-led shuttle bus tours in the summer that take two hours and include special shuttle stops. The shuttle bus program is very popular, so make sure to visit the visitor center to reserve your spot three days in advance.

Finally, there are evening talks held at the Watchman Campground amphitheater that are fully accessible. The talks cover a range of topics, typically highlighting the ranger’s favorite stories about Zion National Park. You can find the topics and times for the talk posted on the Watchman bulletin board daily.

Best Time to Visit Zion National Park

Zion National Park’s peak season is during the summer between June and September. That’s why I recommend visiting during the spring and fall seasons when the temperatures are still nice and activities are open, but there are fewer crowds. Even in these shoulder seasons, accommodations will fill up quickly. You should also avoid summer if you struggle with hot weather because it can get up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Winter is the best time to visit Zion Canyon if you want to avoid the crowds completely. The temperatures will be around 50 - 60 degrees F, and there is occasionally light snow covering the red landscape.

Best Places to Stay in Zion National Park

When visiting Zion, you have three options for where to stay. You can stay inside Zion National Park, nearby in the closest town of Springdale, or the Kolob Canyons area of the park. You can choose from amazing camping options, hotels, or unique glamping stays in any of these areas.

Staying inside Zion National Park is great for being right in the action, surrounded by the towering red canyon walls. The park is also a designated dark sky reserve, so the stargazing is another highlight.

Springdale is only 8 minutes away from Zion and has a large variety of places to stay. There are shops, markets, galleries, and activities to do in Springdale as well. A shuttle runs through town to bring visitors into Zion multiple times a day. If you can’t get accommodation in Zion or want access to more amenities, Springdale is a great option.

Finally, the Kolob Canyons area is a separate area of Zion, about an hour from the main canyon. Kolob Canyons is a more rugged and remote area and is great for escaping the crowds. There is backcountry camping and other places to stay nearby.

Final Thoughts on Zion National Park Accessibility

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to what to do in Zion. Overall, I’d say that Zion National Park is a fantastic place to visit if you are looking for accessible activities. Not only are all the facilities like public washrooms and picnic areas built to accommodate, but there are also walking trails, helicopter rides, ranger programs, accessible camping, and more accessible activities in Zion National Park.

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