How to Get to Zion National Park
Just 42 miles and 45 minutes from St. George. Complete directions, route options, and driving tips for visiting one of America's most spectacular national parks.
Quick Facts
Distance from St. George: 42 miles (68 km) northeast
Drive Time: 45 minutes under normal conditions
Address: 1 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, UT 84767
GPS: 37.2982° N, 112.9789° W
Two Entrances: South (Springdale) — main entrance; East (Mt. Carmel) — scenic tunnel route
Main Route: I-15 N (Exit 16) → UT-9 E through Hurricane & La Verkin
Driving Directions
From St. George
Distance
42 miles
Drive Time
45 minutes
Route Type
South Entrance
Step-by-Step:
1. From downtown St. George, head north on I-15
2. Take Exit 16 toward Hurricane/Kolob
3. Merge onto UT-9 East (Zion Park Boulevard)
4. Continue through Hurricane (7 miles from exit)
5. Pass through La Verkin
6. Continue on UT-9 through scenic areas
7. Arrive at Springdale, the gateway town
8. Enter Zion National Park South Entrance
1. From downtown St. George, head north on I-15
2. Take Exit 16 toward Hurricane/Kolob
3. Merge onto UT-9 East (Zion Park Boulevard)
4. Continue through Hurricane (7 miles from exit)
5. Pass through La Verkin
6. Continue on UT-9 through scenic areas
7. Arrive at Springdale, the gateway town
8. Enter Zion National Park South Entrance
Key Notes: Most straightforward route. Access to Visitor Center, canyon shuttle, and main attractions. Springdale offers hotels, restaurants, and parking.
From Las Vegas
Distance
170 miles
Drive Time
2.5 hours
Route Type
South Entrance
Step-by-Step:
1. From Las Vegas, take I-15 North
2. Pass through Mesquite, Nevada
3. Continue toward St. George (approximately 120 miles)
4. Take Exit 16 toward Hurricane/Kolob
5. Merge onto UT-9 East (Zion Park Boulevard)
6. Follow same route as St. George: through Hurricane, La Verkin
7. Arrive at Springdale and South Entrance
1. From Las Vegas, take I-15 North
2. Pass through Mesquite, Nevada
3. Continue toward St. George (approximately 120 miles)
4. Take Exit 16 toward Hurricane/Kolob
5. Merge onto UT-9 East (Zion Park Boulevard)
6. Follow same route as St. George: through Hurricane, La Verkin
7. Arrive at Springdale and South Entrance
Key Notes: Popular visitor route from southern Nevada. Consider breaking the drive with a meal stop in St. George. I-15 N is well-maintained and straightforward.
From Salt Lake City
Distance
308 miles
Drive Time
4.5 hours
Route Type
South Entrance
Step-by-Step:
1. From Salt Lake City, take I-15 South
2. Merge toward Spanish Fork and Provo
3. Continue I-15 South through Fillmore and Cedar City
4. Pass through St. George area (approximately 250 miles from SLC)
5. Take Exit 16 toward Hurricane/Kolob
6. Merge onto UT-9 East (Zion Park Boulevard)
7. Follow through Hurricane and La Verkin to South Entrance
1. From Salt Lake City, take I-15 South
2. Merge toward Spanish Fork and Provo
3. Continue I-15 South through Fillmore and Cedar City
4. Pass through St. George area (approximately 250 miles from SLC)
5. Take Exit 16 toward Hurricane/Kolob
6. Merge onto UT-9 East (Zion Park Boulevard)
7. Follow through Hurricane and La Verkin to South Entrance
Key Notes: Scenic drive through Utah. Consider stopping in Cedar City (Red Canyon viewpoint, Kolob scenic areas nearby). I-15 is major highway with ample services.
From East Side / Kanab
Distance
40 miles
Drive Time
1 hour
Route Type
East Entrance
Step-by-Step:
1. From Kanab or East Side Arizona, take US-89 North
2. Continue through scenic southern Utah landscape
3. Turn onto UT-9 West at Mt. Carmel Junction
4. Approach the famous 1.1-mile Mt. Carmel Tunnel
5. Note: Check vehicle height restrictions (max 11 ft 4 in without permit)
6. Exit tunnel to East Entrance of Zion National Park
7. Continue west into park to reach main attractions
1. From Kanab or East Side Arizona, take US-89 North
2. Continue through scenic southern Utah landscape
3. Turn onto UT-9 West at Mt. Carmel Junction
4. Approach the famous 1.1-mile Mt. Carmel Tunnel
5. Note: Check vehicle height restrictions (max 11 ft 4 in without permit)
6. Exit tunnel to East Entrance of Zion National Park
7. Continue west into park to reach main attractions
Key Notes: Less crowded alternative entrance. Scenic Mt. Carmel Tunnel is iconic. Reverse route of main park scenic drive. Fewer amenities on East Side; stock supplies before tunnel.
Park Entrances
South Entrance
Springdale
Main entrance with Visitor Center, shuttle hub, and access to famous Zion Canyon trails. Most visited and well-developed entrance.
✓ Visitor Center
✓ Shuttle System
✓ Trail Access
✓ Amenities
East Entrance
Mt. Carmel Junction
Scenic drive through iconic 1.1-mile tunnel. Less crowded alternative with East Side access. Vehicle size restrictions apply.
✓ Scenic Tunnel
✓ Fewer Crowds
✓ East Side Trails
⚠ Limited Amenities
Nearest Airports
St. George Regional (SGU)
Distance: 42 miles
Drive Time: 45 minutes to Zion
Airlines: American, Delta, United
Best for: Closest to Zion, small regional airport
Harry Reid Las Vegas (LAS)
Distance: 170 miles
Drive Time: 2.5 hours to Zion
Airlines: All major carriers, cheapest flights
Best for: Best prices, most flight options
Salt Lake City (SLC)
Distance: 308 miles
Drive Time: 4.5 hours to Zion
Airlines: Major hub, many options
Best for: Scenic drive, mountain views, Utah exploration
Shuttle System
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle
Mandatory: March through November (off-season: February and December allow private vehicles; January is winter-only shuttle service)
Cost: FREE with park entry fee
Frequency: Buses run every 7–10 minutes during peak hours
Boarding: At Visitor Center or Springdale town stops
Access: Only way to reach popular Zion Canyon trailheads (The Narrows, Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock) during peak season. No private vehicles allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive past Visitor Center.
Seasonal Driving Tips
Spring (Mar–May)
- Occasional UT-9 closures for mudslides
- Wildflowers bloom, pleasant weather
- Arrive early (before 8 AM) for parking
- Shuttle system active, mandatory
Summer (Jun–Aug)
- Peak tourist season, very crowded
- Arrive by 7 AM to guarantee parking
- Extreme heat in canyon; bring water
- Shuttle lines long; expect waits
Fall (Sep–Nov)
- Ideal driving conditions, lower crowds
- Shuttle still active early September
- Autumn colors in foliage, pleasant temps
- Arrive by 8–9 AM for good parking
Winter (Dec–Feb)
- UT-9 may have ice/snow closures
- Chains required on vehicle tires if wet/snowy
- Fewer crowds, private vehicle access
- Check road conditions before driving
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Zion from St. George?
Zion National Park is approximately 42 miles (68 km) northeast of St. George via I-15 North and UT-9 East. The drive takes about 45 minutes under normal conditions. Take I-15 North to Exit 16, then follow UT-9 East through Hurricane and La Verkin to reach the South Entrance near Springdale.
How far is Zion from Las Vegas?
Zion National Park is approximately 170 miles (274 km) northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. The drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic and exact starting location. From Las Vegas, take I-15 North toward St. George, then follow the same St. George route: Exit 16 to UT-9 East through Hurricane and La Verkin to Springdale and the South Entrance.
What is the address of Zion National Park?
Zion National Park Visitor Center is located at 1 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, Utah 84767. The park itself doesn't have a street address, but the Visitor Center serves as the main hub. GPS coordinates are approximately 37.2982° N, 112.9789° W. For navigation, use "Zion National Park Visitor Center, Springdale, Utah" or the park's official location in your GPS.
Which entrance to Zion should I use?
Most visitors use the South Entrance near Springdale, which is the main entrance with the Visitor Center, shuttle system hub, and access to Zion Canyon. It's the most popular and well-developed entrance. The East Entrance (Mt. Carmel Junction) is an alternative that provides a scenic drive through the famous Mt. Carmel Tunnel (1.1 miles) and is less crowded. Choose South for first-time visits and main attractions; choose East for scenic drives and fewer crowds.
Is there a shuttle to Zion from St. George?
No direct shuttle service operates from St. George to Zion. However, many St. George hotels offer shuttle services to the park, and tour companies provide transportation from St. George. Inside Zion, the free Canyon Scenic Drive shuttle is mandatory March–November. For group travel from St. George, contact local tour operators or ride-sharing services.
Can I drive through Zion National Park?
Yes, you can drive through Zion National Park, but with restrictions. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (UT-9) is the primary scenic drive crossing the park. March–November, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (past the Visitor Center) is closed to private vehicles; only free shuttle buses are allowed. The East Side scenic drive (past the tunnel to the East Entrance) allows private vehicles year-round. Winter months allow some private vehicle access in Zion Canyon.
What are the vehicle restrictions in the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel?
Vehicles over 11 feet 4 inches tall (including roof racks, antennas, and cargo carriers), over 7 feet 10 inches wide, or over 40 feet long require permit escorts through the 1.1-mile Mt. Carmel Tunnel on the East Side. These oversized vehicles must drive through with oncoming traffic closed (permits cost $15). Most standard vehicles and RVs pass through without restrictions, but check your vehicle dimensions beforehand.
When is the best time to arrive at Zion to avoid crowds?
Arrive by 7:00 AM during peak season (March–November) to avoid parking issues and shuttle lines. The parking lot at the Visitor Center often fills by mid-morning on busy days. Winter (December–February) sees fewer visitors and no shuttle requirements, making early morning less critical. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends. Spring and fall are busier than summer due to optimal weather, so plan accordingly.