Zion was Utah's first national park (1919) and remains the state's most-visited, roughly 4.5 million people a year funnel into a narrow Navajo sandstone canyon carved by the Virgin River. The signature drive runs from the gateway town of Springdale up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive past the Court of the Patriarchs, the Zion Lodge, and the Temple of Sinawava trailhead at the mouth of the Narrows. From March through November the scenic drive is closed to private cars and runs on a free shuttle system. Through-trips to the East Entrance run on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and its 1.1-mile tunnel, and since June 7, 2026 that highway is closed between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance to vehicles over 35′9″ long, 7′10″ wide, 11′4″ tall, or 50,000 lb. From I-15 the practical access is Exit 16 at La Verkin: 22 paved miles east on UT-9 puts you at the gate.
- Utah's first national park (designated 1919)
- Approximately 4.5 million visitors per year, fourth-most visited US national park
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles March through November (free shuttle)
- Since June 7, 2026 the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is closed between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance to vehicles over 35′9″ long, 7′10″ wide, 11′4″ tall, or 50,000 lb
- Elevation ranges from 3,666 ft at the south entrance to 8,726 ft at Horse Ranch Mountain
