Springdale, Utah: The Gateway Town to Zion National Park
Springdale is the town at Zion’s South Entrance and where most visitors sleep. A free town shuttle runs to the pedestrian entrance, where you change onto the separate Zion Canyon shuttle, which is the only way up the Scenic Drive in season. The visitor centre lot fills by around 6:15 AM, so parking in town is the reliable plan.
Where Springdale sits
Springdale is the town immediately outside Zion's South Entrance, strung along a single road with the canyon walls rising straight off the back of it. It is where almost everyone visiting Zion sleeps, eats and rents gear, because the only lodging inside the park is Zion Lodge and it books out far ahead.
The two shuttles, which catch people out
Zion runs two shuttles and they are not the same one. The Springdale town shuttle carries you along the town to the pedestrian entrance. You walk through the entrance, then board the Zion Canyon shuttle, which is the only way up the Scenic Drive for most of the year. Plan the change, and plan for both to have a queue in the middle of the day.
| Springdale town shuttle | Zion Canyon shuttle | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | The length of Springdale to the pedestrian entrance | Inside the park, up Zion Canyon Scenic Drive |
| Cost | Free | Free with park entry |
| You need it for | Getting to the park without parking | Reaching every canyon trailhead in season |
| They are | Two separate systems. You change at the pedestrian entrance | Two separate systems |
Parking, and the time that decides your morning
The Zion Canyon Visitor Center lot fills early. Our three-day Zion itinerary has you parked there by 6:15 AM for that reason. Miss it and the answer is not to circle: park in Springdale and ride the town shuttle in. Several Springdale lots charge for the day, which is still cheaper than losing the morning.
Renting Narrows gear in town
The Narrows is a river walk, and in cold water you want the kit. Springdale outfitters including Zion Adventure Company and Zion Outfitters rent a Narrows package: neoprene socks, sticky-soled canyon boots and a wooden walking stick. Pick it up the evening before rather than on the morning you want to be on the first shuttle.
Using Springdale as a base
Three days from Springdale covers Angels Landing, The Narrows and the east rim without moving hotels. Angels Landing is a permit lottery, so enter it before you book anything else, and keep Scout Lookout as the backup: it is the same climb minus the chains, with no permit and most of the view. If you are coming from Nevada, our Las Vegas to Zion road trip covers the 160-mile drive and where to stop.
Springdale, Utah: The Gateway Town to Zion National Park FAQs
Yes. Springdale sits immediately outside Zion’s South Entrance, with the canyon walls rising behind it. It holds most of the lodging, restaurants and outfitters used by Zion visitors, because the only accommodation inside the park itself is Zion Lodge.
Take the free Springdale town shuttle to the pedestrian entrance, walk through, then board the Zion Canyon shuttle inside the park. They are two separate systems and you change between them. You can also walk or cycle in from the north end of town.
Not for most of the year. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles during the shuttle season, so the canyon shuttle is the only way to reach the Grotto, Zion Lodge, the Narrows trailhead at the Temple of Sinawava and the rest of the canyon stops.
The Zion Canyon Visitor Center lot is the one inside the park and it fills early, often by around 6:15 AM in season. If it is full, park in Springdale, where several lots charge for the day, and ride the free town shuttle to the pedestrian entrance rather than circling for a space.
Outfitters in town, including Zion Adventure Company and Zion Outfitters, rent a Narrows package of neoprene socks, sticky-soled canyon boots and a walking stick. Collect it the evening before if you want to be on an early shuttle, since the shops are busy first thing.
Three. That covers Angels Landing, The Narrows and the east rim from one hotel without moving. Enter the Angels Landing permit lottery before you book the room, and keep Scout Lookout in mind as the no-permit alternative: the same climb without the chained section, and most of the same view.
