How Far is Las Vegas to Zion National Park?
Zion National Park is 158 miles from Las Vegas — a straightforward 2.5-hour drive north on I-15, then east on UT-9 through the town of Springdale. There are no mountain passes or tricky roads, making this one of the most accessible national park day trips in the American Southwest.
| Starting Point | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 158 miles | ~2.5 hours |
| St. George, UT | 47 miles | ~45 minutes |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 309 miles | ~4.5 hours |
| Phoenix, AZ | 366 miles | ~5.5 hours |
The drive itself is scenic — the red cliffs begin appearing well before you reach Springdale. Stop in St. George for gas and snacks; it's the last major town before the park. Pro tip: fill up in St. George. Springdale is tourist-priced.
Best Day Trips from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Zion is fully doable as a day trip from Las Vegas, though two nights in Springdale lets you hit the park's best trails without rushing. Here are the top hikes ranked by difficulty:
The most iconic hike in Zion. Final half-mile uses chains bolted into rock. Permit required ($6/person).
🔒 Permit requiredWalk up the Virgin River through 2,000-foot canyon walls. No permit needed for the bottom-up route. Rent canyoneering boots in Springdale.
✓ No permit neededThree tiers of pools and waterfalls connected by well-maintained trail. Lower Pool (1.2mi) is stroller-friendly.
✓ No permit neededBest sunset hike in Zion. Starts at the Visitor Center. Sweeping views of the canyon entrance and Watchman Tower.
✓ No permit neededShort, stunning. Trailhead is just off the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway tunnel. Great for families and first-timers.
✓ No permit neededWeekend Itinerary: Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Day 1: Drive & Arrival
Leave Las Vegas by 7 AM to beat checkout traffic on I-15. The drive takes about 2.5 hours. Check into your hotel in Springdale — most are within walking distance of the park shuttle stop. Spend the afternoon at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to get oriented, then hike the Watchman Trail (3.3 miles) for sunset views over the canyon entrance. Dinner in Springdale at Oscar's Cafe or Bit & Spur.
Day 2: Full Day in Zion
Start early. Take the park shuttle to The Grotto and hike Angels Landing (permit required — book months in advance on recreation.gov). If you don't have a permit, hike to Scout Lookout instead (no permit needed for the lower section). Afternoon: cool off at Emerald Pools (Lower and Middle are easy; Upper is moderate). Golden hour at the Human History Museum overlook.
Day 3: The Narrows & Drive Home
Wake up early and head to The Narrows (shuttle stop: Temple of Sinawava). Rent canyoneering boots and a dry bag the night before in Springdale — the river water is cold year-round. Hike as far as you like; most day visitors turn around at Orderville Canyon (3.5 miles in). Drive back to Las Vegas by early afternoon.
Zion National Park Permits from Las Vegas
Most trails in Zion don't require permits, but two popular routes do:
- Angels Landing Permit — Required for the final chains section. Lottery-based via recreation.gov. Seasonal lottery runs in January/February for spring dates; same-week lotteries open 3 days prior. Cost: $6/person (plus park entry fee).
- The Narrows Overnight Permit — Required only for top-down through hikes. Bottom-up day hikes need no permit.
- Zion Park Entry Fee — $35/vehicle for a 7-day pass. Free with America the Beautiful (National Parks) Pass ($80/year).
Planning trips to multiple parks on your Las Vegas road trip? Check permit availability for Angels Landing, The Enchantments, Half Dome, and 20+ other destinations at recreation.gov.
What Airport is Closest to Zion National Park?
If you're flying rather than driving from Las Vegas, here are your airport options:
| Airport | Code | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George Regional (best option) | SGU | 47 miles | ~45 min |
| Las Vegas Harry Reid International | LAS | 158 miles | ~2.5 hrs |
| Salt Lake City International | SLC | 309 miles | ~4.5 hrs |
| Provo Municipal | PVU | 262 miles | ~3.5 hrs |
St. George Regional (SGU) is the closest airport to Zion at 47 miles. Flights are available from major hubs including Salt Lake City, Denver, Dallas, and Los Angeles, though selection is limited. Las Vegas (LAS) has far more flight options and competitive fares — renting a car and driving is often cheaper and faster than connecting through SGU.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
Springdale, UT (Best Option)
Springdale sits at the Zion Canyon entrance — you can walk or ride a free shuttle to the park from most hotels. Prices are higher than surrounding towns but the convenience is worth it, especially if you want early morning trailhead access. Book 3–6 months ahead for summer weekends.
St. George, UT (Budget-Friendly)
47 miles from Zion's south entrance, St. George has every chain hotel at half the Springdale price. Good base if you're doing multiple days and don't want to pay Springdale rates every night. Add 45 minutes each way to your driving day.
Kanab, UT (Multi-Park Base)
45 miles from Zion's east entrance via UT-9, Kanab is perfectly placed between Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Ideal if you're doing the full Utah national parks loop. See our Utah National Parks Road Trip guide.
Camping Inside Zion
Watchman Campground (near the Visitor Center, reservable) and South Campground (first-come) are both excellent. Book Watchman on recreation.gov 6 months in advance — it fills instantly for summer weekends.
Best Time to Visit Zion National Park from Las Vegas
Best all-around. Temps 55–80°F, wildflowers in April, Virgin River running strong. Crowds building by late May. Book accommodations early.
Peak crowds and brutal heat (100°F+). Start before 7 AM. The Narrows is the best hot-day hike — the river keeps you cool. Avoid midday canyon hikes.
The sweet spot. Cottonwoods turn gold in October, crowds thin after Labor Day, temps drop to 65–85°F. The Narrows narrows season ends November.
Fewest crowds, dramatic snow-dusted red walls. Angels Landing chain section may be icy. Emerald Pools trail is often closed. Temp 30–55°F.
Bottom line: If you're planning a Las Vegas to Zion day trip or weekend, aim for April, May, September, or October. You'll have better weather, manageable crowds, and more permit availability for Angels Landing.
Ready to plan your full Utah trip? Zion pairs perfectly with Bryce Canyon (90 min east) and Capitol Reef (2.5 hrs north). See our complete Utah National Parks Road Trip itinerary for a 5-day loop covering Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
