Enjoy Zion Park This Fall

Admission fees at many US national parks will be waived on Sept 25, which is Public Lands Day, and on Nov 11, which is Veterans Day. The free days are being offered to encourage people to visit our parks during fall – the shoulder season when most people have returned from vacations and are staying home, getting kids in school, watching football games and preparing for cold weather.

Fall is a great time to visit national parks, for many reasons. Zion Park, in particular, is attractive in the fall. We invite you to visit Zion during the coming weeks.

Zion happens to be my favorite place on earth and I've toured, hiked and camped there during every month of the year. The late September through early October period is my favorite time to visit the park. The weather is still warm and usually dry, crowds are down and the park is incredibly beautiful, as cottonwood trees along the Virgin River blaze yellow against the dark water and red cliffs. Below I describe some of my favorite fall activities.

We’ve just added some Itineraries to help you plan your trip to Zion National Park.

Favorite Activities
Auto touring is enjoyable year-round in Zion. Many tourists drive the park’s paved roads or ride the shuttle and stop at prime spots to take photos. Some of the best photo spots in Zion are located right along the road, or at the end of short, easy hikes.

September is still summer at Zion, which is located at a low elevation (compared to the rest of Utah). Daytime temperatures are hot, making it delightful to hike into the Zion Narrows (the most popular hike in the park), and do other canyoneering hikes like The Subway. Nights start to cool off nicely as the month progresses.

In October, days are warm but not hot and so it is a great time to do dry hikes like Angels Landing, Hidden Canyon and the rim tails.

November days are usually dry and mild, while nights become chilly. During November it is fun to hike the open trails where you have full sun exposure, but it is too cold to wade or do most narrow canyon hikes.

Some of the most spectacular photos of Zion’s majestic features are taken in the fall, when tree leaves have colored up. Colors start to appear in late September in Zion's high country, in the Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace sections of the park. The display of color slowly moves down the mountainside, illuminating the area around The Subway in mid October. Fall colors peak in Zion Canyon during the first couple weeks of November.

Nearby
The nearby city of St George is also a great fall destination. St George is best know for its excellent golf courses, and conditions on the links are prime from late September into November. It’s great to combine golf and national parks into one fun-filled vacation.

The state parks, resorts and other attractions in the St George are at their best during the fall. In the extended area there are great opportunities to hike, bike, climb and engage in other recreational activities.

As we move into the off-season, lodging prices will drop at many area hotels and resorts. Some of the best lodging properties in the area offer substantial discounts during the winter months. See our recommended lodging properties.

- Dave Webb

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