On
May 26, 2000, Zion National Park initiated a new shuttle
bus transportation system to eliminate traffic congestion
in the upper Zion Canyon portion of the park. The free
shuttle system includes two loops—one serving the park and
one operating in the town of Springdale. The Springdale
shuttle loop stops at six locations in the town, and the
Zion Canyon shuttle loop stops at eight locations in the
park. The transfer point between loops is made at the
Zion Canyon Visitor Center in the park.
The
shuttle system operates from April through October.
During those months, visitors may not drive their private
vehicles on the scenic drive in upper Zion Canyon unless
they are guests at the Zion Canyon Lodge. All other roads
in the park are open to private vehicles. At other times
of the year, private vehicles may be driven into upper
Zion Canyon.
The shuttle system provides convenient and frequent access
to numerous hiking trails, scenic points, picnicking,
horseback riding and the Zion Canyon Lodge. During the
summer months, buses run at six-minute intervals during
the middle of the day, so there is no need to rush to
catch a bus. During the summer months, shuttles operate
from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Shuttle schedules and
frequencies change with the season and with the time of
day. Shuttle schedules are posted at each shuttle stop.
The system has allowed visitors to easily access the main
canyon in an improved atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Parking at the visitor center is frequently full between
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily during the busy visitor
season. To avoid the problem of trying to find a parking
space at the visitor center, it is best to leave your car
in the town of Springdale and ride the free town shuttle
to the park. Some lodging facilities in the area allow
their overnight guests to leave their cars in the lodging
parking lots for limited amounts of time, and day-use
visitors may park in designated shuttle parking areas and
along the main road in Springdale. Shuttle stops are
conveniently located throughout Springdale.
The town shuttle takes visitors to the parking lot of the
Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theater. Here you must disembark
and walk across the footbridge into the park. A park
entrance fee is charged at the walk-in entrance station.
Proceed to the visitor center where there are exhibits, AV
programs, a backcountry permit desk, an information desk,
and numerous books, maps and other publications to assist
you in planning your visit. Adjacent to the visitor
center is a shuttle bus stop where you may board a shuttle
bus to the upper Zion Canyon. You can get on and off the
shuttle as often as you want.
Buses are fully
accessible. For a day trip on the shuttle, you should
take water, snacks, walking shoes, a map, sunscreen, hat,
sunglasses, cameras, binoculars and clothing appropriate
for the weather. Eating, smoking, and open beverages
other than water are not allowed on the shuttle buses.
Pets are also not permitted on the buses.
