Whether you’re the type of traveler who prefers to plan every detail of your adventure or go with the flow, a national park adventure is a great choice.

If you love planning out your trips ahead of time, you can research hiking trails, apply for a permit to hike Angels Landing, book excursions like canyoneering, and book your lodging early to guarantee that you get your choice of Zion National Park rentals. But if you’d rather go with the flow, you can simply wake up in the morning, catch the Springdale Shuttle right outside of Watchman Villas, and ride to the entrance of the park for a day of hiking and exploring.

But whether you’re planning your visit ahead of time or at the last minute, there are a few Zion National Park hours you should be aware of. From the shuttles to the visitor center, keep reading to learn what you need to know.

Zion National Park Hours

One of the first questions you’ll likely have when planning your stay at Watchman Villas is what the hours of the park are. But this might just be one of the easiest parts of planning your stay, because Zion National Park hours run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

LIke many national parks across the country, Zion never closes its gates. This means that you’re free to get to the park very early to hit the trails before the sun comes up, or to stay late to enjoy some incredible stargazing.

However, while the park may never close, many of the facilities and amenities within the park do. Knowing the hours for things like the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, Wilderness Desk, and Zion Canyon Shuttle is a must, no matter what time of year you’re planning to visit.

Zion Canyon Visitor Center Hours

Whether it’s your first time visiting the park or your hundredth, your first stop upon arrival will likely be the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Located just inside of the popular South Entrance, just a short walk, ride, or drive from our Zion National Park rentals, the Zion Canyon Visitor is a one-stop-shop for your visit. Here, you can talk with a ranger, check out exhibits about the park, pick up maps and brochures, and even shop for souvenirs in the store.

The Zion Canyon Visitor Center keeps longer hours during times of year when the park is at its busiest. Then, when fewer guests are making their way into the park and the days start getting shorter, they reduce their hours. During the summer, the visitor center is typically open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Then, from fall through spring, the visitor center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Like the park itself, the visitor center isn’t closed on holidays. This means that you can visit it on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and any other holiday throughout the year.

Some of the most important Zion National Park hours you should know are for the visitor center. Knowing these hours ahead of time can help you better plan your day in the park.

Zion Canyon Shuttle Line

Another important set of Zion National Park hours you should know before you arrive are the hours for the Zion Canyon Shuttle line. 

The Zion Canyon Shuttle transports guests within the park’s Lower Canyon. The line starts just inside the park’s South Entrance, at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. It then travels to the end of the Lower Canyon, making a number of stops along the way at trailheads and the Zion Lodge. Then, it turns around at the end of the canyon and makes the same stops on its way back to the entrance to the canyon.

Like the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, the Zion Canyon Shuttle reduces its hours when the busy summer season is over. With the shuttle being the only way that you can enter the Lower Canyon for most of the year, knowing the shuttle’s hours during your stay in our Zion National Park rentals is a must.

Summer Hours

During the busy summer season, the first shuttle to leave from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center departs at 6 a.m. daily. The last shuttle out of the canyon departs from the last stop, Shuttle Stop 9 at the Temple of Sinawava, departs at 8:15 p.m. daily.

Fall Hours

In the fall, the hours for the shuttle are reduced twice to account for fewer crowds and shorter days. In 2024, the hours were first reduced on September 18. From then until November 4, the first shuttle will depart at 7 a.m. daily. The last shuttle out of the Lower Canyon will depart 7:15 p.m. From November 5 to November 26, the first shuttle will depart at 7 a.m., and the last shuttle will depart at 6:15 p.m.

Winter Hours

Starting November 27, shuttle operations end for the season. With the exception of a short time period around the December holidays, the shuttles won’t operate again until March. If you’re planning a stay in Zion National Park hotels nearby at this time, you’ll be able to drive your personal vehicle into the Lower Canyon and park in any designated parking space.

Knowing the Zion National Park Hours

While the park may be open around the clock, it’s important to know these other Zion National Park hours ahead of your stay at Watchman Villas.

Ready to start planning your next adventure in our Zion National Park rentals? Book your stay today!