Zion National Park is a summer crowd in most people's minds, and a winter trip from Utah Valley is a different park: fewer people, colder mornings, low light on the canyon walls, and for most of the season, the chance to drive your own car up Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which the shuttle replaces the rest of the year.
The catch is that the rules change with the calendar. The shuttle comes back over the Christmas and New Year holidays, and shaded trails can be icy. This guide lays out what the park published for last winter, what was set for this one when we checked, and how to plan from Provo.
| From Provo | About 4.5 hours, roughly 263 miles, to Springdale |
| Park hours | Open 24 hours a day, year-round |
| Scenic drive by car | Most of winter; not during the holiday shuttle |
| Holiday shuttle (2025-26) | Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 |
| Entry | $35 per vehicle for 1 to 7 days |
| Angels Landing | Permit required year-round |
Schedules from the National Park Service's Nov. 28, 2025 winter release and the park's hours, fees and Angels Landing pages, read Nov. 1, 2026. The 2026-27 shuttle dates had not been posted.
Can you drive Zion Canyon in winter?
For most of the winter, yes, and it's the main reason to go now.
From spring through fall, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only: when the shuttle runs, the park says, personal vehicles can't use the drive. In winter the shuttle stops for long stretches and the drive opens to private cars. Last winter's schedule, from the park's Nov. 28, 2025 release:
| Dates (2025-26) | Scenic drive |
|---|---|
| Through Nov. 30 | Fall shuttle; no private cars |
| Dec. 1 to Dec. 22 | Private vehicles allowed |
| Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 | Holiday shuttle; no private cars |
| From Jan. 4 | Private vehicles allowed |
The park may close the drive temporarily when parking in Zion Canyon fills. On busy days during the holiday shuttle, the park says to be ready to park in Springdale and ride the shuttle in.
The 2026-27 dates had not been posted when we checked on Nov. 1, 2026. Last year's pattern is a reasonable guide, but check nps.gov/zion before you book.
The other roads are simpler. The park says the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive and Kolob Terrace Road allow personal vehicles year-round.
Visitor centers and campgrounds
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Zion Human History Museum: listed open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the park's hours page.
- Kolob Canyons Visitor Center: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Kolob Canyons is off I-15, about 40 miles north of Zion Canyon, so a Provo driver reaches it first.
- Wilderness permits: at the Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk.
- Campgrounds: Watchman is open year-round. South Campground and Lava Point close seasonally in winter.
Angels Landing in winter
A permit is required no matter the season, the park says. For hikes from Dec. 1 through Feb. 28 there is a separate seasonal lottery, which closed Oct. 20. If you missed it, the day-before lottery is the way in: apply by 3 p.m. Mountain time the day before your hike.
In winter, ice and snow on the trail are possible. The park's current-conditions page and the visitor center are the places to check on the day.
Fees
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle (1 to 7 days) | $35 |
| Motorcycle | $30 |
| Per person, on foot or bicycle (15 and under free) | $20 |
| Zion annual pass | $70 |
| America the Beautiful resident annual pass | $80 |
| America the Beautiful senior annual (62+) | $20 |
| America the Beautiful senior lifetime (62+) | $80 |
From the park's fees page, read Nov. 1, 2026. The park also lists a $100 per-person nonresident fee for visitors 16 and older, on top of entry, which doesn't apply to visitors with an annual or America the Beautiful pass. For a Utah household that visits more than one national park a year, the $80 resident annual pass usually pays for itself.
Getting there from Provo
The Springdale entrance is about four and a half hours of driving without stops, roughly 263 miles, south on I-15 and east on State Route 9. Kolob Canyons, off I-15 north of the main canyon, comes first.
A winter storm can still make I-15 slow, so check UDOT road conditions before you leave. Our Zion and St. George weekend guide covers the drive and where to stay, and Snow Canyon in winter is the warm-weather alternative nearby.
What to pack
- Layers. Mornings in the canyon are cold, and afternoons in the sun can be mild.
- Traction for your boots if trails are icy. Shaded trails keep ice long after sunny ones clear.
- Headlamp. Winter days are short; plan hikes to finish well before dark.
- Food and water. Carry what you need for the hike; don't count on finding everything open on a winter weekday.
Who should go, and who should wait
Go in winter if you want to drive the canyon yourself, see Zion without summer crowds, or pair it with a Christmas-break trip south. Avoid the holiday shuttle window if driving the scenic drive is the point.
Wait for spring if you want longer days, less chance of ice, or warmer water in the Narrows. And if snow is what you're after, Bryce Canyon in winter is a better bet.
Related guides
- Zion and St. George from Provo
- Snow Canyon and St. George in winter
- Bryce Canyon from Provo
- Moab from Provo
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive into Zion Canyon in winter?
Does the Zion shuttle run in winter?
Do I need a permit for Angels Landing in winter?
How much does it cost to enter Zion?
Is Zion open in winter?
How far is Zion from Provo?
Which Zion campgrounds are open in winter?
What should I pack for Zion in winter?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Zion National Park announces winter shuttle and facility schedules (Nov. 28, 2025), National Park Service. Checked November 1, 2026.
- Operating Hours & Seasons, National Park Service. Checked November 1, 2026.
- National Park Service: Fees & Passes, National Park Service. Checked November 1, 2026.
- Angels Landing Hiking Permits, National Park Service. Checked November 1, 2026.
