Zion National Park is a National Park in Utah. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 31 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Zion
We matched 31 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Zion. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Scenic Viewpoints (3)
Scenic ViewpointScenic ViewpointScenic ViewpointWaterfalls (1)
Natural Arches (1)
Mountain Peaks (4)
Mountain Peak
Mountain Peak
Mountain Peak
Mountain PeakCanyons (5)
Canyon
Canyon
Canyon
Canyon
CanyonHot Springs (1)
Rock Formations (5)
Rock Formation
Rock Formation
Rock Formation
Rock Formation
Rock FormationGhost Towns (2)
Dark Sky Places (1)
Wilderness Areas (8)
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Area
Wilderness AreaWilderness AreaWilderness AreaWilderness AreaSunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Zion the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 59° (ENE) at the June solstice and 119° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 301° (WNW) in June to 241° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 76° in summer but only 29° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:46 AM | 8:25 AM | 4:59 PM | 5:38 PM | 244° | 9h 53m |
| February | 7:22 AM | 7:58 AM | 5:36 PM | 6:12 PM | 255° | 10h 50m |
| March | 7:44 AM | 8:18 AM | 7:05 PM | 7:40 PM | 268° | 11h 56m |
| April | 6:58 AM | 7:33 AM | 7:32 PM | 8:07 PM | 283° | 13h 09m |
| May | 6:24 AM | 7:01 AM | 7:57 PM | 8:34 PM | 295° | 14h 10m |
| June | 6:12 AM | 6:51 AM | 8:16 PM | 8:55 PM | 301° | 14h 43m |
| July | 6:24 AM | 7:02 AM | 8:15 PM | 8:53 PM | 298° | 14h 29m |
| August | 6:49 AM | 7:25 AM | 7:50 PM | 8:26 PM | 288° | 13h 36m |
| September | 7:15 AM | 7:49 AM | 7:07 PM | 7:42 PM | 274° | 12h 27m |
| October | 7:41 AM | 8:16 AM | 6:21 PM | 6:56 PM | 260° | 11h 16m |
| November | 7:12 AM | 7:50 AM | 4:45 PM | 5:23 PM | 247° | 10h 11m |
| December | 7:40 AM | 8:20 AM | 4:36 PM | 5:16 PM | 241° | 9h 37m |
Computed for the park's reference point (37.2984, -113.0265); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Zion, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 5.5 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 24° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 2 (typical truly dark site), which is excellent for astrophotography.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 5:30 AM – 5:50 AM | 0.3 | 14° |
| March | 4:36 AM – 6:06 AM | 1.5 | 20° |
| April | 2:29 AM – 5:19 AM | 2.8 | 24° |
| May | 12:38 AM – 4:38 AM | 4.0 | 24° |
| June | 10:48 PM – 4:18 AM | 5.5 | 24° |
| July | 10:42 PM – 2:52 AM | 4.2 | 24° |
| August | 10:02 PM – 12:52 AM | 2.8 | 24° |
| September | 9:10 PM – 10:50 PM | 1.7 | 20° |
| October | 8:23 PM – 8:43 PM | 0.3 | 14° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
2 Estimated Bortle 2 — Typical truly dark site. The summer Milky Way shows rich structure; clouds look like black holes in the stars.
Weather & best time to visit
Zion is known for a wide range of weather conditions. Temperatures vary with changes in elevation and day/night temperatures may differ by over 30°F (16°C). In summer, temperatures in Zion National Park often exceed 100°F (38°C). Zion experiences monsoons from mid-July into September that result in an increased risk of flash floods. Always be aware of the threat of storms and lightning and be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Winters are generally mild.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show June as the clearest month (about 22% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (51%). July is the warmest month and December the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
| Entrance fee | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $35.00 |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $30.00 |
| Entrance - Snowmobile | $20.00 |
| Entrance - Per Person | $20.00 |
Fees as published by the NPS when this page was built — confirm on nps.gov before you go.
Getting there
Zion National Park's South Entrance and administrative offices are located near Springdale, Utah. This area, called Zion Canyon, is where most campsites and popular hikes are located. Zion Canyon can also be accessed through the park's East Entrance, which is west of Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah. Once inside the park, Zion Canyon can be explored via the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. For most of the year, the scenic drive is only open to shuttle busses. Board shuttles at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Arts and Culture
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
- Canyoneering
- Climbing
- Rock Climbing
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
Nearby parks
UT
AZ
UT
AZ/CA
AZ
AZ/UT