First time visitors are often surprised to learn that they cannot drive into Zion Canyon, and need to take the shuttle to access the canyon’s iconic trails and landmarks. In this guide we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Zion’s shuttle system, where it operates, and when it runs, so you know exactly what to expect during your visit to the park.
Where does the Shuttle Operate?
The shuttle system is composed of two main lines, the Zion Canyon Line and the Springdale Line, which connect with a short walk at Zion Canyon Village, enabling travelers to get from their Springdale hotels to Zion Canyon without driving their car to the visitor center.
The Zion Canyon Line only operates inside of the Zion Canyon section of the park [see the orange line on map below], which is where you’ll find Angels Landing, The Narrows, Emerald Pools, Zion Lodge, and most of the stunning canyon scenery first time visitors are looking for. The Shuttle does not operate on the Zion Mt-Carmel Scenic Highway, Kolob Canyons, or Kolob Terrace, so you’ll need your own transportation for these areas if you plan to visit them.
The Springdale Shuttle Line operates outside of the park along the main corridor of Springdale, covering a roughly three mile route through town starting at the Hotel De Novo on the southern edge of town and ending at Zion Canyon Village, where travelers can take the pedestrian entrance into the park to board the Zion Canyon Shuttle Line. Many hotels, restaurants, outfitters, and shops in Springdale are along this main corridor and close to bus stops.
How To Ride The Zion Canyon Shuttle
Reaching the Zion Canyon Shuttle is a little different depending on how you are arriving at the park.
For Springdale Shuttle Riders: Ride the Springdale Shuttle to Stop #1 at Zion Canyon Village, depart the bus and walk across a narrow bridge to access the Pedestrian Entrance to Zion National Park. You’ll have to show or purchase a park pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) to enter the park. Then you’ll head past the visitor center to the queue for the Zion Canyon Shuttle to take you into the canyon.
For vehicles and motorcycles: Drive to the Springdale Entrance for Zion Canyon, just past Zion Canyon Village, and show or purchase a pass to enter the park. Proceed to the Visitor Center where you’ll park, and then head to the queue for the Zion Canyon shuttle to enter the park. Note: If the parking lot is full, you’ll need to exit Zion National Park and head back into Springdale to locate parking, and then ride the Springdale shuttle as above.
For cyclists: Cyclists enter through the same pedestrian entrance as Springdale Shuttle Riders at Zion Canyon Village. For normal bicycles (no fat tire bicycles or e-bikes), you can enter the shuttle line, load your bike on the shuttle rack outside the bus, and then ride the shuttle into the park. E-bikes cannot be loaded onto the shuttles, so if you’re seeing the park by e-bike you’ll head left just after passing the pedestrian entrance and follow the Pa’rus Trail into the park.
Know Before You Go:
- The shuttle is free and there are no reservations for the shuttle.
- Accessing the shuttle does require showing or purchasing a park pass at the entrance.
- A one-way ride from Stop 1 to Stop 9 takes about 45 minutes.
- Buses usually arrive every 5-15 minutes. Lines move quickly, but expect a wait on peak days and busy mornings.
- Buses only stop at Stops 2, 3, and 8 when exiting the park, they do not stop here on the drive into the canyon.
- Everyone exits at Stop 9 and again at Stop 1.
- If you miss the last shuttle, you’ll be walking up to 8 miles back to the visitor center. Don’t wait for the last bus!
- Pets are not allowed on the bus. Trained service animals are allowed.
- Standard bicycles can use the front rack when space is available. Riders must load their own bicycles. Fat-tire bikes and e-bikes cannot be loaded on the bus.
- Strollers must be placed on the exterior rack. Riders must load/unload their own strollers.
- All buses are wheelchair accessible, subject to lift size and weight limits.
- Drinking water is available only at limited stops, so it’s best to carry water in with you.
- There is no shuttle access to Zion Mt Carmel Scenic Highway, Kolob Canyons, or Kolob Terrace.
You cannot “skip” Stop 1 to get a shorter line!
I’ve seen a lot of tips on YouTube recently that recommend heading to the Museum at Stop 2 to “beat the crowd” by skipping Shuttle Stop 1. Don’t try to do this! The advice is inaccurate and you’ll only delay yourself and your family from entering the park.
This was possible years ago, but today the Zion Canyon Shuttle completely skips Stops 2 and 3 on the way into the park to prevent this behavior. They also force anyone getting on at Stop 2 and heading back to the Visitor Center off the bus, so they can’t try to skip the line by “staying on the bus”.
If you really want to skip the shuttle line or avoid the crowded buses, rent an e-bike to explore the canyon instead!
Zion Canyon Shuttle Stops
Shuttle Stop 1: Zion Canyon Visitor Center
This is the starting point for nearly every ride into Zion Canyon. Rangers, restrooms, water-filling stations, maps, a park store, wilderness permits, and the main shuttle queue are all located here. It is also the transfer point for visitors arriving on the Springdale Line. The visitor center ranger desk is the best stop for last minute questions, permits, current weather, and trail conditions.
| Trail | Distance | Elevation gain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pa’rus Trail | 3.2 miles round trip | 150 feet | Paved path to Canyon Junction; bicycles and leashed pets are allowed |
| Archaeology Trail | 0.4 miles round trip | 80 feet | Short climb to the remains of prehistoric structures |
| The Watchman Trail | 3.3 miles round trip | 550 feet | Scenic trail heading from the visitor center to a plateau overlooking the iconic Watchman |
Shuttle Stop 2: Zion Human History Museum
Shuttles only stop at Stop 2 on the way “out” of Zion Canyon.
The museum contains exhibits about Zion’s Indigenous history, settlement, transportation, and landscape. A park film and ranger programs may be offered during the museum’s seasonal operating period. The back patio provides a great view of the Towers of the Virgin, West Temple, and surrounding formations. Limited parking is available at the museum, but it can be easier to visit by car than shuttle.
Shuttle Stop 3: Canyon Junction
Shuttles only stop at Stop 3 on the way “out” of Zion Canyon. No restrooms or water at this stop.
This stop provides a great way to do the Pa’rus Trail one way if you’re looking for a shorter hike, as you can hike up from the Visitor Center and then ride the shuttle back down. For cyclists arriving via the Pa’rus Trail, this is where you’ll switch to riding on the road alongside the buses.
Photographer Tip: If you’re looking for that classic and iconic shot of The Watchman, this is where those photos were previously taken; however the bridge everyone used to stand on to take the shot is now closed to pedestrian traffic. If you walk under the road and follow the Pa’rus Trail south you will eventually come to a bridge with a spiritually similar (but admittedly not quite as good) shot of The Watchman.
Shuttle Stop 4: Court of the Patriarchs
No restrooms or water at this stop.
The stop is named for three massive sandstone peaks, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A short path (.2mi round trip) climbs up from behind the shuttle stop to a viewpoint. Across the road you’ll find a path that drops down to the Sand Bench Trail, which can be a great short stop to explore as well since you’ll find the Virgin River just past the trailhead. We ran into several turkeys on this trail in late March and early April, and you’ll often have the trail mostly to yourselves. We don’t necessarily recommend longer excursions on Sand Bench Trail – as the name suggests the trail is primarily deeper sand that makes walking difficult, and is often frequented by guided horseback tours departing from near the Zion Lodge!
| Trail | Distance | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|
| Court of the Patriarchs viewpoint | 0.2 mile round trip | 40 feet |
| Sand Bench Trail loop | 3.9 miles round trip | 1,000 feet |
| Sand Bench connection to Zion Lodge | 1.5 miles one way | 200 feet |
Shuttle Stop 5: Zion Lodge
Restrooms, water, dining, lodging, and gift shop at this stop.
Zion Lodge is the only hotel inside Zion National Park. This is also the only food service area in the park, with restrooms, water, a gift shop, a seasonal café, and a sit-down restaurant. The restaurant in particular can be great on nice summer days when the outdoor balcony area is open and you can eat surrounded by the cliffs, but it can be challenging to get in without a reservation. The main green makes for a great spot for a picnic lunch.
Dining Tip: The seasonal cafe is.. fine. Somewhat at the level of a Zoo fast food cafeteria (you know what I mean, the pizza and cheeseburgers that are just sitting under a heat lamp for an hour before you buy them). We prefer to pack our own lunch, or make sure we have a reservation for the sit down restaurant.
Our favorite hike in this area is the Emerald Pools Loop, which we recommend doing counterclockwise. Starting from the Lodge, you head north on the Grotto Trail to the next bus stop, cross the road and take the Kayenta Trail which will give you stunning vistas of the valley floor. You’ll have a choice from here whether to add on the slightly more strenuous Upper Pools spur trail, or simply drop down to the Lower Pools trail and continue back to the lodge.
| Trail | Distance | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Emerald Pool Trail | 1.2 miles round trip | 130 feet |
| Middle Emerald Pools Trail | 2.2 miles round trip | 330 feet |
| Upper Emerald Pools Trail | 2.5 miles round trip | 442 feet |
| Emerald Pools & Kayenta Trail Loop | 3 miles round trip | 400 feet |
| Grotto Trail | 1 mile round trip | About 50 feet |
| Sand Bench Trail | 4 to 5 miles, depending on route | Varies; roughly 500 to 1,000 feet |
Shuttle Stop 6: The Grotto
Restrooms, water, and picnic tables at this stop.
The Grotto is the trailhead for Scout Lookout, Angels Landing, the West Rim Trail, and the Kayenta Trail. Even if you’re not heading out on any of these trails, it can be a good spot to get out and walk to the bridge over the Virgin River.
Hiking Tip: Looking for the Angels Landing views but don’t have the permit (or don’t want to do the chains section?) Scout Lookout follows the exact same trail to a waypoint right before the chains section begins, providing great views of the surrounding area. We’ve also heard it’s amazing to head past Scout Lookout and explore the West Rim trail a little (we’ll be trying this on our return trip coming up and will let you know!)
| Trail | Distance | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|
| Grotto Trail to Zion Lodge | .5 miles to Lodge, or 1 mile round trip | About 50 feet |
| Kayenta Trail To Emerald Pools | 2-4 miles round trip, depending on whether you do both Lower and Upper Emerald Pools | About 150 feet |
| Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail | 3.8 miles round trip | About 1,190 feet |
| Angels Landing (Permit Required) | 5.4 miles round trip | About 1,500 feet |
| West Rim Trail beyond Scout Lookout | Variable | Substantial |
Shuttle Stop 7: Weeping Rock
Vault Restrooms are available at this stop. Hidden Canyon and Observation Point remain closed due to landslide.
Weeping Rock reopened in September 2025 following extensive rockfall repairs. Water seeps through the Navajo sandstone and emerges from the alcove, supporting ferns and other plants along the cliff, making it a short but interesting stop where the view back into Zion Canyon through the dripping water is worth the climb. Other trails in this area remain closed, including Hidden Canyon and the climb to Observation Point, and the ongoing risk of rockslides in this area makes it unclear if they’ll ever re-open.
| Trail | Distance | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|
| Weeping Rock Trail | 0.4 mile round trip | 98 feet |
Observation Point can still be reached from an alternate route via the East Rim Trailhead near Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort outside the eastern entrance of the park.
Shuttle Stop 8: Big Bend
Shuttles only stop at Stop 8 on the way “out” of Zion Canyon. No restrooms or water at this stop.
There are no maintained trails at this stop, but it provides one of the best scenic stops for looking back at Angels Landing and the Great White Throne. Keep an eye out for California condors, a major success story in Zion, on the cliffs above. Despite the lack of a maintained trail, there is a social trail that heads down to the Virgin River and follows along for a bit, making it a fun place to get out with kids (and not be quite as crushed with crowds as The Riverwalk and Narrows often are).
Tip: Keep an eye out for a Ranger looking up at the cliffs in this area, they’re often here watching the condors and are happy to help visitors spot them.
Shuttle Stop 9: Temple of Sinawava
Seasonal access to restrooms and water, but facilities can close unexpectedly.
Temple of Sinawava is the final shuttle stop, and where you’ll find the gorgeous Narrows hike, which still stands out as one of our favorites. If you’re not prepped with gear for the Narrows you can still enjoy the beginning of the trail which is the paved Riverside Walk, providing you a small taste of the longer hike as the canyon starts to narrow and you become surrounded by cliff walls. You don’t have to do the entire Narrows hike to get the full Narrows experience (and in fact most people don’t do the entire hike) — just enter the river at the end of the Riverside walk and go as far as you like before turning around. There’s no real destination that you absolutely must get to, just enjoy the scenery and the experience! Be sure to check the weather and water flow before attempting The Narrows, or check in with a ranger beforehand.
| Trail | Distance | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside Walk | 2.2 miles round trip | About 60 feet |
| The Narrows | Up to 9.4 miles round trip | About 334 feet |
Zion Shuttle FAQ
Yes. Both the Zion Canyon Line and Springdale Line are free. No shuttle ticket or reservation is required. The Zion Canyon Shuttle requires entering the park with a paid park pass.
No. Boarding is first come, first served, and there are no reservations available.
No. The shuttle lines do not serve Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Canyon Overlook Trail, the East Entrance, Kolob Terrace, or Kolob Canyons. You will need your own transportation for these areas.
No, private vehicles cannot use Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during the shuttle season. You can only drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in the winter season when the shuttle is not operating.
Not really. Unless you are visiting at a time where there’s almost no other visitors, the shuttles can be very crowded, leading your view to be of other people’s backpacks. The shuttles are primarily meant to get people efficiently moved from Stop A to Stop B.
If you’d really like a more scenic tour experience in the canyon, Zion Lodge does have an open air tram tour that you can purchase tickets for.
Yes. Overnight guests receive an access code allowing them to enter through the gate and drive to the lodge, but you can’t drive past the lodge. You’ll need to shuttle, hike, or bike further into the canyon from there.
Yes. Strollers are loaded onto the exterior rack, and you will need to load and unload it yourself.
Yes, the shuttles have a lift to accommodate wheelchairs and some medical equipment. The lift is limited to 600lbs of combined weight, and generally cannot accommodate chairs larger than 45 inches long or 25 inches wide. You can speak with a ranger to see if you would quality for a medical permit to drive into the canyon if you are unable to take the shuttle.
No, you will need to get a special permit from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or Human History Museum, and these are typically limited to situations in which the medical equipment is too large to take on the shuttle or an individual requires a medical support vehicle.
Yes. Standard bicycles may be placed on the front rack when space is available. Fat-tire bikes and e-bikes cannot go on the shuttle.
No, pets are not allowed on either shuttle line. Trained service animals are permitted under applicable accessibility rules.
You may need to walk as far as eight miles back in the dark. Rangers do not provide rides back to parked vehicles. This is also true if the last shuttle is full – don’t rely on the last shuttle to get back.
No, with the exception of roughly a week around the Christmas Holidays. Regular service generally pauses from late November until late December, returns for the holidays, and then pauses again until early March. Private vehicles are allowed in the canyon during this time.