Zion National Park Guide for First-Timer Families with Kids
Our family's first-timer guide to Zion National Park — updated for 2026 with new fees, trail reopenings, the Angels Landing permit lottery, and a major heads-up for international visitors.
Last updated: February 2026
Our family has now visited over 25 national parks across the US — from Yosemite to Yellowstone to four Utah parks in winter — and Zion remains one of the most memorable. We first visited during Thanksgiving week 2023 and I originally wrote this guide right after. But a lot has changed since then (including a pretty significant new fee for international visitors), so I've updated everything for 2026.
Here are a few pictures from our trip before we get into the details.
And here's a video from our drive into Zion that Thanksgiving week:
2026 Entry Fees (Important Update for International Visitors)
This is the big one. Starting January 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and older have to pay an additional $100 per person on top of the regular entrance fee at Zion and 10 other high-demand national parks. You'll also need to show a government-issued photo ID at the entrance.
For a family of four with two adults who aren't US residents, that's an extra $200 just to get in. I know — it stings.
| Pass Type | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30 | 7 days |
| Per person (walk/bike) | $20 | 7 days |
| Children 15 and under | Free | — |
| Zion Annual Pass | $50 | 12 months |
| America the Beautiful Pass (US residents) | $80 | 12 months |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | $250 | 12 months |
| Non-Resident Surcharge | $100/person | Per visit |
My tip for expat families: If you have a green card or US visa, bring it. The non-resident fee applies to foreign nationals, so permanent residents and visa holders who can prove residency should be fine. But honestly, the America the Beautiful Pass at $80 is a no-brainer if you plan to visit even two national parks in a year — it covers vehicle entry at all 400+ NPS sites and it pays for itself almost immediately.
When to Visit Zion (Season Comparison)
If I could do it again, I'd aim for late September or October.
| Season | Crowds | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Lightest | 40-50°F, possible snow at elevation | Solitude, photography |
| Spring (Mar-May) | Moderate | 60-80°F, wildflowers | Hiking, scenery. The Narrows often closed from snowmelt |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Heaviest (17,000+/day) | 100°F+, monsoon risk Jul-Sep | The Narrows (river calms by June), early mornings only |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Moderate, drops after Labor Day | 60-80°F, fall colors | Best overall — all trails open, manageable crowds |
For families with school-age kids: Fall break (late September/October) is the sweet spot if your school offers it. Mild temperatures, fewer crowds than summer, and most trails including The Narrows are accessible. Thanksgiving week works too (we managed fine), but expect longer shuttle lines.
Thanksgiving Week is Busy — But Manageable
Planning a visit during Thanksgiving can be a delightful experience, especially if you want to avoid the summer heat and need to work around school schedules. Be prepared for crowds though — we found many families enjoying their holiday in the park. An amusing sight was the children swimming in the hotel's warm pool, a perfect respite from the November chill :P
The shuttle bus lines through Zion Canyon Scenic Drive can get lengthy, particularly from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Our strategy was to catch the first shuttle of the day and hit the popular trails early.
The Shuttle System (2026 Update)
The shuttle is free and mandatory during operating season — you can't drive your own car up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when shuttles are running.
- 2026 start date: March 7, 2026
- Peak season (May-Sep): First shuttle at 6:00 AM, last into canyon at 7:00 PM
- Fall (Sep-Nov): First shuttle at 7:00 AM, last into canyon at 5:00 PM
- Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes on the Zion Canyon route, every 10-15 minutes on the Springdale route
- No reservation needed — just show up
- Full loop: 9 stops along 7.7 miles, takes about 45 minutes
During winter months (December-February), the shuttle only runs on weekends and holidays. You can drive your own car on the scenic drive on non-shuttle days, which is actually quite nice — no crowds, your own pace.
Check the latest schedule at go.nps.gov/ZionShuttle.
Springdale, Utah: Where to Stay
The town of Springdale is less than a few miles from the park gate. It's small, but with "relatively" full services — plenty of hotels, restaurants, and gear rental shops for The Narrows.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park by Hilton. And I normally don't recommend specific hotels, but we were genuinely impressed.
For context, I used to stay at hotels for more than 100 nights per year across Asia and the US, so we've seen our share of hotel chains. This one stood out in the small details — good quality cookies in the late afternoon for guests, healthy to-go snacks during breakfast, thoughtful room design. It's a 3-star hotel so don't expect five-star treatment, but we'd absolutely stay here again.
Family-Friendly Trails at Zion
One day is enough to hike the main family trails. We finished the Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools, and Court of the Patriarchs in about three to four hours. We saw lots of young kids (three or four years old) on these trails — they're very doable.
Here's how the trails compare:
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Kid-Friendly | Time | Shuttle Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside Walk | 2.2 mi (round trip) | Easy, paved | Ages 3+ | 1-1.5 hrs | Stop 9 (Temple of Sinawava) |
| Lower Emerald Pool | 1.2 mi (round trip) | Easy | Ages 3+ | 30-45 min | Stop 5 (Zion Lodge) |
| Upper Emerald Pool | 1 mi (from Lower) | Moderate, steep | Ages 6+ | 1 hr | Stop 5 (Zion Lodge) |
| Court of the Patriarchs | 0.3 mi (round trip) | Easy, short | All ages | 15 min | Stop 4 |
| Weeping Rock | 0.5 mi (round trip) | Easy, some steps | Ages 4+ | 30 min | Stop 7 |
| Pa'rus Trail | 3.4 mi (one way) | Easy, paved, flat | All ages (stroller-friendly) | 1-1.5 hrs | Visitor Center |
| Watchman Trail | 3.3 mi (round trip) | Moderate | Ages 6+ | 2 hrs | Visitor Center |
| Canyon Overlook | 1 mi (round trip) | Moderate, some drop-offs | Ages 6+ | 30-45 min | East side (drive) |
Update from our trip: When we visited in November 2023, Weeping Rock was closed due to a rockslide the previous week. Good news — it reopened in September 2025 after repairs. However, Hidden Canyon Trail (which branches off from Weeping Rock) and the East Rim Trail to Observation Point remain closed with no announced reopening date.
Always stop by the Visitor Center to ask rangers about current conditions. Trail closures change frequently — check the NPS current conditions page before your trip.
Our Trail Photos
Riverside Walk — This was our favorite. The walk along the Virgin River is flat, paved, and gorgeous. It ends at the start of The Narrows, so you can get a taste of the slot canyon without committing to the full hike.
Emerald Pools — I'll be honest here. The pools weren't that green. In winter the color is more dark brown than emerald, so adjust your expectations accordingly. These pools can't compare with the colorful geysers in Yellowstone. Still a nice hike though, and the waterfall on the upper trail is worth the climb.
Court of the Patriarchs — The shortest "hike" on the list (it's really just a viewpoint), but the panorama of the three sandstone peaks is spectacular. Perfect for a quick photo stop.
For more trail details, check the NPS trail descriptions page.
Angels Landing: What You Need to Know
We skipped Angels Landing because our daughter wasn't ready for it (the final section has sheer drop-offs with chains — not exactly toddler-friendly). But I know many of you are planning for it, so here's what changed.
Permits are now required 24/7, year-round. You can't just show up and hike it anymore. The permit system has been in place since 2022 and it's still going strong in 2026.
How to get a permit:
- Seasonal Lottery: Apply months in advance on Recreation.gov for your preferred dates. Pick up to 7 dates. $6 application fee for a group of up to 6 people, plus $3 per person if selected.
- Day-Before Lottery: Apply between 12:01 AM and 3:00 PM the day before your hike. Results by 4:00 PM. Same fees.
No walk-up permits. No buying them at the park. Online lottery only.
My advice: apply for the seasonal lottery AND plan to try the day-before lottery as a backup. The seasonal lottery is competitive, but the day-before one has decent odds, especially on weekdays and in shoulder seasons.
The Narrows: A Quick Guide
We couldn't hike The Narrows during our Thanksgiving trip because of the cold weather (wading through a river in November... yeah, no :P). But it's one of Zion's most iconic hikes, so here's what you need to know.
Bottom-up day hike (most popular):
- No permit needed — just your park entry pass
- Start at Temple of Sinawava (Shuttle Stop 9), walk Riverside Walk to the end, then wade into the river
- Go as far as you want and turn around — it's an out-and-back
- You can't go past Big Springs without a permit
River conditions matter:
- Open when flow is 0-150 CFS. Closed above 150 CFS (flash flood risk)
- Spring: often closed from snowmelt
- Summer: usually accessible by June, but monsoon season (Jul-Sep) can cause sudden closures
- Fall: generally the best conditions
- Check flow rates at the NPS conditions page before you go
Gear rental: Several outfitters in Springdale (Zion Adventures, Zion Guru, Zion Outfitters) rent canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, dry pants, and hiking sticks. In cold weather you'll want the full dry suit setup. In summer, neoprene socks and boots are usually enough. Reserve in advance during busy seasons — you can pick up gear the afternoon before your hike.
Drive to Canyon Overlook Trailhead
The short drive (less than 30 minutes) from Springdale to Canyon Overlook trailhead is scenic, with lots of stops for pictures along the way. Even if you can't find a parking spot or don't want to hike the Canyon Overlook trail, it's still worth the drive for the views. You can see the video below to get a sense of it.
Kolob Canyons: Skip It (Unless You Have Extra Time)
We drove out to Kolob Canyons too, but honestly, there wasn't much to see compared to the main canyon. We didn't spend much time there and didn't take any pictures. If you only have one or two days, focus on Zion Canyon proper.
Camping in 2026
One important change: South Campground is closed for a major rehabilitation and isn't expected to partially reopen until late spring 2026. That leaves Watchman Campground as the only reservable option inside the park.
Watchman is open year-round and reservations open 6 months in advance on Recreation.gov. Book early — peak season sites sell out quickly.
There's also Lava Point Campground up in the Kolob Terrace area (first-come, first-served, 6 sites, no water, typically open late May through September), but it's pretty remote.
Coming Soon: Zion Discovery Center
Something exciting for future visitors — Zion is building a new Discovery Center on the east side of the park, expected to open late 2026 or early 2027. It'll include a new east-side shuttle service, access to 35+ miles of new mountain biking trails and 20+ miles of hiking trails, and interactive exhibits. The goal is to relieve congestion in Zion Canyon by giving visitors reasons to explore the less-crowded east side. Worth keeping an eye on.
Our Verdict
Zion remains one of the most stunning national parks we've visited. The red rock canyons are genuinely breathtaking, the family-friendly trails are well-maintained, and Springdale is a convenient base. Yes, it gets crowded — but with the right timing and an early start, you can still have a wonderful experience.
If I had to pick one trail for families, it would be the Riverside Walk. Easy, beautiful, paved, and it ends at the gateway to The Narrows. Even our daughter loved it.
Other US National Parks We've Been To
Read our complete guide: The Expat Family's Guide to US National Parks (2026) — covering all 26 parks we've visited, road trip routes, costs, and tips for international visitors.
If you're planning a national parks road trip, here are our guides:
- Yellowstone — geysers, wildlife, and the most colorful hot springs you'll ever see
- Four Utah National Parks in Winter — Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef
- Pacific Northwest — Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Crater Lake, and Lassen
- Joshua Tree — desert beauty, best in cooler months
- Yosemite — Half Dome views and waterfalls
- Pinnacles — an underrated gem near the Bay Area
- Petrified Forest — 200-million-year-old landscapes
Have you visited Zion with your family? I'd love to hear about your experience — especially if you've hiked The Narrows with kids. That's still on our bucket list :P
Cheers,
Chandler
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need at Zion National Park?
One full day is enough to hike the main family-friendly trails (Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools, Court of the Patriarchs). If you want to hike Angels Landing (with a permit) or The Narrows, plan for two days. We spent two days and felt like we covered the highlights comfortably.
Is Zion National Park good for kids?
Absolutely. Most of the main trails are easy and suitable for children as young as 3-4 years old. The Riverside Walk and Pa'rus Trail are paved and flat. The shuttle system means no stressful parking situations. We saw plenty of families with toddlers and strollers on the easier trails.
Do you need a reservation to enter Zion National Park in 2026?
No. Unlike some other national parks, Zion does not have a timed entry or reservation system. You just need to pay the entrance fee. The only reservations required are for specific activities like Angels Landing (lottery permit) and the top-down Narrows through-hike.
How much does it cost for international visitors in 2026?
Starting January 2026, non-US residents aged 16+ must pay an additional $100 per person on top of the standard $35 vehicle entrance fee. A family of four with two international adults would pay $35 (vehicle) + $200 (non-resident surcharge) = $235. The Non-Resident America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($250) is a better deal if you plan to visit multiple parks.
When is the best time to visit Zion with a family?
Late September through October offers the best combination of mild weather (60-80°F), manageable crowds, fall foliage, and trail accessibility. Summer is the most crowded (17,000+ visitors per day) with extreme heat. Winter offers solitude but some trails may be icy and The Narrows is usually too cold.
Is the Zion shuttle free?
Yes, the shuttle is completely free. It runs from early March through late November (weekends only in winter). No reservation is needed — shuttles arrive every 5-10 minutes during peak season. The shuttle is mandatory during operating season; you cannot drive private vehicles on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
