Zion National Park guide · 2 min read
Riding the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive runs north from Canyon Junction through the heart of Zion Canyon, ending at the Temple of Sinawava along the Virgin River.
For most of the year, private vehicles cannot use this road, and travel is by shuttle bus only. No ticket or reservation is needed to board. If you would rather not ride, you can travel the drive by bicycle.
The Zion Canyon Line starts at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, about 0.2 miles from the South Entrance. Its 8-mile route has nine stops: the Visitor Center, the Zion Human History Museum, Canyon Junction, Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Lodge, the Grotto, Weeping Rock, Big Bend, and the Temple of Sinawava. Buses are fully accessible and have extra space for bikes, backpacks, and climbing gear.
Many of the park's best-known hikes begin at these stops, so check which one serves your trail before you set out. Zion Lodge is the stop for Emerald Pools, and the Grotto serves the West Rim Trail. The final stop, the Temple of Sinawava, is where the Riverside Walk and the Virgin River Narrows begin. Catching one of the first buses of the day means shorter lines and quieter trails.
Parking at the Visitor Center fills early, especially in summer. Instead of parking there, you can ride the Springdale Line, the town shuttle, which makes nine stops in Springdale and ends at the Zion Canyon Village stop. From there, walk across the Pedestrian Entrance footbridge to the Visitor Center and board the canyon shuttle.
For a guided look at the canyon, Ride with a Ranger is a two-hour, ranger-led shuttle tour with several special stops. Seats go quickly, and free reservations are made in person at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center up to three days ahead. Bring water, since the route usually has no restrooms or drinking fountains.
