Zion National Park by Month: Weather, What’s Open & When to Go (2026)
Zion National Park · every month
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Average temperatures from NOAA's Zion Canyon station, daylight from the sun's math, shuttle, river and campground dates from the park's own rules. Choose a month and the page changes to what Zion is actually like then.
average highaverage lowprecipitationsnowhours across the top = daylight
Zion Canyon, 4,040 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00429717). Tap a column or pick a month below.
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Showing all twelve months. Pick one and the page becomes that month.
Last updated September 3, 2026 How we research
Zion's year is not a snow story. It is a heat story with a river running through it. The canyon floor at 4,040 feet sees January nights below freezing and July afternoons over 100, and the same Virgin River that makes the Narrows the park's signature hike closes it twice: once in April and May when snowmelt pushes the flow past 150 cubic feet per second, and again whenever a mid-summer monsoon storm spikes it. The shuttle, the campgrounds, and the crowds all move around that calendar.
The chart shows the whole year. Below it, every month has the same five answers: what the weather feels like, how much daylight you get, what is open, how busy it is, and what to do. The rims and Lava Point at 7,890 feet run roughly 20 degrees cooler than everything on this page, which matters most in the months that are hottest.
When does it first snow?
Not much, and not until winter. NOAA's normals for the Zion Canyon station show a trace in November (a tenth of an inch), then 1.7 inches in December, the snowiest month, and under an inch in each of January, February and March. April through October average zero. Snow on the canyon floor is a dusting that shows up in photos and melts off the trails; the higher ground is different, with Kolob Terrace Road toward Lava Point subject to snow closure any time from November through May, and Lava Point itself typically closed until May.
Zion National Park in January
January: the empty canyon, and you can drive it
Highs in the low 50s, nights below freezing, and one of the three wettest months of the year by NOAA's numbers, though most of it falls as rain at canyon level with well under an inch of snow. Shaded trail sections ice over while sunny afternoons feel like a different season. Sunset is before 5:40.
- 54° / 30°avg high / low
- 9.9 hdaylight, 7:45 am to 5:36 pm
- 2.0 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Shuttle service is paused for winter, so private vehicles drive the 6-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, subject to parking capacity. The drive rarely closes but can ice over; check NPS updates before a winter trip.
- Watchman Campground is open year-round; South Campground is closed for the season, and Lava Point is typically closed until May.
- Zion Lodge stays open with winter rates about half of summer's. Entrance is $35 per private vehicle, valid 1 to 7 days.
- Angels Landing permits run year-round through recreation.gov: $6 to apply, $3 per person if awarded, with dawn, day and dusk slots.
How busy
Minimal, especially mid-week; parking rarely fills.
Best for
- solitude
- half-price lodge
- chains on a sunny day
What to do
- Angels Landing on a dry, sunny day with a permit and traction devices: the chain section is risky when wet or icy, and sunny January and February days are the best winter conditions for it.
- Pa'rus Trail and Riverside Walk on the canyon floor, which stay walkable when higher trails are icy.
- Skip the Narrows unless you have a drysuit; the river is close to freezing.
Pack
- Microspikes or traction devices for shaded, icy trail sections
- Warm layers for nights in the 20s and 30s
- A headlamp: sunset is before 5:40
Zion National Park in February
February: still winter, with a half hour more evening
Highs near 58, lows in the mid 30s, and on paper the wettest month of the year at just over 2 inches, with less than an inch of it snow. Sunset slips past 6 and the canyon floor starts to feel like it is waking up, but the rims and the Kolob high country stay in winter.
- 58° / 34°avg high / low
- 10.8 hdaylight, 7:22 am to 6:10 pm
- 2.1 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Private vehicles still drive the Scenic Drive while the shuttle is paused; shuttle-only operation returns roughly in March.
- Watchman Campground open; South Campground stays closed until early March.
- Kolob Terrace Road toward Lava Point can be snow-closed any time from November through May, depending on snowpack.
How busy
Low. Weekends are busier than weekdays but parking still rarely fills.
Best for
- quiet trails
- drive-in canyon access
What to do
- Angels Landing on a dry, sunny day is at its winter best; bring traction for the shaded switchbacks.
- The Watchman Trail and the Pa'rus Trail straight from the visitor center, no shuttle needed.
- The Emerald Pools loop, 2.4 miles under the canyon walls, on an afternoon when the weather cooperates.
Pack
- Rain shell: this is the wettest month in the normals
- Traction devices
- Layers for a 25-degree swing between night and afternoon
Zion National Park in March
March: the shuttle comes back and the weather cannot decide
Highs jump into the mid 60s, but lows still sit near freezing, and March can deliver rain, a last dusting of snow, or a 70-degree afternoon in the same week. Daylight reaches almost 12 hours and the parking pressure begins to build.
- 66° / 39°avg high / low
- 11.9 hdaylight, 7:44 am to 7:38 pm
- 2.0 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Shuttle-only operation on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive returns roughly in March and runs through late November; private cars are out of the canyon from here on.
- South Campground reopens in early March with 117 tent-only sites; Watchman stays open.
- The Narrows is normally open until snowmelt pushes the river past 150 CFS, which usually starts in mid-April.
How busy
Moderate. The old page rates March between the empty winter and the high-season spring.
Best for
- shoulder-season quiet
- canyon hiking before the heat
What to do
- The full canyon by shuttle before the spring crowds: Riverside Walk, the Emerald Pools, Scout Lookout.
- The Narrows while it is still open; the runoff closure typically arrives in mid-April.
- Taylor Creek in Kolob Canyons, about an hour away, for a quieter day out of the main canyon.
Pack
- Layers from freezing to 70
- Rain shell
- Traction for shaded early-morning ice
Zion National Park in April
April: perfect hiking temperatures, and a river too high for the Narrows
Highs in the low 70s, lows in the 40s, and the first month with zero snow in the normals. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Snowmelt pushes the Virgin River past its closure threshold, and the crowds arrive with the good weather.
- 73° / 44°avg high / low
- 13.1 hdaylight, 6:58 am to 8:05 pm
- 1.2 inprecipitation
What’s open
- The Narrows typically closes from mid-April through mid-May, about 4 to 6 weeks, when Virgin River flow exceeds 150 CFS. Check NPS alerts before booking a trip around it.
- Full shuttle service on the Scenic Drive; parking fills by 9 AM, and Springdale hotel rates jump 50 to 100 percent over winter.
- Lava Point and Kolob Terrace Road may still be snowbound; Lava Point is typically closed until May.
How busy
High. Parking fills by 9 AM.
Best for
- hiking temperatures
- long days before the heat
What to do
- Angels Landing and Scout Lookout in the 60s and 70s, the temperatures the old guide called perfect.
- The Emerald Pools and the Watchman Trail while the canyon floor is green and the pools are full.
- The east side without a shuttle: Canyon Overlook has limited parking, so arrive early.
Pack
- Rain shell for afternoon storms
- Sun protection: 13 hours of daylight
- An early alarm: parking fills by 9
Zion National Park in May
May: warm, dry, crowded, and the Narrows reopens late
Highs in the mid 80s, lows in the 50s, and under an inch of rain: May is the first properly dry month. The river usually drops back under the Narrows threshold around mid-month. Sunset is past 8:30 and the canyon runs on shuttle time from dawn.
- 84° / 52°avg high / low
- 14.1 hdaylight, 6:23 am to 8:32 pm
- 0.8 inprecipitation
What’s open
- The Narrows usually reopens around mid-May as runoff drops below 150 CFS; the closure can run later, so check NPS closures before building a day around it.
- Lava Point Campground opens for its May to September season: 6 primitive sites, pit toilets, no potable water, about 20 degrees cooler at 7,890 feet.
- Shuttle-only Scenic Drive; parking fills by 9 AM, so ride the free Springdale shuttle from town, 2.3 miles south of the entrance.
How busy
High, building toward the summer peak; parking full by 9 AM.
Best for
- the Narrows reopening
- long warm days
What to do
- The Narrows once it reopens, while the water is still cold and the walls are shaded.
- Lava Point for a cool night and a 45-minute escape from the canyon crowds.
- Observation Point from the East Mesa trailhead before the summer heat builds.
Pack
- Sun hat and 3 liters of water
- Closed-toe shoes and a walking stick for the river
- Warm layers if you sleep at Lava Point
Zion National Park in June
June: the heat arrives, the storms have not
Highs in the mid 90s, lows in the low 60s, and the driest month of the year at under a quarter inch. Nearly 15 hours of daylight. The canyon is at full capacity from the first weekend, and the midday hours belong to the river, not the trails.
- 95° / 62°avg high / low
- 14.7 hdaylight, 6:10 am to 8:53 pm
- 0.2 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Peak season rules: parking full before 9 AM, shuttle waits over 30 minutes from 8 AM to noon, campgrounds and lodging booked weeks ahead.
- Watchman, South and Lava Point are all open; Watchman is reserved up to 6 months ahead, South up to 14 days ahead.
- The Narrows is open at typical summer flows before the monsoon; Angels Landing permit holders should take the dawn slot.
How busy
Peak. Campgrounds and lodging fill weeks in advance.
Best for
- longest days
- the Narrows before monsoon
What to do
- Hike from dawn to 9 AM, then spend the afternoon in the Narrows or along the river.
- Pa'rus Trail after 5 PM for sunset and stargazing, the one trail in the park that allows pets.
- Kolob Canyons and Taylor Creek for higher, cooler ground about an hour away.
Pack
- 3 to 4 liters of water per person
- Light long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat
- A cooler: the driest air of the year
Zion National Park in July
July: 100 degrees, monsoon afternoons, and a 6 AM start
The hottest month: highs average 100 with inner-canyon spots at 95 to 105, lows near 70. Monsoon storms arrive around mid-month, roughly 14 thunderstorm days, and can push the Virgin River from a typical 50 to 100 CFS past 500 within hours. Heat-related incidents spike.
- 100° / 70°avg high / low
- 14.5 hdaylight, 6:22 am to 8:53 pm
- 1.1 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Shuttle-only Scenic Drive, running daily roughly 6 AM to 10 PM; parking fills by 9 AM, so arrive by 6:30 or park in Springdale and ride the free town shuttle.
- The Narrows closes when flow exceeds 150 CFS, which monsoon surges can trigger in hours; watch posted flash-flood ratings.
- Weeping Rock Trail is closed for rockfall hazard at the trailhead as of 2025; check NPS before planning around it.
- The east entrance on State Route 9 through the tunnel stays open to private vehicles year-round.
How busy
Peak. Angels Landing alone sees 1,200-plus hikers a day; shuttle waits pass 30 minutes.
Best for
- the Narrows at dawn
- cool water in a hot canyon
What to do
- The Narrows from 6 or 7 AM, out by 1 or 2 PM, and leave immediately if the water muddies or debris comes downstream.
- Angels Landing only with a permit and a 5 to 6 AM start; most hikers are down by 9 or 10.
- Lava Point or Bryce Canyon, each about 20 degrees cooler, for the afternoon.
Pack
- 3 to 4 liters of water for a full day: about a liter per hour in this heat
- A walking stick and closed-toe shoes for the river
- Light-colored long sleeves and a wide brim
Zion National Park in August
August: monsoon peak, still near 100
Highs around 98, lows near 69, and the wettest summer month because nearly all of it arrives in short afternoon storms. Flash-flood risk in the slot canyons is at its highest of the year. Crowds stay at peak until schools go back.
- 98° / 69°avg high / low
- 13.6 hdaylight, 6:47 am to 8:26 pm
- 1.6 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Peak crowds and parking rules continue: lots full by 9 AM, 30-minute-plus shuttle waits from 8 AM to noon.
- The Narrows and the Left Fork carry monsoon flash-flood risk through August; do not enter a slot canyon during or after a storm, and check posted flood ratings and upstream weather.
- All three campgrounds are open; Lava Point is the cool one, with no potable water.
How busy
Peak through most of the month; parking full by 9 AM.
Best for
- storm skies
- dawn hikes
What to do
- Early-morning canyon hikes finished by 2 to 3 PM, before the storms build.
- Canyon Overlook on the east side, no shuttle required, for evening light.
- A Bryce Canyon day trip, 90 minutes away and about 20 degrees cooler.
Pack
- A rain shell that packs small
- 3 to 4 liters of water
- Shoes you can wade in
Zion National Park in September
September: the heat breaks and the crowds thin after Labor Day
Highs near 91 early in the month and cooler every week, lows in the low 60s. The monsoon fades, the river settles, and parking pressure eases after Labor Day. Still hot at midday, but the mornings and evenings turn pleasant and the daylight is back to 12 and a half hours.
- 91° / 61°avg high / low
- 12.5 hdaylight, 7:12 am to 7:41 pm
- 1.2 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Full shuttle service continues; parking pressure eases after Labor Day.
- Lava Point's season ends in September; South and Watchman stay open.
- Fall, in the park's calendar, means no runoff closures on the Narrows and no monsoon flash-flood risk once the storms fade.
How busy
High but easing; September weekdays are among the lighter days of the year.
Best for
- the Narrows
- weekday quiet
What to do
- The Narrows with water warm enough to wade comfortably and a reliable flow.
- Angels Landing and Scout Lookout in cooler mornings.
- Observation Point via the East Mesa trailhead, a long day that makes sense again.
Pack
- Sun protection: still in the 90s at midday
- 3 liters of water
- A light layer for evenings
Zion National Park in October
October: the best month, by the old guide's own verdict
Highs around 78, lows near 49, dry, and full shuttle service with crowds well below summer. Fall color arrives on the canyon floor late in the month. Sunset moves back to about 7, which is enough for a full day and dinner in Springdale.
- 78° / 49°avg high / low
- 11.3 hdaylight, 7:38 am to 6:56 pm
- 1.2 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Full shuttle service on the Scenic Drive continues through late November.
- South Campground closes October 31; Watchman stays open year-round.
- The Narrows, Angels Landing and the Emerald Pools are all in their ideal window: no runoff, no monsoon, minimal mud or snow.
How busy
High but manageable compared with April through September.
Best for
- hiking weather
- fall color
- the Narrows
What to do
- The Narrows: the water is still comfortable and the flow is reliable.
- Angels Landing in 70-degree afternoons.
- Fall color along the canyon floor late in the month, with a stop at the Grotto.
Pack
- Layers for a 30-degree day
- Wading shoes for the Narrows
- A reservation: October is popular for a reason
Zion National Park in November
November: the shuttle's last weeks and the first cold nights
Highs in the mid 60s, lows in the upper 30s, and the first trace of snow in the normals. Daylight drops to about 10 hours with sunset before 5:30. Crowds fall again after Thanksgiving, when the shuttle is also winding down.
- 64° / 37°avg high / low
- 10.2 hdaylight, 7:10 am to 5:22 pm
- 1.2 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Shuttle-only operation runs through late November, then pauses for winter and private vehicles return to the Scenic Drive.
- South Campground is closed for the season; Watchman is open. Kolob Terrace Road can close for snow from November.
- Parking pressure eases again after Thanksgiving.
How busy
Moderate; Thanksgiving week is busy, the days after it are not.
Best for
- late-season quiet
- cool hiking
What to do
- Angels Landing and Scout Lookout before ice arrives on the chain section.
- The Narrows in its last comfortable weeks; by winter it is drysuit territory.
- The Watchman Trail at sunset, which is before 5:30.
Pack
- Warm layers for nights in the 30s
- Headlamp: sunset before 5:30
- Traction devices late in the month
Zion National Park in December
December: the snowiest month, and it is still under 2 inches
Highs in the low 50s, lows just under 30, and 1.7 inches of snow, the most of any month. The canyon floor stays mostly walkable while the rims and the Kolob high country go white. Christmas week is the one crowded stretch in an otherwise empty park.
- 52° / 29°avg high / low
- 9.6 hdaylight, 7:38 am to 5:15 pm
- 1.6 inprecipitation, 2 in snow
What’s open
- Shuttle service pauses for winter; private vehicles drive the Scenic Drive, subject to parking capacity, and icing is possible.
- Watchman Campground is open, South is closed, and Lava Point is closed by snow.
- Zion Lodge winter rates run about half of summer's, and lodging is easy to book outside the holidays.
How busy
Low, except Christmas week, which the park's calendar treats as a major holiday.
Best for
- snow on red rock
- solitude outside the holidays
What to do
- Pa'rus Trail and Riverside Walk in snow-dusted light.
- Angels Landing only on a dry, sunny day with traction; the chains are risky when wet or icy.
- The Narrows only with a drysuit; the water is near freezing.
Pack
- Traction devices
- Full winter layers for sub-freezing nights
- A drysuit rental if the Narrows is the goal
Which month is yours?
Questions people ask about Zion’s seasons
What is the best month to visit Zion National Park?
October: highs around 78, full shuttle service, excellent trail conditions with no runoff or monsoon closures on the Narrows, and crowds well below summer. November is nearly as good with cooler nights and thinner crowds after Thanksgiving. September works if you can handle 90-degree middays.
What is Zion National Park like in May?
Warm and dry, with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the 50s, and busy: parking fills by 9 AM. The catch is the Narrows, which typically stays closed from mid-April to mid-May while snowmelt keeps the Virgin River above 150 CFS. Late May usually has it back open, and Lava Point Campground opens for the season at the same time.
Is spring a good time to visit Zion?
Yes for hiking temperatures: March highs in the mid 60s, April in the low 70s, May in the mid 80s. It is also unpredictable, with lows near freezing in March and afternoon thunderstorms common in April and May, and it is high season, with Springdale rates 50 to 100 percent above winter. Plan around the Narrows closure from mid-April to mid-May.
When is the Narrows closed?
Whenever the Virgin River runs above 150 CFS. That reliably happens during spring runoff from mid-April through mid-May, and it can happen for hours or days at a time during monsoon storms from mid-July through August. Fall and winter offer the most reliable access, though winter requires a drysuit.
Does it snow in Zion National Park?
A little. NOAA's Zion Canyon normals show 1.7 inches in December, under an inch in each of January, February and March, a trace in November, and none from April through October. Higher ground is different: Kolob Terrace Road can be closed by snow from November through May, and Lava Point at 7,890 feet is typically closed until May.
Can you hike Angels Landing in winter?
Yes, with a permit from recreation.gov ($6 to apply, $3 per person if awarded), and only with care: the exposed chain section is risky when wet or icy, and traction devices are recommended. Dry, sunny days in January and February are the best winter conditions; spring and fall are more reliable.
Every month on this page is built from NOAA 1991-2020 normals for the Zion Canyon station, the sun's position, and the park's published shuttle, river, campground and permit rules, not from a visit. Where a date depends on the river or the snowpack, the page says so and points to NPS alerts. Temperatures: Zion Canyon, 4,040 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00429717).
