How much does it cost to travel to Zion National Park?
You should plan to spend around $119 per day on your vacation in Zion National Park. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $37 on meals
- $30 on local transportation
- $121 on hotels
A one week trip to Zion National Park for two people costs, on average, $1,666. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Zion National Park has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Zion National Park expensive to visit?
Prices in Zion National Park are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Zion National Park is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Hope, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Zion National Park Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Zion National Park?
The average Zion National Park trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Zion National Park travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$121
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$30
|
|
Food 2
|
$37
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$26
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$4 -
12
|
Accommodation Budget in Zion National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Zion National Park is $60. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Zion National Park is $121. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Zion National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Zion National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Zion National Park is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $30 per person, per day, on local transportation in Zion National Park.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$30
How much does it cost to go to Zion National Park? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Zion National Park will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Zion National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Zion National Park can vary, the average cost of food in Zion National Park is $37 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Zion National Park should cost around $15 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Zion National Park is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$37
Entertainment Budget in Zion National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Zion National Park typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$26
Alcohol Budget in Zion National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.28 on alcoholic beverages in Zion National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.28
Zion National Park On a Budget
The valley of Zion National Park
Grab your backpack, water bottle and protein bar and prepare yourself for the most humbling and awe-inspiring sights you'll likely ever see. Zion National Park in southern Utah is a favorite for hikers, backpackers and climbers around the world. With the red and white cliffs of Zion Canyon rising high over the Virgin River, meadows of wildflowers, hanging gardens and high plateaus, you'll be hard pressed to find more breathtaking views in the US.
First settled when Mormon pioneer Isaac Behuni built his log cabin in 1863, today the park welcomes 2.7 million visitors a year. The weather in this area can vary greatly based on your elevation. Bare in mind, summers are very hot, reaching nearly 100 Fahrenheit during the day, and in the winter you mat expect a bit of snow. Also, pack your bug spray in the spring and summer months. The mosquitoes are in full bloom.
Sights
The entire park is a sight to see in itself. Really you could just get lost driving around this park and taking in the most gorgeous, natural sights in the country.
Start your trip at the
Zion Canyon Visitor Center. It's the main access to the shuttle and is home to very interesting exhibits and plenty of rangers to help you plan your time in the park.
The most obvious way to spend your time is by enjoying the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The canyons on this path have been created by 13 million years of erosion from the Virgin River. Running 6-miles through the Zion Canyon, this path passes some of the most marvelous rock formations including colorful sandstone cliffs rising 3,000 feet into the air.
If you have a bit more time, travel the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway. The 14 miles road connects east and south entrances of the park. One of the most stunning highlights of the drive is a 1.1-mile long tunnel constructed in 1930. It's packed with stunning rock formations including the colorful Checkerboard Mesa.
For a less crowded area of the park, travel over to the Kolob Canyons. These red rock canyons are breathtaking and there are incredible overlooks for the best photo opportunities.
And if you're looking for a more extensive trip, read this
2-day itinerary for Zion National Park.
Activities
The Zion National Park is a hiker's dream come true. With trails of varying lengths and difficulties, there is a walk meant for every visitor. The park information desk can provide you with maps and advice for where to go.
One of the most beautiful hikes you can take is almost definitely Angels Landing. This 2.5-mile rigorous climb leads to a stunning view of the canyons. If you're not up for the challenging climb, though, there are easier treks including Weeping Rock and Emerald Pools.
For the more experienced hikers The Narrows path begins on the east side of Zion and ends at the Zion Canyon. This popular off-trail hike follows the Virgin River along its incredibly high walls of colorful sandstone. The full hike is a one-way 16-mile journey. Bear in mind, wading is probably involved in certain areas so this hike is not for beginners.
Many activities are available at the Zion National Park including horseback riding, rock climbing or canyoneering. Be warned, the appropriate hardware and skills are necessary. Be sure to check at the visitor center as some areas may be closed at certain times of the year.
For more information on the area, you can participate in one of the ranger programs. They offer talks, shuttle tours, evening programs and junior ranger programs for kids to earn badges as they explore the park.
Food and Dining
There are a variety of restaurants around the park entrances, but the only food sold in the park is at the Zion Lodge. The restaurant offers spectacular views of the park, but expect all the dishes to be very typically American. You can enjoy burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and salads.
Transportation
The majority of the park is accessible by car, but larger vehicles such as RVs may have a bit more trouble navigating through the more narrow tunnels.
Shuttles run from late March to the end of October. This shuttle system is meant to eliminate congestion within the park, and they are equipped with plenty of room for bikes, backpacks and climbing gear.
The area is extremely bike friendly, but bikes are not allowed on walking trails. Bikers must follow all traffic laws, and be sure to ride defensively - many times vehicle drivers are distracted by the scenery and may not see you on the road.
Obviously, exploring by foot is highly recommended.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.