Best Time to Visit Zion National Park
The best months to visit Zion National Park are January, February and November — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. June is the crowd peak (601,680 monthly visits); January is quietest at 23% of peak.
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- The Virgin River Narrows and all slot canyons closed (Park Closure)
- Watchman Trail closed (Park Closure)
- Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Caution)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Zion month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Best window | 139,474 | 23% | 54°F / 30°F | 2.0″ | 9.9h |
| February | Best window | 153,173 | 25% | 58°F / 34°F | 2.1″ | 10.8h |
| March | Shoulder | 410,968 | 68% | 66°F / 39°F | 2.0″ | 11.9h |
| April | Peak crowds | 484,866 | 81% | 73°F / 44°F | 1.2″ | 13.1h |
| May | Peak crowds | 568,508 | 94% | 84°F / 53°F | 0.8″ | 14.1h |
| June | Peak crowds | 601,680 | 100% | 95°F / 62°F | 0.2″ | 14.7h |
| July | Peak crowds | 553,482 | 92% | 100°F / 70°F | 1.1″ | 14.5h |
| August | Peak crowds | 462,033 | 77% | 98°F / 69°F | 1.6″ | 13.6h |
| September | Peak crowds | 476,048 | 79% | 91°F / 61°F | 1.2″ | 12.5h |
| October | Peak crowds | 491,057 | 82% | 78°F / 49°F | 1.2″ | 11.3h |
| November | Best window | 301,264 | 50% | 64°F / 37°F | 1.2″ | 10.2h |
| December | Shoulder | 214,769 | 36% | 53°F / 29°F | 1.6″ | 9.6h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station ZION NP, UT US (1 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Zion each year
Zion National Park had 4,984,525 recreation visits in 2025, 1% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 5,039,835. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 4,857,322 visits a year, which makes it the 2nd most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,984,525 | +1% |
| 2024 | 4,946,592 | +7% |
| 2023 | 4,623,238 | −1% |
| 2022 | 4,692,417 | −7% |
| 2021 | 5,039,835 | +40% |
| 2020 | 3,591,254 | −20% |
| 2019 | 4,488,268 | +4% |
| 2018 | 4,320,033 | −4% |
| 2017 | 4,504,812 | +5% |
| 2016 | 4,295,127 | +18% |
| 2015 | 3,648,846 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Zion in January
Computed from January's weather normals — Zion's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 30°F, below freezing
- Headlamp — only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Zion?
January, February and November rank best for Zion on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Zion?
June: an average of 601,680 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is January, at 23% of the June peak.
When is Zion least crowded with decent conditions?
January. It is the park's quietest month (23% of the June peak, 139,474 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Zion per year?
Zion National Park had 4,984,525 recreation visits in 2025, 1% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 5,039,835. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 4,857,322 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Zion through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 100°F. The coldest nights come in December, averaging 29°F. The wettest month is February, with 2.1″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, ZION NP, UT US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Zion ranks against all 63 parks in January, February and November.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks