Zion Canyon Visitor Center is one of two visitor centers in Zion National Park. The park is famous for its sheer red-rock cliffs, deep chasms and dramatic waterfalls. Stop at the visitor center to find out about the range of activities available within the park and get assistance in planning your park adventure.
Browse the literature at the center. Consult maps for help with directions, leaf through books detailing the park’s wildlife and browse brochures to learn more about the park’s best hiking, rafting and climbing locales.
If you have any questions or queries relating to the park, ask the rangers at the visitor center. They will be happy to offer suggestions based on your interests or give advice about activities in the park. Bathrooms are also located here. Time your visit to coincide with one of the center’s staff-led lectures, during which rangers will explain the various features of the park, including how the canyon was formed.
Read the “ecohunt” signs placed throughout the visitor center site to find out more about the eco-minded design of the building. Among the many energy-saving features are innovative cooling towers and solar panels, which provide 30 percent of its power. The building also uses minimal electricity for lighting, with 80 percent of the center being lit by natural daylight.
A little farther down the road is the museum, which features exhibits covering the park’s fascinating geological features. During the busier summer months, leave your car parked at the visitor center and step aboard the shuttle bus that transports visitors into the heart of the park. The parking lot is large. Even so, you may want to arrive early to ensure you get a spot.
Find Zion Canyon Visitor Center at the south entrance of the park near Springdale. The museum is 0.5-mile (1-kilometer) north of here. The visitor center is open daily year-round. Hours change according to the season, so be sure to check ahead.