Guide to Visiting Zion National Park
"I exclaimed “This is beautiful!” constantly during my December 2023 visit—driving through the Zion‑Mount Carmel Tunnel into a sea of red rocks was only the opening act for the hike‑able mesas, canyons, and sky‑high sandstone that make this 146,597‑acre park one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited; it draws over five million people a year and requires some planning (shuttle system, permits for certain hikes, and an entrance fee). I loved the stargazing opportunities—Zion is DarkSky‑certified—and birding (over 290 species), but I also noted practicalities: watch the weather for summer monsoons and flash floods, consider the America the Beautiful pass if visiting multiple parks, and be prepared for permit logistics and shuttle timetables in high season." - Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion is a travel journalist and photographer covering culture and adventure for Travel + Leisure Outside, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
