Springdale, Utah at a glance
- Springdale to Las Vegas
- About 165 miles, 2 h 45 min
- La Verkin to south entrance
- About 22 miles, 30 min
- Park entrance (2026)
- $35 per vehicle; non-US residents 16+ pay $100 extra
- Shuttle
- Free; no reservation; March to November plus late-December
- Angels Landing
- Lottery permit only
Zion's main canyon has one doorway on the south side, and the town built around it is Springdale. This guide covers staying there and in the towns along the Virgin River that feed it: Rockville, Virgin, La Verkin and Hurricane. For the park-wide rules (shuttle, Angels Landing, fees) see the southern Utah hub; a short version is below.
Springdale: walk to the shuttle
Springdale sits at the park's south entrance. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the first shuttle stops are a short ride or walk away, and a free town shuttle, the Springdale Line, links the town's stops to the park. That convenience is why it's the priciest and busiest base. In busy months the visitor center lot fills early; staying in town means you can leave the car at your lodging. Rockville and Virgin, a few minutes west and up Highway 9, are quieter and smaller, with fewer places to stay. As of October 2026 we list only about a dozen homes in and around Springdale itself, mostly condo-style rooms and a few houses, so book early for spring and fall.
The rules, short version (as of October 2026)
- Shuttle: no reservation or ticket. It runs March through November and the late-December holidays; private cars are barred from Zion Canyon Scenic Drive while it runs. Most of December to February the road is open to cars. Check the NPS page.
- Angels Landing: permit only, by seasonal or day-before lottery on recreation.gov, no walk-up permits. Each seasonal lottery opens about two to three months before its season; the dates are on recreation.gov. Scout Lookout needs no permit. Details.
- The Narrows: the bottom-up hike from the Temple of Sinawava needs no permit but is usually closed in spring when snowmelt pushes the river above the closure limit, and it is closed under any Flash Flood Warning. Summer and early fall are the best months, but the monsoon can flood the canyon within minutes. Check conditions that morning and never enter the water with rain in the forecast. Rent drysuits or neoprene socks and a walking stick in town.
- Fees: $35 per vehicle for seven days. As of 2026, non-US visitors 16 and over pay an extra $100 each, and the annual pass is $250 for non-residents ($80 for US residents).
La Verkin and Hurricane: the smarter base
La Verkin is roughly 22 miles and 30 minutes from the park's south entrance; Hurricane about 35 minutes. Both cost less than Springdale and have a better selection of whole houses, pools and larger groups. They're also closer to Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow and Quail Creek state parks and the Hurricane Cliffs mountain-bike trails. We list roughly 80 homes here.
The 1924 Zion Western Farmhouse on the edge of La Verkin has a pool and spa, space for a group and acreage with open sky; hosts there often point guests to the park's quieter corners below.
Confluence Park and Gooseberry Mesa
Confluence Park is a nature park in La Verkin and Hurricane, where the Virgin River, La Verkin Creek and Ash Creek meet. It has trails, cottonwoods and river views, a good easy walk when you don't want a canyon day; we haven't verified swimming there, so treat the water with the same caution as any desert river. Gooseberry Mesa, one of Utah's best-known mountain-bike trails, is reached from Hurricane via SR-59 and the Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway (not from Virgin); the dirt roads can be impassable when wet.
Kolob Canyons, Kolob Terrace and Lava Point
Kolob Canyons is a separate entrance to Zion off I-15 exit 40, about 45 minutes north of the main canyon, with red canyons and short trails and far fewer people. Kolob Terrace Road leaves Highway 9 at Virgin and climbs onto the high plateau; it is not plowed beyond the lower section in winter, so check conditions. It reaches Lava Point, where a primitive campground of six sites with a pit toilet is booked on recreation.gov up to 14 days ahead (it is seasonal and is not a backcountry-permit site). Check the NPS Lava Point page before you go.
Kanarra Creek
Kanarra Creek is a slot canyon with a waterfall climb up a ladder and boulder scrambles, in Kanarraville, on I-15 about 13 miles south of Cedar City. It lies north and west of Zion, not on the way to the east side, so pair it with Kolob Canyons. Permits are limited to 150 people per day, $15 each, and are sold at kanarrafalls.com or at the trailhead (card only, no refunds). Peak days often sell out about a month ahead; leftover tickets may go on sale at the trailhead in the afternoon. Wear shoes that can get wet, and bring a dry bag. The water is cold.
Safety
Flash floods in slot canyons are the main hazard in this region, particularly July to September. Don't enter any canyon, including Kanarra Creek or the Narrows, if there is rain in the forecast anywhere upstream. Carry water, start early in summer, when canyon temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees, and download offline maps before you go; cell coverage is thin.
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Search stays on CielStay →Frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay in Springdale or Hurricane?
Springdale puts you at Zion's south entrance, with the shuttle and restaurants nearby, but costs more and has far fewer homes. La Verkin and Hurricane are roughly 30 and 35 minutes from the south entrance, cost less, and have more whole houses, pools and group-sized homes. Choose Springdale for early starts, Hurricane or La Verkin for space and price.
Do I need to reserve the Zion shuttle?
No. As of October 2026 no shuttle ticket or reservation exists. You need only the park entrance fee or a pass. The shuttle normally runs March through November and the late-December holidays; private vehicles are barred from the canyon road while it runs.
Is the Narrows open in spring?
Usually not for long. Spring snowmelt typically pushes the Virgin River above the 150 cfs limit and NPS closes the Narrows, in recent years for weeks between April and June. The best seasons are summer and early fall. The hike is also closed whenever a Flash Flood Warning is in effect, so check nps.gov/zion that morning.
How do I get a Kanarra Falls permit?
At kanarrafalls.com or at the trailhead (card only, no refunds). Permits are $15 per person and capped at 150 a day; peak days from April to October often sell out about a month ahead. Kanarra Creek is near Kanarraville on I-15, south of Cedar City, not in Zion National Park.
Can I camp at Lava Point?
Yes. Lava Point is a primitive campground of six sites with a pit toilet on Kolob Terrace Road, reserved on recreation.gov up to 14 days ahead. It is seasonal and the road is not plowed in winter. It is not a backcountry-permit site.
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This guide was assembled from the local knowledge of hosts with properties throughout Springdale, Utah, as indexed by CielStay. The descriptions of restaurants, trails, swimming holes, and local tips reflect what hosts share with guests in their listings — not the observations of a travel journalist or guest reviewer. Photos are sourced from host listing images and are credited to their respective listings. Information about permits and trail conditions may change; always verify with official sources before your trip.