On Saturday, March 11, the Zion Canyon shuttles kicked off the start of their 2023 season. While the shuttles do go into operation around holidays during the winter season, they only run for daily service from mid-March to late November each year.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, national parks across the country began taking measures to control crowds. But in Zion National Park, the shuttle system has been alleviating traffic and parking issues and helping to manage crowds in Zion’s Lower Canyon for more than 20 years.
But for first-time visitors to Zion hotels, navigating the shuttle system can seem more like a hassle than a convenience. On busy days, lines can form at shuttle stops. Finding parking to ride the shuttle can sometimes be a challenge. And you’ll need to do a little extra planning to explore the Lower Canyon’s most popular destinations than you would in your personal vehicle during the winter months.
Planning a visit to Flanigan’s Resort in 2023? Keep reading to learn a few tips to help you master the shuttle system during your stay at Zion hotels.
Hit Your Top Trails Early
The Zion Canyon shuttle system was implemented to reduce crowding, as well as parking issues and traffic, in Zion’s popular Lower Canyon. This is where you’ll find many of the park’s most popular trailheads, like Angels Landing and The Narrows, as well as overlooks, the Visitor’s Center, the Zion Lodge, and more.
But while the shuttle system does help to prevent traffic jams and keeps visitors from parking in grassy areas and along roadways, it doesn’t completely prevent crowds on busy days. In the height of the summer and around holidays, you might find a line at the park’s most popular shuttle stops and trailheads in the middle of the day.
To ensure that crowds don’t stop you from hitting all of the items on your bucket list during your visit, start each day with the top trails on your list. Get to the park early, especially if you’re visiting in the middle of summer or around a holiday. This will ensure you get to the hikes you want without crowds getting in the way. Later in the day, enjoy less popular trails, or head back to your Zion hotels for some swimming, relaxation, or a visit to the spa.
Walk Between Certain Stops
Another great way to avoid the midday lines at shuttle stops is to walk between stops when possible. For instance, the first shuttle stop in the park is located at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. This is, of course, a popular spot, especially in the late morning and early afternoon as most guests are getting to Zion National Park.
But just a short walk away, there’s another shuttle stop at the Zion Human History Museum. Don’t waste time riding the shuttle between these stops. Instead, walk to the museum, enjoy the history you’ll find there, and then hop on a shuttle bus. You’ll likely want to use the shuttle to get between the middle stops on the Zion Canyon Shuttle route. But you can walk between some of the final stops, like Weeping Rock (Shuttle Stop #7) and Big Bend (Shuttle Stop #8).
Don’t Be Afraid to Bring Strollers or Bikes
Having the ability to walk—or ride—between shuttle stops can help you get around the park easier on busy days. Having strollers along for little ones, or even bikes for the whole family, can help with this.
The Zion shuttles do allow both strollers and bikes. However, you’ll need to make sure that you can load both onto the buses’ front racks on your own.
Electric bikes are another great option to get around Zion. However, these are not allowed on the shuttle buses’ bike racks. Luckily, e-bikes make it easy to get to and from the park from lodging near Zion National Park. Flanigan’s Resort has partnered with Zion Peddler to make it easy for our guests to add an e-bike adventure to their stay.
Planning Your Stay in Zion Hotels
If it’s your first time staying in Zion hotels, the shuttle system can be confusing to navigate. But with a little planning and a few tips, the shuttles can be a simple tool to help you make the most of your time in Zion National Park.
Staying in Flanigan’s Resort makes it even easier to navigate the Springdale and Zion Canyon shuttles. As one of the best options for lodging near Zion National Park, our location on Springdale Shuttle Stop #3 means that guests can leave their vehicles parked at the resort while they ride to the entrance to the park, or explore the town of Springdale. No worrying about finding parking on a busy day. This also makes it easy to take advantage of some of the other tips on this list, like getting to the park early in the day to beat the crowds.
Ready to start planning your 2023 visit to Flanigan’s Resort and Zion National Park? Book your next stay today!