Zion National Park is hiding a big secret. And it’s one that most of the park’s more than five million annual visitors don’t know.

The big secret? While May, June, and July see the highest number of monthly visitors, summer isn’t the best time of year to visit the park. 

There are plenty of reasons why summer remains the most popular time to book a stay at your favorite Zion vacation rentals. To start, if they are going to take a vacation, most people choose to do so during the summer. For some, it’s because this is when kids are out of school or college classes are on break. For others, it’s simply a habit. In 2022, more than 93 million Americans traveled during the summer months.

Many travelers no doubt assume that because they are planning to visit a national park, it’s best to do so during the warmest, driest time of year. But when it comes to Zion National Park, this may not be the case.

If you’re ready to start planning your next visit to your favorite Zion resort, The Bungalows at Zion, keep reading as we dive into Zion’s secret season, and why it might just be the best time of year to visit the park.

Zion’s Secret Season

The winter season in Zion National Park has long been a closely guarded secret among locals and experienced visitors. While temperatures may be cooler than the summer and winter weather occurs from time to time, this season has a lot going for it.

To start, the cooler temperatures make for a more comfortable hike on Zion’s challenging trails. While the park does experience some snow, ice, and below-freezing days, for the most part, Southern Utah enjoys mild winters. Brush up on some winter driving tips ahead of your visit, and check with park rangers for trail conditions before setting off on steep trails like Angels Landing. But other than that, you’ll be able to enjoy many of the same activities this time of year. 

If you’re lucky enough to be there when the park does see some snow, you’ll be treated to some truly stunning views as the park becomes a sparkling winter wonderland!

But perhaps the best reason to visit during Zion’s Secret Season is the chance to enjoy a near-empty park! In 2022, more than 560,000 people visited the park in June, Zion’s busiest month. By comparison, just under 140,000 people made their way to the park in January, the slowest month of the year. If you want to enjoy Zion’s hiking trails, overlooks, and other attractions with few crowds, this is a great time to do so! 

Because of the lower crowd numbers and the winter weather, the Zion Canyon Shuttle does not operate this time of year. This means that for most of the winter, you can drive your personal vehicle into the Lower Canyon, and park in the lots located at popular trailheads.

Planning a Summer Visit to Zion National Park 

If summer is the only time of year that you can travel, or if you have the luxury of taking a few trips a year, you can still plan an amazing trip to Zion National Park. 

The Zion Canyon Shuttles have done wonders to alleviate traffic and crowding in the Lower Canyon. Starting your day in the park early is a great way to get on the trails before the crowds. And if you’ve done a little training before your trip and stay hydrated during it, you can still take on Zion’s most challenging trails, even on a triple-digit temperature day.

Staying in our Zion vacation rentals is also a good choice this time of year. You’ll have plenty of space to relax and unwind at the end of a long day, or to take a day off from visiting the park and relax in your private Bungalow.

Planning a Stay at Zion Vacation Rentals

There’s no doubt that winter is Zion’s Secret Season. Cooler temps and mild weather, coupled with few crowds and the opportunity to drive into the park, make it a great time to make the most of your visit to the park. You’ll be able to hike more trails, enjoy more relaxing strolls, and even take a cruise in your personal vehicle through Zion’s Lower Canyon—something that you can’t do the rest of the year!

But there’s another big benefit to planning a visit to Zion this time of year; the chance to enjoy big savings on your stay in the best Zion vacation rentals!

If you’re planning a stay at The Bungalows at Zion this winter, don’t forget to take advantage of our amazing Secret Season sale. When you book a stay of two or more nights at our Zion resort before March 15, you’ll enjoy a 40 percent discount on your entire booking! This is a great opportunity to save big on your next vacation, or to spend the money you save on a special tour, meal, or souvenirs. Book today to take advantage of these amazing savings!