With summer rapidly approaching, the most popular time of year in Zion National Park is almost here. If you’ve been dreaming of visiting this special national park, 2023 is a great year to do so. And now is a great time to start planning your visit.

There are plenty of decisions that go into planning a visit to Zion National Park. One of the first is which Zion lodging option you’ll choose. 

The Bungalows at Zion, located in the heart of Springdale, offer a unique and convenient basecamp to explore the park from. Our park bungalows are conveniently located on Shuttle Stop 7 on the Springdale Shuttle Loop. When the Zion shuttles are in operation, this makes it easy to get to and from the park each day. You can skip the hassles of finding parking in Springdale, and instead ride the shuttle directly to the entrance to the park.

Another thing you’ll need to do is set a budget for your trip. To do this, research what different activities and expenses will cost you. One common question is what it costs to get into Zion National Park. Keep reading to learn the answer, and how you can save on your visit.

How Much Does it Cost to Enter Zion National Park?

Every visitor that passes through one of the entrance gates to Zion National Park must pay an entrance fee or present a valid national park pass. How much it costs to enter the park will vary depending on the type of vehicle you’re driving or whether you’re arriving on foot.

If you’re entering the park in a private vehicle with a capacity of 15 or fewer people, the cost is $35. This fee covers the driver and all passengers and is valid for seven consecutive days. Those arriving on a motorcycle will pay $30 for a seven-day pass.

But what if you’re planning to leave your car at our park bungalows while you ride the shuttle to the entrance to the park? The cost to enter on foot is $20 per person. Children aged 15 or younger can enter the park for free.

Fee Free Days in the National Parks

Want to save on your visit to Zion National Park? One option is to visit on a Fee Free Day.

Every year, the National Park Service announces a few days during which the entrance fees at all national parks are waived for visitors. In 2023, the Fee Free Days are:

• January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 22: The first day of National Park Week
• August 4: The anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 23: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

Keep in mind that entrance is only granted on these days. So if you plan to visit ZIon more than one day during your stay in Zion lodging, you’ll still need to pay the park’s entrance fee another day.

National Park Annual Passes

Another great way to save during your stay in Zion lodging is to purchase an annual pass. If you plan to visit Zion for more than seven days, want to visit more national parks that charge an entrance fee, like Bryce Canyon or the Grand Canyon, during your trip, or want to visit more national parks back home, an annual pass from the National Park Service can help you save big.

You can purchase a park-specific pass to Zion for $70. But this will only provide access to Zion. Starting at just $80, you can purchase an annual pass that provides entry to all national parks that charge an entrance fee.

The America the Beautiful Pass is an Interagency pass that provides access to all federal recreation sites. This includes national parks, monuments, forests, and more. The pass is available to anyone and costs just $80 for one year. With the pass, one cardholder and up to three guests can enter the park at once.

Certain individuals may also be eligible for a discounted annual pass. Current U.S. military members and dependents can get a Military Annual Pass for free. Senior citizens age 62 or older can get a discounted annual pass for $20 for a year or $80 for a lifetime.

Planning Your 2023 Zion National Park Adventure

Now that you know what it costs to visit Zion National Park and a few ways to save on your entry fee, it’s time to start planning your visit.

Whether you’re planning to spend your whole trip exploring Zion or enjoying some of the other activities and attractions that Southern Utah has to offer, The Bungalows at Zion are always a great choice.

Ready to learn more tips for planning the perfect adventure in Zion National Park? Click here to learn how to visit like a pro.