ZION SHUTTLE PLANNER
Map your stops, time your day, and catch the last shuttle back — plan the mandatory Zion Canyon shuttle. Free, no sign-up.
Your shuttle day
Starting at 7:00 AM, this plan has you done at your furthest stop (Stop 9, Temple of Sinawava) around 12:35 PM. The last shuttle out of the canyon leaves Temple of Sinawava around 8:15 PM this season.
About 7h 40m of buffer. Back at the Visitor Center around 1:30 PM.
Your stops, in shuttle order
It's one out-and-back line — ride up making these stops, then ride back down.
- 5Zion Lodge · ~18 min upEmerald Pools
- 9Temple of Sinawava · ~45 min upThe Narrows (Riverside Walk)
Estimates only. Per-stop ride times are approximate (NPS doesn't publish them), and the schedule changes yearly — always verify current shuttle times at nps.gov/zion. Assumes ~10 min waiting per boarding (every 5–10 min in this season).
All Zion Canyon shuttle stops
| Stop | Name | Main trailheads / sights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zion Canyon Visitor Center | — |
| 2 | Zion Human History Museum | Human History Museum |
| 3 | Canyon Junction | — |
| 4 | Court of the Patriarchs | Court of the Patriarchs |
| 5 | Zion Lodge | Emerald Pools, Zion Lodge (meal / break) |
| 6 | The Grotto | Angels Landing |
| 7 | Weeping Rock | Weeping Rock |
| 8 | Big Bend | Big Bend viewpoint |
| 9 | Temple of Sinawava | The Narrows (Riverside Walk) |
Heads up: Canyon Overlook is not on the canyon shuttle — its trailhead is on the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway, open to private vehicles year-round. Staying in town? The separate Springdale shuttle runs hotels and lots to the pedestrian entrance, where you pick up the Canyon Line at Stop 1.
Zion Shuttle FAQ
Do I need to use the Zion shuttle?
Yes — roughly March through November the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles, and the free shuttle is the only way up the canyon (no reservation needed). In deep winter (about December to February) the road reopens and you can drive your own car. The planner above sorts out the stops and timing for your dates.
What time does the last Zion shuttle leave?
It depends on the season. In peak summer (mid-May to mid-September) the last shuttle leaves Temple of Sinawava — the Narrows trailhead — around 8:15 PM; in spring and early fall it's about 7:15 PM, and in late fall it drops to roughly 6:15 PM. Always confirm the current schedule at nps.gov/zion. Use the planner's last-shuttle guard so you don't get stranded.
Which shuttle stop is Angels Landing? Which is The Narrows?
Angels Landing starts at Stop 6, The Grotto. The Narrows (via the paved Riverside Walk) is at Stop 9, Temple of Sinawava — the end of the line. Emerald Pools is at Stop 5, Zion Lodge.
How long does the Zion shuttle take end to end?
About 45 minutes one-way from the Visitor Center to Temple of Sinawava, with shuttles arriving every 5–10 minutes in peak season (longer in the shoulder seasons). Budget extra time to wait and board at each stop — the planner assumes about 10 minutes per boarding.
Can I drive my own car in Zion Canyon?
Only when the shuttle isn't running — roughly December through February. The rest of the year the Scenic Drive is shuttle-only. Note that the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway (and the Canyon Overlook trailhead) stays open to private vehicles year-round; Canyon Overlook is NOT on the canyon shuttle.