Sunny skies, panoramic views, 🤩 and gushing rivers – that’s what to expect when you visit Zion in May. This gorgeous park in Southwestern Utah is home to vibrant sandstone cliffs that rise high above the Virgin River. It’s one of the most beautiful spring destinations in the entire country!
I have been to Zion National Park 5 times now and this past visit to May was one of my all time favorites. It was such a wonderful place to spend a spring weekend 🌸. We biked through the park, enjoyed the trails, and felt like we had plenty of space to ourselves.
Read this guide for everything you need to know about visiting Zion in May! This post includes all of the best things to do, where to stay, and things to know about visiting in the spring. I hope this guide helps you plan a fantastic trip to this beautiful park.
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- The PERFECT Zion National Park Itinerary
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Table of Contents
All About Zion in May
Quick Park Facts
💵 Zion National Park costs $35 for a private vehicle which lasts 7 days. You can also use annual passes like America the Beautiful Pass for entry.
☀️ Weather changes quickly in Zion. Make sure that you stay updated and that you take the proper precautions. If there are signs of rain, then you may want to stay off certain trails like Angel’s Landing.
⛺️ All campgrounds in Zion must be reserved in advance. You can find reservations on recreation.gov. The closest campground to the scenic drive and most hikes is the Watchman Campgound.
🦅 There is a lot of wildlife in Zion National Park. Make sure to respect the wildlife by keeping your distance. You can spot things like mule deer, bighorn sheep, Californian condors and spotted owls.
🦮 Pets are only allowed on the Pa’rus Trail. They are not permitted on any other hikes.
⚠️ The Scenic Loop Drive is closed to public vehicles in May. You can only take the park shuttles or bike along this road.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Is May a Good Time to Visit?
May is a fantastic month to visit Zion National Park. Temperatures are usually perfect, the sun is out, and crowds are smaller than over the spring break rush or in the summertime.
During May the scenic road is only open to bikes or shuttles, so get there early to grab a spot on the bus!
However, the only downside to visiting in May is that the water levels are extremely high. 💦 This means that some hikes including the Narrows are closed. But, otherwise you’ll find plenty of fun things to do throughout the park!
Things to Know About Visiting in May
The most important thing to know about visiting Zion in May is that water levels rise due to the snowmelt at higher elevations. This means that the Virgin River is usually roaring through the park.
So, the Narrows hike is often closed for all of May with the flow rate being far too high. 🚫 If you plan on doing the Riverside Walk or other trails along the river, then you need to be careful! Stay away from the edge of the water and just take in the gushing waters.
Where to Stay
Zion has a plethora of places to stay including hotels nearby, free dispersed camping, and incredible campgrounds as well. Explore more of the options below.
Camping ⛺️
For those visitors who prefer to camp, whether that’s in a tent or an RV, there are tons of great options in the area. If you want to be super close to all the activities, you can book a spot at the Watchman campground. But, it does fill quickly, so plan early!
Otherwise, there are a few RV parks, Under Canvas Glamping, and hipcamps near Springdale. However, my favorite way to camp near Zion is to stay at free BLM sites. There are a few dispersed camping sites nearby including Kolob Terraces, Sheep Bridge, and Gooseberry Mesa.
Hotels & Lodging 🏨
On the other hand, if you are looking for a place to lounge and relax then you can find tons of lodging and hotels in the area! Springdale is the town right outside of the park, but you can also find hotels a little farther in St George, Hurricane or Kanab as well!
Best Hotels Near Zion:
Things to Do in Zion in May
Bike the Scenic Road
One of my favorite things that I have ever done in Zion was biking along the scenic road 🚴♀️. Because this drive is closed to private vehicles, it’s the perfect way to have flexibility and see the sights on your own!
There are multiple outfitters that you can rent bikes or e-bikes from, but you can also bring your own! The road is 7 miles total, so it’s a great place to take a day hike. Then, you can stop along the way and do a couple short hikes as you go!
Bikes in Zion:
Go on a Hike
Of course, one of the best way to see any national park is to hike through it. 🥾 There are so many great hikes in Zion that you can take even when the Narrows is closed. Below are some of my all time favorites!
Angels Landing
Angels Landing is one of the most iconic hikes in all of Zion with incredible views. But, it’s not for everyone with a death defying chains section. It’s one of those trails that you’ll always remember.
If you are afraid of heights, then I would avoid this hike!
In order to hike the chain section, you’ll need to win a permit. You can apply for the advanced lottery or try your luck at the daily lottery the day before you hike. We won permits the day before the last time we visited.
Even if you don’t get the permits, you can hike up to Scout Overlook, which has gorgeous views. From there, you can even continue on the West Rim trail.
Miles: 4.3 miles
Elevation: 1800 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Observation Point
I actually haven’t had a chance to hike this trail yet, but I have only heard amazing things. Most people say the trail is a little boring at first, but the views at the end are so worth it!
You will need a high clearance vehicle to reach this trail, which is outside of the East Entrance. If you don’t have a car that can get to the end, you can pay for the shuttle to the hike!
Miles: 7 miles
Elevation: 700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Emerald Pools
Looking for a family friendly trail? Emerald Pools is a fantastic hike to take. There are three pools along this hike: Lower, Middle and Upper. The trail also follows the river for a bit with stunning views of the Zion area.
Miles: 3 miles
Elevation: 620 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Riverside Walk
The Riverside Walk is another great trail for hikers of all levels! This hike is flat as it follows the river until you get to the end with views of the Virgin River traveling through the canyon. Usually, you can continue into the river on the Narrows trail, but this is closed in May.
Miles: 2 miles
Elevation: 193 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Canyon Overlook
I think that Canyon Overlook is the perfect trail to add to any itinerary, no matter how much time you have! This hike is a short mile round trip and provides some of the best views over the Zion scenery. Plus, you can go through the Mount Carmel tunnel, which is a unique experience!
Miles: 1 mile
Elevation: 157 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Take the Shuttle Through the Park
For those visitors looking for a nice relaxing trip to the park, you can take the shuttle along the scenic road. Take the free shuttle 🚌 from the Visitor Center and then follow it along the drive. You can get off at various points to see the sights or go on a hike or two as well!
Beautiful Sights in Zion:
- Court of the Patriarchs
- Weeping Rock
- Big Bend
- Canyon Junction Bridge
What is the Weather like in May?
The weather in Zion in May is usually perfect 🤗, which is what makes it such a good time to visit! The highs tend to be in the low 70s or high 60s with lows dipping into the 40s at night.
There is plenty of sunshine 🌞 in the month of May, so you can enjoy the warmer weather of spring. It’s truly a fantastic destination for a spring break trip or family vacation!
Packing List for Zion
Although spring in Zion is usually beautiful, there are occasional cold fronts or nasty weather. It’s important to pack layers, wear plenty of sunscreen, and bring tons of water for hydration.
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Small Pack
- First Aid Kit
- Rain Jacket
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat to block sun
- Hiking Poles
- Satellite Phone
- Parks Pass
Final Tips for Visiting Zion in May
Visit Zion in May and you will surely fall in love with this park! Gorgeous scenic views, perfect temperatures, and less people, it’s the best time to go. Just make sure to get up early to get parking near the shuttles and realize that some hikes are closed. You’ll have a great time on your trip!
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments
Super helpful! I went to Zion in September last time, so I’m definitely open to visiting in the spring next time!
It’s a fantastic Spring destination!