Best Time to Visit Zion National Park
Crowds and weather by month · Utah · NPS visitor counts through 2025
The short answer
Mild weather, fewer people: November — 51% as busy as June, about 10,304 visitors a day, average high 64°F (18°C).
Quietest month: January — about 4,371 visitors a day, average high 54°F (cool).
Busiest month: June — about 20,182 visitors a day.
Zion month by month
| Month | Crowds · visitors/day | High / low · precip. |
|---|---|---|
| JanuaryQuietest× Cool | Quiet22% of peak · 4,371/day | 54° / 30°F12° / -1°C · 2.0 in · 5 wet days · snow 1 in |
| February△ Very few visitors — check what is open | Quiet27% of peak · 5,435/day | 58° / 34°F14° / 1°C · 2.1 in · 5 wet days · snow 1 in |
| March○ Mild weather, busy | Busy67% of peak · 13,616/day | 66° / 39°F19° / 4°C · 2.0 in · 5 wet days · snow 1 in |
| April○ Mild weather, busy | Busy83% of peak · 16,768/day | 73° / 44°F23° / 7°C · 1.2 in · 3 wet days |
| May○ Mild weather, busy | Peak93% of peak · 18,701/day | 84° / 52°F29° / 11°C · 0.8 in · 2 wet days |
| June× Very hot | Peak100% of peak · 20,182/day | 95° / 62°F35° / 17°C · 0.2 in · 1 wet days |
| July× Very hot | Peak90% of peak · 18,241/day | 100° / 70°F38° / 21°C · 1.1 in · 3 wet days |
| August× Very hot | Busy76% of peak · 15,310/day | 98° / 69°F37° / 20°C · 1.6 in · 3 wet days |
| September× Hot | Busy81% of peak · 16,389/day | 91° / 61°F33° / 16°C · 1.2 in · 2 wet days |
| October○ Mild weather, busy | Busy82% of peak · 16,506/day | 78° / 49°F26° / 9°C · 1.2 in · 3 wet days |
| NovemberBest◎ Mild weather, fewer people | Moderate51% of peak · 10,304/day | 64° / 37°F18° / 3°C · 1.2 in · 3 wet days |
| December× Cool | Moderate37% of peak · 7,503/day | 52° / 29°F11° / -1°C · 1.6 in · 4 wet days · snow 2 in |
Crowds = visitors per day as % of the busiest month: ●●●●● Peak (85–100) · ●●●●○ Busy (60–84) · ●●●○○ Moderate (35–59) · ●●○○○ Quiet (15–34) · ●○○○○ Very quiet (under 15). ◎ mild weather, fewer people · ○ mild but busy · △ very few visitors (often seasonal closures) · × cold or hot. Wet days = days with at least 0.1 in of rain or melted snow.
Zion by month
- Zion in January
- Zion in February
- Zion in March
- Zion in April
- Zion in May
- Zion in June
- Zion in September
- Zion in October
- Zion in November
- Zion in December
Visitors per year
| Year | Recreation visits | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3,648,846 | |
| 2016 | 4,295,127 | |
| 2017 | 4,504,812 | |
| 2018 | 4,320,033 | |
| 2019 | 4,488,268 | |
| 2020pandemic | 3,591,254 | |
| 2021pandemic | 5,039,835 | |
| 2022 | 4,692,417 | |
| 2023 | 4,623,238 | |
| 2024 | 4,946,592 | |
| 2025 | 4,984,525 |
Where the weather numbers come from
Temperatures and precipitation are 30-year averages (1991–2020) from the NOAA station ZION NP — Zion Canyon (park headquarters), at 4,039 ft (1,231 m). Higher viewpoints and trails can be much colder and snowier than the station.
Months with very few visitors often have roads, campgrounds or visitor centers closed for the season. Check current conditions on the official Zion National Park website before you go.
Other parks at their best in November
- Yosemite
40% of peak · high 56°F
- Arches
46% of peak · high 56°F
- Everglades
60% of peak · high 83°F
- Saguaro
56% of peak · high 75°F
How “best” is chosen: the least crowded month with an average high between 55°F and 85°F (13–29°C), skipping months with under 30% of peak visitors because those are often seasonal closures. Crowds compare visitors per day, so short and long months are treated fairly.
Sources. Visitor counts: National Park Service, Visitor Use Statistics (recreation visits, final figures through 2025; typical months use 2022–2025). Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station ZION NP, USC00429717, 4,039 ft / 1,231 m). Both are U.S. Government works in the public domain. How we calculate.
Park Months is an independent site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or NOAA.