Laws & Policies

Help protect yourself and others by following all signs and instructions.

NPS Photo

 

Park-specific rules and regulations are detailed in the Superintendent's Compendium. These policies are in place to protect the visitors and wonderful resources of Zion National Park. Please do your part to protect this special place. Below is a selection of general park regulations:

Aircraft-based Remote-controlled Equipment

Use of remote-controlled equipment (including but not limited to helicopters, drones, and other aircraft-based equipment) within Zion National Park is prohibited. For more information, visit the NPS Unmanned Aircraft webpage.

Bicycling

Bicycling is permitted on all park roadways and on the Pa'rus Trail. All other park trails, off-trail routes, and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel are closed to bicycling. Bicyclists attempting to travel though the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel must obtain a ride through the tunnel, which is often possible by hitchhiking. Bicycles must ride single file on park roads and stop to let shuttle buses pass.

E-Bikes

Effective August 30, 2019, Class 1 pedal-assist E-bikes are allowed in the same locations as regular bicycles, and must follow all of the same rules. A Class 1 E-bike is defined as an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bike reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

Camping

Camping is allowed in the designated campsites in Watchman, South, and Lava Point Campgrounds, and with a Wilderness Permit in designated areas of the Zion Wilderness. Overnight accommodations in Zion Canyon are typically full from March to November. Camping or sleeping in pullouts or parking lots is prohibited.

Fees

Fees are required to enter the park, camp in park campgrounds, obtain special use permits, and obtain wilderness permits.

Firearms

People who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, can legally possess firearms in Zion National Park and must follow all state and federal laws. Discharging firearms or hunting within the park is prohibited. Firearms are prohibited in park facilities.

Group Size

The group size limit for all wilderness trails is 12 people. Group size limit for Mystery, Spry, Behunin, and Echo Canyons is six people.

Large Groups

Some large organized groups may require a special use permit. Please visit this page to see whether your group requires a permit.

Off-road Vehicles

ATVs, OHVs, and other off-road vehicles are not permitted in Zion National Park. Any vehicle off-road travel in Zion National Park is illegal.

Pets

Pets are not allowed on trails (with the exception of the Pa'rus Trail) or in the wilderness, with the exception of service animals.

Resource Damage

Damaging the park's natural and cultural resources is prohibited. Activities that damage resources include walking on vegetation, taking of natural or cultural objects, and graffiti or other vandalism.

Tunnel, Highway, and Large Vehicles

Beginning on June 7, 2026, large vehicles will be rerouted from the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway to improve safety and protect resources. Visit our large vehicles page to learn more about current restrictions.

Tubing

Tubing within Zion National Park is prohibited. Tubing opportunities exist outside the park in nearby communities.

Wildlife

Feeding and harassing wildlife is prohibited. Squirrels, mule deer, and other wildlife become aggressive when they become dependent on human food. Interactions with visitors raise the potential for injury, disease transmission, and potential destruction of the animal.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles approximately from early March through late-November. You can access the Scenic Drive with the Zion Canyon Shuttle System.

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Traffic Laws

In addition to park-specific regulations, Zion National Park enforces the same traffic laws as other law enforcement agencies. Below are a few examples of park-specific regulations. Please keep in mind that while the location is very different from your home town, basic traffic laws are the same.

Speed

Zion has unique roadways with beautiful vistas, narrow lanes, sharp turns, long drop-offs, and close-up encounters with wildlife. Help ensure your safety and protect the park's wildlife by obeying all speed limits. Do not block traffic to take pictures or wait for parking.

Obey Road Signs

All road signs must be obeyed, such as parking signs and lane markings. Help protect the resource by parking only on hard paved pullouts and not parking on vegetation.

Drugs and Alcohol

Possession of any controlled substance is prohibited. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants or having open containers of alcohol in a vehicle is prohibited. Help us protect park resources and other visitors by identifying a designated driver.

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Federal Regulations

Certain regulations apply to every national park unit. Those regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7).