Utah · National Park
Zion tours, or self-guided
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Source: NPS + NOAA
The NPS lists 1 self-guided tour, 4 visitor centers and 3 guided-style activity tags for Zion (checked Oct 26, 2026). Commercial tour operators pay the NPS fee: $20 for entrance - non-commercial groups and $70 for commercial entrance - van. 4 road or trail alerts are active. Compare a real quote in the calculator.
Ask what is included
A guided price may or may not include the $35 vehicle entry fee, parking and meals. We print no operator prices because we have no live, licensed price feed. Enter a real quote and we prefill the park fee.
What commercial tours pay the NPS
| Vehicle size or group | NPS fee | Notes from NPS |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance - Non-commercial Groups | $20 | $20 per person. Non-commercial vehicles with a capacity of 16 or greater. Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and under are free. |
| Commercial Entrance - Van | $70 | A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. |
| Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus | $80 | A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. |
| Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach | $190 | A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. |
| Commercial Entrance - Per Person | $20 | A commercial tour is defined as one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. |
Source: nps.gov fees for Zion, checked Oct 26, 2026. This is the fee operators pay, not what you pay them.
Self-guided tours the NPS publishes
Pa'rus Self-Guided Walk
Follow the path of the Virgin River to learn about how its waters have shaped Zion Canyon. This paved trail travels 1.25 mi (2 km) along the Virgin River from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Canyon… Time: 1–2 h. 9 stops.
Source: NPS API tours, checked Oct 26, 2026. These cost nothing beyond entry.
Guided-style activities the NPS tags here
- Guided Tours
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
- Junior Ranger Program
Source: NPS API activity tags, checked Oct 26, 2026. A tag means the activity exists, not that a company runs it daily.
Visitor centers
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center (passport stamp): Located near the South Entrance of the park, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is an excellent place to begin your exploration of Zion Canyon. Park rangers and outdoor
- Zion Nature Center: During the summer, come visit the Zion Nature Center! This is a perfect place to learn about geology, animals, and the history of Zion. Take a break from the sun to
- Human History Museum (passport stamp): Immerse yourself in the human history of Zion National Park! Rangers staff an information desk during operating hours. Indoor exhibits explore the people, places, and
- Kolob Canyons Visitor Center (passport stamp): Closed daily from 12pm-1pm This is the entry point to the Kolob Canyons area of the park. It is located 45 miles north of Springdale and 17 miles south of Cedar City at
Source: NPS API visitor centers, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Road and trail alerts that affect tours
Caution Zion Mount Carmel Highway - One way traffic
Expect one way traffic and minor delays on Zion Mount Carmel Highway, due road construction starting on October 26th.
Information Zion Mount Carmel Highway - Nightly Road Closures
Overnight tunnel closures are set for the tunnel on the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway (SR-9) inside Zion National Park starting Monday, Oct. 26 for fiber optic installation. See Utah Department of Transportation website for Details on nps.gov
Park Closure Watchman Trail closed
The Watchman Trail is closed pending repairs.
Caution Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
Vehicles that exceed length, width, height, or weight limits cannot travel between Canyon Junction and the park's East Entrance. See the current limits on the page linked below. Details on nps.gov
Source: NPS API alerts, checked Oct 26, 2026. Check the park page before you drive.
More on Zion: tour or DIY overview. TourOrDIY is independent and not affiliated with the National Park Service. See the accuracy disclaimer and our method.