As of November 2026, the Zion entrance fee is $35 for a private vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle, or $20 per person if you walk or bike in. Standard passes are valid for 1 to 7 days. Non-U.S. residents age 16 and older may owe an added $100 fee unless covered by an annual pass.
How much is the Zion entrance fee in 2026?
The standard Zion entrance fee is $20 to $35, depending on how you enter the park.
As of November 2026, Zion National Park charges one entrance fee per private, non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 passengers or fewer. That vehicle pass covers everyone inside the vehicle, so your passengers do not need separate passes. If you walk or bike in, every visitor age 16 or older needs an individual pass; youth age 15 and under enter free, according to the official Zion fees and passes page.
| Entry type | Fee as of November 2026 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | One private, non-commercial vehicle with 15-passenger capacity or less and all occupants |
| Motorcycle | $30 | Up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers |
| Walk-in, bike-in, or hiker | $20 per person | One individual age 16 or older without a car; youth 15 and under enter free |
| Zion Annual Pass | $70 | Park-specific pass for Zion, valid for 12 months from purchase month |
The short version: if you are driving into Zion with friends or family in a regular car, the private vehicle pass is the simple move. If you are staying in Springdale and walking over the pedestrian bridge into the park, plan on the per-person rate unless you already have a valid annual or lifetime pass.
Do you need a reservation to enter Zion National Park?
No, you do not need a reservation, permit, or timed-entry ticket to enter Zion National Park as of November 2026.
You do need to pay the park fee or show a valid pass. The National Park Service says you also do not need a reservation to ride the park shuttle, and you do not need a permit to hike The Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava going upstream in the Virgin River, as of November 2026, on its Zion permits and reservations page.
Some specific trips are different. Angels Landing requires a permit. Canyoneering, overnight backpacking, overnight climbing, The Subway, and some wilderness day hikes may require permits or reservations. Your entrance pass gets you through the gate. It does not replace a hiking permit.
How long is a Zion entrance pass valid?
A standard Zion entrance pass is valid for 1 to 7 days as of November 2026.
That 7-day window is handy. You can enter the park, leave for dinner in Springdale, sleep outside the park, and come back the next morning with the same pass. Keep the pass with you. The NPS says if you lose it or forget it, you will have to buy another one.
You do not need to display the pass in your vehicle, but you must show it if you leave and reenter. That matters if you drive into Zion, park, leave on foot or by shuttle, then reenter later at the pedestrian and bike entrance near Zion Canyon Village.
Can you buy a Zion entrance pass online?
Yes, you can buy many Zion passes online, and you can also buy a pass at an entrance station.
As of November 2026, Zion says you can get a standard pass at any entrance station, and payment by credit or debit card is preferred. Cash is accepted. If the fee station is not open when you enter, the park asks you to pay online or visit a station when it is open.
Here is the cleanest way to handle it:
- Decide how you are entering: private vehicle, motorcycle, bike, or on foot.
- Check the official NPS Zion fee page before you travel.
- Buy the pass online before arrival if that fits your plan, or pay at the entrance station.
- Save the digital pass where you can reach it without cell service, or keep the paper pass in your pack or wallet.
- Carry photo ID if you are using an annual, lifetime, or discounted pass.
Is the America the Beautiful Pass good at Zion?
Yes, the America the Beautiful Pass covers entrance fees at Zion National Park as of November 2026.
The annual federal lands pass can be a good deal if Zion is one stop on a bigger red-rock trip. As of November 2026, the NPS lists the Resident Annual America the Beautiful Pass at $80, and it covers entrance fees and standard amenity day-use fees at lands managed by agencies including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
At parks that charge by vehicle, the pass covers one private vehicle fee. At places that charge per person, it covers four per-person fees. Zion also lists discounted or free America the Beautiful pass options for eligible seniors, current U.S. military and dependents, veterans and Gold Star Family members, U.S. citizens or residents with permanent disabilities, U.S. fourth graders, and qualifying volunteers, as of November 2026.
Do non-U.S. residents pay extra at Zion?
Yes, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older must pay an additional $100 per person fee at Zion unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass, as of November 2026.
This is separate from the standard entrance fee. So a non-U.S. resident walking into the park without an annual pass could owe the per-person entrance fee plus the nonresident fee. The NPS says the nonresident fee also applies to nonresidents entering as part of commercial tour groups, commercial use authorization groups, or concessioner tour groups.
If you are visiting from outside the United States and plan to see multiple U.S. national parks, compare the costs before you go. As of November 2026, Zion lists a Non-Resident Annual America the Beautiful Pass at $250. That may pencil out fast if you are stringing together Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, or other fee-charging parks that also have the nonresident fee.
Does the Zion shuttle cost money?
No, the Zion shuttle is free to ride as of November 2026.
The entrance pass is still required. Think of the shuttle as transportation inside the park, not admission to the park. Zion’s official shuttle system page says you do not need a permit, ticket, or reservation to use the shuttle.
During shuttle season, private vehicles cannot drive Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. That closure includes the hours before shuttles start and after they stop running. The park says the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is generally reached by shuttle during the busy season, while private vehicles may still drive other park roads such as the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, Kolob Terrace Road, and Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive, subject to current conditions.
What should you bring to the Zion entrance station?
Bring your pass, photo ID if required, payment backup, and patience.
The gate can be quick. It can also crawl. Zion is one of those parks where the “easy” part of the trip can turn into a line of brake lights if you roll in at peak time.
- Your printed or digital entrance pass, if you bought one ahead of time
- Photo ID for annual, lifetime, discounted, or named passes
- Credit or debit card, with cash as a backup if you plan to pay at the gate
- Permit confirmation for Angels Landing, The Subway, canyoneering, or wilderness trips if your plan requires one
- Offline map or saved pass screenshot, since service can be spotty in canyon country
- Water, sun protection, and layers before you step away from the car
Related reading
- Grand Canyon Entrance Fee and Passes
- National Park Entrance Fees: What You Pay and Why
- What to Do in Zion National Park: Hikes by Difficulty
- Las Vegas to Zion: Distance, Drive and Day-Trip Plan
FAQ
Can I drive through Zion without paying?
No. If you enter Zion, even just to pass through, you need a recreational use pass as of November 2026. The standard pass is valid for 1 to 7 days.
Is Zion free after hours?
No. Zion is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round, but visitors still need a valid pass as of November 2026. If the fee station is closed when you enter, the park asks you to pay online or visit a station when it is open.
Does one Zion vehicle pass cover everyone in the car?
Yes. As of November 2026, the $35 private vehicle pass covers one private, non-commercial vehicle with a capacity of 15 passengers or fewer and all occupants. Passengers do not need separate entrance passes.
Do kids need to pay the Zion entrance fee?
Children age 15 and under enter free as of November 2026. Visitors age 16 or older who enter on foot or by bike need their own per-person pass unless covered by a valid annual or lifetime pass.
Is the Zion Annual Pass the same as the America the Beautiful Pass?
No. As of November 2026, the Zion Annual Pass costs $70 and is valid only at Zion for 12 months from the purchase month. The America the Beautiful Pass is a federal lands pass that can cover entrance fees at many federal recreation sites.
Do I need a separate permit for Angels Landing?
Yes. Your Zion entrance pass does not cover Angels Landing. Everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs a permit, and the NPS directs hikers to apply through Recreation.gov as of November 2026.