SPRINGDALE — Zion National Park has temporarily closed their south entrance to new traffic due to too many weekend visitors just hours into the Memorial Day weekend.
According to the park service website, visitors can still access the park via shuttle service.
The south vehicle entrance at Springdale is temporarily closed to drivers. “Due to heavy traffic and congestion, the Zion South Vehicle Entrance is temporarily closed,” park staff advised “Pedestrian and bicycle entrance remains open. Park in Springdale and ride the free shuttle to enter the park.”
Kolob Canyons Road partially closed. Drivers can travel as far as South Fork. Pedestrian and bicyclist traffic beyond South Fork is “at your own risk due to road damage.”
Narrows closed to hiking and canyoneering. Water flow has exceeded 600 cubic feet per second (CFS) since mid-April. When flow is less than 150 CFS for 24 hours, The Narrows will reopen. Riverside Walk (paved trail that starts at the Temple of Sinawava) is open.
Road to West Rim Trailhead closed near Lava Point. This is a regular, seasonal closure, and park staff will update this alert as snow melts. Lava Point Overlook is open to visitors.
Closed trail bridge at Zion Lodge, Shuttle Stop #5. To access Emerald Pools, start your hike at the Court of the Patriarchs, Shuttle Stop #4, or the Grotto, Shuttle Stop #6. This does not affect other trailheads or the Zion Canyon Shuttle System.
Bryce Canyon National Park staff also reported their status as packed. “The park is currently full and we are temporarily delaying private vehicle entry into the park,” NPS staff stated. “We will update this alert when the restriction is lifted. Board the free Park Shuttle in Bryce Canyon City or utilize the shared-use path to enter park.”
At Cedar Breaks National Monument, Highway 148 remains closed to vehicles. Summer visitor services at the Temporary Information Center, including the Zion Forever Project gift store, begin on Friday, June 16, 2023. The Point Supreme Campground services begin Friday, June 30, 2023.
At Capitol Reef National Park, the following are closed to the public until August 31, 2023, to protect sensitive resources. The heads of Burro Wash and Fivemile Wash continuing east 2 miles, and Shinob Canyon and any route descending into Shinob, including Na-gah, Nighthawk, & Timpie.
According to social media pages for Gunlock, Sand Hollow and Quail Creek State Parks, the reservoirs are also at or near park capacity. New visitors are being turned away or added to a waiting list to enter the parks.
In a previous story by St. George News about Zion National Park being “loved to death,” park staff recommended Dinosaur National Monument and Hovenweep National Monument, both in Utah, due to their low visitation numbers.
Update: On May 27, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., St. George News spoke with Lt. J.J. Ray with the Springdale Police Department who said there is no parking in the town of Springdale. As in previous Memorial Day weekend holidays, Ray expects temporary park closures to continue for at least the next two days.
“The town is completely full, there is not a parking spot in town,” Ray said. “Be patient and respectful as the closures are likely to come and go throughout the weekend as they have in recent years.”
For the most updated information on Zion National Park, click the link before making the drive.
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