Plan Your Trip
Zion Entrance Fees & Park Passes
Everything it costs to get into Zion National Park - the standard entrance fee, which annual pass is worth it, who gets in free, and the days you can visit for nothing. Straight from the current National Park Service fee schedule.
The short answer: A private vehicle costs $35 to enter Zion, and the pass is good for 7 days - one fee covers everyone in the car. If you'll visit other national parks this year too (Bryce, Grand Canyon, the Mighty 5), the $80 America the Beautiful pass usually pays for itself fast.
Standard Entrance Fees
Valid for 7 days. Keep your pass - you'll need it to re-enter if you leave and come back (say, to park in Springdale and ride the shuttle in).
| Pass | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | Driver and all passengers (15-passenger capacity or less), 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30 | Up to 2 motorcycles, up to 4 riders total, 7 days |
| Per person (on foot or bike) | $20 | One visitor age 16+, 7 days |
| Youth 15 & under | Free | Always free |
Annual & Lifetime Passes
If you already carry one of these, it's the only entrance pass you need - no standard fee on top.
| Pass | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Zion Annual Pass | $70 | Repeat Zion visits (valid at Zion only), 12 months |
| America the Beautiful (annual) | $80 | Any national park or federal recreation site nationwide, 12 months |
| Senior Annual (62+) | $20 | US seniors visiting occasionally |
| Senior Lifetime (62+) | $80 | US seniors - buy once, good for life |
| Military (annual & lifetime) | Free | Current US military, veterans, and Gold Star families |
| Access Pass | Free | US residents with a permanent disability |
| 4th Grade Pass | Free | Families with a US 4th grader (Every Kid Outdoors) |
Which Pass Pays Off for You
- Visiting Zion once - just buy the $35 vehicle pass at the gate. Done.
- Coming back to Zion a few times this year - the $70 Zion Annual Pass pays off on your second trip.
- Road-tripping other parks too (Bryce, Grand Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef) - the $80 America the Beautiful pass is the clear winner: one card, every federal park, all year.
New for 2026 - international visitors: Non-US residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person on top of the standard entrance fee - unless they enter with an Annual or America the Beautiful pass. For a family from abroad, a single America the Beautiful pass can be the cheaper route.
2026 Fee-Free Days
Entrance is free for everyone on these dates (other fees like permits or camping still apply - and free days are the busiest days, so arrive early):
- January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 16 - Presidents Day
- May 25 - Memorial Day
- June 14 - Flag Day
- July 3-5 - Independence Day weekend
- August 25 - National Park Service Birthday
- September 17 - Constitution Day
- October 27 - Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday
- November 11 - Veterans Day
What the Entrance Fee Doesn't Cover
- The Zion Canyon shuttle is free - you don't pay per ride. But you still need a valid entrance pass to be in the park.
- Angels Landing needs a separate permit (a seasonal lottery with a small fee) - the entrance pass alone won't get you on the chains.
- The Narrows, canyoneering, and overnight backpacking require separate wilderness permits.
- Camping (Watchman & South campgrounds) is a separate reservation fee.
How to Get Your Pass
- At the entrance station - fastest for a one-time vehicle pass. Card is preferred; cash is accepted.
- Digital America the Beautiful pass - buy instantly at recreation.gov and save it to your phone.
- Physical pass by mail - order from the USGS store, but allow up to ~3 weeks, so plan ahead.
Fees current as of the National Park Service Zion fee schedule (last updated June 6, 2026). Park fees change - always confirm on the official NPS Zion fees page before you travel.
Zion Entrance Fee FAQs
How much does it cost to enter Zion National Park?
A private vehicle costs $35 and the pass is valid for 7 days - one fee covers the driver and all passengers. A motorcycle is $30, and entering on foot or by bike is $20 per person (age 16+). Children 15 and under are always free.
Is the Zion Canyon shuttle included in the entrance fee?
The Zion Canyon shuttle is free to ride - you never pay per trip. You still need a valid entrance pass to be in the park, and in the busy season the shuttle is the only way to drive up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Do I need a separate permit for Angels Landing?
Yes. Angels Landing requires a separate permit awarded through a seasonal lottery (with a small fee). Your entrance pass alone will not get you past Scout Lookout onto the chained section.
Which Zion pass is best if I am also visiting other national parks?
The $80 America the Beautiful annual pass is the best value for a road trip - it covers every national park and federal recreation site nationwide for 12 months, including Bryce, Grand Canyon, and the rest of Utah's Mighty 5. If you are only returning to Zion, the $70 Zion Annual Pass covers just this park.
When can I visit Zion for free in 2026?
Entrance is free for everyone on nine fee-free days in 2026: January 20, February 16, May 25, June 14, July 3-5, August 25, September 17, October 27, and November 11. These are also some of the busiest days of the year, so arrive early.
Do international visitors pay extra to enter Zion?
New for 2026, non-US residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person on top of the standard entrance fee - unless they enter with an Annual or America the Beautiful pass. For a family visiting from abroad, one America the Beautiful pass is often the cheaper route.