This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Visitors to Zion National Park will have to park their vehicles and ride the shuttle system for stops along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive starting Sunday. The free shuttle system has nine stops in the national park and nine stops outside the park in Springdale.
The shuttle was designed to relieve traffic congestion along the scenic drive during the peak visitor season. The shuttle service will continue through Oct. 28. Private vehicles will be allowed to use the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive after that date.
Only confirmed overnight guests of the Zion Lodge are allowed to drive in Zion Canyon during the shuttle season, but they are required to drive to and park only at the lodge. A lodge permit must be obtained before taking a car on the Scenic Drive.
Shuttles outside the park will start at 6:40 a.m. at the Majestic View stop and in Zion at 7 a.m. The last shuttle headed up the Scenic Drive will leave the visitor center at 8:45 p.m. Shuttle hours will expand starting May 20, with departures from all stops every seven to 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 to 30 minutes in the early morning and late evening.
Brett Prettyman