Re: Zion National Park Announces Voluntary Weekend Shuttle Service in November

Zion National Park Announces Voluntary Weekend Shuttle Service in November
Date: November 3, 2011
Contact: Marc Neidig, 435-772-0164

The mandatory shuttle service that provides access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in Zion National Park and the shuttle service in Springdale, Utah have ended operations for the season. The park will offer voluntary shuttle service to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive on Saturdays and Sundays through November, with expanded service over the Thanksgiving holiday. Shuttle service will not be available in the town of Springdale. All shuttle operations will end for the year on the evening of November 27, 2011.

The Zion Canyon Shuttle System is fare-free and shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. On the days of operation, shuttle service will begin from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. with the last bus departing the Temple of Sinawava at 5:30 p.m. and the Zion Lodge at 5.44 p.m. The final shuttle will arrive at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center at 6:00 p.m. There are eight shuttle stops located along the Zion Canyon route and shuttle buses will arrive at each stop at 14-minute intervals. Visitors may load and unload at any designated shuttle stop as often as they wish. Round trip travel from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava will take approximately 70 minutes.

In response to increased demand, shuttle service will be expanded over the Thanksgiving holiday to include Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25. During this time, shuttle buses will arrive at the shuttle stops every eight minutes and service will run one-half hour later.

November is a great time to visit the park and enjoy the beautiful weather and striking fall colors. During voluntary shuttle operation, visitors are encouraged to park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and use the shuttle system to enhance their enjoyment of Zion Canyon while avoiding parking difficulties. Visitors who do not use the shuttle system are asked to park in designated parking places only and avoid obstructing shuttle stops, access to the stops, and the main roadway. Parking regulations will be strictly enforced.

Last year they also had the shuttles running during the Thanksgiving holiday and it worked out very well. We decided to take a one way hike along the river and caught the shuttle at the end and took it back to the lodge. Zion is a great place to go for Thanksgiving especially if you stay in one of the Lodge's cabins. I love having a fireplace to sit by at the end of the day.