Dog Friendly Lodging Zion National Park

Dog Friendly Lodging Zion National Park – With red and white Navajo sandstone walls towering 2,000 feet above you, hiking with your pet in Zion National Park is an experience you’ll never forget!

Zion is Utah’s first national park. It’s easy to see why when you walk along the banks of the Virgin River and see the huge sandstone cliffs against the bright blue sky! But which part of Zion National Park can you visit with pets? To find the answer to this question, we did some research on the ground.

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Located in southern Utah, not far from Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest, Zion is simply breathtaking. With elevations ranging from 3,600 feet to 8,700 feet, the park protects an amazing variety of wildlife, vegetation and breathtaking scenery.

Zion National Park Pet / Dog Friendly Hotels, Lodging

Summer is a great time to visit Zion National Park with pets! The park saw more than five million tourists in 2021, making it the 2nd most visited national park in the United States. Besides the crowds, the summer temperatures in Zion are downright dangerous. During our visit in late August, the canyon floor reached a high of 104 degrees!

For a more peaceful trip, visit Zion in winter. During the peak months of July, December and January, the park receives more than 550,000 visitors, the fifth highest ever. Even though it’s the middle of winter, daytime temperatures often reach 54 degrees – perfect weather for exploring with pups!

For our RVing friends: Plan to come to Zion South Gate. The entrance to the eastern side of the park is through a historic tunnel. Almost all RVs, buses, trailers, fifth wheels, two-wheel trucks, campers, and boats require traffic control, which means guards must stop oncoming traffic for you.

In Zion National Park, trail pets can join you on all trail surfaces. This includes public roads and parking lots, developed campgrounds, all 22 interchanges on Hwy 9 (Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy) and the Barrows Trail. Additionally, pets are welcome in tourist areas and on the grounds of Zion Lodge.

The Lodge At Zion Country

Pets can’t go on any of the other paths, which means less walking in Zion together. But read on—we’ve got a pet-walking solution you’ll love!

Finally, pets are not allowed in wilderness areas, on buses, or inside any park building, including Zion Lodge.

Zion National Park has two entrances, the East Gate and the South Gate. If you come to the east gate, you will immediately be immersed in the monuments. If so, go to the visitor center. But stop now and then to take in the towering sandstone cliffs in creams, pinks and reds.

Visit the Visitor Center when visiting Zion National Park with pets. Pets are not allowed inside, so watch the 22-minute orientation film and exhibit. Grab your pet’s BARK Ranger Tag and it’s time to hit the trail!

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From the Visitor Center, cross the road and bridge to take the pet-friendly Barrows Trail. Following the Virgin River through the canyon, the trail descends 1.8 miles to Canyon Junction.

Plan to walk for an hour or two. Or have a picnic and spend more time. For a longer hike, read the Zion Canyon section.

If you’re visiting Zion with your pets in the summer, plan to hike the Barrows Trail early in the morning or at sunset.

It’s getting hot! And no more shadows. Freezing in the river is not an option. Zion monitors the presence of harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the Virgin River within the park. These toxins can be present at any time, so keep your dogs away from water.

Zion National Park

It’s also a good idea to pack your dog’s shoes! The Perus route has many bridges and the layered composite material is very hot on sunny days. Before your pet walks on the bridge, touch the surface to make sure it doesn’t burn its paws.

If you come to Zion’s South Gate, check out the Visitor Center, and after walking the Paros Trail, go to the East Gate and enjoy the surveys along the way.

The highlight of Zion National Park is Zion Canyon. It is home to the world famous Hanging Gardens, Waterfalls and Zion Lodge. For most of the year, access to Zion Canyon is open to buses only. And pets are not allowed on the shuttle.

Of course, you can take the shuttle detour to see Zion Canyon. Or you can find a local pet grooming or boarding facility for your furry travel friend. But if you want to visit Zion Canyon with your pets, you have two options.

Trip Report: Zion National Park In February

Walk or bike first. Pets are welcome on all paved roads in Zion. For most of the year, buses are the only form of transportation on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. From the Visitor Center, take the Perus Trail for 1.8 miles to Canyon Junction, where the road will turn off. From there it is 5.9 miles to Shinawa Temple at the end of the road.

Your other option is to visit Zion when the shuttle is not running. (This is why we recommend planning your trip in December or January first!)

Elmin’s shuttle service will be suspended from the end of November until the beginning of Christmas. During this time, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is open to private vehicles. This is your window to run the famous canyon with your best friend. Remember to keep pets off the road or footpaths.

The town of Springdale is conveniently located outside Zion’s south gate. With pet-friendly hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and dog parks, it’s a welcome destination for pet travelers.

Ultimate Guide To Visiting Zion National Park With Kids

Stop by the Visitor Center for some recommendations, then grab lunch or dinner! We found the perfect spot for pet-friendly patio dining at Oscar Cafe.

To visit this popular area of Zion National Park with your pets, head west on Hwy 9 to Kolob Terrace Road and head north. The 25-mile hike climbs from 3,550 feet to 8,118 feet and loops in and out of the national park. But it’s the visuals that make the difference!

You will pass many roads on the way. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on all these trails. But Lava Point has a tourist area worth checking out!

At the end of the road is the Kolob Reservoir. In addition to being an amazing body of water, the temperature here was about 20 degrees cooler than the day we visited in Springdale!

Zion Ecocabin: Private Hot Tub, Zion Canyon Views

A privately run campground surrounds the reservoir, but most sites were open on the day we visited. A boat launch and kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals are available. It would be a great place to spend the day!

Warning: The reservoir does not have cell coverage, so I recommend setting up your kayak, canoe, or paddle board rental in advance!

If living in Zion inspires you to take more nature walks with your pet – we can help! As we mentioned, there is only one pet-friendly trail in Zion. But there is a nice solution on the way.

Two counties of the Dixie National Forest are an easy drive from Zion! The Pine Valley Ranger District is located north of St. George, Utah. The Cedar City Ranger District is east of Cedar City, Utah. Both of these areas offer great hiking. Or visit our favorite area in Dixie – Red Canyon. The best news is that all of Dixie’s trails are pet-friendly!

The Best Pet-friendly Hotels In Zion National Park , United States Of America

Stop at any visitor center for trail conditions and maps. Then come out and enjoy the track together!

We hope our visit to Zion National Park inspires you to plan a trip with your pets! Although pets can only take one trail here, Dixie National Forest has a great hike just down the road. And Southern Utah is a great place for pet adventures.

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