We have filmed and hiked across Zion for years, and the park keeps rewarding anyone willing to go a little past the shuttle stops. It is crowded because it is one of the most extraordinary places in the country. Here is the bottom line for 2026: the base entrance fee is unchanged at $35 per vehicle, but several real changes took effect this year. Wilderness permit fees went up across the board on January 5, frontcountry campground rates rise on July 1, and a new $100 surcharge now applies to most international visitors. Angels Landing still runs on a permit lottery, and the canyon shuttle is still mandatory in peak season. Below is the plain-English breakdown so you can budget your trip without surprises.
Zion Entrance Fees in 2026
The standard entrance fee at Zion is $35 per private vehicle, valid for seven days. Motorcycle entry is $30, and anyone arriving on foot or by bicycle pays $20 per person. None of those base rates changed for 2026. Always confirm current pricing on the official Zion fees page before you go.
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| Pass | Price | Notes |
| Private vehicle (7 days) | $35 | Covers everyone in the car |
| Motorcycle (7 days) | $30 | Per motorcycle |
| Per person, foot or bicycle (7 days) | $20 | Age 16 and up |
| Zion Annual Pass | $70 | Zion only, 12 months |
| America the Beautiful (resident) | $80 | All federal sites, 12 months |
If you are visiting three or more federal recreation sites in a year, the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass pays for itself fast. That pass covers entrance for everyone in your vehicle at Zion and every other national park, so it is the easiest money you will save on a Utah road trip.
New 2026 Nonresident Surcharge
This is the change most international travelers miss. Starting in 2026, Zion is one of several high-traffic parks charging an additional surcharge of roughly $100 per person for nonresident international visitors aged 16 and up, on top of the standard entrance fee. The surcharge is waived if you already hold an America the Beautiful pass (the nonresident version runs $250). If you are traveling from outside the United States, factor this in before you reach the gate, and check the current amount on the NPS fees page, since the rollout has shifted since it was announced.
Angels Landing Permit
Since 2022, every hiker heading past Scout Lookout to Angels Landing needs a permit, awarded through a lottery on Recreation.gov. There are two lottery windows: a seasonal lottery that opens months ahead, and a day-before lottery for a last-minute shot. The permit costs $6 per person plus a $1 application fee. The lottery replaced the free-for-all crowds that used to pile up on the chains, and honestly, it makes the hike both safer and more enjoyable. If Angels Landing is the centerpiece of your trip, apply in the seasonal window and treat the day-before lottery as a backup.
Zion Canyon Shuttle
The Zion Canyon shuttle is mandatory during peak season, typically March through November. When the shuttle is running, private vehicles cannot drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive at all, so plan to ride it to reach the Narrows, the Grotto, and the Angels Landing trailhead. The shuttle is free with park admission and runs frequently, but lines build up midday in summer. Arrive early or ride late to skip the worst of it.
Campground Fee Increases (Effective July 1, 2026)
Frontcountry camping at Zion is reserved through Recreation.gov, and rates climb on July 1, 2026. The park points to the numbers behind the increase: visitation rose 29 percent since the last fee change in 2015, and Zion has seen a 58 percent jump in visitors since 2012.
“Rising visitation has increased demand for campsites and increased need for facility maintenance services such as cleaning restrooms, removing recyclables and trash, and servicing roads and campsites,” the park’s news release stated.
Here is the breakdown of the campground fee increases taking effect July 1, 2026.
| Location | Services | Previous Price | 2026 Price | Effective Date |
| Watchman Campground | Electric | $30/night | $45/night | July 1, 2026 |
| Watchman Campground | Non-Electric | $20/night | $35/night | July 1, 2026 |
| South Campground | Non-Electric | $20/night | $35/night | Spring 2026 reopening (early June) |
| Lava Point Campground (Kolob Terrace Road) | Non-Electric | $20/night | $25/night | Spring 2026 reopening (when snow melts) |
| Dump Station (Watchman/South) | Non-camper fee | $0 | $5 | Spring 2026 reopening |
Watchman Campground reservations open six months ahead of your arrival date, and summer sites go quickly. Set a reminder for the morning the window opens if you want a peak-season night.
Wilderness Permit Changes (Effective January 5, 2026)
As of January 5, 2026, Wilderness Recreation Permits and lotteries moved fully to Recreation.gov. You choose between a day-use or an overnight-use Wilderness Recreation Permit, and the new system makes it easier to build an itinerary and lock in preferred dates. It also gives the park a cleaner way to reach permit holders with conditions and safety updates.
Day-Use Wilderness Permit Fees
As of January 5, 2026, every day-use wilderness category, including reservations, lotteries, and walk-ups, costs $6. Previously, reservations and lotteries were $5 per application and walk-ups were free.
A typical day-use trip would be the top-down Narrows hike or The Subway route, both of which require this permit.
Group day-use permits also changed. Groups of two to 12 people used to pay between $15 and $25 under a tiered structure. The price is now $10 per person per day.
In its news release, the park noted that “Rising visitation has also resulted in increased stress on the plants, animals, and historic sites in Zion Wilderness. Rangers who issue Wilderness permits provide guidance so that visitors complete their trips safely and use techniques to conserve these areas. That guidance is essential to ensuring the park’s least developed areas remain wild.”
Overnight Wilderness Permit Fees
For overnight Wilderness Recreation Permits, advance reservations and walk-ups are now $20 per booking. Previously, advance reservations were $5 and walk-ups were free. For groups, the old $15 to $25 tiered rate was replaced with a flat $7 per person per night.
Public Comment and Feedback
These price adjustments followed a public comment period. You can read through the public comments and the park’s responses to see how the decision was reached. Park officials are also working to improve South Campground and the South Entrance, with more details expected soon.
2026 Zion Fees at a Glance
- Entrance: $35 per vehicle, $30 motorcycle, $20 per person on foot or bike (unchanged for 2026).
- New nonresident international surcharge of roughly $100 per person, waived with an America the Beautiful pass.
- Angels Landing: $6 per person plus a $1 application fee, lottery only.
- Day-use wilderness permits: $6 across all categories as of January 5, 2026.
- Overnight wilderness permits: $20 per booking, $7 per person per night for groups.
- Campground rates rise July 1, 2026 (Watchman electric jumps to $45).
- Canyon shuttle mandatory March through November, free with admission.
Plan the Rest of Your Zion Trip
- Start with our full Zion National Park guide for the complete trip-planning picture.
- See the best things to do in Zion to build your day-by-day plan.
- Browse the best hikes in Zion, from the Narrows to the Watchman.
- Make it a road trip with our Utah national parks guide covering all five Mighty parks.
What to Bring to Zion
Gear we recommend for Zion. Affiliate links support our work at no cost to you.
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