Educational
Field Trips
Zion National Park features stunning
scenery, sandstone cliffs among the
highest in the world, diverse plant
and animal communities, and Ancestral
Puebloan, Paiute, and Mormon pioneer
history. It’s a wonderful outdoor
classroom for school groups.
Entrance Fees
The entrance fee is US$20 per car or
US$10 per bus passenger (age 16 and
younger are free). Most groups visiting
for educational activities will not
be charged provided they are sponsored
by accredited educational institutions.
A fee waiver must be requested in advance.
•Fee Exemptions Granted to groups
of students 16 or younger, accompanied
by adult sponsors. Please send a letter
on official school stationary to the
Fee Program Manager, Zion National Park,
Springdale, UT 84767, at least two weeks
before your visit. Include the number
of students and buses, and the date
and time of your visit.
•Fee Waivers Granted to educational
institutions whose curriculum relates
specifically to the resources at Zion
National Park. Applications may be obtained
from the park by calling 435 772-0177.
Mail completed applications to the Fee
Program Manager (address above) at least
two weeks before your visit. Include
a letter on official school stationary
which states the educational purposes
of the field trip and how it relates
to Zion. Recreational field trips do
not qualify for a fee waiver.
•Oversized vehicles are required
to pay the US$10 tunnel escort fee if
traveling through the Zion-Mt. Carmel
Tunnel. This fee cannot be waived.
•Hiking If your group plans to
hike we recommend adequate supervision
(one teacher per 10 students for younger
groups). Easy frontcountry trails suitable
for larger groups include the Pa’rus
Trail (paved, 1.7 miles one way, start
at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center) and
Riverside Walk (paved, 1 mile one way,
start at Temple of Sinawava.) See Zion
Map & Guide for more trail information.
•For information on backcountry
trails see Zion Backcountry. Maximum
group size on backcountry trails is
12 people.Your Visit
Begin your visit at the Zion Canyon
Visitor Center, open daily from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Exhibits, a 3-dimensional
map of Zion Canyon, and short videos
on hiking trails and geologic processes
are available. If you choose to visit
the bookstore, please divide large groups
into small, class-sized groups.Suggestions
for Touring the Zion Canyon Visitor
Center
Most of the exhibits are outdoors. They
can be used to enhance your field trip
experience. Exhibits are arranged in
three topics. For larger groups, the
best way to tour the exhibits is to
split up into three smaller groups and
tour the exhibits individually. The
following is a list of discussion questions
for students to think about or discuss:
Water at Zion
•1. What has and still is creating
Zion Canyon? Discuss how it does it.
•2. Name one thing you can do to
reduce erosion on the trails and have
a safevisit.
Zion’s Diversity
•1. Name two reasons why so many
different species of plants and animals
are able to live in Zion Canyon.
•2. Name and/or discuss at least
one plant and/or animal that lives in
the different habitats of Zion. (such
as lower vs. higher elevations, desert
vs. hanging gardens.)
Zion as Refuge
•1. What is the main characteristic
that drew humans to Zion Canyon?
•2. Compare and/or contrast the
use of the canyon by both the Southern
Paiutesand the Mormon settlers.
Logistics
Visitor Center Parking - There is a
passenger drop-off in front of the flagpole
on the southeast side of the visitor
center. This is a drop-off only. Once
passengers have been unloaded, buses
must park in the RV Parking section
in the rear of the parking lot.
Parking Along the Scenic Drive
Do not park or stop in or along any
shuttle stop. Buses may unload at trailheads,
however, parking is only allowed at
the following areas:
•Zion Lodge
•Grotto Picnic Area, along the
river side of road only. Watch for passing
shuttles as children cross the road.
•Temple of Sinawava, in parking
area away from the shuttle stop. Please
ensure there is plenty of room for shuttles
to pass safely.
•Restrooms Available at the Zion
Canyon Visitor Center, Zion Museum (museum
opens in 2002), Zion Lodge, Grotto Picnic
Area, Weeping Rock, and Temple of Sinawava.
Restrooms are not available along the
trails. Use restrooms before hiking.
•Be Prepared Any visit to Zion
will include some outdoor walking and
exploring. Students should wear sturdy,
closed-toe shoes. Hats and sunscreen
are recommended on sunny days and rain
gear on cloudy days. Each child should
carry a water bottle.Driving the Zion
Canyon Scenic Drive
•April to October
The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, past Canyon
Junction, is closed to private vehicles
when the shuttle system is in operation.
Once you have applied for either a fee
waiver or fee exemption you will receive
a red permit that allows you to take
your school buses along the Zion Canyon
Scenic Drive. This red permit covers
school buses only. Anyone in a van or
passenger vehicle must travel on the
school bus or use the shuttle system.
•For The Bus Driver
Post the red permit visibly in the lower
right windshield. Speed limit is 20
mph. Do not pass anywhere along the
scenic drive. The road is narrow, slow
down when meeting a shuttle bus coming
from the opposite direction.
•November to March
The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is open
to all vehicular traffic when the shuttle
system is not in operation. The rules
for parking remain the same with two
exceptions:
1. Buses may park in the shuttle area
at the Grotto Picnic Area and may use
shuttle stops as drop off points for
trailheads.
2. Picnicking Grotto Picnic Area, on
the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive has restrooms
and picnic tables. Please remember to
search the area for litter when finished.
Use recycling bins for aluminum cans.
Help Preserve Zion
•Zion National Park is a special
place set aside to be protected and
preserved for future generations. Please
help take care of your national park.
Remember, everything in a national park
is protected, from the rocks to the
plants and animals. To ensure the protection
of Zion and a memorable experience,
please follow these guidelines.
•Choose the Right Trail Choose
a trail that is best suited for the
size, age, and ability of your group.
•Stay on established trails Walking
off established roads and trails causes
trampled plants and excessive erosion.
•Do not feed wildlife Feeding wild
animals is illegal and can cause injury
or death to the animal or the human.
Keep your distance. Keep wildlife WILD.
•Take only pictures, leave only
footprints! Enjoy rocks and flowers
but leave for others to enjoy too.
•Carry out all trash Zion is your
park. Keep it clean and beautiful.For
Additional Information Contact: Education Coordinator
Zion National Park
Springdale, Utah 84767
(435) 772-0165
Maps
