Zion National Park, Utah: Choosing the Right Airport

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Planning a Trip to Zion? Here’s How to Choose Your Airport

Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Picking the right airport can make or break your vacation.

Several airports offer access to Zion, but each has its pros and cons. Consider things like distance, flight availability, cost, and what else you want to do on your trip.

This guide breaks down the best airports near Zion National Park in Utah to help you plan. We’ll look at the major airports and some smaller, regional options. Plus, we’ll cover how to get from each airport to Zion itself.

Airports near Zion National Park

If you’re flying to see Zion National Park, you have several airport options. Here’s a rundown of the major and regional airports in the area.

Major airports

  • Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada: This major international airport has many flight options and rental car services. It’s about 168-170 miles from Zion’s South Entrance.
  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City, Utah: This airport offers a wide range of flight options and provides access to the East Entrance via the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. It’s approximately 313 miles to Zion’s East Entrance.
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona: This is another major airport option if you’re planning to visit Zion National Park. The airport is approximately 390 miles to Zion’s East Entrance.

Regional airports

  • St. George Regional Airport (SGU) in St. George, Utah: This is the closest major airport to Zion, about 47-48 miles from Zion’s South Entrance.
  • Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC) in Cedar City, Utah: This regional airport is another option, about 61-80 miles from Zion’s South Entrance.
  • Kanab Airport in Kanab, Utah: This is the closest airport to Zion National Park, about 45 miles away.
  • Colorado City Municipal Airport in Colorado City, Arizona: This airport is another nearby option, approximately 80 miles away.
  • Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, Colorado: This airport is further away but provides access to western Colorado. It’s approximately 370 miles to Zion’s East Entrance.

The closest airports to Zion: St. George and Cedar City

While many travelers choose to fly into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, there are two regional airports that are closer to Zion National Park. Here’s what you should know about them:

St. George Regional Airport (SGU)

St. George Regional Airport is the closest major airport to Zion. It’s about 47 or 48 miles from the park’s south entrance, a drive of just over an hour.

Flying into St. George can save you a lot of driving time and be more convenient if getting to Zion quickly is a priority.

However, you may find that there are fewer flights into St. George than into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, so be sure to book well in advance. Also, it’s a good idea to confirm that rental cars are available when you make your flight reservation, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.

Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC)

Cedar City Regional Airport is about 61 to 80 miles from Zion’s south entrance. The drive will take about an hour and 20 minutes.

Cedar City is a smaller airport, so the experience will be less crowded and hectic.

The downside is that you’ll have even fewer flight options than you would in St. George, and fares may be higher. Also, taxis and rideshares will likely cost you more from Cedar City. Shuttle service may be available, so you may want to check into that when you book your flight.

Larger Airports: Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Grand Junction

If flying into a smaller regional airport isn’t an option, you’ll probably want to consider one of the larger airports in the surrounding states. Here’s a rundown:

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

  • Proximity: About 168-170 miles to Zion’s south entrance.
  • Driving time: Around 2 hours and 50 minutes.
  • Benefits: Usually a wider variety of flights at competitive prices. Plus, you can easily add a Las Vegas visit to your trip.
  • Considerations: It’s a longer drive than flying into St. George or Cedar City.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

  • Proximity: Roughly 313 miles to Zion’s east entrance.
  • Benefits: You’ll have access to the scenic Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. Also, you can easily explore other attractions in northern Utah.
  • Considerations: It’s a significantly longer drive.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  • Proximity: About 390 miles to Zion’s east entrance.
  • Benefits: Depending on flight prices and availability, it might be a good option.
  • Considerations: It’s a very long drive, so this is best for people who are planning a multi-day road trip.

Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)

  • Proximity: Around 370 miles to Zion’s east entrance.
  • Benefits: Gives you access to attractions in western Colorado.
  • Considerations: It’s a long drive, and not the most direct route to Zion.

How to get from the airport to Zion

Once you’ve landed, you’ll need to figure out how to get to Zion National Park. Here are a few options to consider.

Rental cars

Rental cars are easy to find at most airports near Zion. Booking ahead of time is a great idea, especially if you’re traveling during the busy season.

Before you finalize your arrangements, double-check the rental company’s return policies at the airport you’ve chosen. And think about where else you might want to visit in Utah, since that may influence your airport choice.

Shuttle services

Some airports offer shuttle services that will take you directly to Zion National Park.

Shuttle service rates can vary, but they average around $30 to $50 per person, each way. Shared ride options may be available, so be sure to ask about ways to save money.

Research and book your shuttle services in advance to guarantee availability.

Taxi/rideshare services

Taxis and rideshares can be found at most airports, but the cost can be pretty high, especially if you’re flying into a smaller airport.

Just to give you an idea, you might pay $70 to $90 for a one-way trip from St. George (SGU), $150 to $200 from Cedar City (CDC), or $200 to $250 from Colorado City.

Before you count on taxis or rideshares, check on availability and get an estimate of what the fare will be.

Zion National Park Shuttle

Once you’re inside Zion National Park, you can take advantage of the free shuttle system to get around the park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best city to fly into for Zion National Park?

Honestly, “best” depends on your priorities. For convenience, flying into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) usually offers the most flight options and often better prices. It’s about a 4.5-hour drive to Zion. Alternatively, St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is much closer (about an hour’s drive), but flights are typically pricier and less frequent. Las Vegas (LAS) is also an option, roughly a 2.5-hour drive, balancing price and proximity.

Where do you fly into for Zion and Bryce Canyon?

For a trip combining Zion and Bryce Canyon, Salt Lake City (SLC) or Las Vegas (LAS) become even more appealing. SLC offers a wider range of flights and rental car options, making it a convenient starting point. From SLC, you can easily drive to both parks. Las Vegas is another good option. From Las Vegas, you can drive to Zion first and then continue to Bryce Canyon, or vice versa. St. George (SGU) is still an option, but keep in mind that it’s closer to Zion, requiring a longer drive to Bryce Canyon.

In Conclusion

Picking the right airport for your trip to Zion National Park depends on what’s most important to you. The closest airport isn’t always the best choice. You’ll want to think about your budget, how much time you have, and what else you’d like to see on your trip.

If getting to Zion quickly is your priority, St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is the clear winner. But if you’re looking for more flight options and want to explore other attractions in the area, larger airports like Las Vegas (LAS) and Salt Lake City (SLC) might be a better fit.

If you choose to fly into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, consider breaking up the drive with an overnight stay in St. George or Cedar City. Weighing the pros and cons of each airport will help you make the best choice for a smooth and memorable Zion National Park adventure.