Closest Airports To Zion National Park: 4 Best Options » The Modern Female Hiker (2024)

As part of Utah’s Mighty Five, Zion National Park is one of the best national parks in Utah. When planning your hiking trip, choosing the closest airports to Zion National Park may take some advanced planning. Keep reading for more information about the right airport choice for kick-starting your Zion experience!

What Is The Closest Airport To Zion National Park?

The closest airport to Zion National Park is St. George Regional Airport, located in St. George, Utah. It is only 46 miles from Zion, but it is a very small Regional Airport. It only serves flights from nearby hubs Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Denver. Flights from these hubs generally run around $250 – $350 roundtrip.

Once you land in St. George Airport, you can also go directly to a rental car counter. Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz all serve the airport.

If you want to fly into St. George Airport, you will save on driving time because it is so close to Zion National Park. However, make sure to plan your connections and flights accordingly!

The Best Zion National Park Hiking Itinerary

Day 1

Begin your Zion adventure with an early morning hike along the iconic Angel’s Landing trail. This is one of the most famous hikes at Zion National Park because of the spectacular view at the summit and also the adventurous hike to get there! You may recognize Angel’s Landing from the chain rails that you need to hold onto as you hike up. Angel’s Landing is also a good hike to start your morning because it is one of the busiest hikes and gets crowded later in the day.

Afterward, venture into the heart of the park to explore Emerald Pools, a tranquil oasis nestled amidst Zion’s towering sandstone cliffs. Emerald Pools is directly across from the Historic Zion Lodge and only takes 2.5 miles to hike all 3 pools. After Emerald Pools, end your day with a stroll along the Riverside Walk which goes alongside the Virgin River.

Get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow will be a big hiking day!

Day 2

Day 2 will be hiking The Narrows, where towering canyon walls converge to create a mesmerizing slot canyon. Wade through the cool waters of the Virgin River as you navigate this otherworldly landscape, immersing yourself in the beauty of Zion’s most iconic feature.

There are a couple things you need to do to prepare for hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park. First, check the weather forecast like your hiking life depends on it. Flash floods are no joke, so if there’s even a hint of rain, maybe reschedule. You can also check the NPS website as they usually will post if the Narrows is closed due to flash flooding.

You will also need to get a permit for the Narrows. Details can be found on the NPS website.

Preparing to Travel to Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located in the Southwest corner of Utah. Because of its location, numerous major airports serve the park. However, most of the flights will still require a couple of hours of driving to get to Zion National Park.

Before embarking on your Zion adventure, it’s essential to take care of some logistical details to ensure a smooth journey. Consider utilizing different inbound and outbound airports to find the most convenient and cost-effective options for your travel needs. Also, compare the cost of flights and rental cars from various airports to determine the best value for your budget.

You will also want to pack the right gear for Zion National Park. The terrain and weather at Zion are varied, so I like packing diverse clothing and gear.

Hiking Gear for Zion National Park

For hiking shoes, the terrain at Zion is generally gentle with small rocks. On Angel’s Landing, you will have go climb some larger rocks with chain railing. Depending on personal preference, you might want to look for a trail running sneaker that typically has more grip than normal running shoes. Trail runners are also less bulky than traditional hiking goes – but it comes with less protection around your ankles and feet.

My go-to hiking sneakers are the adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra Trail Runners (the new version is the Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0 Trail Running Shoes). It has a lightweight midsole with solid cushioning so your feet don’t get sore, and a Continental™ Rubber outsole to give you tons of traction on the trails.

These shoes will also be great for the Narrows if you don’t want to buy your own Canyon Shoes & Neoprene Socks just for a one-time hike. While you can rent gear including shoes at Zion Outfitters, I don’t recommend trying strange shoes for the first time when you’re about to embark on a big hike. Always break in your shoes beforehand!!

If you do want a stiffer hiking boot for more protection around your feet and joints, adidas has multiple waterproof hiking shoes that are great options. The Terrex Ax4 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes, staying within the same Terrex line, is an excellent option.

For clothing, I like wearing the adidas Power Hidden Racerback Overlay Cover Up over the adidas Powerreact Training Medium-Support Hyperglam Bra. It’s enough to keep you warm but also has tons of ventilation for the summers in Utah. The temperature can start in the 50’s in the morning but get up to the mid-80s in the middle of the afternoon, so I like having layers. You can find more women’s hoodies and women’s sports bra options on their website.

Finally, you definitely want to have hiking poles when you travel to Zion National Park! Although you won’t use poles as much for Angel’s Landing because you want both of your hands, hiking poles are a must-have for The Narrows. Black Diamond Trail Explorer 3 poles are excellent at a reasonable $53 price tag. The Leki Khumbu are also great if you want a fancier and lighter hiking pole at 8.7oz (almost half the weight of the Black Diamond Trail Explorer 3), but it comes to $103. I personally love my Leki poles and have had them for over 10 years with no issues.

4 Airports Near Zion National Park From Closest To Furthest

When considering the closest airport to Zion National Park, you should weigh various factors such as proximity, flight options, and amenities. While St. George Airport offers the shortest distance to the park, it may have limited flight options compared to larger hubs like Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix.

1. St George Regional Airport (SGU), Utah – 46 Miles from Zion

St. George Regional Airport is the closest airport to Zion National Park being only 46 miles from Zion National Park. However, it is a very small regional airport and it may be difficult to find flights.

There are typically non-stop flights from Phoenix, Denver, and Dallas with America Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. The flights can be anywhere from $200 to $600.

At the airport, you can also get a rental car to drive you to Zion National Park. Enterprise, Avis, Hertz all operate out of St. George Regional Airport.

2. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), Nevada – 170 Miles from Zion

Las Vegas Airport is one of the largest and closest airports to Zion National Park. It takes around 2.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas Airport to Zion National Park. One downside of LAS is that the car rental company lines can be pretty awful. I suggest using Turo.com which gets you out of the airport much faster.

My personal favorite airport to fly into for Zion National Park is Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. This is obviously a main airport for travelers heading to Vegas, so flight prices are more reasonable and there are a lot of flexible flight times.

Additionally, you can spend a night or a day enjoying Vegas before you head out to Zion! The drive from Las Vegas Airport to Zion National Park is also wonderful. You will pass by Valley of Fire, one of my favorite hiking destinations. I highly recommend stopping here to hike for half a day before you continue onto St. George and ultimately to Zion National Park.

Check out my blog on the 5 Best Valley of Fire Hikes!

3. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Utah – 311 Miles from Zion

Salt Lake City International Airport is the second closest large airport near Zion National Park. In the same state of Utah, Salt Lake City Airport is around a 3.5 hour drive to Zion National Park. This is because Salt Lake City is in the center of Utah, and you have to drive down to the Southwest corner to get to Zion.

Salt Lake City is a good option if you find some cheaper flight options. You can also explore some of the hikes in Salt Lake City and the Park City area. Salt Lake City may be better known for skiing, but that also means that in the summer, the mountains are prime for hiking!

Check out my blog on the UItimate Guide for Hiking Around Salt Lake City

4. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Arizona – 395 Miles from Zion

The furthest airport from Zion National Park is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Situated amidst the desert vistas of Arizona, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers another option for travelers en route to Zion National Park who want to do some desert hiking on their way north to Zion.

Phoenix can sometimes be a bigger hub for folks coming from other states, so it is good to check flight prices to see if you can fly in and out of Phoenix.

If you are flying into Phoenix Airport in the Fall, Winter, or Spring, you can also do some wonderful hiking in the Phoenix area! Summer hiking in Phoenix can be a bit brutal because of the heat, so I would only suggest hiking in other Arizona destinations like Sedona or Flagstaff in the summer.

The good news is, on your drive from Phoenix Airport to Zion National Park, you will pass big-name hiking destinations like Sedona, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, and the famous hiking hub of Page, Arizona. I personally love hiking in Arizona and have tons of guides and recommendations for hiking trails.

Check out my blog posts in Arizona for more!

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice of airport will depend on individual preferences and travel plans, but regardless of which option you choose, the adventure that awaits at Zion National Park is sure to leave a lasting impression. So, pack your bags, chart your course, and prepare for an unforgettable journey amidst the natural splendor of Zion.