Attracting over five million visitors every year, Zion National Park is among the country’s most popular, known for its canyons and vast desert landscapes.
It also attracts visitors interested in adventure sports such as canyoneering, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting—all provide different ways to see and experience distinctive rock formations spread throughout the expansive territory.
Rock slides happen frequently in Zion National Park
But the cliffs made up of limestone, sandstone, and siltstone formations are also prone to regular rockslides. On the afternoon of February 24 (2024), falling rocks led to the closure of the popular Zion Canyon Scenic Drive—considered the most scenic of the four main vehicle roads passing through the park, it stretches approximately seven miles and passes through popular landmarks such as Angel’s Landing and Weeping Rock.
The rockslide occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. in the park’s Big Bend area; while no injuries were reported the road was closed down for park workers to clean up and evaluate for risk of a repeat. The only exceptions were for emergency personnel and guests with a booked reservation at Zion Lodge.
“Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is temporarily closed due to a rockfall near Big Bend,” the National Park Service (NPS) wrote on the Zion page. “Guests with Lodge reservations will have road access up to the Lodge.”
Everyone else needed to take one of the other main roads to get through the park; State Route 9 is generally taken by those willing to forgo the sights to get through the park faster. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, meanwhile, remained closed as of the morning of February 25 but has since reopened.
These are the types of accidents that regularly take place at Zion National Park
Home to both steep cliffs and rocky canyon terrain, Zion regularly sees visitor injuries and worse related to falls. At the start of February, a hiker fell to his death over what was likely a misstep on a cliff at the park’s Canyon Overlook Trail.
Another high-profile tragedy took place in October 2024 when Justin Bingham, the CEO of Utah software tech company Opiniion, fell between 150 and 200 feet while rappelling into Zion’s Heaps Canyon on a friends trip.
Bingham was pronounced dead before he could be airlifted to a hospital while the other three friends traveling with him with were extracted from the canyon without injury.
In a description of the accident, park authorities said that the “rescue team arrived on scene and rendered emergency medical care” while also assisting “with rappelling down the canyon” for the men stuck inside.
The park’s response involved more than 50 rescuers from Zion’s search and rescue team, Springdale Police Department, Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Intermountain Life Flight.
In its safety guide for the park, NPS authorities remind visitors to always be aware of steep cliffs and the potential for falling rocks on any hike they undertake. Be especially careful of edges when using cameras or binoculars. The most standard instructions are to stay on marked trails, keep away from ledges, and respect warnings posted on any permanent or temporary signage.
“Loose sand or pebbles on stone are very slippery,” the park writes. “Never throw or roll rocks. There may be hikers below you.”
On rockfalls, NPS note that rockfall hazards occur throughout the park and are especially high near any cliff face. If you witness a rockfall, quickly move away from the cliff. If you are near the base of a cliff or talus slope when a rockfall occurs and cannot quickly move away from the base of the cliff, immediately seek shelter behind the largest nearby boulder and pull your backpack over your head.
After rocks have stopped falling, move quickly as far away from the base of the cliff as possible. Be aware that rockfalls can occur at any time. Pay attention to your surroundings, stay off of closed trails, and, if unsure, keep away from cliffs.
Tips for safely hiking Zion National Park
Hiking is one of the best ways to see all that Zion National Park has to offer. Walking along the natural landscape provides an up-close view of everything that makes Zion so beautiful. Hikers may choose to explore the rocky terrain, hike along the canyon and mesas, or traverse the Zion backcountry. Every area of Zion National Park has something special to offer to hikers.
One of the most dangerous things visitors to Zion do is assume that hiking is a completely safe, easy activity. While hiking is a generally simple activity with most of the journey focused on walking along different landscapes, it can be tricky. From being mindful of natural hazards to understanding the body’s limits, there is so much to know before setting out on a hiking adventure.
The following tips for safety while hiking in Zion National Park are a great start to ensuring a safe, fun, and memorable hike along some of the most beautiful views Utah has to offer.
1. Be aware of surroundings
While surrounded by incredible views, it’s so easy to get lost in the new and different world that is Zion. After all, becoming one with nature means getting lost in its beauty! While it’s okay to lose track mentally, it’s never a good idea to get lost physically.
It is extremely important to always be aware of your surroundings and have a good idea of your location. Losing track of your location puts you and fellow hikers at risk for wandering into unsafe areas, hiking for much longer than they were prepared for, and, worse yet, being lost in the park after nightfall.
Depending on the conditions and your experience, getting lost on a hike could turn into a life or death situation. Minding location throughout the journey is the best way to ensure a safe hike.
2. Know personal limits
There are times when testing the body’s boundaries and pushing the limits are great ideas. During a hike in Zion National Park is not one of those times. New and experienced hikers all have different limits and capabilities. It is important for each hiker to assess their individual skill and plan a hiking trip according to what they are capable of.
The desire to keep up with a crowd or see a certain area of the park is never worth the risk of a serious injury. Instead, working up to longer hikes over time and then embarking on a big journey in Zion National Park may be a better idea. Adhering to personal limits is an important part of a safe hike.
3. Step carefully
The natural rock formations that make Zion so beautiful can harbor some unexpected dangers to hikers. The rocky terrain creates obstacles that stretch throughout the park. Shifting rocks, eroding cliffs, and unseen crevices all pose a threat to hikers if they are not paying attention. Anticipating each step along the way is a vital part of getting back to base safely.
4. Steer clear of wildlife
An often-overlooked danger of hiking in Zion National Park is the wildlife in the area. While the animals of Zion generally prefer to avoid human contact, hikers who stumble upon wildlife without knowledge of how to handle the interaction could find themselves in trouble.
One of the more serious dangers is the threat of venomous rattlesnakes. While bites from these snakes are rare, dealing with a rattlesnake improperly increases the chance of a bite. When encountering rattlesnakes or any wildlife, it is best to avoid it, do not threaten or injure it, and, if it’s a dangerous animal like a rattlesnake or large mammal, report the encounter to park officials. Using this tip helps keep wildlife and visitors safe during Zion National Park hiking.
5. Keep an eye on the weather
Weather plays a big role in the way Zion National Park is experienced. While it is usually quite beautiful and mild, there are weather conditions that pose a threat to hikers. Any weather extremes like high or low temperatures should be something hikers are aware of ahead of time.
High temperatures result in an increased risk of dehydration and exhaustion for hikers especially inexperienced and ill-prepared ones. Hikers who go out in colder temperatures run the risk of hypothermia and exposure.
Not every weather risk has to do with the temperature. Flash flooding is another serious weather risk that is dangerous and potentially deadly, for hikers in Zion National Park. By watching the weather reports and planning hikes accordingly, the chance of getting caught in dangerous weather decreases dramatically.
6. Stay safe and hike on
Hiking is an activity that provides so many wonderful benefits. Hikers can get great exercise, see beautiful scenery, and explore new and exciting places. Hiking doesn’t require a lot of gear, so the restrictions on who is able to hike are limited. Basically, those who can walk long distances will enjoy hiking in Zion National Park.
Though there are some dangers to be mindful of during a hike, those should never stop people who love the outdoors from enjoying a nice hike. By being aware of the potential dangers and following the above safety tips, hiking can be one of the most exciting, memorable experiences taken away from Zion National Park.
More on Zion National Park
Worth Pondering…
It is a place where a family can rest at streamside after a pleasant morning hike.
It is a vast labyrinth of narrow canyons where one can become hopelessly lost, shrinking to invisibility beneath dark, towering walls of stone.
One may feel triumph and exhilaration, or awesome smallness atop Angels Landing; thirst and fatigue, or a rewarding weariness, on the return trek from the backcountry.
Perhaps one’s view of Zion is in the eyes of the beholder.
—Wayne L. Hamilton, The Sculpturing of Zion