Day trip from Sunshine Suites
How Far Is Zion National Park From St. George?
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Zion National Park is about a 41-mile, 50-minute drive from St. George, Utah, and roughly 55 minutes from Sunshine Suites in Santa Clara, via State Route 9 to the south entrance at Springdale (National Park Service). That makes Zion a comfortable day trip: leave after breakfast, hike the canyon, and be back at the resort pool by dinner. After years of hosting families here, we’ve found Zion is the single most-asked-about trip from the house, so we put the practical details first. Below is the drive, the 2026 entrance fees, how the free shuttle works, and the best easy hikes for families.
Zion at a glance
- Distance: 41 mi · ~50 min from St. George
- Entrance: $35 per private vehicle, valid 7 days
- Shuttle: free, no reservation (Mar to Nov)
- Best easy hikes: Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pool
- Source: National Park Service, nps.gov
How far is Zion National Park from St. George and Santa Clara?
Zion’s south entrance at Springdale is 41 miles from downtown St. George, about a 50-minute drive on SR-9; from Sunshine Suites in Santa Clara it’s a few minutes more. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center, just inside the gate, is about 45 miles. Here’s how the drive compares from nearby hubs.
| Starting point | To Zion south entrance | Approx. drive |
|---|---|---|
| St. George, UT | 41 miles | 50 minutes |
| Sunshine Suites, Santa Clara | ~44 miles | ~55 minutes |
| Las Vegas, NV | ~160 miles | 2 hr 45 min |
| Bryce Canyon | ~85 miles | 1 hr 45 min |
How much does it cost to enter Zion in 2026?
$35 per private vehicle covers everyone inside, valid up to 7 days. As of June 2026, the National Park Service lists these Zion entrance fees:
| Pass | Price | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 | 1 to 7 days, all occupants |
| Motorcycle | $30 | 1 to 7 days |
| Per person (foot/bike) | $20 | 1 to 7 days; under 16 free |
| Zion Annual Pass | $70 | 12 months, Zion only |
| America the Beautiful | $80 | 12 months, all federal parks |
Do I need a shuttle reservation for Zion?
No, the Zion Canyon shuttle is free and needs no ticket or reservation. From roughly March 7 to November 28, 2026 (plus a short late-December window), private vehicles can’t drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, so the shuttle is how you reach the canyon’s trailheads; it runs frequently from the visitor center. Outside shuttle season you can drive the canyon yourself. We tell guests to catch one of the first Zion Canyon shuttles after 7 a.m., because by mid-morning in spring the visitor-center line gets long. If you’d rather skip the drive entirely, the SunTran Zion Route connects St. George to Springdale for about $5 each way (Source: National Park Service; SunTran).
What are the best easy hikes in Zion for families?
Five short trails deliver Zion’s best scenery without the Angels Landing climb. These are the ones we steer families with young kids toward:
| Trail | Round trip | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Pa’rus Trail | 3.5 mi | Easy, paved, stroller-friendly |
| Riverside Walk | 2.2 mi | Easy, mostly flat |
| Lower Emerald Pool | 1.2 mi | Easy |
| Watchman Trail | 3.3 mi | Moderate |
| Angels Landing | 5.4 mi | Strenuous, permit required |
Can you visit Zion as a day trip from Sunshine Suites?
Yes, and most of our guests do. A realistic plan: leave Sunshine Suites by 8 a.m., park at the Springdale visitor center, ride the free shuttle in, hike Riverside Walk or the Emerald Pools before midday heat, grab lunch in Springdale, and be back at the resort lazy river by mid-afternoon. Bring water, sun protection, and a card for the entrance gate. The guests who enjoy Zion most treat it as a relaxed half-day rather than a race to every viewpoint. Because the home sits near the I-15 corridor in Santa Clara, you’re also within day-trip range of Snow Canyon and Bryce Canyon, see things to do near Sunshine Suites for the full area guide.
Source: National Park Service (nps.gov). Updated June 2026.
Base camp for Zion
Stay 50 minutes from Zion
Sunshine Suites sleeps up to 20 near St. George, an easy drive to Zion and back. Check your dates.
By Marchele Oldham, Owner & Host · Updated June 2026
I host Sunshine Suites, our 7-bedroom home for big families and groups at Paradise Village at Zion in Santa Clara, Utah. After years of welcoming reunions, teams, and multi-generational trips, I write these pages from what our guests actually ask and experience. Questions about your dates? Call or text +1 801-400-9274.