JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I was at Zion two weeks ago. In the main canyon, the bus system is awesome. From the visitor center, take a bus all the way to the last stop and then do the River Walk hike (about 1 mile each way). Then work you way back to the visitor center. You will hear enough on the bus to decide where to stop. The hike to the Emerald Pools is very good as well. Plan a full day in the main Canyon.

In the NW part of Zion, the Kolob Canyon area is amazing. There is a five mile drive that will let you see the whole area. There is a 1 mile round trip hike above the last parking area that gives you a sweeping view of the whole area. My group then went back down to the Taylor Creek Trail Head and did a 5 mile RT hike that was terrific.

I do not think you need a guide to see the best of Zion. Just get some brochures and read about sights ahead of time and you'll do great.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

To set a few things straight. The canyon is all open to cars except the main canyon by the lodge and to the Temple of Sinawava which can be reached by an excellent shuttle system. Leaves from the visitors center and the campgrounds. Kolob Canyon is accessible from 1-15 which is 40 miles from the main canyon by an excellent road system but is not really attached to the main canyon. Kolob Terrace road leads to some back parts of the Park but is more of an access to Cedar Mt and not much to photograph unless you want to take a day hike into the Subway which requires a permit and reservation. The Subway may be the best part of the canyon but it is out of the normal way of most people. There are two parts to the Canyon (excluding Kolob) and they are Zion (pronounced like lion not Zi-ON) scenic drive and then the road Zion-Mt Carmel Highway. The latter is open to all automobiles all year and the main canyon has restrictions to car half of the year during the summer months.
Grafton a ghost town where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was partly filmed is accessible from Rockville with short drive down a gravel road after crossing a bridge over the Virgin River.
Here is a link to a map that may help you. https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/maps.htm Click on the map and then enlarge it for more.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

There are several equipment rental stores in Springdale. One is right at the park entrance and one is about 1/4 mike south of the entrance. I think it’s Zion Adventure. They are associated with or owned by a professional photographer who should be able to help. I can’t find his card. But will look when I get home.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

There are several equipment rental stores in Springdale. One is right at the park entrance and one is about 1/4 mike south of the entrance. I think it’s Zion Adventure. They are associated with or owned by a professional photographer who should be able to help. I can’t find his card. But will look when I get home.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

The one you want is 1/4 mile south of the entrance in Springdale.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Try Seth Hamel. 8018285899. And Kate Hope 2259552725. Enlightenphotographyexcursions. Www.zion-photography.com. Infi@zion-photography.com

DAily photo tours. Secret places.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Be sure to drive up through the tunnel. Busses don’t go there but the Big Horn Sheep hang out up there. Also some great formations such as checkerboard mesa.

There is a great short hike to the best photo spot in the park (excluding Angels Landing, which is only for the stout of heart) that leaves from right above the tunnel. You’ll probably need to drive past to park and walk back.

You might consider using your second day to drive up to Bryce Canyon. It is equally awesome. You don’t need a guide there. But if up to it should take at least one walk down amongst the hoodoos. Just keep in mind that what goes down must come back up. It is the opposite of Zion. In Zion you look mostly up. In Bryce mostly down.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

If you have time, check out Red Rock in Vegas while you are there. It is about 30 minutes North and West of the Strip.

Tommy II Loc: Northern Illinois

And I’d love to spend a few weeks in The UK, so I guess the grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence...

bel air bill Loc: Bel Air Maryland

Just go to ZION and walk it and take Photo's yourself. That's all the bus tour we took did for us. We got some great Photo's. Good Luck.

Joe Rice

My wife and I visited Zion 6 months ago for the purpose of going on a guided photo tour. There is a wonderful photo tour run by Enlighten Photography Excursions. They serve all levels of photographer. Ask for Katie Hope or Seth Hamel. 801-828-5899.

davidsphotos Loc: West Palm Beach

I was there last June also driving from Vegas. Stayed at Zions overnight so could get best lighting early the following morning.

They don't allow cars at the main photograph op locations so you hop on a bus that takes you to each location where you will find great photo ops. Its a hop-on-hop-off bust tour so you take photos at one location and then move on to the next. Start early and get the best light.

davidsphotos Loc: West Palm Beach

You now need a reservation to gain access to National Parks.

btbg

Cars are allowed in Zion, just not into the main canyon. You can take cars to Kolob Terrace, Kolob Canyons and to the entire east side of the park.

btbg

If you think the bus system is awesome you are nuts. The bus system does not start running until well after daylight and stops before sunset. That means that in the entire main canyon unless you have a bike you can't shoot sunrise or sunset and you can't hike the Virgin Narrows starting early to avoid the crowds. It also means that if you get a permit to hike the narrows from the top down you better make sure that you can get out before the last bus or you just added miles to your hike.

I was going to do the top down hike in the narrows one last time before I get too old, but after looking at the bus schedule I can not walk fast enough to make it to the exit early enough, so can no longer do that hike, which happens to be one of the best one night backpacking hikes in the country.