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Are you newly engaged or soon to be? One of the first big decisions you’ll make — after you pop the question, of course— is where to have your wedding. Is a big traditional wedding not in your plans? Or, maybe you’re dreaming of a picturesque backdrop for your upcoming nuptials? If this is the case, you might be considering an elopement or small ceremony in a national park like Zion. In nearby St. George, the Copper Rock Golf Course is home to perhaps the most beautiful wedding venues St George UT has to offer. Beyond the green rolling hills of Southern Utah’s premier course, you’ll have views of the mountains in the distance, not to mention easy access to all of the beautiful Copper Rock Vacation Rentals for you and your bridal party and guests to stay in. 

But if you’re planning a smaller affair, you might be wondering whether you can exchange your vows in Zion National Park. Keep reading as we explore the rules surrounding events in the park and tips for planning your big day.

Can You Get Married in Zion National Park?

It’s no secret that Zion National Park is beautiful. The millions of people who come to the park each year are certain to agree on that point. But it is a national park, and as such, it is carefully protected in order to maintain the plant and animal life that live there and to preserve it for future generations.

But don’t fret. As long as you are willing to follow some strict rules, you are allowed to get married in Zion National Park.

If you’re dreaming of backdropping your wedding ceremony with Zion’s stunning red rock canyon walls, there are several steps you’ll have to take just to get permission to host your wedding within the park.

The first step will be to fill out an application. You can find the application on the National Park Service’s website. Besides filling in information about yourself, you’ll also need to include details about where, when, and how you would host your wedding ceremony in the park.

Wedding Venues in Zion 

Angels Landing would certainly make for a stunning spot to exchange your vows. But getting married in Zion isn’t as easy as picking your favorite spot and inviting your friends. Before you list your favorite trail or overlook, it’s important to know that there are only a few specific sites where you can host a wedding or similar event in Zion. And each site puts a cap on the number of people you can have there for your event. These sites and their maximum attendance numbers include:

You can also request to hold your ceremony in Kolob Canyon at the Timber Creek Overlook. You can have up to 20 people at this site. But you cannot have more than 4 cars for your entire group, because of parking restrictions.

Wedding Rules in Zion

After you’ve listed your site of choice, you’ll also need to estimate how many people you will have in attendance, as well as the number of vehicles they’ll use to arrive. Don’t forget to include your officiant, photographer, videographer, or other event staff in your total, as well as in the vehicle total. The application also asks for a list of support equipment that you’ll be bringing in, like chairs, tables, or maybe an arch for your ceremony. Finally, you’ll need not only to set a date, but also list the start and end time for the big day.

If you’re planning to get married at one of the best wedding venues St. George, UT has to offer, you’ll need to plan your big day far in advance. This isn’t necessarily the case in Zion, though. Your application needs to be filed at least 3 weeks ahead of your chosen wedding day. Keep in mind that submitting an application does not guarantee approval. It’s a good idea to submit it very early. That way you can make other arrangements or amend your application if it gets rejected the first time.

Along with the application, you’ll also need to include a $100 application fee. This covers administration costs for handling your application and other aspects of your event. In some instances, an additional $50 per hour fee may be necessary. This may be the case if the size or complexity of your event requires that you have a monitor present.

You can pay your fee electronically here. Completed applications should be emailed to zion_commercialservices@nps.gov.

Things to Consider About Getting Married in Zion

Besides choosing one of the approved locations to host your wedding in Zion, there are a few other rules and considerations you should know when you are planning your big day.

To start, while the above locations can be reserved for your wedding, they will never be closed during the event. This means that other park visitors may be in and around the area while your ceremony is going on. If you’re worried about noise or crowds, you might opt to set your date during a less busy time of year. Or, hold your ceremony very early in the day when crowds may be thinner.

Another consideration when choosing your location and date is that you’ll still need to utilize the shuttle if it is running. Not even the bride or groom can travel by personal vehicle. That means that all guests and equipment need to be transported via shuttle. This includes chairs!

When you’re planning your decor, keep in mind that you’ll need to follow a few guidelines. One is that you can’t alter the landscape in any way, such as by digging holes to erect an arch. You can bring live flowers into the park. But they can’t have any seeds that might accidentally drop and later grow. Your decorations will need to be approved by the park service before the big day. Don’t bother requesting permission for any kind of confetti, rice, birdseed, or other items to be tossed after you say your “I do’s.” These will always be rejected. Banners and signs are also not allowed. If you want to go all out on your decorations for your wedding day, you can’t do so here. Consider booking your ceremony and reception at some of the best wedding venues St George, UT has to offer instead.

Booking the Best Wedding Venues St. George, UT and Zion Have to Offer

Planning to tie the knot in Zion during your visit? Consider booking one of our Zion vacation rentals for your stay. Our spacious, luxury homes are perfect for hosting your family, guests, and bridal party. Kick off your honeymoon with a stay in one of Copper Rock Vacation Rentals’ beautiful properties. Or, host your bachelor or bachelorette party with a weekend in one of the best rental properties St. George, UT, has to offer. 

Have you already said yes and are starting to plan your big day? Southern Utah is a beautiful place to choose. Whether your big day will be a destination wedding or close to home, there are several venues to choose from within the park, and nearby Copper Rock Golf Course. Start planning your special today!

For many people around the world, visiting Zion National Park is a bucket list trip. When it comes time to plan Utah vacations, a visit to the park is often a highlight. Its towering peaks and beautiful landscapes have been inspiring visitors for more than 100 years. But in more recent years, one spot in the park in particular has arisen as a must-see for many guests.

Angels Landing is arguably Zion’s most famous trail, as well as one of the most famous — or infamous — trails in the United States. The trail ends in a stunning panoramic view of Zion. But to get there, hikers must cross a number of challenging and sometimes dangerous obstacles. This hasn’t stopped millions of people from hiking the trail, even prompting the recent addition of a lottery and permit system to control crowds on this popular trail.

If you’re dreaming of hiking Angels Landing during your time in our Zion National Park vacation rentals, there are a few things you’ll need to know ahead of your trip. Keep reading to learn how to enter the lottery for a permit and how to plan your hike during your stay in one of our Copper Rock Vacation Rentals.

How to Enter the Angels Landing Lottery

Following several years of crowding on Angels Landing, the National Park Service implemented  a new lottery and permit system. Starting in 2022, anyone looking to hike past Scout Lookout on Angels Landing now needs a permit to do so, no matter the time of day or year.

Unfortunately, getting a permit isn’t as easy as simply purchasing one. Instead, you’ll need to enter one or both of the two Angels Landing Lotteries. The first is the Seasonal Lottery, which opens four times a year and awards permits for the following season. The second is the Day-Before Lottery, which opens daily at 12:01 a.m. MT and closes at 3 p.m. MT, and awards permits for the following day.

With either lottery, you’ll need to go online to enter. Entering the lottery costs $6, and you can include up to six hikers in one entry. If you do get a permit, you’ll need to pay an additional $3 per person for the permit.

When you enter the Seasonal Lottery, you’ll get a chance to choose seven days and times or windows of days and times that you would like to hike Angels Landing. You’ll rank each in order of which are your top picks. The Day-Before Lottery only provides permits for the following day.

The 2024 Dates for the Seasonal Lottery

If hiking Angels Landing is on your bucket list and you’re planning future Utah vacations, you’ll want to try to enter the Seasonal Lottery. Because this lottery awards permits for the following season, you’ll need to book your stay in our Zion National Park vacation rentals early to give yourself a chance to enter the lottery for the dates that you’ll be visiting.

Two of the entry periods for the 2024 Seasonal Lottery have already closed. But if you’re planning a St. George vacation later in the year, you still have two more chances to enter this lottery this year. This includes:

Of course, if you’re planning a last-minute stay in our Zion vacation rentals, you can always enter the Day-Before Lottery for each day of your visit.

Preparing to Hike Angels Landing

Getting a permit is only one part of preparing to hike Angels Landing. This challenging trail shouldn’t be attempted without the right training and preparation. 

The trail is 5.4 miles long with more than 1,500 feet of elevation change. It has a few challenging features, including Walter’s Wiggles, a set of 21 steep switchbacks that hikers must navigate. One of the trail’s most famous features is the narrow ridgeline walk near the peak. Here, hikers cross a rocky ridge with 1,000-foot drops on either side and only a metal chain handrail to help them keep their balance. Even if you don’t have a fear of heights, the view is enough to leave you a little shaky.

In addition to preparing before you arrive at our Zion National Park vacation rentals, you’ll also need to bring along the right gear. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather during your Utah vacation, including lightweight, moisture-wicking materials during the hot summer months. Bring a daypack that’s stocked with plenty of water, a first aid kit, and some trail snacks to keep you energized. Don’t forget your camera — you’ll want to capture the views to share long after your St. George vacation is over!

Planning Utah Vacations With Copper Rock Vacation Rentals

Hiking Angels Landing is on many people’s bucket lists, along with visiting Zion National Park during their Utah vacations. If you’re dreaming of taking on this challenging trail during your stay in our Zion National Park vacation rentals, understanding how the lottery system works and how to prepare for this challenging hike is a must.

Ready to start planning your next St. George vacation? Copper Rock Vacation Rental has a vacation home for you! Our stunning vacation homes are perfect for families, couples, groups of friends, and more. Outfitted with unique amenities like putting greens, resort-style pools, and more, our vacation homes are the perfect basecamp for exploring all that Southern Utah has to offer. Check out our selection of vacation homes today to find the right one for your next Utah vacation!

If you’re planning a stay in one of our Zion vacation rentals this summer, you’ll likely find yourself riding a Zion Canyon Shuttle bus at least once or twice.

For all but a few short months, the Zion Canyon Shuttles are the only way for visitors to get around the popular Lower Canyon. This is where you’ll find the historic Zion Lodge and many of the park’s most famous trailheads. 

Riding the shuttle, as well as the accompanying Springdale Shuttle, for the first time can be a little confusing. That’s why the team at Copper Rock Vacation Rentals has compiled this guide. We’re breaking down what you’ll need to know to ride the shuttle like a pro during your stay in our Zion National Park vacation rentals.

Springdale Shuttle Loop

Before we cover what you need to know to ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle system within the park, we need to cover how you’ll get there. The best vacation rentals Utah has to offer are located in St. George, Utah, a short drive away from the main entrance to Zion. If you get to the park early in the day or are visiting during the week or a less busy time of year, you’ll likely be able to park right inside the park, in the lot adjacent to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

But if you get there a little later, or are visiting during a busy time of year, you’ll need to park in a public lot in Springdale instead. Luckily, a second shuttle system ferries guests from nine stops in the town to the entrance to Zion.

The Springdale Shuttle Loop is designed to help reduce traffic entering Zion National Park. With parking spots in the park filling up early each day, this shuttle also allows visitors to park elsewhere in Springdale or even leave their vehicle at the hotel or campground they’re staying at.

The shuttle makes 9 stops in Springdale:

Zion Canyon Shuttle System

While the Springdale shuttle loop is mainly for convenience and to help alleviate some parking issues within the park, the Zion Canyon Scenic Loop is a bit more vital. You can get to the park without taking the in-town shuttle, but you can’t drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in your own vehicle. 

From March to late in November, and a few weeks around the December holidays, the shuttle is the only way to enjoy the beauty of this drive or to access the many stops along its path. Depending on how busy the park is and traffic conditions, shuttles leave from the visitors center every 7 to 10 minutes on average. It then travels through the park, making 8 stops along the way. 

Zion Canyon Shuttle Stops

Knowing the stops you plan to visit ahead of time can help you be better prepared to make the most of your time in the park during your stay in our Zion vacation rentals. Here’s where you can hop off the shuttle and check out the park’s trails, overlooks, museums, and more:

Planning Your First Stay in Our Zion Vacation Rentals

Zion National Park is a bucket-list destination for many individuals. With so many people flocking to the park, the National Park Service has implemented a number of measures over the years to manage the crowds and allow everyone to have an enjoyable, relaxing time in the park. This includes the Zion Canyon Shuttle and Springdale Shuttle.

Riding the shuttle for the first time during your stay in our Zion vacation rentals can be a little confusing. But with this guide, you can better plan your route on both the Springdale and Zion Canyon Shuttles. The operating hours for both shuttles are updated seasonally by the National Park Service. Be sure to check the NPS website ahead of your arrival at your Copper Rock Vacation Rental so that you’ll know when you can catch a shuttle during your stay.

Ready to start planning your next stay in the best vacation rentals Utah has to offer? Check out our guide to visiting Zion National Park today to start planning your trip!

Zion National Park is the most popular national park in Utah, as well as one of the most popular in the United States. From its towering red rock peaks to its challenging hiking trails to its vibrant wildlife and plant life, the park is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, families, adventure seekers, and everyone in between.

Anyone can enjoy the incredible natural beauty that Zion is known for. But visiting for the first time can be a little overwhelming. The park has some unique rules and requirements that can be confusing to first time visitors. Its location in a remote part of Southern Utah can also make deciding where to stay during your visit more challenging. That’s why we’ve compiled this first-timer’s guide to visiting the park. 

Whether you’ve already booked a stay in one of Copper Rock Vacation Rentals’ properties or you’re just starting your search for the best Zion National Park vacation rentals, this guide will help you learn everything you need to know.

Where to Stay

The first thing you need to know for your first visit to Zion is where to stay. Zion National Park is located in Southern Utah, to the East of St. George, Utah. The closest town is Springdale, Utah. While this town has a number of hotels and Zion vacation rentals, this isn’t the best location for most visitors. Springdale has limited options for food, shopping, and entertainment. The town also gets very crowded, especially during the summer months, and traffic is a problem. While you may plan to spend a couple of days enjoying all that ZIon has to offer, if you want to explore the rest of Southern Utah, doing so from Springdale is limiting.

Staying in nearby St. George, Utah is a great alternative. When you stay in one of our beautiful Zion National Park vacation rentals, you’ll not only enjoy easy access to Zion but also to the rest of the region. Spend a day off-roading in Sand Hollow State Park, play a round of golf at Copper Rock Golf Course, visit the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site or Red Hills Desert Garden, and enjoy endless shopping and dining options in St. George during your stay. 

Navigating the Zion National Park Shuttle

After you’ve booked one of our Zion vacation rentals, the next thing you need to learn is how you’ll get around the park. While every national park is unique, Zion’s narrow Lower Canyon created a different kind of issue than any other park has experienced. Crowding in the canyon, coupled with a lack of parking, led the National Park Service to launch a shuttle service over two decades ago. 

The Zion Canyon Shuttle is the only way to get around Zion’s Lower Canyon for most of the year. From the beginning of March to the end of November each year, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive closes to personal vehicle traffic. This means that if you want to get to any point in the Lower Canyon, like the Zion Lodge or most of the park’s most popular trailheads, you’ll either need to walk or ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle.

This shuttle is free to ride and does not require a ticket or reservation. On busy days, lines may form at the shuttle stops, but the shuttles run continuously throughout the day, so you’ll likely never wait long for another one. The shuttles make nine stops throughout the Lower Canyon before looping back to make the same stops in reverse. It takes around 45 minutes for a shuttle to run its route in one direction, starting at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and ending at the Temple of Sinawava. The shuttle schedule changes throughout the year. You can check the hours for the dates of your visit here.

Pets are not allowed on the shuttle. You can bring a bike but will need to be able to load it onto the bike rack on the front of the shuttle on your own, and e-bikes are not allowed.

Parking and Entrance Fees

If you’re planning to ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle into the Lower Canyon, you’ll need to park your personal vehicle in the park or in Springdale. Limited parking is available at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. If the lot is full, you can park in one of the public lots in Springdale, and ride the free Springdale Shuttle to the entrance to the park.

You can still drive into Zion’s Upper Canyon any day of the year in your personal vehicle. This drive includes passing through the famous Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, an engineering marvel built in the 1920s that travels 1.1 miles through Zion Canyon.

Whether you enter the park on foot or in your car, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee. This fee is $35 for a personal vehicle with up to 15 passengers. If you’re entering on foot, you’ll pay $20 per person for anyone 16 or older. These entrance fees are good for seven consecutive days.

Another option is the America the Beautiful Pass, an annual pass that provides entry into any National Park Service site for one year. This pass costs $80 for most guests, and allows access to the park for one cardholder and up to three guests.

Hiking Angels Landing

One common bucket list item on many people’s Utah vacations is to hike Angels Landing. This famous trail in Zion is known for being challenging and dangerous. You’ll climb more than 1,500 feet on this five-mile hike, including a section of trail that has you traversing a narrow ridgeline with steep drops on either side, with only a chain handrail to help you keep your balance.

With any other trail in the park, you can simply show up and hike. But for Angels Landing, you’ll need a permit. Permits are available in one of two lotteries; the Seasonal Lottery, held four times a year and awarding permits for the following season, and the Day-Before Lottery, which provides permits for the following day.

Demand for permits is high, and entering the lottery doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get one. The best way to increase your odds is to book our Zion National Park vacation rentals early so that you can enter the Seasonal Lottery for the dates of your stay.

Planning Your Stay in Our Zion National Park Vacation Rentals

If you’re planning your first stay in our Zion National Park vacation rentals, or it’s been a while since you enjoyed a St. George vacation, this first-timer’s guide can help you plan the perfect stay. 

Ready to see for yourself what makes Zion such a popular destination? Copper Rock Vacation Rentals is the ultimate base camp for your stay. After a long day of hiking and enjoying the park, kick back and relax in luxury. Take a dip in your private pool, enjoy a homemade meal fresh off the grill, or simply sit on your private patio and take in the views of the night sky. Book your stay in our Zion vacation rentals today!

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