jimhoelzel

We are planning to see Zion and the area(from Las Vegas) on June 19-23.
How are the tempratures at this time? Can we do any (short) hikes during the days or only mornings and evenings?
Any heat precautions necessary
I gather from other posts that Springdale is the best place to stay. Is that correct?


Thanks for the input.

ellen_griswold

Hi Jim, we've been to zion several times, always in july and yes, it is very warm. However, it is very do-able. We did many of the short hikes at all hours, not just am and evening, and we were fine. As always, take the usual precautions by carrying water etc. I would think june would be a bit cooler, i'm sure someone will address that.

While we always prefer to stay in the nat'l parks whenever possible, including in zion, we stayed in springdale last summer at the Desert Pearl Inn and absolutely loved it! They've thought of everything....its a treasure, very spacious, immaculate, comfortable and charming. We asked for a room facing the pool, as thats where we spend our down time after hiking but there are also river view rooms available. Regardless, the entire hotel is surrounded by the zion cliffs. The scenery is magnificent. There are also good restaurants in springdale...try The Noodle for pasta and pizza, and Oscars had amazing breakfasts.

Have a great time!

travellyn

My husband and I camped at Zion the first or second week of June last year. We were uncomfortably warm in the tent, but the hiking was okay. I would guess that the temps got into the 90s by the afternoon, and the sun was pretty strong. Since the canyon walls are so high, you can usually hike on the side that's getting shade. We tended to hike until about 10 am (Hidden Canyon was good; Dutchman not so good), then again starting about 4 pm (Emerald Pools were good). I think we took the shuttle bus to various stops in the middle of the day, as well as doing a tiny bit of the Narrows hike, which worked out well. We made the mistake of hiking in the Kolob section at midday, and got a little drained. It would have been better to have done this hike in the morning.

June and early July usually end up being hotter than late July and August in the Southwest, because the "monsoon" season, which starts around mid-July, cools things off.

For lodging, the only place better than Springdale would be staying in the park itself. Springdale is very convenient to the park; there is a shuttle in town that goes right up to the park entrance, and from there, you can catch the Zion shuttle. It's probably the best town I've seen for easy access to a national park.

utahtea

Late June can start to get very warm. We were in the area last August and the temps were in the low 100's but we still hiked the Lower and Middle Emeral Pools during the day. Carry plenty of water and the best times to hike are early morning and late evening.

During the heat of the day, rent some intertubes in Springdale and go tubing down the Virgin River (outside of the park) but you see a lot of the park on the tubing route.

Utahtea

Driver

June temperatures are warm, but you can hike (short or long) at most times of the day because generally you can find the dappled shade of a canopy of trees or the shade of one side or other of a mountain. Having said that, I suspect Las Vegas might be warmer. But yes - do take water whenever you go.

Springdale was excellent for us. Plenty of accommodation with excellent views and stacks of choice for places to eat. Only minutes from the park entrance.

jimhoelzel

Thank you very much for the information. It sounds like it is hot but still doable and that Springdale is the place to stay.
Looking forward to seeing the area for the first time.

travellyn

Jim, I wrote "Dutchman" when I meant "Watchman" a few posts up. We didn't like the Watchman hike so much. There was nothing wrong with it, just several other options that would have been better.