Despite my very best efforts, the NPS system was quite overwhelmed by requests this morning and kept shutting down and I was not able to get tickets for the shuttle for two of our days in the park. Has anyone used a private shuttle? Have any info you can share or recommendations? Thanks!

I'd call your hotel and see what they recommend.

Even if you can find other transportation, you should be prepared for big crowds. ZC gets very crowded in the summer, and I think this year it will be worse than ever. There are many beautiful and interesting alternatives nearby...

https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/ou...national-park/

We won't be there on Memorial day weekend, a couple of weeks before. Thanks for the alternatives but Zion is what we want to see. I don't expect I will ever have another opportunity in this lifetime. We will figure it out.

I'm sure you will, but I don't think being there before Memorial Day will make it much less crowded.

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/crowds.htm

Yes Zion will be packed as it always is. I was going to say rent a bike, but it looks like bikes may also be sold out.

I haven't used them but look at the website for Red Rock Shuttle as they are selling tickets on line. Try reading the FAQs here first. It is $40 a pop. They are one of the listed options. You'll want to have your Park Entry Fee already handled.
https://redrockshuttle.com/zion-canyon-shuttle

I assume you have downloaded the NPS online Summer brochure (link at bottom)

Visitors who are not able to get a shuttle bus ticket can explore other areas of the park such as the East Side via Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, Kolob Canyons, or the Kolob Terrace road to Lava Point. Walking the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is long and not recommended.

Consider renting a bike or contacting one of the authorized private shuttle companies below

These companies are authorized to provide shuttle service on the Scenic Drive. Some offer private trips for individuals or groups. They can drop you off at a trailhead and pick you up when you are done. Ridesharing services are not allowed to transport the public into the park. Payment for services cannot be collected inside the park.

SAW Zion zionguidehub.com

Zion Guru zionguru.com

Zion Rock & Mountain Guides zionrockguides.com

Red Rock Shuttle redrockshuttle.com

Zion Jeep Tours zionjeeptours.com

East Zion Adventures eastzionadventures.com

Zion Adventure Company zionadventures.com

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvis...osheet-web.pdf

Thanks so very much. This is a great help/ I have spent time today working on these things. We are staying at Cable Mountain Lodge so we have great access to some of the trails even without the shuttle. We will contact them and get the other couple of days buttoned up. It's more money of course, but that's okay. We are blessed to be going and will enjoy every moment.

You could take one of those unbooked days and do the drive on Hwy 9 (Zion -Mt Carmel Hwy) and walk the Canyon Overlook Trail. Go early or you won't find any parking spots at the trailhead.