# Zion South Entrance: this week

> Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · Zion National Park · Springdale, UT (SR-9) · Status: **Open — shuttle through Nov 28**. Facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from official NPS and NWS sources.

HTML version: https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/south-entrance.html

The South Entrance at Springdale leads to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, where shuttles leave for the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the Riverside Walk and The Narrows.

## This week at the South Entrance (official conditions)

- **Open:** Zion Canyon shuttle, Oct 25 – Nov 28: first bus 7 am from the Visitor Center, last bus up-canyon 5 pm, last bus out of Temple of Sinawava 6:15 pm. No service Nov 29 – Dec 25. Springdale Line: 8 am – 6 pm through Nov 28. Sources: [Zion Canyon shuttle schedule](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm)
- **Info:** Zion Canyon Visitor Center, park store and wilderness desk: 8 am – 5 pm. Human History Museum: 10 am – 5 pm. Sources: [Zion operating hours & facility hours](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/hours.htm)
- **Closed:** Watchman Trail is closed pending repairs and Hidden Canyon is closed (rockfall). Angels Landing requires a permit. Sources: [NPS Zion alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Zion Current Conditions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Angels Landing permits](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- **Heads-up:** Parking is limited. When park lots fill, park in Springdale; vehicles outside designated spaces can be cited and towed. Sources: [NPS Zion alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- **Info:** Watchman Campground is open year-round (reservations required). South Campground closes seasonally in winter. Sources: [Zion Current Conditions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [Zion operating hours & facility hours](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/hours.htm)

**Entrance fee:** Private vehicle $35. Non-US residents 16+ pay an additional $100 nonresident fee unless entering with an annual / America the Beautiful pass. Angels Landing requires a separate permit. Sources: [NPS Zion fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm); [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm); [Angels Landing permits](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)

## Forecast near the South Entrance

| Period | Temp | Forecast | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 46°F | Clear | 16 mph |
| Thursday | 74°F | Sunny | 5 to 16 mph |
| Thursday Night | 47°F | Partly Cloudy | 10 to 16 mph |
| Friday | 69°F | Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Rain | 3 to 16 mph |
| Friday Night | 44°F | Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms | 3 to 16 mph |
| Saturday | 57°F | Showers And Thunderstorms | 5 to 18 mph |
| Saturday Night | 37°F | Mostly Clear | 2 to 9 mph |
| Sunday | 62°F | Mostly Sunny | 0 to 9 mph |

Snapshot from the National Weather Service, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.2&lon=-112.987

## What actually matters here this season

The goal is a good trip, not a scary one. These are the hazards NPS highlights for this area and season, and what to do about each.

- **The Narrows in November.** Cold water and short days. Check USGS flow and the NWS forecast the morning you go; the route closes at 150 cfs or under a Flash Flood Warning. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast Friday night and Saturday. Sources: [Zion Current Conditions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Don't miss the last shuttle.** NPS says not to wait for the last shuttle of the day. Being stuck in the canyon after dark in November means a long, cold walk out. Sources: [Zion Canyon shuttle schedule](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Cyanobacteria in the Virgin River.** Don't drink river water or put your head under. NPS's advisory covers rivers, streams and pools parkwide. Sources: [Zion toxic cyanobacteria advisory](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides

## Checklist for the South Entrance

- [ ] **Arrive early or park in Springdale** — Lots fill, and towing is enforced.
- [ ] **Note the last shuttle times** — Last bus up-canyon 5 pm; last out 6:15 pm through Nov 28.
- [ ] **A gallon of water per person per day** — NPS's desert rule applies even when it's cool.
- [ ] **Download GOES in Springdale** — Don't count on coverage in the canyon.

Follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. They override anything on this page.

## Zion park-wide

- **Flash floods.** Flash floods can happen at any time in Zion, carrying trees and boulders. The Narrows closes when flow exceeds 150 cfs or when NWS issues a Flash Flood Warning. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast Friday night into Saturday this week. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm); [Zion Current Conditions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm); [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
  - In GOES: 125+ extreme weather alerts
- **Toxic cyanobacteria.** Don't drink water from rivers, streams or pools, and don't submerge your head in them. Use potable water, and treat spring water only as a last resort. Sources: [Zion toxic cyanobacteria advisory](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm); [NPS Zion alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides
- **Hypothermia in the canyons.** NPS: hypothermia is a major hazard in narrow canyons, and immersion in water is the fastest way to lose body heat. Avoid cotton and eat before you get chilled. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Environmental Health: hypothermia and frostbite assessments
- **Cliffs.** Falls from cliffs on trails have caused deaths. Loose sand on stone is slippery, so stay on the trail and back from edges. Sources: [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
  - In GOES: Offline interactive health assessment + 50+ visual how-to guides

## All active Zion NPS alerts

From the NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12, 2026. Live: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

- **[Park Closure] Watchman Trail closed.** The Watchman Trail is closed pending repairs.
- **[Caution] Large vehicle restrictions on Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.** Vehicles that exceed length, width, height, or weight limits cannot travel between Canyon Junction and the park's East Entrance. See the current limits on the page linked below. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/large-vehicles.htm)
- **[Caution] Toxic cyanobacteria in rivers, streams, and pools.** Do not submerge your head in or drink instream water in Zion National Park. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm)
- **[Information] Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program.** All hikers need a permit to hike Angels Landing. Learn why you need a permit and how to get one using the link below. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- **[Information] Please park legally and responsibly.** Zion has limited parking. Once parking spaces in Zion are full, visitors should park in Springdale. Please park only in designated spaces. Vehicles parked outside of designated spaces are subject to citation and towing. (https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/traffic.htm#parking)

## Get the GOES app before the gate

**When signal drops, GOES steps in.** Flash floods, cold canyon water and cliff-edge trails. Download GOES in Springdale; its offline assessment and how-to guides work deep in the canyon.

GOES — Outdoor Health & Safety is your outdoor safety companion: an offline interactive health assessment, 50+ visual how-to guides, 200+ prevention tips across 60+ medical topics, and location-specific risk indicators (wildlife, cold, heat, altitude, ticks, poisonous plants, UV, smoke). Built by wilderness medicine physicians: founded by Dr. Grant Lipman; Chief Medical Officer Dr. Colin Little, MD, FAWM.

- iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goes-outdoor-health-safety/id1576527901
- Android (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goes.mobile
- About GOES: https://goes.health/platform

Free to download. Premium features need a monthly or annual subscription after a 7-day free trial. GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

## Other Zion entrances

- [East Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/east-entrance.md): Open — gravel section, size limits
- [Kolob Canyons Entrance](https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/kolob-canyons-entrance.md): Open — may close for snow or ice
- [Zion overview, closures and park-wide risks](https://parks.goes.health/parks/zion/index.md)

## Sources

Fetched Thu Nov 12, 2026 (JST), which is Wed Nov 11 evening in US time zones. We don't publish wait times, wildlife sightings or conditions we can't source.

- [Zion Canyon shuttle schedule](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm)
- [Zion operating hours & facility hours](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/hours.htm)
- [NPS Zion alerts (NPS Data API, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [Zion Current Conditions](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/conditions.htm)
- [Angels Landing permits](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm)
- [National Weather Service point forecasts (api.weather.gov, fetched Nov 12)](https://www.weather.gov/)
- [Zion toxic cyanobacteria advisory](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm)
- [NPS Zion fees & passes](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm)
- [NPS Data API (parks, operating hours, fees)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/developer/api-documentation.htm)
- [Zion safety: flash floods, cliffs, hypothermia, water](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/safety.htm)
- [NPS Zion National Park](https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm)

---

*GOES provides guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. ParkReady Guides is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Always follow official NPS rules, posted closures and ranger instructions. Conditions change quickly; check the linked NPS pages before you go. In an emergency, call 911.*

ParkReady Guides by GOES Health · Week of Nov 9–15, 2026 · facts fetched Nov 12, 2026 from NPS and NWS. Agent overview: https://parks.goes.health/llms.txt · Conditions feed (JSON): https://parks.goes.health/conditions.json