Zion Canyon Scenic Drive: Guide to All 9 Free Shuttle Stops, Court of the Patriarchs & Big Bend

Stretching 10.5 kilometres (6.5 miles) north from Canyon Junction to the Temple of Sinawava, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive follows the main canyon floor beside the North Fork of the Virgin River. From early March through late November (and during the December holiday week), private cars are banned unless you hold an overnight red pass for Zion Lodge. Everyone else explores its 9 numbered stops via the free electric Zion Canyon Shuttle Buses (departing every 5 to 10 minutes with no tickets needed) or by bicycle or e-bike.

What Is at Each of the 9 Zion Canyon Shuttle Stops? (South to North)

• Stop #1, Zion Canyon Visitor Center: main boarding hub inside the South Entrance Pedestrian Bridge with toilets, water refills, bookshop, and trailheads for the Watchman Trail and Pa'rus Trail.
• Stop #2, Zion Human History Museum: cultural exhibits and lawn views of the Towers of the Virgin and Altar of Sacrifice.
• Stop #3, Canyon Junction: where the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (Highway 9 East) branches up the switchbacks, and the northern end of the paved Pa'rus Trail.
• Stop #4, Court of the Patriarchs: walk 3 minutes up a paved path to an elevated viewpoint facing three 670-metre sandstone peaks named in 1916: Mount Abraham, Mount Isaac and Mount Jacob.

• Stop #5, Zion Lodge: the historic 1925 lodge, Castle Dome outdoor cafe, a 200-year-old cottonwood tree on the lawn, and the bridge to Lower Emerald Pool.
• Stop #6, The Grotto: picnic tables, water refills and the trailhead for Scout Lookout, Angels Landing and the Kayenta Trail.
• Stop #7, Weeping Rock (Check Rockfall Status): a hanging garden alcove where ancient rainwater seeps from porous sandstone (occasionally closed after rockfalls).
• Stop #8, Big Bend: a 180-degree river bend around the 450-metre cliff of Angels Landing and the Great White Throne (2,056m); watch the updrafts for endangered California Condors.
• Stop #9, Temple of Sinawava: toilets, water refills, and the 1.6 km paved path to The Narrows.