Here in Utah, we love our national parks. And while I strongly recommend a visit to each and every one, there are some parks that draw in more of a crowd than others. That’s certainly the case with Zion National Park, one of Utah’s busiest and most popular destinations. In fact, 2022 was a record-breaking year at Zion National Park and became the second busiest year in the park’s history.

Zion National Park is the perfect outdoor getaway. With hikes, vistas, arches, campgrounds, and so much more, this national park in Utah is a bucket-list-worthy destination and it's no surprise that many individuals are marking this national park off of their bucket list.

In 2022, Zion National Park recorded 4,692,417 visitors, making it the second busiest year in the park's history.

This is 200,000 more visitors than in 2019, for example.

These statistics aren’t that surprising, however, as Zion has seen record-breaking numbers for six of the past 10 years. Over just Memorial Weekend in 2022, Zion National Park recorded more than 82,000 visitors.

About one-third of all national parks (more than 150) recorded fewer than 82,000 visitors in all of 2022!

While it's wonderful to see so many visitors exploring Utah's national parks, it also means more challenges in these areas of the state.

In 2022, park rangers responded to more than 120 calls that required search and rescue. They also answered more than 26,000 phone calls and emails throughout the year, which averages to approximately 70 messages every single day. To keep park restrooms ready for such a large number of visitors, the maintenance staff even provided more than 2,000 miles of toilet paper!

While a large number of visitors are expected in Zion National Park this year as well, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t avoid this park completely. Careful planning can ensure you have a successful and enjoyable trip.

Avoid visiting this park during the summer, especially around holiday weekends. You also do not need a permit for entering the park but you will need to acquire one in advance for trails like Angels Landing. Also, you will need to ride a shuttle into many areas of the park, so be prepared by knowing shuttle times, shuttle locations, etc.

There is a reason Zion National Park draws in such a heavy crowd — this national park is breathtaking. It’s one destination in Utah you’ll never regret visiting.

You can learn even more about this national park, shuttles, permits, etc., on the National Park Service website. You should also check out our ultimate guide to visiting Zion National Park, which is filled with must-visit attractions, lodging options, hike info, etc.

Are you surprised that 2022 was a record-breaking year for Zion National Park? Did you venture into the park last year? If so, did you find it too crowded? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!