Explore the rugged red rock desert and ponderosa pine forests of East Zion in a 4x4 vehicle. These off-road Jeep tours offer access to exclusive viewpoints, sunset panoramas, and deep canyons without the long hikes.
Free Cancellation Ride a Jeep to one of East Zion’s highest peaks for sunset views, snacks, and a rugged descent down the mountain.
Free Cancellation A one-hour Jeep tour through Zion’s pine forests to Checkerboard Mesa and the deep slot canyon of Jolley Gulch.
Free Cancellation Ride a guided 4x4 through red rock trails to watch the sunset over the cliffs of Zion National Park.
Free Cancellation Explore Red Canyon by Jeep to see the Virgin River's east fork, ancient geology, and local history.
Free Cancellation Take a guided Jeep tour past sandstone monoliths to viewpoints overlooking Zion National Park and the Grand Staircase.
Free Cancellation Ride a Jeep to a private sunset viewpoint followed by campfire s'mores and guided stargazing on this 2.5-hour tour.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Zion — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A Zion Jeep tour offers an exhilarating way to experience the rugged beauty of East Zion's backcountry. You will escape the heavy crowds of the main canyon, climbing steep, off-road trails to reach high-altitude vantage points with breathtaking views of Zion National Park's iconic cliffs and canyons.
Hold on tight as your 4x4 vehicle navigates steep, rocky paths through ponderosa pine forests and red rock deserts. The fast-paced climbs are thrilling and provide access to remote areas most visitors never see.
Many tours are perfectly timed to reach western-facing overlooks just as the sun dips below the horizon. You'll watch the sky light up in vibrant colors behind the massive sandstone cliffs of Zion.
Get up close to millions of years of erosion. Guides will point out colorful rock layers, the deep East Fork of the Virgin River, and striking sandstone monoliths like Checkerboard Mesa.
Evening tours often transition into a cozy campfire experience. Relax in provided chairs with blankets, roast s'mores, drink hot chocolate, and let your guide point out constellations in the dark desert sky.
Some specific routes take you through the high desert terrain bordering the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. You'll ride up to Red Knoll for sweeping, panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Before you secure your spot on a Zion Jeep adventure, there are a few practical details to keep in mind regarding physical requirements, departure locations, and what is included in your ticket.
While these tours require no hiking and are suitable for all physical fitness levels, the off-road terrain is extremely bumpy. They are highly discouraged for pregnant travelers, those with spinal injuries, or individuals with poor cardiovascular health.
Jeep tours do not depart from the main Zion Canyon Visitor Center. You will need to check in at specific East Zion locations, such as the Zion Ponderosa Resort, the Thunderbird Restaurant in Mt. Carmel, or Station 89 in Kanab.
All Jeep tours provide complimentary bottled water and snacks for the journey. Evening and sunset tours often go the extra mile by providing camp chairs, warm blankets, and sometimes hot chocolate and s'mores.
Desert temperatures fluctuate wildly. If you are booking a sunset or stargazing tour, bring extra layers. Temperatures drop significantly as soon as the sun goes down, and the open-air Jeeps can get chilly.
These Jeep tours explore the backcountry and private overlooks on the eastern edge of Zion. If you plan to visit the main Zion Canyon independently, you will still need to purchase a $35 private vehicle pass or a $20 pedestrian pass.
Most tour operators offer a flexible cancellation policy. You can receive a full refund as long as you cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
| Sunset Jeep Tour | East Rim & Red Canyon Tours | S'mores & Stargazing Tour | Pink Sands Jeep Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1.5 to 2 hours | 1 to 2 hours | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Best for | Couples and photographers | Geology lovers and quick trips | Families with kids | Extended backcountry exploration |
| Key Highlights | High vantage points, western-facing overlooks, blankets and snacks | Checkerboard Mesa, ponderosa pine forests, Virgin River overlooks | Private viewpoint, campfire, s'mores, hot chocolate, constellation spotting | Coral Pink Sand Dunes border, Red Knoll viewpoint, sandstone monoliths |
| Price from | $81.48 | $57.86 | $136.00 | $106.17 |
Zion National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. However, facility hours vary by season.
Note that Jeep tours operate on specific schedules, primarily departing in the late afternoon or early evening to catch the sunset.
Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah along State Route 9. If you are flying in, the closest major airports are Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) (163 miles, about a 2 hour and 45-minute drive) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) (307 miles, about a 4.5-hour drive).
If you are staying in St. George, you can take the SunTran Zion Route bus for $5 each way. It runs Monday through Saturday from 5:40 am to 10:30 pm. Keep in mind that East Zion Jeep tours depart from locations outside the main canyon, such as Mt. Carmel or Zion Ponderosa Resort, so a rental car is highly recommended to reach your check-in spot.
The absolute best times to visit Zion are during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall (especially October and November). During these months, the autumn colors peak, the crowds thin out, and the temperatures are comfortable.
Summer (July to September) is the worst time to visit due to extreme heat often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit and frequent monsoon thunderstorms that cause deadly flash floods. If you want to hike deep water canyons like The Narrows, June is the best month as it is the driest time of the year.
Zion National Park offers several accessible features, including fully accessible facilities at the Visitor Center and a free Zion Canyon Shuttle equipped with a wheelchair lift. The 3.5-mile Pa'rus Trail is fully paved and ideal for strollers and wheelchairs.
Important for Jeep Tours: The 4x4 off-road tours are not wheelchair accessible. The terrain is extremely rugged and bumpy. Tour operators explicitly state these rides are not recommended for pregnant travelers, individuals with spinal injuries, or those with poor cardiovascular health.
The main Zion Canyon Visitor Center has over 350 free parking spaces, but they typically fill up completely by 8:00 am or 9:00 am during peak season. If the lot is full, you will need to park in the town of Springdale, which costs between $15.00 and $25.00 per day (you can use the Flowbird app to pay).
Inside the park, you will find water refill stations at the visitor centers, campgrounds, and the Zion Lodge. Always carry at least one gallon of water per person per day in the desert.
To protect the park's delicate ecosystem, several strict rules are enforced:
No, personal and commercial vehicles are restricted in the main Zion Canyon during shuttle season. These Jeep tours explore the rugged backcountry of East Zion, taking you to high vantage points that overlook the national park's cliffs.
Tour operators strongly advise against pregnant travelers joining the Jeep tours. The off-road trails are extremely bumpy and the fast-paced, rugged terrain can be physically jarring.
No, park admission is not included. If you plan to drive your own vehicle into Zion National Park before or after your tour, you will need to purchase a $35 private vehicle pass, which is valid for seven days.
Check-in locations vary by tour but are all located outside the main canyon. Common meeting spots include the Recreation Barn at Zion Ponderosa Resort, the Golf Shop behind the Thunderbird Restaurant in Mt. Carmel, or Station 89 in Kanab.
You should dress in layers. While the desert is hot during the day, temperatures drop significantly the moment the sun goes down. The open-air Jeeps can get quite cold on the ride back in the dark.
Generally, pets are not allowed on the Jeep tours, though service animals are permitted on select tours like the S'mores and Stargazing tour. Inside the national park, pets are only allowed on the paved Pa'rus Trail.
Not at all. These tours are suitable for all physical fitness levels because the Jeep does all the climbing. You will be driven directly to the overlooks with minimal walking required to enjoy the views.
Yes, all of the Jeep tours provide complimentary bottled water and snacks. The evening stargazing tours also include hot chocolate and s'mores around a campfire.
Yes, infants can join, and specialized infant seats are available upon request for certain tours. However, parents should keep the extremely bumpy nature of the off-road trails in mind.
Tours may be altered or canceled in the event of severe weather, as monsoon storms can cause dangerous flash floods in the area. If you need to cancel, you can get a full refund if done at least 24 hours before departure.
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This tour takes you on a fast-paced Jeep climb to a high vantage point in East Zion overlooking the cliffs of Zion National Park. The ascent is a high-energy ride over rugged terrain, timed to reach the summit just as the sun begins to set. Once at the top, we provide chairs, blankets, and snacks so you can relax while the sky changes color over the canyon. After sunset, the tour concludes with a spirited drive back down the mountain. This activity is designed for families and groups of all ages who want a mix of adventure and scenery. During the fall and winter months, temperatures on the mountain can be very low; please bring heavy coats, hats, and gloves to stay warm during the ride and the sunset stop.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This one-hour Jeep tour visits two major landmarks on the eastern edge of Zion. The trip begins with a drive through ponderosa pine forests to reach a viewpoint overlooking the sandstone patterns of Checkerboard Mesa. From there, the route follows a rugged trail that descends several hundred feet into the basin of Jolley Gulch. At the second stop, you can take an optional two-minute unguided walk to the edge of the Jolley Gulch slot canyon. This vantage point offers a top-down view 200 feet into the narrow canyon below. To finish the tour, the Jeep climbs back out of the gulch, crossing a river bed multiple times before returning to the Ponderosa plateau.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This guided tour takes you off-road in a 4x4 vehicle through the red rock desert. You will travel over rugged trails to reach a western-facing overlook positioned for views of Zion National Park. We arrive at the viewpoint in time to see the sunset behind the cliffs. Because temperatures drop significantly during the fall and winter, we recommend bringing warm layers, including a coat, hat, and gloves, to stay comfortable at the summit.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This Jeep tour takes you through the rugged terrain of Red Canyon to several overlooks above the east fork of the Virgin River. You’ll see firsthand how millions of years of erosion have shaped the landscape, exposing the colorful rock layers and unique geological formations that define this part of Southern Utah. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the Native Americans and early settlers who once navigated this challenging environment. Keep an eye out for local wildlife and native plants as we travel through the different biological zones of the canyon, from the high desert plateaus to the river basin below.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This Jeep tour travels through the high desert terrain bordering the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in East Zion. The route follows rugged trails past two prominent sandstone monoliths that define the local landscape. The drive continues up to Red Knoll, a high point offering a clear view of the Zion National Park skyline and the sprawling plateaus of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Throughout the trip, your guide provides context on the geology and history of these southern Utah landmarks.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 2.5-hour tour begins with a Jeep ride to a private viewpoint, where you can watch the sunset over the horizon without any hiking. Once the sun goes down, the group gathers around a campfire for s'mores and hot chocolate. While you relax by the fire, your guide will point out constellations and share stories about the night sky. The tour is limited to small groups to ensure a more personal experience and is open to participants ages two and up. It is a straightforward way to see the landscape after dark and learn about the stars in a quiet, outdoor setting.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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