Colorado Plateau · Utah, USA

Best Time to Hike Zion — Angels Landing & The Narrows

The best time to hike Zion is April to May and September to October, according to the official season guidance. Those shoulder months bring milder warmth than midsummer, and daylight runs from roughly 11 to 14 hours. Angels Landing needs a permit, and The Narrows depends on the flash-flood forecast.

Wide view of a red sandstone canyon in spring with blooming shrubs and a narrow trail climbing the wall

Month-by-month climate for Zion — Angels Landing & The Narrows

Month	Relative warmth	Rain	Daylight
Jan	Coldest	31 mm	9.7 h
Feb	Coldest	28 mm	10.6 h
Mar	Cool	36 mm	11.7 h
Apr	Mild	20 mm	13 h
May	Mild	19 mm	14 h
Jun	Warmest	6 mm	14.6 h
Jul	Warmest	40 mm	14.3 h
Aug	Warmest	40 mm	13.4 h
Sep	Warm	30 mm	12.2 h
Oct	Mild	28 mm	11 h
Nov	Cool	21 mm	10 h
Dec	Coldest	32 mm	9.4 h

Modelled regional averages for 2010–2023 (rainfall) and calculated daylight hours; they describe the wider area, not a reading taken on the trail. “Relative warmth” compares each month with the warmest and coldest months of this place’s own year. It is not a temperature, and the high parts of a route are colder than the region around them.

The modelled numbers show June as the driest month at about 6 mm, while July and August are the wettest at about 40 mm each, which fits a summer storm pattern on the plateau. March is also relatively damp at 36 mm. Daylight swings from about 9.4 hours in December to about 14.6 hours in June. June through August are the warmest months of this place's year, while December through February are the coldest. April, May and October sit in the mild range, and September is warm. These are modelled regional averages, so treat them as typical patterns rather than trail readings.

Zion — Angels Landing & The Narrows season by season

Spring · April to May

Spring is one of the two windows the official season guidance recommends. Warmth is mild, rainfall is typically low at about 20 mm in April and 19 mm in May, and daylight stretches from roughly 13 to 14 hours. That gives a comfortable margin for a long day on exposed terrain such as Angels Landing. March can be cooler and damper at about 36 mm, so earlier visits may feel less settled. Permits and river conditions still apply, so confirm current details with the National Park Service before you plan.

Summer · June to August

Summer is the warmest stretch of this place's year, and the numbers show a split. June is the driest month at about 6 mm, but July and August are the wettest at about 40 mm each, which signals a typical pattern of storms. Daylight is at its longest, around 13.4 to 14.6 hours, which helps with early starts. These months fall outside the official season guidance. If you go anyway, check the flash-flood forecast closely before entering The Narrows and confirm conditions with the managing authority.

Early autumn · September to October

Early autumn is the second window the official season guidance recommends. September is warm and October mild, and typical rainfall runs about 30 mm and 28 mm, so some wet weather remains possible. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to about 11 hours in October, which leaves less margin for slow days or late starts. Both months suit a planned permit-based trip well, but river and weather conditions still change, so confirm them with the National Park Service before you commit to dates.

Late autumn and winter · November to March

From November through March the modelled warmth falls from cool to the coldest months of this place's year, in December through February. Daylight is also at its shortest, about 9.4 to 10.6 hours in the deepest months, so plan routes that finish well before dark. Rainfall is moderate, between about 21 and 36 mm a month, with March the damper end. These months lie outside the official season guidance, so check current trail and river conditions and any permit requirements with the managing authority before you go.

Hiker in a light jacket steadying herself with a hand on cool rock beside a chain at a ridge saddle

Official season guidance

U.S. National Park Service: April to May and September to October

Angels Landing requires a permit via a seasonal and day-before lottery. A top-down Narrows hike or any overnight needs a wilderness permit; always check the flash-flood forecast before entering the river.

Check current dates on nps.gov/zion

What to pack for the season

Pack for the season you choose rather than the average. In the shoulder months, bring layers you can add or shed as the day warms. Carry rain cover, since even the driest months can bring showers. Sun protection and plenty of water matter on exposed sections. With daylight shrinking toward autumn, a headlamp is a sensible backup if a day runs long.

For layering, rain cover and weather planning, see hiking in rain, heat and cold.

Timing mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is picking a date from a single month's average and ignoring the official season guidance. Summer looks appealing for its long daylight, yet July and August bring the wettest modelled months, which matters for a river route. Another is treating the permit rules as an afterthought. Angels Landing runs on a lottery, and a top-down Narrows hike or any overnight needs a wilderness permit. Finally, checking the flash-flood forecast only at home is risky, because conditions change, so confirm them again before you enter the river.

Boots and trekking poles on frosty sandstone steps with a thin dusting of snow beside a safety chain

Common questions

Is summer a bad time to hike Zion?

The official season guidance points to April to May and September to October instead. Summer is the warmest part of the year, and July and August are typically the wettest months at about 40 mm each. If you go, check the flash-flood forecast and confirm conditions with the National Park Service.

Which month is driest for this hike?

In the modelled averages, June is the driest month at about 6 mm of rain, though it is also among the warmest. April and May are also relatively dry at about 20 and 19 mm, and they fall inside the official season guidance. Averages are regional, so conditions at the trail can differ.

How much daylight can I count on?

Daylight ranges from about 9.4 hours in December to about 14.6 hours in June. In the recommended spring window it is roughly 13 to 14 hours, and in early autumn it falls from about 12.2 to 11 hours. Plan your start time around the shorter days.

Does timing affect permits?

Permit rules apply whatever month you pick. Angels Landing requires a permit through a seasonal and day-before lottery, and a top-down Narrows hike or any overnight needs a wilderness permit. Check current permit details and dates with the National Park Service when you plan your trip.

Sources

U.S. National Park Service — nps.gov/zion: official season and permit guidance.
NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources): monthly temperature and rainfall averages, 2010–2023, from MERRA-2 reanalysis. Daylight hours are calculated from latitude.

Conditions, closures and permit rules change without notice — confirm current information with the managing authority before you go. See our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.