Zion National Park celebrates 100 millionth shuttle boarding

ZION NAITIONAL PARK, Utah (ABC4) — This week, Zion National Park hit the milestone of 100 million boardings of their shuttle system since its launch in 2000.

The Zion Canyon Shuttle System was created to address traffic congestion, increasing visitation, and resource impacts in Zion Canyon, according to park officials. Zion National Park worked closely with the Town of Springdale, the Federal Highway Administration, the Utah Department of Transportation, and other partners.

The Park said that the shuttle system is key to protecting Zion’s incredible landscapes and improving the visitor experience overall, and it carries millions of riders annually. It makes it easier to explore the park without the hassle of traffic and parking.

When the shuttle launched in 2000, Zion was seeing 2.4 million visitors annually, but in 2024, visitation was close to 5 million. “Throughout this growth, the shuttle has remained a cornerstone of the park’s management strategy,” Zion National Park said in a press release.

ABC4.com visited Zion National Park and spoke with some visitors about the shuttle.

“It’s the best way to do it, rather than driving yourself, try to find a parking space, which is really impossible. And then once you get into the park, it’s a breeze, yeah,” Mark Keefer and Elena Szeto from California said.

The shuttle system was designed to cut down on cars inside Zion Canyon, and visitors told ABC4.com that it’s made their trips smoother and more enjoyable.

“It was pretty hard to find a parking spot because it seems really busy here,” Mia Starns and Mary Hughes from Florida said. “But the shuttle helped out a lot… We had to park outside actually in that little town right there, so the shuttle helped.”

The shuttle system has adapted to be more eco-friendly. In September 2024, Zion National Park transitioned its entire shuttle fleet to zero-emission electric vehicles, becoming the first National Park to do so.

“We’re never at a loss for a ride to get from point A to point B. It clears up all the congestion. I’m assuming our park permits pay for it, and it’s money well spent,” Kathleen Smith from Minnesota told ABC4.com.

The park celebrated the 100 millionth rider with a custom t-shirt and a gift bag provided by the Zion National Park Forever Project.

“It’s probably our fifth time here,” Mark and Elena continued. “We just love this area. It’s beautiful, and we certainly appreciate the park shuttle and the city shuttle and how they integrate. Well, it’s definitely a sane way to do it, instead of trying to drive around.”

Zion National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said in a press release that the shuttle system is a reflection of everyone who works there to “help protect this special place.”