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Zion National Park Airport Guide: Best Ways to Get There

Zion National Park Airport Guide: Best Ways to Get There

Rachel

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Key Takeaways:
  • St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is the closest option, about 45–60 minutes from Zion’s south entrance. 
  • Harry Reid International (LAS) offers the cheapest flights and most rental cars, but requires a longer 2.5–3 hour drive. 
  • Cedar City (CDC) is another small regional option with limited flights and rental cars—book early during peak seasons. 
  • Salt Lake City (SLC) works best for multi-park road trips, though it’s a long 4–4.5-hour drive to Zion. 
  • Reserve rental cars early at smaller airports, and check Zion tunnel vehicle size restrictions before arrival. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

If you’re dreaming of towering cliffs, red rock canyons, and epic hikes, you’ll need a launchpad for your adventure.

Lucky for you, Zion National Park is flanked by a handful of airports that range from quick-and-easy regional spots to big-city hubs perfect for scoring a bargain flight.

Whether you want to zip in, road-trip like a pro, or chase multi-park adventures, we’ve rounded up all the closest airports.

You’ll also get tips on drive times, flights, and how to get from runway to canyon rim without breaking a sweat—or the bank!

Best Airports Near Zion National Park

1. St. George Regional Airport (SGU) — the quickest way in

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Distance & Drive Time

  • About a 45–60 minute drive to Springdale and the south entrance—quick and easy.

Price & Convenience

  • Flights are limited compared with big hubs, but that’s the point—less time in airports, more time on the trail. Rentals are available but book early during high season. Writer’s Choice.

2. Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC) — regional and chill

Cedar City Regional Airport building with stonework design and flags flying under a clear blue sky.Cedar City Regional Airport

Distance & Travel Time

  • About 1 hr 15–1 hr 30 min drive depending on route.

Price & Convenience

  • Fewer flights and rental cars than SGU—great if your schedule lines up, but reserve vehicles early. 

3. Harry Reid International (LAS) — best for cheap flights & international arrivals

Airplanes parked at gates at Harry Reid International Airport with the control tower and Las Vegas skyline at dusk.Harry Reid International Airport

  • Address: 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
  • Phone: +1-702-261-5211
  • Harry Reid International Website
  • Rating: large international hub; commonly rated around 4.0–4.3 out of 5

Distance & Travel Time

  • Expect roughly a 2.5–3 hour drive to Zion— longer on the road, but usually cheaper flights and tons of rental options.

Price & Convenience

  • Plenty of rental choices and shuttle/private transfer options; the tradeoff is all the extra driving time.

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Other Airport Options

The following airports are generally not the best options for the majority of travelers, but may suit certain niche scenarios.

4. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) — major hub, longer road trip

Aerial view of Salt Lake City International Airport with roads, parking lots, and snow-capped mountains in the background.

Distance & Drive Time

  • About a 4–4.5 hour drive to Zion—longer than SGU or CDC, but the route is pretty scenic.

Flight Options

  • Lots of domestic and international flights; good choice if you need more flight options, want to see more of the state, or plan a multi-park itinerary. 

5. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) — for road-trippers and multi-park loops

Entrance sign for Grand Junction Regional Airport with U.S. and Colorado state flags flying above.Image from Flickr by Road Travel America

  • Address: 2828 Walker Field Dr, Grand Junction, CO 81506
  • Phone: +1-970-244-9100
  • Grand Junction Regional Airport Website
  • Rating: small to mid-size regional airport; solid for connecting flights to larger hubs

Distance & Drive Time

  • Several hundred miles—part of a longer road-trip loop through Colorado and Utah parks.

Flight Options

  • Flights mostly to Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas; schedules may vary seasonally.

6. Bryce Canyon Airport (BCE) — small, niche option

Small regional airport in a desert landscape with several light aircraft on the tarmac and low buildings nearby.Bryce Canyon Airport

  • Address: 1 Airport Rd, Bryce Canyon, UT 84764
  • Phone: +1-435-834-5363
  • Bryce Canyon Airport Website
  • Rating: very small airport; mainly charter or scenic flights

Distance & Drive Time

  • About a 1.5–2 hour drive to Zion—could work if combining Bryce Canyon with Zion.

Flight Options

  • Commercial flights are rare; rental car availability is limited.

7. Page Municipal Airport (PGA) — small Arizona option near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Exterior view of Canyonlands Regional Airport with a small terminal building, blue awnings, and clear desert skies.City of Page

  • Address: 540 Airport Rd, Page, AZ 86040
  • Phone: +1-928-645-8211
  • Page Municipal Airport Website
  • Rating: small regional airport; primarily charter flights and limited commercial service

Distance & Drive Time

  • About a 2–2.5 hour drive to Zion’s south entrance (≈125 miles/201 km), depending on traffic and road conditions.

Flight Options

  • Commercial flights are limited—mostly regional carriers or charters. Rental car availability is minimal; many travelers combine flights into Page with a rental from a larger nearby airport, like Las Vegas or St. George.

Map of Airports Near Zion National Park

How to Choose the Best Airport for Zion

  • Fastest access: SGU (then CDC)—least driving.
  • Cheapest tickets / most flight choices: LAS or SLC — great for bargain flights or international arrivals.
  • Best for park-hopping/road trips: GJT or SLC — fits multi-park itineraries.

Transportation Tips from Airports to Zion

  • Rental cars: book early—especially at SGU/CDC, where inventory is small. Consider if you want an off-road or all-wheel drive vehicle–especially if you’re heading to more remote local parks or traveling in winter.
  • Shuttles: Springdale and Zion run shuttle services between town and the canyon—great if you don’t want to drive into the park. Be sure to check our guide for all the deets.
  • Oversized vehicles / RVs: Big rigs may need a tunnel escort or won’t be allowed through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel—double-check size rules before you leave.

FAQs

Which airport is closest to Zion National Park?

St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is the closest airport to Zion National Park, located about one hour away by car.

Nearest international airport to Zion National Park?

Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the nearest major international hub, about 2.5 to 3 hours from Zion. It offers the most flight options and typically the cheapest fares.

Best airport for scenic multi-park road trips near Zion?

Salt Lake City (SLC) and Grand Junction (GJT) are great starting points for scenic road trips that include Zion and nearby national parks like Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Capitol Reef.

What’s the writer’s recommendation for flying into Zion?

I prefer SGU or CDC. These smaller airports are less stressful, plus a quick drive into the park. What could be better?

What other parks should I visit near Zion?

Zion pairs well with Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Staircase–Escalante, Horseshoe Bend, Page, and the Grand Canyon North Rim. These parks offer stunning scenery and are all within a scenic day’s drive..

Explore Zion with Shaka Guide

Plan your trip to Zion National Park with Shaka Guide and make getting there easy! Once you land, our guide helps you turn airport time into adventure time with simple directions, helpful tips, and fun stories along the way.

No matter which airport you choose, Shaka Guide takes the guesswork out of planning so you can focus on the views, hikes, and red rock magic. Download the tour and start your Zion adventure the smart way!

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Rachel Ennis
About the Writer: Rachel Ennis

Rachel Ennis is a storyteller, nature nerd, and park enthusiast who believes every trail has a tale. Zion was her first love—the very first tour she wrote for Shaka Guide—and the moment she saw those towering red walls, something clicked.

That spark of awe has followed her to every park since. Now, she’s on a mission to share the stories that live in the land and the spaces that make us feel small in the best way.

Ready to explore Zion?

Take Shaka Guide’s Zion National Park Audio Tour for turn-by-turn directions, local stories, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Visiting more parks in the region?
Don’t miss our Utah Mighty 5 Tour Bundle — it includes tours for Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, and many more!

Still planning?
Check out our Zion National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go guide to prep for your trip.

Have questions?
We’re happy to help — email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.

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View from an airplane window at sunset with text overlay reading "Closest Airport in Zion National Park – Explore Now.

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